When Should We Send Wedding Invitations?

The exact timeline — save the dates, formal invites, RSVPs, and the one date most couples miss.

This one has a clean answer. Here it is.

Save the Dates: 8–12 months before the wedding. Send them the day your venue is booked and your date is locked. Not before — you don't want to unsend one.

Formal Invitations: 6–8 weeks before the wedding for local guests. 10–12 weeks if you have significant out-of-town guests who need to arrange travel.

RSVP Deadline: 3–4 weeks before the wedding. You need that window to give your caterer and venue a final headcount — most require it.

The date most couples miss: Your venue's final headcount deadline. Ask for it on day one and work your RSVP date backward from there. If your venue needs numbers three weeks out, your RSVP deadline is three weeks out — not whenever feels polite.

A few things worth knowing:

Holiday weekends need an earlier save the date — 12 months minimum. People book travel early and won't hold a date they haven't been told about.

Digital save the dates are fine. Physical ones are better for older guests and formal weddings. Do both if you're not sure.

The RSVP response rate on the first deadline is never 100%. Build in a buffer — a gentle reminder goes out the week before the deadline. It's expected. Nobody takes it personally.

And finally: address your invitations early. It takes longer than you think, and the week you planned to do it is always the week something else happens.

Planning your wedding at Slate? Our team walks you through every deadline from booking to the big day. Schedule a tour and let's build your timeline together.

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