Planning a wedding? One of the most common questions couples ask is:
“When should we send out our wedding invitations?”
Send your invites at the right time. This ensures your guests can RSVP and plan travel. They can also get excited for your big day without last-minute chaos. Whether you’re hosting an intimate garden ceremony or a destination wedding, here’s everything you need to know.
⏰ Wedding Invitation Timeline at a Glance
| Wedding Type | Send Save-the-Dates | Send Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Local Wedding | 6–8 months before | 6–8 weeks before |
| Destination Wedding | 9–12 months before | 3–4 months before |
| Holiday or Summer Wedding | 8–10 months before | 8–10 weeks before |
💡 Pro tip: Already know your date? Don’t wait to send a Save-the-Date! It helps your guests block the date in their calendar.
🎁 Get Your Free Wedding Invitation Timeline Checklist!
Stay organized with a printable Wedding Invitation Timeline Checklist — perfect for your wedding planning binder.
✅ Includes Save-the-Date, RSVP, and Final Print deadlines
✅ Editable in Canva or printable as PDF
✅ Designed to match romantic and minimalist wedding themes
👉 or Customize in Canva (with Free account)!
📨 When to Send Save-the-Dates
- Local wedding: Send 6 to 8 months before the date.
- Destination wedding or peak season: Send up to 12 months early.
💐 Design tip: Choose a Save-the-Date that matches your theme. Browse editable Canva templates on Soft Corners Co. on Etsy.
💌 When to Send the Actual Wedding Invitations
- 6–8 weeks before the wedding is the gold standard.
- For destination weddings, mail invitations 3–4 months ahead.
This gives guests enough time to book accommodation, plan outfits, and RSVP.
🖋️ What to Include in Your Invitations
✅ Couple’s names
✅ Wedding date and time
✅ Venue address
✅ RSVP deadline (typically 3–4 weeks before the wedding)
✅ Dress code (if any)
✅ Wedding website (if you have one)
Bonus tip: Include a printed RSVP card or a link to RSVP online.
📥 Should You Go Digital?
Absolutely! Digital invitations are eco-friendly, affordable, and super quick. Plus, you can still print them beautifully if you wish.
✨ Explore my Canva Editable Wedding Invitation Templates – minimalist, modern, and easy to personalize.
📐 When to Collect RSVPs
Set your RSVP deadline about 3–4 weeks before your wedding. This gives you time to finalize:
- Catering numbers
- Table plans
- Print programs or menus
🕊️ Consider using a Google Form RSVP or your wedding website for convenience.
🛍️ Printable Templates to Save Time
Don’t start from scratch! I offer editable Canva templates that match beautifully:
- 🖤 “We Do” Minimalist Invitation Set
- 🌸 Romantic Photo Wedding Invitation
- 📩 Matching RSVP and Save-the-Date cards
Each includes front & back design, editable in Canva, ready to download.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Sending wedding invitations doesn’t have to be stressful. Use this simple timeline to stay on track — and let editable templates do the heavy lifting.
📩 Download your free checklist above and take the first step toward a beautifully organized wedding.
💌 Browse all invitation styles on Soft Corners Co. – beautiful & affordable.
Soft Corners Co. 
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