Timing is everything in wedding planning. Send your invites too early, and guests might forget; send them too late, and their calendars are already full. Here’s the gold-standard timeline that experts swear by.
Save the Dates: 8–12 Months Before
For destination weddings or weddings on holiday weekends, aim for 12 months. For local weddings, 8 months is perfect. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and book travel, but enough time for you to finalize the formal details.
Formal Invitations: 8–12 Weeks Before
Invitations should never be sent more than 3 months in advance. Doing so often leads to guests misplacing the RSVP card or putting it off. Aim for the 2-month mark (8 weeks) for the perfect balance of urgency and preparation.
RSVP Deadline: 4-5 Weeks Before
Your goal is to have your final headcount at least 2 weeks before your caterer’s deadline. Setting an RSVP date 4-5 weeks before the wedding gives you the "buffer week" you need to chase down slackers.
Why the RSVP Deadline Matters
Most caterers require a final headcount 14–21 days before the event. If you set your RSVP deadline too close to that date, you’ll be stressed out and making frantic phone calls. By giving yourself a 10-day buffer, you can use the WedSetGo guest dashboard to easily identify who hasn't responded and shoot them a quick reminder text.