Planning
When to send wedding invitations
Send too early and people forget; too late and they have plans. This timeline works for most weddings and shifts earlier for destination celebrations.
The timeline
- 8-12 months before: save-the-date for destination weddings
- 6 months before: save-the-date for local weddings
- 6-8 weeks before: send the invitation with full details
- 3-4 weeks before: RSVP deadline
- 2 weeks before: chase the guests who have not replied
- 1 week before: confirm final numbers with the venue
Why digital changes the maths
With print you have to add production and postal time, so the decision has to be made weeks earlier. A digital invitation goes out the day it is ready, so you can hold the details until the venue is fully confirmed.
It also means late additions cost nothing — send the same link to a guest added last month.
Chasing replies without nagging
Send one friendly reminder a week after the deadline, addressed only to people who have not replied, with the link repeated at the end.
For the last handful, a personal message works better than any reminder.
Frequently asked questions
- Is six weeks enough notice?
- For local guests, yes. If people are flying in or taking time off work, aim for three months or more.
- Do I still need a save-the-date?
- Only if the wedding is far away, in peak season, or on a holiday weekend.
- What if the venue changes after I send it?
- Update the invitation and publish again — the link does not change, so everyone sees the new details.
- When should the RSVP deadline be?
- Three to four weeks before, so you have a buffer before the venue asks for final numbers.