Wedding Invitation Send Date Calculator
Enter your wedding date and get a personalised timeline — when to send save-the-dates, invitations, set your RSVP deadline, and chase non-responders. Covers day and evening invitations for UK weddings.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your wedding date — the calculator works backwards from this date to generate every milestone in your stationery timeline.
- Select your options — choose whether you're sending save-the-dates, select local or destination wedding, and toggle on international guests or evening invitations if they apply to your wedding.
- Set your venue deadline — check your venue contract for when they need final guest numbers. This drives your RSVP deadline: the calculator automatically sets it 2 weeks before your venue cutoff, giving you time to chase non-responders.
- Review and share your timeline — dates that have already passed are flagged in amber. Use the copy or download buttons to share the full timeline with your partner, planner, or stationer.
When to Send Wedding Invitations in the UK
UK wedding stationery timelines are longer than US timelines. UK guests are historically slower to RSVP, the day/evening split requires more logistical planning, and popular venues book up years in advance. These are guidelines, not rules — the key constraint is working backwards from your venue's final numbers deadline.
| Milestone | Local Wedding | Destination Wedding |
|---|---|---|
| Send save-the-dates | 8–9 months before | 11–12 months before |
| Send day invitations | 3–4 months before | 4–5 months before |
| Send evening invitations | 2–3 months before | 3–4 months before |
| RSVP deadline | 4–6 weeks before | 6–8 weeks before |
| Chase non-responders | 1 week after RSVP | 1 week after RSVP |
| Final numbers to venue | Per your contract | Per your contract |
If you're not sending save-the-dates, shift your invitation send date forward by 6 weeks — so 4–6 months before the wedding for local, 5–7 months for destination. This compensates for the lack of early advance notice.
Why the venue deadline drives everything
Your RSVP deadline isn't arbitrary — it's derived from your venue's final numbers cutoff. Check your contract. Most UK venues ask for final numbers 2–6 weeks before the wedding; your RSVP deadline should close at least 2 weeks before that, giving you time to chase and confirm numbers before they're needed.
Day Invitations vs Evening Invitations
Most UK weddings have two tiers of guests: day guests, who attend the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and evening guests, who join for the evening reception only. These groups receive separate invitations — a UK-specific convention that doesn't exist in most other countries.
- Day invitations go out first — 3–4 months before the wedding (or 4–6 months if you're not sending save-the-dates). They cover the full day: ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast, and into the evening.
- Evening invitations follow 2–3 months before. They're typically simpler and less formal than day invitations, covering the evening reception only. They include the evening start time, venue address, and RSVP details.
- Some couples use a single invitation with separate RSVP options for day and evening. This works well if your day and evening guest lists are similar in size, but can create confusion if the two groups need very different information.
Order more of each than you think you need. A standard buffer is 10–15% extra — for mistakes, last-minute additions, and keepsakes.
How to Set Your RSVP Deadline
The RSVP deadline is the date by which guests must confirm attendance. Set it using this principle: venue final numbers deadline minus 2 weeks. For example:
- Venue needs final numbers 4 weeks before → set RSVP deadline 6 weeks before
- Venue needs final numbers 2 weeks before → set RSVP deadline 4 weeks before
- Venue needs final numbers 6 weeks before → set RSVP deadline 8 weeks before
The 2-week gap gives you time to chase non-responders and gather confirmed numbers before the venue cutoff.
Expect non-responders — plan for them
UK couples routinely report that 10–20% of guests miss the RSVP deadline. This is normal. Build chasing into your timeline — a friendly text or call one week after the deadline usually brings in the stragglers. Don't feel awkward; guests expect it. Online RSVPs (via a wedding website) tend to get faster responses than postal RSVP cards.
Tips for Wedding Invitations
- Order 10–15% more than you think you need. For mistakes, last-minute additions, and keepsakes. A second print run always costs more per card than ordering extra upfront.
- Check postage before you send. Oversized or heavy invitations — thick envelopes, wax seals, multiple inserts — may need large letter stamps (£1.55 second class) rather than standard stamps (91p second class). Weigh a complete invitation pack before you buy stamps.
- Include your wedding website URL on save-the-dates. It reduces the questions you'll field and gives guests a central hub for accommodation, travel, dietary information, and gift lists.
- Send international guests' invitations 2 months before UK guests. Overseas guests may need to apply for UK visas, book international flights, and arrange longer accommodation stays. The earlier they know, the better.
- Don't wait for every detail before sending. Venue, date, time, and RSVP instructions are enough for save-the-dates. For invitations, guests need venue address, ceremony time, dress code, and RSVP details. Everything else — accommodation suggestions, gift list, schedule — can go on your wedding website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I send save-the-dates UK?
For a UK wedding, send save-the-dates 8–9 months before the wedding. For destination weddings or peak season (May–September), send them 10–12 months ahead. International guests should receive theirs 2–3 months before your UK guests. Digital save-the-dates are perfectly acceptable and much faster.
How far in advance should I send wedding invitations UK?
Send day invitations 3–4 months before the wedding. If you didn't send save-the-dates, add an extra 6 weeks (so 4–6 months before). Evening invitations can go out slightly later — 2–3 months before. For destination weddings, add another month or two to all timelines.
When should the RSVP deadline be?
Work backwards from your venue's final numbers deadline — set your RSVP deadline at least 2 weeks before that. For most UK weddings, this means the RSVP deadline falls 4–6 weeks before the wedding. For destination weddings, set it 6–8 weeks before to allow time for travel arrangements.
What if guests don't RSVP by the deadline?
Expect 10–20% of guests to miss the deadline. Follow up with a text or phone call one week after the deadline — this is completely normal and expected. Don't feel awkward about chasing. You need numbers for your venue, caterer, and seating plan.
Do I need separate evening invitations?
In the UK, yes — if you're inviting additional guests for the evening reception only. Day guests receive a full invitation covering the ceremony and wedding breakfast. Evening guests receive a simpler invitation for the evening reception only. Some couples use one invitation with separate RSVP options for day and evening.
Is it too late to send invitations?
If your wedding is less than 6 weeks away and invitations haven't gone out, send them immediately — or switch to digital invitations (email or a wedding website with RSVP functionality). Late invitations are always better than no invitations. Set a tight RSVP deadline (2 weeks) and follow up by phone.