When to Send Wedding Invitations (and Why Timing Matters)
As a wedding planner, one of the most common questions I hear from couples is:
“When should we send our wedding invitations?”
Some brides and grooms are eager to get them in the mail as early as possible — sometimes 6 months or more before the big day. While it might seem thoughtful to give guests plenty of notice, there’s actually an ideal window for sending wedding invitations, and sending them too early can create unexpected challenges.
In this post, I’ll explain the perfect timing for wedding invitations and why it’s important to stick to it for a smooth, well-organized celebration.
The Ideal Time to Send Wedding Invitations
For most weddings, the golden rule is to mail invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date.
If you’re hosting a destination wedding or have a high number of out-of-town guests, invitations can be sent a little earlier — around 3 months in advance — to allow guests time to book travel and accommodations.
Why You Shouldn’t Send Invitations Too Early
I. Guests Might Forget or Misplace the Invitation
An invitation sent six months ahead of time can easily get lost in a drawer or buried under a pile of mail. Life gets busy, and without the event being top of mind, guests might forget to RSVP or even overlook the date entirely.
II. Plans and Schedules Change
People are hesitant to commit to events far in advance, especially if details like hotel blocks, registries, or itineraries aren’t finalized. Sending invites too soon might result in uncertain RSVPs or declined responses that could have been avoided with better timing.
III. RSVP Deadlines Become Ineffective
If guests are asked to RSVP months in advance, there’s a higher chance they’ll procrastinate or forget altogether. By keeping the invitation window closer to the wedding, you maintain a sense of urgency and importance around the response deadline.
IV. You Miss an Opportunity to Build Excitement
Sending your invitations at the right time helps build excitement leading up to your special day. An invitation sent too early may lose its impact by the time the wedding arrives.
How to Give Guests Early Notice the Right Way
If you’re eager to let your guests know about your wedding well in advance — especially for destination weddings, holiday weekends, or peak travel seasons — the best solution is to send Save the Date cards.
Save the Dates should be mailed 6 to 8 months before your wedding date, or up to a year ahead for destination weddings.
These cards let your guests mark their calendars and start thinking about travel plans, while giving you time to finalize all the important details before the formal invitation goes out.
A Simple Wedding Invitation Timeline
Save the Dates: 6- 8 months prior
Wedding Invitations: 6-8 weeks prior
RSVP Deadline: 15-20 days prior
Final Thoughts
Your wedding invitations are one of the most exciting pieces of mail your guests will receive — and sending them at the right time ensures they stay meaningful, timely, and effective.
Remember: give guests a thoughtful heads-up with Save the Dates, then follow up with your official invitations when the event is closer and excitement is at its peak.