What is the rule for wedding invites?

Short answer

The rule is to send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, with a clear reply date three to four weeks before. Include all essential details, address every guest by name, and make sure every invited person is named on the envelope.

The single rule for wedding invitations is to give your guests everything they need, in good time, and with no confusion. That means sending invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, and asking for replies three to four weeks before the day. It also means being specific about who is invited. Every guest should be named on the envelope, and if they have a partner or children, those people should be named too. Never write "and guest" unless you genuinely do not know who they will bring.

Include the full date, the start time, the venue name and address, and the dress code. Add a reply date and a way to reply, whether that is a card, an email, or your wedding website. If you have a gift list or a wedding website, mention it on a separate card or on the website, not on the invitation itself.

Send one invitation per household, not one per person, unless two people in the same house are both invited independently. For a wedding with multiple events, list them all on one invitation or include a separate card. The rule is to be clear, kind and practical. If you follow that, your invitations will do their job well, and your guests will feel looked after.