Figuring out when to send out wedding invitations can feel overwhelming, but getting the timing right makes all the difference. Your invitations do more than share details; they set the tone for your celebration and give guests time to plan. Send them too early, and they might get lost in the shuffle. Too late, and your guests can’t make travel arrangements or take time off work. Whether you’re planning a local celebration or a destination wedding, understanding invitation timelines helps ensure your loved ones can be there to celebrate with you.
- Local weddings need two to three months of notice, while destination weddings require three to four months. Match your timeline to your guests’ travel needs for the best turnout.
- Order invitations from VistaPrint at least four months before your wedding to allow time for design, proofing, printing and shipping. This buffer prevents last-minute stress and gives you flexibility for revisions.
- Request responses four to six weeks before your wedding date. This gives you time to follow up with non-responders and finalize catering numbers with your vendors.
- Larger weddings and those with international guests need earlier timelines. Small, local celebrations can work with shorter notice while still feeling thoughtful and well-planned.
- Send save-the-date cards six to nine months in advance so guests can block off your wedding date. This is especially crucial for destination weddings and celebrations during busy holiday periods.
Why timing matters
Getting your invitation timing right makes it possible for your loved ones to celebrate with you. If you send invitations too late, guests can’t book affordable travel or get time off work. If you send them too early, they might lose track of the details or have trouble committing so far in advance. The right timing strikes a balance, giving guests enough notice to plan while keeping your wedding fresh in their minds.
When to send invitations for most weddings
The standard timeline for sending wedding invitations is two to three months before your wedding date. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules, request time off work and make any necessary arrangements without being so far in advance that they forget the details.
However, your ideal timeline depends on your wedding size and guest list makeup. From a guest’s perspective, an invitation is simply a date and place to be, but for couples, a larger guest list means more moving parts. Extra time allows you to manage responses, follow up with guests and finalize details with your vendors without feeling rushed.
Consider the following timeline:
- Small weddings (under 50 guests): 2 months
- Mid-size weddings (50-150 guests): 3 months
- Large weddings (+150 guests): 3-4 months
Small weddings (under 50 guests)
For intimate celebrations, you can send invitations closer to the two-month mark. Your smaller guest list is likely more familiar with your plans, especially if you’ve sent save-the-dates. Keep in mind that even small weddings need production time, so factor in two to three weeks for designing, proofing and printing your invitations from VistaPrint, plus mailing time.
Mid-size weddings (50-150 guests)
Aim for the full three-month timeline to give yourself breathing room. With more guests to coordinate, you’ll want extra time for RSVP tracking and follow-ups. Order your invitations at least four months before your wedding date to allow time for design revisions and shipping.
Large weddings (over 150 guests)
Send invitations three to four months in advance. Managing RSVPs for a large guest list takes time, and you’ll need accurate headcounts earlier for catering and seating arrangements. Start your invitation design and ordering process five to six months out to avoid rushing.
Tip: By the time you send invitations, you should have already sent save-the-dates six to nine months in advance. This gives guests the wedding date early so they can make preliminary plans.
Send invitations for large weddings at least three months in advance.
Destination and travel-heavy guest considerations
When your wedding requires significant travel, earlier timelines are essential.
Destination weddings
For destination weddings, send invitations three to four months before your wedding date. Your guests need time to book flights, secure accommodations and potentially arrange for time off work or childcare. Some guests may also need to save money or apply for passports and travel visas.
To help your guests plan, include key information beyond the basics. Consider adding details about hotel room blocks, transportation options and local attractions. You can also create a wedding website with a QR code on your invitation for easy access to all the details.
International guests
If you’re inviting guests from other countries, send invitations four to six months in advance. International travel requires more planning, from visa applications to expensive flights that are cheaper when booked early. Give your international guests this gift of time; they’ll appreciate being able to plan thoroughly.
Mixed guest lists
When your guest list includes both local and distant travelers, send all invitations at the same time using the longest timeline needed. This prevents any guests from feeling like an afterthought and keeps your invitation process simple.
Send your destination wedding invites as early as possible to help your guests prepare.
RSVP deadline strategy
Setting the right RSVP deadline is just as important as the invitation timing.
How to set your RSVP deadline
Request RSVPs at least four to six weeks before your wedding date. This deadline gives you time to follow up with guests who haven’t responded and to finalize critical details with your caterer and venue.
Include your RSVP deadline clearly on your invitation. When writing RSVP wording, be specific; write out the full date rather than “RSVP by June 15” without the year, which can cause confusion if guests find the invitation months later.
Make responding easy
The easier you make responding, the more likely guests are to reply promptly. Consider offering multiple RSVP methods:
- Pre-addressed, stamped return cards (the traditional method that’s still effective)
- Online RSVP through your wedding website
- QR codes on the invitation linking directly to your RSVP form
- Phone or email for guests who prefer those methods
Following up on non-responses
Even with a clear deadline, some guests won’t respond. Plan to start following up about two weeks after your RSVP deadline. A friendly text or call asking, “We haven’t heard from you, are you able to make it?” usually does the trick.
Tip: Order extra invitation suites when placing your initial order. This gives you backup invitations for last-minute additions to your guest list or to replace any that get lost in the mail.
Make sure that you have a clear RSVP deadline to give you time to follow up with guests.
Seasonal or special timing factors
Certain times of year require adjusted invitation timelines.
Holiday weddings
If your wedding falls during the holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year’s) or near major holidays, send invitations three to four months in advance. Your guests’ calendars fill up quickly during these periods with family gatherings, office parties and travel plans. Earlier invitations help you secure your spot in their schedules.
Peak wedding season
Summer months and early fall are peak wedding season, meaning your guests might receive multiple wedding invitations for the same period. Send your invitations at least three months out to increase the chances they’ll choose your celebration if they have conflicts.
Holiday weekends
Three-day weekends are popular for weddings because they give guests extra time for travel. However, many people also use these weekends for vacations or family time. Send invitations three to four months early and mention in your save-the-date wording that you’re planning a holiday weekend wedding.
Winter or off-season weddings
For off-season weddings, you can follow the standard two-to-three-month timeline unless your date falls near a major holiday. The quieter social calendar during these months means your invitation is less likely to compete with other events.
Send your invites three months out to increase the chances your guests will attend your event.
Including all necessary information
Your invitations should include all the information guests need to attend:
- Venue name and complete address
- Date and time (including start time for ceremony)
- Dress code
- RSVP deadline and method
- Wedding website URL (if you have one)
If your wedding involves multiple venues or special transportation, include those details too.
VistaPrint-specific planning advice
Understanding production and shipping timelines helps you plan backward from your ideal invitation send date:
- Design & proofing: 1-2 weeks
- Production: 5-7 business days
- Shipping: 3-7 days
Design and ordering timeline
Start designing your invitations four to six months before your wedding. This gives you time to:
- Browse design options and choose your style
- Work with VistaPrint’s design tools or customization services
- Review and approve your proof
- Make any necessary revisions
- Complete your order with confidence
VistaPrint production times
Standard production for wedding invitations typically takes five to seven business days once you approve your proof. Add extra time for:
- Design customization and revisions: One to two weeks
- Shipping: Three to seven business days, depending on your location
- Addressing and stuffing envelopes: One week for DIY, longer if using a calligrapher
When to place your order
To mail invitations three months before your wedding, place your VistaPrint order at least four months out. This buffer ensures you have time for each step without rushing.
Rush orders and expedited shipping
If you’re on a tighter timeline, VistaPrint offers expedited production and shipping options. However, building in buffer time reduces stress and gives you flexibility if you want to make last-minute changes.
Digital invitations as a supplement
Consider VistaPrint’s digital invitation options for last-minute guest additions or for guests who need immediate details. You can send physical invitations to most guests while using digital versions for time-sensitive situations.
Ordering save the dates
Order your save-the-dates at least nine months before your wedding. This keeps you on track for the full wedding stationery timeline.
Tip: Order 10-15% more invitations than your guest count to account for mistakes, last-minute guest additions and keepsakes. It’s more cost-effective to order extras upfront than to place a second order later.
Suggested timeline for sending wedding invitations
A clear timeline keeps your invitation process organized and stress-free. Here’s your complete roadmap from save-the-date timing through final guest confirmations:
- Save the dates: 6-9 months
- Design and order invitations: 4-6 months
- Send invitations: 2-6 months
- RSVP deadline: 4-6 weeks
- Follow-ups: 2 weeks after RSVP deadline
Send save-the-dates: 6 to 9 months before
Before you send formal invitations, give guests a heads-up with save-the-date cards. Six to nine months of advance notice helps guests mark their calendars early, which is especially important for destination weddings or celebrations during busy seasons.
Design and order invitations: 4 to 6 months before
Begin your invitation design process around six months before your wedding. This timeline accounts for design selection, customization, proofing, any revisions and production time. When ordering from VistaPrint, you’ll have time to perfect every detail without rushing.
Send invitations: 2 to 6 months before
Mail your invitations based on your wedding type. Local weddings need two to three months of notice, while destination weddings and those with many traveling guests require three to four months. If you have international travelers, plan for six months. Send all invitations at once using your longest timeline needed.
RSVP deadline: 4 to 6 weeks before
Set your RSVP deadline for four to six weeks before your wedding date. This gives you time to chase down non-responders and finalize numbers with your venue and caterer. Plan to start following up about two weeks after your RSVP deadline, once you’ve given guests enough time to respond. See more RSVP examples.
Digital and hybrid invitation options
Digital invitations offer flexibility and instant delivery, making them ideal for certain situations:
- Last-minute guest additions who need immediate details
- Destination wedding guests who need information quickly after booking travel
- Eco-conscious couples looking for sustainable options
- Budget-friendly alternatives that still look professional
You can also use a hybrid approach, send physical invitations to most guests while using digital versions for time-sensitive needs. VistaPrint’s digital invitation options make it easy to maintain a consistent design across both formats. Even with digital invitations, maintain the same timeline. Send them two to three months in advance for local celebrations and three to four months for destination weddings.
The benefits of sending invitations early
Arranging travel and accommodation
Early invitations let your guests find the best deals on flights and hotels. Prices typically increase as dates approach, so your advance notice can save them money. Plus, popular accommodation options near your venue might book up, especially during peak wedding season.
Purchasing outfits and gifts
Guests appreciate time to find outfits that fit your dress code and to shop for meaningful gifts without last-minute pressure. This is especially important if you’ve specified a particular dress code or color palette.
Finalizing guest numbers
Accurate guest counts early in the process help you make confident decisions about seating arrangements, catering quantities and space requirements. Your vendors need these numbers well in advance, and early invitations make that possible.
Getting your wedding invitation timing right sets the foundation for a well-attended, smoothly planned
celebration. By considering your wedding type, guest locations and production timelines, you’ll give everyone the notice they need to be there for your special day. Start with your wedding date, work backward through these timelines and give yourself buffer time for the unexpected; you’ll be glad you did.
Your invitation should match your menus and other wedding collateral for a cohesive feel.
Frequently asked questions
How early should you send wedding invitations?
For most weddings, send invitations two to three months before your wedding date. Destination weddings, large weddings (150+ guests) or those with many traveling guests need three to four months of advance notice. International guests should receive invitations four to six months early to allow time for travel arrangements and visa applications.
What’s the RSVP deadline?
Set your RSVP deadline for four to six weeks before your wedding. This gives you enough time to follow up with guests who haven’t responded and to provide final headcounts to your caterer and other vendors. Be specific with the date on your invitation; include the full date and year rather than just “RSVP by June 15.”
Do you send invites if you didn’t send save-the-dates?
Yes, you still send formal invitations even if you didn’t send save-the-dates. In this case, send your invitations earlier than you might otherwise; aim for three to four months in advance for local weddings and four to six months for destination weddings or those with traveling guests. Save-the-dates are helpful but optional; formal invitations are essential.
How do you time invitations for destination weddings?
Send destination wedding invites three to four months before your wedding date. This timeline lets guests book affordable travel, secure accommodations and arrange time off work. Send save-the-dates even earlier, nine to 12 months in advance, so guests can block off the dates and start planning. Include extra information like hotel room blocks, transportation details and local activities to help guests prepare.
