Wedding invitations are typically sent out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date, which is considered the ideal window to give guests enough time to plan without risking them forgetting or needing to change plans later
. For local weddings , 6 to 8 weeks in advance is standard, as guests usually do not need extensive travel arrangements
. For out-of-town guests or destination weddings , invitations should be sent earlier, generally 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding, to allow for travel and accommodation planning
. International guests may require even more lead time, sometimes up to 9 to 10 weeks or more
. If the wedding falls around a major holiday , sending invitations earlier-around 12 weeks before -is advisable to accommodate busy schedules and travel during peak times
. When save-the-dates are not sent, invitations should be sent earlier, about 10 to 12 weeks ahead , to compensate for the lack of prior notice
. For digital invitations , the same 6 to 8 weeks guideline generally applies, though RSVPs can be faster due to online responses
. In summary:
- Local weddings: 6 to 8 weeks before
- Out-of-town guests: 8 to 12 weeks before
- Destination weddings: 12 to 16 weeks before
- Holiday weddings: At least 12 weeks before
- Without save-the-dates: 10 to 12 weeks before
This timeline balances giving guests enough time to plan and ensuring timely RSVP responses for finalizing arrangements
