Is six weeks too late to send wedding invitations?

For a local wedding with save the dates already sent, six weeks is the latest most UK couples would leave it. Send them straight away, set an RSVP date about three weeks out, and follow up personally with anyone important. For guests travelling from abroad, it is too late to rely on the invitation alone.

How early is too early to send wedding invitations?

More than four to five months ahead for a local wedding, as guests tend to put them aside and forget to reply. For a destination wedding, four months is fine as long as save the dates went out earlier.

Do you need to send save the dates?

They are optional for a local wedding with a short guest list, but strongly recommended for destination weddings, peak-season dates and guests who need to travel.

When should the RSVP deadline be?

Three to four weeks before the wedding, which leaves a week to chase late replies before your venue needs final numbers.

Etiquette·4 min read

When to Send Wedding Invitations: A Timeline That Works

Send wedding invitations 8–12 weeks before the wedding, or 3–4 months ahead for a destination wedding. The full timeline, from save the dates to RSVP reminders.

By Aurelia Editorial Team · Wedding stationery & planning guides

Published 30 September 2026·Updated 3 October 2026

Desk calendar with dates circled and sealed envelopes beside a phone showing a wedding invitation

That timing gives guests enough notice to plan without giving them so long that they forget to reply. A digital wedding invitation lets you send the moment your details are ready, and update them later if anything changes. For the wider rules on who to invite and how, see our wedding invitation etiquette guide.

Wedding invitation timeline at a glance

Suggested invitation timeline — confirm supplier deadlines first
Milestone	Local wedding	Destination / international guests
Save the date	6–8 months before	9–12 months before
Invitation	8–12 weeks before; 6–8 can work for local UK weddings with save the dates	3–4 months before; share travel information sooner
RSVP deadline	Usually 3–4 weeks before; work back from your supplier deadline	Use your supplier deadline and allow time for travel decisions
Reminder	One week before the RSVP deadline	One week before the RSVP deadline
Final numbers	On the date agreed with your venue and caterer	Check accommodation and transport cut-offs too

When to send save the dates

Send these once the date and venue are confirmed. They only need your names, the date, the location and “Invitation to follow”. For a destination wedding, include the dates guests should keep free so they can book leave and flights early.

When to send wedding invitations

Local weddings

Eight to twelve weeks is the sweet spot. Guests have time to arrange childcare, travel and outfits, and the date is close enough that they reply promptly. Many UK couples send them six to eight weeks ahead for a local wedding, which works well when save the dates have already gone out.

Destination weddings and guests travelling from abroad

Allow three to four months, and make sure your save the date went out at least nine months ahead. Guests may need flights, time off work and sometimes a visa. Put travel and accommodation details on your website so the invitation stays simple.

Weddings in peak season or over a bank holiday

Summer Saturdays, bank holiday weekends and the weeks around Christmas fill up early. Send invitations at the earlier end of the range, closer to twelve weeks.

Evening guests

If some guests are invited only to the evening reception, send their invitations at the same time as everyone else’s. Sending them later can feel like an afterthought.

Paper or digital: how the timing changes

Paper invitations need time for printing and post, so couples often order them four months out and lock in details early. A digital invitation can go out the day you finish it, which means you can wait until your schedule, venue and transport details are settled. Our wedding invitation wording examples include a short message to send with your link.

Setting the RSVP deadline

Work backwards from the date your venue needs final numbers, then add a week for chasing late replies. If your seating plan is complicated, allow another week on top. Our guide to collecting RSVPs online covers the rest.

Chasing late replies

Every wedding has a few. A short, friendly message a week before the deadline is enough: “We’d love to know if you can make it. Could you reply by Friday?” With online RSVP you can see exactly who has not answered and message just those guests.

Questions about invitation timing

Is six weeks too late to send wedding invitations?: For a local wedding with save the dates already sent, six weeks is the latest most UK couples would leave it. Send them straight away, set an RSVP date about three weeks out, and follow up personally with anyone important. For guests travelling from abroad, it is too late to rely on the invitation alone.
How early is too early to send wedding invitations?: More than four to five months ahead for a local wedding, as guests tend to put them aside and forget to reply. For a destination wedding, four months is fine as long as save the dates went out earlier.
Do you need to send save the dates?: They are optional for a local wedding with a short guest list, but strongly recommended for destination weddings, peak-season dates and guests who need to travel.
When should the RSVP deadline be?: Three to four weeks before the wedding, which leaves a week to chase late replies before your venue needs final numbers.

Part of our etiquette guides. Start with Wedding Invitation Etiquette: The Complete Modern Guide, or see every guide on this topic.