When to hand out invitations?

Short answer

Hand out invitations about 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, in person when you see guests. For guests you do not see often, post them at the same time. Do not hand them out too early or too late.

The best time to hand out invitations is the same as posting them, around 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives everyone a fair amount of notice, whether they receive the invitation by hand or by post.

If you are handing them out in person, do it at a natural meeting, such as a family meal, a friend's birthday, or a casual visit. That feels personal and warm. But be careful not to hand them out at a big event where people might put them down and forget them.

For guests who live far away, or who you rarely see, posting is better. You can post all invitations on the same day, so everyone gets the same notice. That avoids any awkwardness about who got theirs first.

If you have a morning or afternoon ceremony, the timing is the same. The ceremony time does not change when you hand out invitations. What matters is giving guests enough time to plan, especially if they need to travel or arrange childcare.

Remember to include all the details on the invitation, such as the venue, dress code and RSVP date. And if you are using a wedding website, mention it on the invitation so guests can find more information.