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When to send wedding invitations and every card around them

Enter your wedding date to see exactly when to send or mail your wedding invitations, save the dates, shower invites and thank you cards, plus your RSVP deadline. Add them all to your calendar in one click.

  • Exact dates, not rules of thumb
  • Local or destination
  • Calendar download

Your wedding

Type of wedding
Invitations

Your invitation timeline

Choose your wedding date to see your timeline.

Mail your wedding invitations by

October 2, 2027

Between September 18, 2027 and October 2, 2027

That wedding date has already passed. Choose an upcoming date to plan your invitations.

Short on time? Online invitations reach every guest the moment you share them, and replies land straight in your RSVP list.

Send them online
  1. Send save the dates In 4 months March 13, 2027 – May 13, 2027 6–8 months before the wedding Link your wedding website so guests can book travel early.
  2. Order printed invitations In 9 months August 21, 2027 4 weeks before they go out Leave time for proofs, printing and addressing envelopes.
  3. Send wedding shower invitations In 8 months August 7, 2027 – August 21, 2027 4–6 weeks before the shower Whoever hosts the shower usually sends them.
  4. Send wedding invitations In 10 months September 18, 2027 – October 2, 2027 6–8 weeks before the wedding Print the RSVP deadline and your website link or QR code on them.
  5. RSVP deadline In 11 months October 16, 2027 4 weeks before the wedding Follow up with anyone who hasn’t replied the day after.
  6. Final headcount to your venue In 11 months October 30, 2027 2 weeks before the wedding Most caterers need the final number and meal choices now.
  7. Send thank you cards In 12 months November 27, 2027 – February 13, 2028 Within 3 months after the wedding Thank guests for gifts that arrived early within 2 weeks of receiving them.
  8. Your wedding day In 12 months November 13, 2027

  9. With Okerly

    Skip the print shop

    Your Okerly invitation is a beautiful wedding website guests open from a link: no printing, no stamps and no 4-week wait. Share it by WhatsApp or email the day you’re ready.

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    With Okerly

    Send it with Okerly

    Your invitation, RSVP form and guest list in one link. Guests reply in a minute, and the form closes itself on your RSVP deadline.

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An .ics file for Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook.

Okerly turns this timeline into a matching save-the-date card, a wedding website and online RSVP with your deadline built in.

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The short answer

When to send wedding invitations? 6 to 8 weeks before.

Send wedding invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. That gives guests time to clear the date and reply, and gives you a headcount before the caterer needs it. Set the RSVP deadline about 4 weeks before the day.

Every other card is timed around that: save the dates go out 6 to 8 months ahead, wedding shower invitations 4 to 6 weeks before the shower, and thank you cards within 3 months after the wedding.

For a wedding on November 13, 2027, that means invitations in the mail between September 18, 2027 and October 2, 2027, and save the dates between March 13, 2027 and May 13, 2027.

Save the dates 6–8 months out · invitations 6–8 weeks out · RSVPs due 4 weeks out

  • Save the dates: 6–8 months before

    Early enough for guests to book flights and time off, late enough that your date and venue are certain. Send them once the guest list is final.

  • Invitations: 6–8 weeks before

    Send them much earlier and guests put them aside and forget to reply; much later and they have already made plans. Paper invitations need a few extra days in the post.

  • RSVP deadline: 4 weeks before

    Caterers and venues usually want final numbers about 2 weeks before the wedding. A deadline 4 weeks out leaves time to chase the late replies.

  • Shower invitations: 4–6 weeks before the shower

    Count back from the shower, not the wedding. Guests who travel will appreciate the earlier end of that window.

  • Thank you cards: within 3 months

    Start once you’re home, about 2 weeks after the wedding, and send every card within 3 months. Gifts that arrive before the wedding get a note within 2 weeks.

  • Destination weddings: add time

    Send save the dates 9–12 months ahead and invitations 10–12 weeks ahead, with an RSVP deadline 6 weeks before the day.

Printed invitations

When to mail wedding invitations and when to order them

Mail wedding invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, or 10 to 12 weeks before a destination wedding. Count back from the day they go in the mail, not the day guests receive them: mail can take a few days at home and two weeks or more abroad.

Order printed invitations about 4 weeks before you mail them, so about 12 weeks before a local wedding. Proofs, printing and addressing envelopes always take longer than planned.

For a wedding on November 13, 2027, that means ordering them by August 21, 2027 and mailing them between September 18, 2027 and October 2, 2027.

Before the invitations go in the mail

  1. 1 Have one weighed first Square envelopes, wax seals and extra inserts often need more postage. Take one finished invitation to the post office before you buy stamps.
  2. 2 Mail them all on the same day Nobody should hear about the wedding second-hand. Send every invitation at once, and mail those going abroad at the early end of the window.
  3. 3 Print the RSVP deadline and a link Ask for replies about 4 weeks before the wedding, and add your wedding website link or QR code so guests can reply without a stamp.
  4. 4 Order a few spares Get a few more than you need for late additions, addressing mistakes and a keepsake of your own.

Month by month

When to send invitations for a wedding in 2027

Find your wedding month to see when to send save the dates and invitations, when to close RSVPs and when thank you cards are due. Each row is a local wedding on the 15th; use the tool above for your exact date.

When to send save the dates, wedding invitations and thank you cards for a wedding in each month of 2027
Wedding Save the dates Invitations RSVP deadline Thank you cards by
January wedding Jan 15, 2027 May 15, 2026 – Jul 15, 2026 Nov 20, 2026 – Dec 4, 2026 Dec 18, 2026 Apr 15, 2027
February wedding Feb 15, 2027 Jun 15, 2026 – Aug 15, 2026 Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 Jan 18, 2027 May 15, 2027
March wedding Mar 15, 2027 Jul 15, 2026 – Sep 15, 2026 Jan 18, 2027 – Feb 1, 2027 Feb 15, 2027 Jun 15, 2027
April wedding Apr 15, 2027 Aug 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026 Feb 18, 2027 – Mar 4, 2027 Mar 18, 2027 Jul 15, 2027
May wedding May 15, 2027 Sep 15, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026 Mar 20, 2027 – Apr 3, 2027 Apr 17, 2027 Aug 15, 2027
June wedding Jun 15, 2027 Oct 15, 2026 – Dec 15, 2026 Apr 20, 2027 – May 4, 2027 May 18, 2027 Sep 15, 2027
July wedding Jul 15, 2027 Nov 15, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027 May 20, 2027 – Jun 3, 2027 Jun 17, 2027 Oct 15, 2027
August wedding Aug 15, 2027 Dec 15, 2026 – Feb 15, 2027 Jun 20, 2027 – Jul 4, 2027 Jul 18, 2027 Nov 15, 2027
September wedding Sep 15, 2027 Jan 15, 2027 – Mar 15, 2027 Jul 21, 2027 – Aug 4, 2027 Aug 18, 2027 Dec 15, 2027
October wedding Oct 15, 2027 Feb 15, 2027 – Apr 15, 2027 Aug 20, 2027 – Sep 3, 2027 Sep 17, 2027 Jan 15, 2028
November wedding Nov 15, 2027 Mar 15, 2027 – May 15, 2027 Sep 20, 2027 – Oct 4, 2027 Oct 18, 2027 Feb 15, 2028
December wedding Dec 15, 2027 Apr 15, 2027 – Jun 15, 2027 Oct 20, 2027 – Nov 3, 2027 Nov 17, 2027 Mar 15, 2028

Destination wedding? Send save the dates 9–12 months and invitations 10–12 weeks before the day instead.

Destination weddings

When to send save the dates for a destination wedding and the invitations after them

Guests need more notice when a wedding means flights, hotels and days off work. Send destination wedding save the dates 9 to 12 months before the wedding, then the invitations 10 to 12 weeks before.

Close RSVPs about 6 weeks before the day. Hotel room blocks and resort headcounts are often due earlier than a local caterer’s, so check your contracts and move the deadline earlier if they need it.

What a destination save the date should say

  1. 1 The date and the place At least the city and country, so guests can price flights straight away.
  2. 2 Your wedding website Travel tips, hotel blocks and the schedule change as you plan. One link keeps every guest up to date.
  3. 3 “Invitation to follow” A short line tells guests the formal invitation and the details are on their way.
  4. 4 Peak season and holidays If your date falls in high season or on a holiday weekend, send at the early end of the window.

Beyond the invitation

Save the dates, showers and thank yous each run on their own clock

  • When to send save the dates and wedding invites

    Save the dates go first, 6 to 8 months ahead, and the formal invitation follows 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. Everyone who gets a save the date must get an invitation, so settle that part of the guest list first. For a small local wedding with a short engagement, you can skip the save the date and send invitations at the early end of the window.

  • When to send wedding shower invitations

    Send wedding shower invitations 4 to 6 weeks before the shower itself. Showers are usually held one to three months before the wedding, and only guests who are invited to the wedding should be invited to the shower.

  • When to send thank you cards after the wedding

    Send thank you notes within 3 months of the wedding, starting when you’re back from the honeymoon. For gifts that arrived before the wedding, write within 2 weeks. Not sure what to say? Our thank you card wording tool has examples for every kind of gift.

    See thank you card wording

Online invitations

Running late, or just want it easy? Send it online.

An Okerly wedding website is your invitation, your RSVP form and your guest list in one link. It reaches guests the moment you share it, so there’s no print order and no postal delay to plan around.

  • A matching save-the-date card, ready months before the invitation.
  • An RSVP deadline that closes your form on the day you choose.
  • Every reply, meal choice and dietary note in one guest list.
  • Share it by WhatsApp or email, or as a QR code on paper invitations.
Create your wedding website See a sample wedding website

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Questions

Wedding invitation timing, answered

When do you send out wedding invitations?

Send wedding invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, with an RSVP deadline about 4 weeks before the day. For a destination wedding, send them 10 to 12 weeks ahead instead.

When should I send wedding invites?

It depends on where your guests live and how you invite them. Send invites 6 to 8 weeks before a local wedding and 10 to 12 weeks before a destination wedding. Printed invites need ordering about 4 weeks before that; online invites can go out the day they are ready.

When should you mail wedding invitations?

Have printed invitations in the mail 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. Order them about 4 weeks before that to leave time for proofs, printing and addressing, and allow a few extra days for guests abroad.

When should you send save the dates for a wedding?

Send save the dates 6 to 8 months before the wedding, once the date, the venue and the guest list are settled. For a destination wedding, send them 9 to 12 months ahead.

When should you send out save the dates for a destination wedding?

Send them 9 to 12 months before the wedding. Guests need time to book flights, hotels and time off, so lean towards the early end for international travel, peak season or a holiday weekend.

When should you send destination wedding invitations?

Send destination wedding invitations 10 to 12 weeks before the wedding and ask for RSVPs about 6 weeks before the day, so you can confirm hotel room blocks and resort headcounts in time.

When do you send save the dates and wedding invites? Do you need both?

Save the dates go out first, 6 to 8 months ahead, and the invitations follow 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. Save the dates are optional for a small local wedding, but anyone who gets one must also get an invitation.

When should you send wedding shower invitations?

Send wedding shower invitations 4 to 6 weeks before the shower. The shower is usually one to three months before the wedding, so count back from the shower date, not the wedding date.

When should you send thank you cards after the wedding?

Send thank you cards within 3 months of the wedding. Most couples start about 2 weeks after the day. Gifts that arrive before the wedding should be thanked within 2 weeks of receiving them.

When should the RSVP deadline be?

About 4 weeks before the wedding, or 6 weeks for a destination wedding. Venues and caterers usually need final numbers 2 weeks before the day, and the extra time lets you chase late replies.

Can you send wedding invitations too early?

More than 8 weeks before a local wedding, invitations tend to get put aside and replies come late. The exception is a destination wedding, where 10 to 12 weeks is normal.

What if we are late sending our wedding invitations?

Send them today and give guests at least two weeks to reply. Online invitations reach guests the moment you share the link, which saves the days a printed invitation spends in the post.

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