How many weeks before a wedding should you send invitations?

The usual advice for UK weddings is to send invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the day. This works well for most couples and guests. It allows time for the invitation to arrive by post, for guests to think about their plans, and for you to chase any late replies.

If your wedding is local and most guests live nearby, 6 weeks is usually fine. If guests are travelling from further away, or your wedding is on a busy date, aim for 8 weeks. For weddings over school holidays or bank holiday weekends, give guests extra notice, perhaps 10 to 12 weeks, especially if they need to book accommodation early.

Your reply date should be about 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding. That gives you a week or two to confirm numbers with your venue, caterer and any other suppliers. If you have guests who are slow to reply, it is fine to send a gentle reminder after the reply date has passed. Most guests will not mind, and it helps you plan smoothly.