TIMELINEs

save the dates

mail 6-12 months before your wedding date

The short answer is that Save the Dates should be mailed 6-12 months prior to the wedding day, but a variety of factors can influence this decision. Wedding location, guest accommodations, and the targeted attendance size should all be considered when choosing what is best for you. While they are not traditionally necessary, Save the Dates have become quite customary in recent years.

wedding suite

mail about 12 weeks before your wedding date

I recommend aiming to mail the Wedding Suite about 12 weeks prior to the wedding day. That leaves about six weeks for guest to receive the invitation and mail their response back within a typical reply timeline.

rsvp deadline

request six weeks before your wedding date

The consensus for the RSVP reply date hovers around six weeks prior to the wedding day. This allows for some time to track down any outstanding replies. Keep in mind venue or catering vendors may require a more specific timeline for a final headcount.

day of items

about 12 weeks before your wedding date

Typically the first priority will be focusing on the Wedding Suite rather than day-of details. Once they are in the mail, attention fully shifts to day-of items. Wedding day materials can include ceremony programs, a seating chart, escort cards and/or place cards, table numbers, dinner menus, bar signage, cocktail napkins, and more. It really is a personal part of the planning process to decide what extra details will be included.