When to send wedding invitations: A simple guide for engaged couples

A vital element of planning a wedding is knowing when to send wedding invitations. 

Send them too early, and guests may not be able to confirm their plans that far in advance. Leave it too late, and you risk lower RSVPs or scheduling conflicts.

So, when do you send out wedding invitations?

Here’s what you need to know to keep your guests informed. 

When do you send out wedding invitations? 

For most weddings, aim to send invitations around 2–3 months (8–12 weeks) before the wedding date.

This timeframe gives guests enough time to RSVP, arrange travel, book accommodation and organise childcare if needed. It also gives you enough breathing room to finalise your seating plan and numbers with suppliers.

That being said, this timeline isn’t set in stone. 

For example, if you didn’t send save the dates, you may need to send your wedding invites earlier (about 3 to 6 months in advance). 

Or if you’re planning a destination wedding or getting married during peak holiday seasons, aim closer to 6 to 12 months in advance. Guests may need extra time to budget and make travel arrangements. 

A good rule of thumb is:

• Local wedding: 2–3 months before

• Destination wedding: 6–12 months before

• RSVP deadline: Around 1 month before the wedding

Recommended reading: Take a look at these wedding invitation ideas for inspiration when designing your invites. 

Typical wedding invitation timeline: An example 

When to send out wedding invitations: 3 best practices 

1. Send save the dates early

Save the dates are sent before your wedding invitations. These notifications tell guests your wedding date so they can keep it free and start making any travel or accommodation plans.

They’re especially helpful for busy times of year or destination weddings.

Try to send them:

• Around 6 months before the wedding

• Earlier for destination weddings or around busy times of year, like bank holiday weekends or Christmas (ideally around 8–12 months)

Unlike formal invitations, you don’t need to finalise every detail on a save the date. At a minimum, include:

• Your names

• Wedding date

• Location

• A note that the formal invitation will follow

  
  

2. Finalise your guest list first

Avoid ordering invitations until your guest list is close to final. Reprinting invitations because names or addresses have changed can quickly add unnecessary costs.

Before sending wedding invitations, double-check:

• Spellings

• Postal addresses

• Plus-ones and family details

Order more invitations than you need (around 10 extra is usually enough). Mistakes happen, and you may also add guests later or want keepsakes for yourself and family members.

3. Make RSVPs easy

The easier it is for guests to respond, the faster you’ll get replies. 

A lot of couples now include:

• QR codes linking to RSVP forms

• Wedding websites

• Email RSVP options alongside traditional cards

  
  

FAQs about when to send wedding invites

Whose name goes first on a wedding invitation?

Traditionally, the bride’s name appears first on a wedding invitation. This custom comes from older etiquette linked to the bride’s family hosting the wedding. 

However, there are no strict rules about whose name goes first on your wedding invite. 

Many couples choose:

• Alphabetical order

• The name that sounds best first

• A completely joint approach

The most important thing is consistency across your invitations and wedding stationery.

How do you address a wedding invitation?

A lot of wedding invitations start with “To [name of guests]” or “Dear [name of guests]”, but it’s really up to you how you structure it. 

Here are some common formatting options: 

• For married couples: Mr and Mrs Smith 

• For unmarried couples: Sarah Green and James Taylor

• For families: The Wilson Family

For a more casual approach, you might use first names only (such as Sarah and James) or drop titles altogether.

Side note: If children are invited, make that clear on the invite. If they’re not, address only the adults invited to avoid confusion. You might even include a line that specifies the wedding is adult-only, like this:

“Although we love your little ones, we’ve chosen to make our wedding an adults-only occasion.”

What should you include in a wedding invitation?

Your wedding invitation doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should include all the key information guests need.

Usually, this includes:

• Names of the engaged couple

• The wedding date

• Time of ceremony

• Venue name and address

• RSVP instructions and deadline

You may also want to include:

• Accommodation information

• Transport details

• Dress code guidance

• Wedding website details

• Menu choices if required

Try to keep wording concise and easy to read. Guests should be able to find important details quickly.

Ready to start planning your wedding venue? 

Sending wedding invitations at the right time keeps planning smoother for everyone involved and avoids unnecessary last-minute stress. 

But before you start planning your wedding invitation timeline, you need to book your ideal wedding venue.

With beautiful grounds, elegant spaces, and dedicated wedding support, weddings at Springbank Manor offer a stunning setting to say “I do”. 

Get in touch to book a viewing.