Here’s Exactly When to Send Out Wedding Invitations

One big question you may be wondering as you pick out invites is… when to send out wedding invitations?

It’s important to know when to mail them out even before you order, so you can:

– allow time for printing invitations and shipping time

– assemble and address the invites

– add postage and take your invitations to the post office

Plus, allow time for guests to send RSVPs back to give a final headcount to your caterer (and contact any guests who have not yet RSVPed).

All that time really adds up!

So, before you order invitations, find out when to send out wedding invitations to fit your schedule.

So, what’s the answer? What is the proper wedding etiquette for when to send wedding invitations? Here’s what you need to know.

When to Send Invitations

As a rule of thumb, the best time to send out wedding invitations is 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. The RSVP cards are then returned approximately 2 weeks before the wedding. This allows for you to update your guest list with the number of confirmed guests, as well as reach out to any guests who have not yet responded.

When to Send Out Invitations Calculator

As an estimate, if you’re getting married during the month indicated below, you’ll need to send invitations in the mail around the date indicated next to it. I recommend the 8-week amount of time, but 6 weeks is also an acceptable amount of time before the wedding.

Here’s a sample calculator to figure out when you’ll be sending out wedding invitations based on the month in which you’re getting married.

When to Send Invitations for Out-of-Town Wedding Guests

You may be wondering when to send out wedding invitations for out-of-town guests.

If you have out-of-town guests, this 6 to 8-week timeline still works perfectly. What you’ll want to do, though, is make sure you send save the date cards well ahead of time. This is really the best way to let guests know you’re planning a destination wedding.

This brings us to our last question:

When to Send Out Wedding Invitations If No Save the Dates

When are you supposed to mail invitations to wedding guests if you’re not sending save the dates?

If you’re not sending save the dates, the best time to send out wedding invitations is 9 to 10 weeks before the wedding. Just two weeks more gives a little more of an indication. If you prefer to stick with the 6- to 8-week timeline, that is still acceptable per etiquette, but save the dates are very encouraged for destination weddings.

TIP: You should send out save the date cards no later than 6 months before the wedding. For destination weddings, you can send them out 6 to 8 months before the big day.

What If You Send Invitations Earlier?

While you may be thinking, okay, but if I get a head start and mail them even earlier than that, what’s the big deal?

You may think that sending out wedding invitations early will ensure more guests can attend your wedding. However, there’s a problem with sending them too early: guests forget to RSVP and sometimes even misplace the invitation.

If you send it according to these wedding etiquette rules, you’ll be more likely to receive RSVPs on time yet the big event won’t seem so far away.

Guests will already be gearing up for the fun of your celebration, picking out their outfits, and planning for a fun weekend.

Now It’s Your Turn:

Now that you know when to send wedding invitations in the mail, it’s time to choose the best invites for your big day.

Be sure to browse the new collection of invitations at Minted here. They offer an incredible amount of invitations based on season, color palette, theme, inviations with pictures or without, and more.

And to top it off, these invitations include FREE guest addressing. Just upload your guest list with addresses and your envelopes will arrive pre-printed so you won’t need to address them upon arrival.

This saves you invaluable time and all you have to do is assemble the invitations and add postage.