How many weeks in advance should I send out invites?

Aim for 8 to 12 weeks before the big day. This is the sweet spot for most UK weddings. It gives guests time to book time off work, arrange childcare, and sort out travel and hotels, especially if many are coming from further afield.

If you have a lot of guests travelling from abroad, or your wedding falls on a bank holiday or during school holidays, lean towards the 12-week mark. For a smaller, more local guest list, 8 weeks is usually fine.

Before the invitations go out, send a save the date. That can go out 6 to 12 months ahead, especially for destination weddings or if guests need to book accommodation early. The invitation itself is the formal follow-up with all the practical details.

Remember to include your RSVP deadline clearly. Ask guests to reply at least 4 weeks before the wedding, so you have time to confirm final numbers with your venue and caterers. If you are using a wedding website, put the RSVP link on the invitation too.