Essential Wedding Planner Checklist: When to Send Wedding Invitations & Timeline Tips

So, you’re planning a wedding—congrats! 🎉 Now, let’s talk about one of the most stressful yet crucial parts: wedding invitations. If you’ve ever stared at a blank spreadsheet wondering, “When the heck do I send these out?”—you’re not alone.

I’ve been there. I once sent save-the-dates before booking the venue (oops). Spoiler: Don’t do that. But hey, mistakes make great stories, right?

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly when to send wedding invitations, plus a foolproof timeline to keep you on track. No fluff, no vague advice—just actionable tips to make sure your guests actually show up (and on time).

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Why Your Wedding Invitation Timeline Matters

Let’s be real: timing is everything. Send invites too early, and people forget. Send them too late, and half your guest list already booked a weekend getaway.

Here’s the golden rule: Your wedding invitations should give guests enough time to plan—but not so much that they lose the invite in their junk mail.

Key Factors That Affect Your Timeline

• Destination wedding? Send invites earlier (more on that later).
• Holiday weekend? People make plans fast—get ahead of it.
• DIY invitations? Factor in printing delays (trust me, they will happen).

Pro tip: Bold move? Set a fake “send-by” deadline for yourself. Because life will throw last-minute chaos at you.

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The Ultimate Wedding Invitation Timeline

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s a step-by-step timeline to keep you sane.

8–12 Months Before: Save-the-Dates

• Who gets them? Everyone on your guest list.
• When to send? ASAP after booking your venue.
• Digital or paper? Either works, but FYI, older relatives will ask where their “real” one is.

Ever had a relative call you confused about an e-vite? Yeah, me too.

6–8 Weeks Before: Wedding Invitations

• Standard weddings: 6–8 weeks before the big day.
• Destination weddings: 10–12 weeks (flights aren’t cheap, folks).
• Include: RSVP deadline (4 weeks before wedding), dress code, and clear directions.

Fun story: I once got an invite that just said “wear something nice.” Half the guests showed up in jeans. Don’t be that couple.

4 Weeks Before: Chase Those RSVPs

• Deadline day hits? Start texting/calling stragglers.
• Pro move: Assign this task to a bridesmaid/groomsman (you’ll thank me later).

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Common Wedding Invitation Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Forgetting the RSVP Deadline

• Fix: Set it 3–4 weeks before the wedding to finalize catering and seating.

Mistake #2: Skipping the Return Envelope Stamp

• Fix: Spend the extra $0.60. Some guests will forget to stamp it.

Mistake #3: Not Accounting for Mail Delays

• Fix: Send a test invite to yourself. USPS can be… unpredictable.

True story: A friend’s invites got lost for three weeks because someone at the post office misread the zip code. Always double-check!

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Digital vs. Paper Invites: Which Is Better?

Paper Invites

✅ Pros: Traditional, keepsake-worthy, feels fancy.
❌ Cons: Expensive, slow, eco-unfriendly.

Digital Invites

✅ Pros: Fast, cheap, easy RSVP tracking.
❌ Cons: Grandma might not understand how to click “Yes.”

IMO? Do both. Send paper to older guests and digital to everyone else.

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Final Checklist Before You Hit “Send”

Before you seal those envelopes (or hit “send” on your e-vite), run through this list:
✔ Names spelled correctly (No “Dear [First Name]”)
✔ Date, time, venue address (Triple-check!)
✔ RSVP deadline & method (Website? Card? Carrier pigeon?)
✔ Dress code (Unless you want Uncle Bob in flip-flops)

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Wrapping Up: Don’t Overthink It

At the end of the day, your wedding is about celebrating—not stressing over postal delays. Stick to this timeline, avoid the common pitfalls, and you’ll be golden.

Now go forth, send those invites, and maybe pour yourself a glass of wine. You’ve earned it. 🍷

Still panicking? Drop your biggest invitation worry in the comments—I’ll help you out! 😉