When Should You Send Out Wedding Invitations?

Atelier Edition’s Guide to Perfectly Timed Stationery

At Atelier Edition, we believe that wedding stationery is more than just paper — it’s the first impression people will have of your big day.

One of the most common questions we’re asked is:

“When should I send out my wedding invitations?”

The answer depends on your wedding style, your guests, do people need to travel interstate/overseas, need to book accommodation? And also how much planning time you want to allow. To help you feel confident and stress-free, here’s our expert breakdown on wedding invitation timelines.

Save the Dates: 8–12 Months Before the Wedding

Save the dates are optional, but highly recommended — especially if you're getting married during peak season or planning a destination wedding. Send these out 8–12 months in advance so guests can lock it into their calendars early, arrange travel, and book time off work if needed. For local weddings, 6–8 months is usually sufficient.

Wedding Invitations: 4-6 Months Before the Big Day

This is the classic rule of thumb: send your formal invitations 4-6 (6 if you don't have Save The Dates) before your wedding date. This gives guests enough time to RSVP, plan outfits, and organise travel or babysitters, without being so early that it slips off their radar.

Destionation Weddings

For weddings that involve significant travel, logistics, or overseas guests, give them plenty of notice. Send your formal invites out 12 months inadvance.

When Should RSVPs Be Due? Venues will usually ask for your final guest numbers 3 weeks out from your event. We recommend 4-6 weeks out from your wedding date as your RSVP by date... because let's be honest - no one seems to do these in time, so you'll want to give yourself some time to chase any missing responses.

Extra Tip from Atelier Edition

If you're working with us on your stationery suite, we’ll help you map out your timeline from save-the-dates right through to signage. Want to get a head start? Our custom design package includes everything from invitations to bar signs and menus — all tailored to your style.