Wedding Invitation Timing Calculator
Calculate Your Invitation Timeline
Answer a few questions to determine the optimal time to send your wedding invitations.
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RSVP deadline should be:
Send a "Save the Date" notice 6-8 months ahead for destination weddings.
Sending wedding invitations too early or too late can throw off your whole planning rhythm. You want guests to have enough time to plan, but not so early that they forget or lose the invite. So how many months before your wedding should you send invitations? The short answer: wedding invitations should go out 6 to 8 weeks before the big day for most weddings. But if your guests are traveling from far away, or it’s a destination wedding, you’ll need to adjust.
Why Timing Matters
Wedding invitations aren’t just pretty cards-they’re logistical tools. People need to book time off work, arrange childcare, reserve flights, and sometimes even buy new outfits. If you send invites too early, say 6 months ahead, guests might file them away and forget. Send them too late-like 3 weeks before-and you risk people saying yes just to be polite, then backing out because they already have plans.In Ireland, where many couples host weddings on weekends between May and September, the weather and holiday schedules play a big role. Most people plan vacations around school breaks or bank holidays. If your wedding is in July, sending invites in mid-May gives guests time to book flights without feeling rushed.
Standard Timeline for Local Weddings
If most of your guests live within a 2-hour drive, stick to the 6 to 8-week rule. That means if your wedding is on Saturday, August 16, send out invites by the end of June or early July. This gives people:- 4 to 6 weeks to respond
- Time to arrange babysitters or pet care
- Buffer for last-minute changes
- Room to RSVP before you finalize seating and catering numbers
Most couples get 80-90% of RSVPs back by 2 weeks before the deadline. Waiting until 6 weeks out means you’ll have your final headcount by 4 weeks before the wedding-perfect for ordering cake, arranging flowers, and confirming with the venue.
Destination Weddings and Out-of-Town Guests
If you’re getting married in Italy, Bali, or even another country like the UK or Spain, give guests more breathing room. Send invitations 3 to 4 months ahead. Why? Because international travel takes more planning.Flights to Europe or beyond often get pricier the closer you get to the date. People need to save up, check visa requirements, and sometimes take extended time off work. In Dublin, I’ve seen couples send invites for a wedding in Cork 10 weeks out-and still had guests say they couldn’t make it because they’d already booked a family trip to Portugal.
For destination weddings, consider sending a “Save the Date” notice 6 to 8 months ahead. It doesn’t need to be fancy-a simple email, postcard, or even a note on your wedding website works. Then follow up with the formal invitation 3 to 4 months before the event.
Winter Weddings and Holiday Conflicts
If your wedding falls between late November and early January, things get tricky. People are already juggling holiday parties, family visits, and end-of-year deadlines. Sending invites in September or early October gives them time to clear their calendars before the holiday rush hits.Don’t assume everyone will say yes just because it’s a festive season. Many people already have plans with family or are saving money for Christmas gifts. I’ve seen couples who sent invites in November for a December wedding end up with half their guest list declining because they’d already committed to a cousin’s holiday party.
What About RSVP Deadlines?
Your RSVP deadline should be 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding. That gives you enough time to:- Confirm numbers with your caterer
- Finalize seating charts
- Arrange transportation if needed
- Order extra cake slices or drinks
Set the deadline clearly on the RSVP card or online form. Use phrases like “Please reply by July 10 so we can finalize your seating” instead of “Please respond soon.” Specific dates reduce confusion.
Follow up with guests who haven’t replied by the deadline. A quick text or call works better than a second card. Most people just forgot, not refused.
What About Digital Invites?
Digital invitations are faster, cheaper, and eco-friendly. But they don’t change the timeline. Whether you’re using Paperless Post, Greenvelope, or a simple email, still send them 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding for local events.One advantage of digital invites? You can send reminders. If someone hasn’t RSVP’d after 2 weeks, your system can auto-send a nudge. That’s something paper invites can’t do. But don’t rely on tech alone-some older guests still prefer snail mail.
What If You’re Running Late?
Life happens. Maybe you booked the venue last minute, or the printer messed up your invites. If you’re under 4 weeks out, send them anyway. Don’t wait for perfection. You can still get 70%+ responses even with short notice.Here’s what to do:
- Send invites immediately-even if they’re simple
- Call close friends and family personally
- Use a digital RSVP link so responses come in fast
- Be upfront: “We’re so sorry this is last-minute-we’d love you there!”
People understand. They’d rather be invited late than not at all.
Pro Tip: Build a Timeline
Write down your wedding date. Then work backward:- 6-8 weeks before: Send invitations
- 4 weeks before: RSVP deadline
- 2 weeks before: Final guest count to caterer
- 1 week before: Confirm seating, transport, and day-of schedule
Keep this timeline pinned to your fridge or saved on your phone. Stick to it. You’ll sleep better knowing you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until after the engagement party to send invites-guests may have already made plans
- Using vague language like “RSVP soon” instead of a hard date
- Sending invites before the venue is locked in-guests might get confused if details change
- Forgetting to include dress code, parking info, or accommodation links
One couple I know sent invites 10 weeks early and didn’t include the hotel block info. Half their guests showed up confused, having booked expensive B&Bs instead of the discounted room rate. A simple line like “Stay with us at The Greenway Hotel-use code WED2025” saves everyone stress.
Final Answer
For most weddings in Ireland or similar regions, send your wedding invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the date. If you have out-of-town guests, send them 3 to 4 months ahead. Always set a clear RSVP deadline 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding. And if you’re running late? Send them anyway. Better late than never.Can I send wedding invitations 12 weeks before the wedding?
Yes, but only if you’re having a destination wedding or expect many international guests. For local weddings, sending invites 12 weeks ahead is too early-guests may forget or lose them. Use a “Save the Date” card or email instead to give early notice without overwhelming people.
What if I don’t get all RSVPs by the deadline?
Call or text the people who haven’t responded. Most of them just forgot. You can still adjust your catering and seating numbers based on who has replied. Don’t wait until the day before to finalize-use the responses you have and plan for a 10-15% drop-off rate.
Should I send paper or digital invitations?
It depends on your guests. Older relatives often prefer paper. Younger guests and tech-savvy friends respond better to digital. A mix works well: send paper to parents and grandparents, and digital to everyone else. Either way, the timing stays the same-6 to 8 weeks before the wedding.
Do I need to send invitations to children?
Only if they’re invited. If your wedding is adults-only, don’t include kids on the envelope. If children are welcome, write their names on the invitation. Never write “and family” unless you mean it-guests will assume all kids are invited, even toddlers.
Can I change the date after sending invitations?
It’s possible, but it’s messy. If you must change the date, call everyone personally first. Then send a formal update via email or mail. Don’t rely on social media. People miss posts. A phone call shows respect-and helps you keep your guest list intact.