The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Invites: When to Send Them
One of the questions I hear most from couples is surprisingly simple: “…our wedding invites… when do we send them?” As a stationery designer…
One of the questions I hear most from couples is surprisingly simple: “…our wedding invites… when do we send them?” As a stationery designer, this is something I walk clients through all the time. Timing plays a bigger role than you might expect — not just for logistics, but for how you feel about your big day from the very beginning.
Why Timing Really Matters
Wedding invitations are often the first tangible piece of your wedding that guests get to hold. They offer a preview of what’s to come and help guests start planning travel, time off, and accommodations. Sending them too early can cause details to be forgotten, while sending them too late can create unnecessary stress. A thoughtful timeline strikes that sweet spot between excitement and practicality.
When I Recommend to Send Out Your Wedding Invites
In most cases, I suggest mailing your wedding invitations 10–12 weeks prior to your wedding day. This gives guests enough time to RSVP, plan ahead, and feel considered — without the invitation getting lost months in advance.
If the majority of your guests are local, 10 weeks is usually just right. It keeps everything feeling fresh while still allowing plenty of notice. If you’re hosting a destination wedding or have many guests traveling from out of state, 12–14 weeks gives everyone a little extra breathing room to book flights and accommodations comfortably.
When to Start the Invitation Process
Before invitations can be mailed, there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes — design, artwork, proofing, printing, and assembly. That’s why I recommend reserving your spot with a stationery designer about 6–8 months in advance of your wedding date so we can begin working on your invites together 18–20 weeks before your wedding. This allows time for custom watercolor artwork, thoughtful revisions, elevated print methods like letterpress or foil, and all the beautiful little finishing details such as ribbons or wax seals.
If you’re also planning on custom save the dates, those are typically mailed 6–8 months before the wedding, or up to a full year for destination weddings. In this case, please reserve your spot with Fior Design Studio up to 1.5 years prior to your wedding!
If you’re in a pinch and need your invitations ASAP but really love Fior Design Studio’s watercolor aesthetic, consider browsing my semi-custom options for a faster turnaround time. These should be ordered 4–5 months in advance of your wedding date.
If Your Timeline Feels Tight
Life happens, and sometimes planning doesn’t follow the “ideal” schedule. If you’re feeling behind, a stationery designer can help you adjust while still keeping things elevated and intentional. Whether that means simplifying designs, using digital RSVPs, or expediting printing, there are always thoughtful solutions we can work through together.
RSVP Timing (and Why It Helps Everything Else)
Your RSVP deadline is usually set 4 weeks before the wedding. This gives you and your planning team time to finalize seating charts, place cards, menus, and catering counts without feeling rushed. A clear RSVP timeline makes the final stretch of planning much smoother.
Full-Service Support (So You Don’t Have to Do It All)
One thing couples often don’t anticipate is how much time goes into the logistics — addressing envelopes, assembling suites, buying stamps, and making post office runs. If that sounds like one more thing you’d rather not manage, I offer a full-service stationery option that takes care of all of it for you. From design to printing and even mailing for you, everything is handled with care so you can focus on enjoying your engagement.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but knowing generally when to send your wedding invites (hopefully) helps relieve a bit of the wedding stress! With the right guidance and a little breathing room, your invitations will arrive at just the right moment — setting the tone for that gorgeously unique wedding of yours.
If you’d like help mapping out your stationery timeline or designing pieces that feel thoughtful and cohesive from start to finish, I’d love to connect. You’re always welcome to fill out my contact form or email me to schedule a free consultation, and we can talk through your vision, your timing, and how I can support you along the way.