When to Send Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are one of the most essential parts of planning a wedding. They provide guests with important information and give them a glimpse into the theme for the big day. So once you find the perfect wedding invites, you’ll be eager to get them in the mail and into the hands of friends and family. But, when should you send out wedding invitations? With wedding invitation wording worries and managing hectic wedding planning, it can be difficult for the bride and groom to keep track of timelines. But don’t worry, we’re here to help with guidelines on when to send out wedding invitations.

wedding invitations

When To Send Out Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This will provide your guests with ample time to make arrangements and mark their calendars, no matter where they might be traveling from or what they’ve got going on. You’ll feel rest assured once you get a final headcount, contact vendors and finalize the seating chart. The RSVP date you select on your response cards will help you get all your finalizing done. Optimal timing for an RSVP deadline is about two to three weeks prior to the wedding.

a wedding invitation sample from shutterfly

These invites will not only represent your union and one-of-a-kind love, but they will also fill your guests in on a ton of crucial information and not to mention, excite them for what’s to come. In the midst of all you pre-wedding stress, it’s worth the while to make sure your invites get the extra special attention they deserve.

A Note on Destination Wedding Invitations

If you’re planning a destination wedding, give guests more time to clear their schedules and send your invitations out three months before the wedding. With everyone traveling for the big day, it’s a good idea to stick to the notion of ‘the sooner the better.’ For more help, visit our resource on how to plan a destination wedding.

For a Shorter Wedding Invitation Timeline

For special cases like last minute nuptials when you’re crunched for time, just remember to keep your guests in mind. Get you invites out as soon as possible, or opt for electronic notification and communication.

Addressing Wedding Invitations

Remember that before your invites can be dropped in the mailbox, they’ll need to be addressed. This can be very time consuming, especially if you are trying your hand at calligraphy. Whether you’re addressing your invitations on your own or hiring a professional to work magic, you’ll need to set aside the right amount of time to do so. See how long it takes you to write a couple or consult with your calligrapher and set aside the proper amount of time to do so.

When To Send Out Save The Dates

a wedding invitation sample from shutterflyBefore your wedding invitations go out, you’ll want to send out your save the dates much earlier. This gives your loved ones plenty of time to prepare for the wedding, but they don’t need all the details that your wedding invitations will have. Save the dates can be sent six months to a year before your wedding. For additional information, visit our guide on when to send save the dates.

When To Send Out Bridal Shower Invitations

Bridal shower invitations are often included in the wedding invitation’s enclosure cards. This is because they are expected to be sent around the same time as the wedding invitations. For more detailed information, please visit our resource on bridal shower etiquette.

Rehearsal Dinner Invitations: When To Send

Most agree that rehearsal dinner invitations should be sent out after the wedding invitations, but some couples choose to include them in the enclosure cards of the wedding invitation. You should plan to send them four to six weeks in advance, but for more detail, please review our resource on rehearsal dinner invitation wording.

Resources Related To When To Send Wedding Invitations

Not sure which wedding invitation design is right for you? Try one of our free wedding invitation samples to better understand our quality, cardstock and designs. Also, if you’re looking for some inspiration to add to your invitations, play around with our hashtag generator for great wedding hashtag ideas. And if you’re looking for additional wedding planning help, make sure to visit our resources on how long it takes to plan a wedding and our wedding planning checklist.