When to send save-the-dates and wedding invitations: the complete timeline
Save-the-dates, invitations, RSVPs and reminders — here's exactly when each should go out, with extra time built in for destination weddings and guests abroad.
By LIT VOW Editorial6 min read
Key takeaways
- Send save-the-dates six to eight months before a local wedding, and eight to twelve months before a destination or holiday-weekend wedding.
- Send invitations six to twelve weeks before the wedding — at the earlier end for travelling guests.
- Ask for RSVPs three to four weeks before the day.
- Tell international guests early and personally — a message or call can come well before the paper invitation.
The timeline at a glance
| When | What | Local wedding | Destination or holiday weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Save-the-dates | 6–8 months before | 8–12 months before |
| Then | Wedding app or website live | With save-the-dates | With save-the-dates |
| Next | Invitations | 6–10 weeks before | 3–4 months before |
| Then | RSVP deadline | 3–4 weeks before | 6–8 weeks before |
| Finally | Final details to guests | 1–2 weeks before | 2–3 weeks before |
Wedding publications differ slightly — some recommend invitations three to four months out for every wedding — so treat these as ranges, not rules. The principle is simple: the further guests travel, the earlier they need to know.
Save-the-dates: give people time to say yes
A save-the-date does one job: it protects the date. It’s worth sending early when:
- guests need to book time off or arrange childcare;
- the wedding falls on a long weekend or holiday, when hotels and flights fill fast;
- guests are flying in from abroad, and may need passports or visas.
Keep it short: your names, the date, the city, and a link to your wedding app where details will follow.
Invitations: the formal ask
The invitation confirms everything: ceremony time and venue, reception, dress code, RSVP deadline and where to find more information. Send it:
- six to ten weeks before a local wedding (and set your RSVP deadline three to four weeks out);
- three to four months before a destination wedding, or when many guests travel internationally.
If you’re holding several events — a welcome dinner, tea ceremony, reception and farewell brunch — say which events each guest is invited to. A wedding app can show each guest their own schedule, so nobody arrives at the wrong event.
International guests: tell them early, and personally
Relatives abroad often need more lead time than anyone else. A personal message or call months before the invitation is thoughtful, and it gives them time to check travel documents and book affordable flights. If your families read different languages, write the key details in both.
The last two weeks
About one to two weeks before the wedding, send a short note to confirmed guests with the final details: times, addresses, parking, shuttle times, the weather and dress code. If your details live in a wedding app, this is simply a reminder to open it — and any last-minute changes are already there.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should you send save-the-dates?
Six to eight months before a local wedding is typical. For destination weddings, holiday weekends or guests who must travel far, eight to twelve months gives them time to book leave, flights and hotels.
When should wedding invitations be sent?
Advice ranges from six to ten weeks for local weddings to three or four months for destination weddings or guests abroad. The more your guests have to travel, the earlier you should send.
Do you need save-the-dates if you have a wedding website or app?
It still helps to announce the date formally, but a digital save-the-date that links to your wedding app works well — guests keep the link and see updates as your plans come together.
LIT VOW Editorial writes about wedding planning, guest experience and cultural traditions for couples in Canada, the USA and around the world.
