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When to send invitations

Pick your event and the date. Get the day to send the save the date and the invites, your RSVP date, and when to chase.

What's the occasion?

When to send for a wedding

Pick your date for the exact days.

  1. Send the save the date

    6 to 8 months before

  2. Send the invites

    6 to 8 weeks before

  3. Remind anyone who hasn't replied

    7 days before the RSVP date

  4. RSVP by

    3 to 4 weeks before

  5. Final numbers to the venue or caterer

    2 to 3 weeks before

Invitations or invites, a wedding or a 21st, the question's the same. How far ahead do they go out? Pick your occasion and we'll date every step, from the save the date to the RSVP date (the reply by date on the invite) and the final numbers your venue or caterer needs. Engagement parties, baby showers, kids parties, the end of year work do and a barbie at home are all in there.

How it works

  1. Pick the occasion. Each one has its own timing, so a dinner party gets a week or two and a destination wedding gets a year.
  2. Put in the date. The plan dates itself against your calendar, weekdays and all.
  3. Copy the plan. Paste it into your notes or the group chat. The link you copy carries the occasion and the date and nothing else.

How we work it out

This is etiquette, not law. The windows come from the published wedding and party guides, and if your crowd needs more notice, go earlier.

  • We pick the early end of every window. Every guide says to err early, and it leaves room for a slow week.
  • Months are calendar months. Eight months before 31 October is the last day of February, not early March.
  • Guests get at least half the time to reply. The RSVP date sits at least halfway between the invite and the party, so it moves later if the invites go out late.
  • The reminder goes before replies close, and only to people who haven't answered. If that would land on or before the invite day, it goes halfway to the RSVP date instead, and needs at least 4 days between them.
  • Final numbers go to the venue after replies close, never before. Your booking's own cut-off wins if it's earlier.
  • A late save the date is still worth it while the invite is 4 weeks or more away. Any closer and the invite does the job.
  • Past the invite window? Send today, and the rest of the plan squeezes to fit.

Wedding

Save the date
6 to 8 months before
Invites
6 to 8 weeks before
Reminder
7 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
3 to 4 weeks before
Final numbers
2 to 3 weeks before

Destination wedding

Save the date
8 to 12 months before
Invites
10 to 12 weeks before
Reminder
7 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
4 to 6 weeks before
Final numbers
3 to 4 weeks before

Engagement party

Invites
4 to 6 weeks before
Reminder
7 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
2 to 3 weeks before
Final numbers
1 to 2 weeks before

Milestone birthday

Save the date
2 to 3 months before
Invites
4 to 6 weeks before
Reminder
7 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
2 to 3 weeks before
Final numbers
1 to 2 weeks before

Birthday party

Invites
2 to 3 weeks before
Reminder
3 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
1 week before
Final numbers
3 to 5 days before

Kids party

Invites
2 to 3 weeks before
Reminder
3 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
5 to 7 days before
Final numbers
3 to 5 days before

Work Christmas party

Save the date
2 to 3 months before
Invites
4 to 6 weeks before
Reminder
7 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
2 to 3 weeks before
Final numbers
1 to 2 weeks before

Baby shower

Invites
4 to 6 weeks before
Reminder
7 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
1 to 2 weeks before
Final numbers
3 to 7 days before

Dinner party

Invites
1 to 2 weeks before
Reminder
2 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
3 to 5 days before

Casual get-together

Invites
2 to 3 weeks before
Reminder
3 days before the RSVP date
RSVP by
1 week before

Tips for the host

Put a real date on the invite. "Let me know" isn't an RSVP date. "Reply by Saturday 23 October" is.

Set it before the venue's cut-off, not on it. You'll want a few days to chase the stragglers.

Ask about dietary needs with the RSVP. One question now saves a round of messages later.

Keep the save the date short. Names, the date and the town. The details come with the invite.

Only nudge the quiet ones. A reminder to the whole list annoys the people who already said yes.

Still picking the date? Run a group date poll first, then come back for the timeline. Stuck on what to say? Invitation wording has lines for every kind of party.

See all the free tools

Questions

When should I send wedding invitations?

6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, with save the dates 6 to 8 months out and RSVPs due 3 to 4 weeks before. For a wedding on Saturday 20 November 2027, that's save the dates on 20 March, invites on 25 September, replies by 23 October and final numbers to the venue on 30 October.

When do save the dates go out?

6 to 8 months before a wedding, or 8 to 12 months for a destination wedding. A milestone birthday or a work Christmas party gets one 2 to 3 months out. Other parties can skip it and go straight to the invite.

How far ahead do you send birthday party invitations?

2 to 3 weeks, with replies due a week before. A kids party is the same, with replies 5 to 7 days out. A milestone birthday, like a 21st or a 40th, gets 4 to 6 weeks.

When should the RSVP date be?

3 to 4 weeks before a wedding, 2 to 3 weeks before an engagement or work party, and a week before most birthdays. Give guests at least half the time between the invite and the party, and leave yourself a few days before the venue needs numbers.

Is it too late to send invitations?

Not while the party's still ahead. Say it's Thursday and the birthday is a week from Saturday, nine days away. Send the invites today, remind the quiet ones on Saturday, ask for replies by Tuesday, and give the venue numbers on Wednesday.

When do I send a reminder?

A week before the RSVP date for a wedding or a bigger party, and 2 or 3 days before it for a birthday or a dinner. Only send it to the people who haven't answered.

When do you send work Christmas party invites?

4 to 6 weeks out, with a save the date 2 to 3 months ahead, because December fills up early. Ask for RSVPs 2 to 3 weeks before. It's the same for an end of year party, at the office or a venue.

What's the difference between a save the date and an invite?

A save the date is the early heads up: the names, the date and the town, so people keep the day free. The invite comes later with the time, the place and the RSVP date. Only weddings, milestone birthdays like a 21st and work Christmas parties need both.

Should I give more notice if I'm posting the invites?

Yes. The dates are when guests should have the invite in hand, so allow a few extra days for the post. An invite by text, email or a shared link lands the same day.