Your complete guide to when to send save-the-dates and wedding invitations.
When you’re deep in the whirlwind of wedding planning, timing is everything—especially when it comes to your stationery. Sending your save-the-dates and invitations too early might mean your guests forget, while sending them too late can lead to missed RSVPs, frantic follow-ups, and a whole lot of unnecessary stress.
To help you master the perfect timeline, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that breaks down when to send your wedding stationery—whether you're planning a local affair, a destination celebration, or even navigating around peak holiday weekends. Here's everything you need to know about when to send your save-the-dates and invitations—and why the timeline matters just as much as the design.
The Golden Rule of Wedding Stationery Timing
Before we dive into the nitty gritty details, let’s establish the general rule of thumb:
- Save-the-Dates: Send 6 to 8 months before the wedding.
- Invitations: Send 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding.
But, like most things in weddings, these timelines can shift depending on your circumstances—destination weddings, holidays, multi-day events, and even your guest list all play a role.
Save-the-Dates: Your First Formal Communication
Save-the-dates are your official heads-up to guests that your wedding is on the calendar—and it’s happening.
When to Send Save-the-Dates:
- Local Weddings: 6–8 months before the big day.
- Destination Weddings: 9–12 months in advance.
- Holiday Weekend or Peak Season Weddings: 8–10 months prior.
Why This Matters:
Save-the-dates are all about giving your guests time to plan—book flights, reserve accommodations, and request time off work. The earlier you’re able to give them a heads-up, the better. This is especially true if:
- You’re marrying in a popular tourist destination during high season.
- Your guests are spread across the country (or globe).
- You’re planning a wedding around a major holiday (think New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July, or Labor Day Weekend).
What to Include:
- Your names
- Wedding date
- City and state (or destination)
- Wedding website (if live!)
- “Formal invitation to follow”
Optional but helpful: Hotel block info or a QR code to your wedding website, especially if you've already booked accommodations or added travel tips.
Pro Tip: Don’t feel like your save-the-dates need to match your invitation suite perfectly. This is a great place to have fun—choose a playful photo or illustration, incorporate your love story, or reflect your wedding destination.
Invitations: The Official Details
Your invitation suite is the centerpiece of your wedding communication—it gives guests the “who, what, where, and when,” and sets the tone for your day. Formal black-tie wedding? Casual backyard barbecue? The invitation says it all.
When to Send Wedding Invitations:
- Local or Regional Weddings: 6–8 weeks before.
- Destination Weddings: 3 months before.
- Holiday Weekend Weddings: 10 weeks before.
RSVP Deadline:
- Ideally, 3–4 weeks before your wedding date.
- This gives you enough time to finalize your headcount, seating chart, meal selections, and day-of stationery.
What to Include in the Invitation Suite:
- Invitation card (with full ceremony details)
- Reception card (if separate from ceremony)
- RSVP card with return envelope—or a QR code for digital RSVPs
- Details or insert card (accommodations, dress code, transportation, wedding website)
Optional: Maps, weekend itinerary, welcome dinner/brunch invites, registry info (traditionally not on the invite, but OK on your website).
Pro Tip: Even if you’re going fully digital with RSVPs, it’s still considered thoughtful to include a paper reply card for older guests or those who may not be as tech-savvy.
Mailing & Printing Considerations
Stationery timelines don’t just depend on the wedding date—they hinge on when you design, order, and mail everything.
Working Backwards:
Here’s a sample countdown to help you visualize the planning process:
12+ Months Before:
- Build your guest list
- Collect addresses (using digital tools like Postable, Zola, or Google Forms)
9–10 Months Before:
- Finalize save-the-date design
- Order save-the-dates and postage
8–9 Months Before:
- Mail save-the-dates (or earlier if it’s a destination or holiday wedding)
6–7 Months Before:
- Finalize invitation suite design
- Review and proofread meticulously
4–5 Months Before:
- Order your invitation suite
- Assemble and organize mailing process
3 Months Before:
- Mail invitations for destination weddings
- Follow up with guests who haven’t received them within 2 weeks
6–8 Weeks Before:
- Mail invitations for local weddings
- Track RSVPs as they come in
3–4 Weeks Before:
- Finalize headcount with caterer
- Begin seating chart and day-of details
International Guests & Mail Delays
Got guests overseas? Factor in international postage timelines, which can vary widely based on country and current delays. In this case:
- Send save-the-dates: 9–12 months out
- Send invitations: at least 10–12 weeks ahead
And always double-check postage requirements for international destinations. (Yes, you do need extra stamps!)
Pro Tip: Consider sending international guests a digital version of your invite in addition to their physical one. That way, even if snail mail slows things down, they still get the details on time.
RSVP Management: Digital vs. Traditional
The RSVP card can often feel like an afterthought—but managing guest responses is one of the most critical parts of your planning.
Paper RSVP Cards:
Pros:
- Traditional and tactile
- Keepsake for sentimental couples
- Great for older guests
Cons:
- Slower to receive
- Can get lost in the mail
- Requires additional postage
Digital RSVPs (via your website):
Pros:
- Instant responses
- Easy to track
- Great for meal selections or detailed forms
Cons:
- May confuse guests less familiar with tech
- Less formal in tone
Best of both worlds: Include a physical RSVP for older guests and a QR code or link to your wedding website for everyone else.
What About Day-of Stationery?
While we’re talking stationery timelines, it’s worth noting when to order your day-of paper goods:
- Menus, programs, escort cards, signage, table numbers: Order 4–6 weeks before your wedding.
- Confirm quantities based on final RSVP list.
- Print a few extras—just in case of last-minute changes or printing errors.
Digital-Only Wedding Stationery
Going completely digital for your wedding stationery? (Hello, eco-conscious couples!) Here’s how that impacts your timeline:
- You can send your save-the-dates and invitations slightly closer to the date since there’s no printing or mailing delay.
- Digital Save-the-Dates: 5–6 months before
- Digital Invitations: 6–7 weeks before
- RSVP Deadline: Still 3–4 weeks prior to the wedding
Just be sure to:
- Use a reputable platform (with beautiful templates!)
- Triple-check emails are current and not bouncing
- Follow up with a text for older or less digital-savvy guests
Bonus Tips for a Seamless Stationery Timeline
- Build in buffer time: Always allow a cushion of 1–2 weeks beyond what you think you need for printing, shipping, and mailing delays.
- Stamp and address in advance: Once you receive your stationery, don’t wait—assemble and address everything early so you can send on schedule.
- Track your RSVPs diligently: Use a spreadsheet or website tracker and follow up with non-responders about one week after your deadline.
- Don’t forget your return address!: Include a return address on all mailings (use a custom stamp or printed label if you want a polished look).
- Send a test invitation to yourself: Make sure everything looks good, the postage is correct, and it arrives on time before sending out the full batch.
At the end of the day, your wedding stationery is about more than just dates and details—it’s the first peek your guests get into your love story. With thoughtful timing and clear communication, your save-the-dates and invitations will do more than inform—they’ll build anticipation and set the tone for a celebration to remember.
So whether you’re sending out letterpressed invites with vintage stamps or a sleek digital suite with clickable RSVPs, timing it right is key to a stress-free guest experience—and a smoother planning process for you.
Now go forth and send that snail mail magic!
Cover photo by Lulan Studio from Jaybee and Jeff's Las Vegas Wedding
Related
