When to send wedding invitations and save the dates

Save the dates 8 to 12 months before, invitations 3 to 4 months before, RSVPs 6 to 8 weeks before. A month-by-month UK wedding timeline.

By Lou, founder of Make Our Memories · Updated 2026-10-24

Printed save the dates in the Cherry Pop look, front and back

The short answer

  • Save the dates: 8 to 12 months before. Make it 12 if the wedding is abroad, in August or on a bank holiday weekend.
  • Invitations: 3 to 4 months before. Make it 6 if guests need to book flights.
  • RSVP by: 6 to 8 weeks before, so you can give your venue final numbers.
A month-by-month timeline for UK weddings, from the save the date to the last RSVP, with what changes if guests are travelling.

Most couples worry they've left it too late. You probably haven't. The dates below work back from the day, so you can see what's coming and set reminders now.

The timeline

  1. 12 months before: book the venue, then send save the dates.Once the date is fixed, a save the date stops guests booking something else. If it's abroad, in August or on a bank holiday weekend, send it now.
  2. 8 months before: last call for save the dates.For a UK wedding where nobody needs to travel far, this is the latest that still feels like notice.
  3. 6 months before: invitations for travelling guests.If people need flights, time off or childcare, send their invitations now, or send everyone's.
  4. 3 to 4 months before: send the invitations.The full details: times, venue, dress code, children or not, and how to reply.
  5. 6 to 8 weeks before: RSVPs close.Put the date on the invitation. Most venues want final numbers about 4 to 6 weeks before.
  6. 2 to 4 weeks before: chase the last replies.A friendly reminder to anyone who hasn't answered, then the seating plan and the caterer's numbers.
  7. The week before: send the details.Parking, timings, the forecast, and the link for sharing photos on the day.

If you're reading this with 3 months to go and no save the dates sent, skip them. Send the invitations now and give people a little longer to reply.

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When guests are travelling

For a wedding abroad, send save the dates 12 months out and invitations 6 months out. Flights and time off get booked early, and guests need to know about hotels before the good rooms go. Put the RSVP date a little earlier too, around 10 to 12 weeks before, because venues abroad often want numbers sooner.

Do evening guests get the same timings?

Yes. Send evening invitations at the same time as the day ones. Guests compare, and a late invitation can feel like an afterthought even when it isn't.

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Posted or emailed?

Posted invitations need a week on top of these dates for printing and the post, more at Christmas. Emailed ones arrive in seconds, so they're the easy fix if you're running late. Plenty of couples mix the two: email everyone, then post a printed card to the grandparents and anyone who'll keep it on the fridge. Our guide to digital wedding invitations has more on mixing the two, and the wording examples work for both.

What if the date changes?

Tell everyone who had a save the date as soon as you know, in the same way you sent it. A short "change of plans" card with the new date is enough. You don't need to explain why.

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