When and How Do I Send Wedding Invitations?

Let’s be honest: sending wedding invitations is one of those deceptively simple tasks that turns otherwise sane people into spreadsheet-wielding, postage-analyzing maniacs.

You’d think it’s easy. Buy pretty cards, slap on some stamps, and boom — done. But no. This is a wedding. Which means everything must be stressful, overly complicated, and deeply emotional.

So let’s break it down — no bullshit, no fluff, just the real deal on when and how to send wedding invitations without losing your mind (or your guest list).

First, the Timeline: Don’t Be That Couple

You know that couple who sends their wedding invitations three months late and then panics when no one RSVPs until the week before? Yeah, don’t be them.

Here’s the Gold Standard:

• Send invitations 6 to 8 weeks before your wedding.
  That’s your sweet spot. It’s long enough for people to get their lives together, but not so early they forget who you are.

• Destination wedding or holiday weekend?
  You’re now on the 10 to 12-week timeline. Flights aren’t getting any cheaper, and your guests aren’t getting any younger.

• Out-of-town guests?
  Give them at least 8 to 12 weeks. No one likes scrambling for hotel rooms the week before your ceremony.

Oh, and before any of this, you should have sent out your Save the Dates — ideally 4-6 months in advance (or up to a year for destination weddings). But hey, if you forgot, just act cool and pretend you're going for a "minimalist, mysterious elopement vibe."

📋 Recommended Wedding Invitation Timeline

How to Actually Send the Damn Things

Yes, you can just mail them. But also... not really. There’s a “proper” way, because this is society and wedding etiquette is basically a Hunger Games arena for stationery.

Step 1: Build Your Guest List Like You Mean It

Spreadsheet. Full names. Real addresses. None of that “Mom’s coworker, I think her name is Linda?” nonsense. Spell check. Then spell check again. People are weird about their names.

Step 2: Address Envelopes Like a Victorian Secretary

Follow these old-school rules or brace yourself for Aunt Susan’s passive-aggressive texts:

• No nicknames — it’s “Jonathan and Elizabeth,” not “Jon & Lizzy.”

• Use titles — Dr., Mr., Ms., Esq., whatever applies. Yes, even if you hate titles.

• Spell out everything — no “St.” or “67th.” It’s “Sixty-Seventh Street.”

Step 3: Go to the Post Office Like a Responsible Adult

Don’t guess postage. Don’t assume. Bring your fully assembled invitation — all the inserts, envelopes, RSVP cards, wax seals, pressed flowers, whatever extra madness you’ve added — and weigh it. As of 2025:

• Standard invite under 1 oz = $0.73 Forever Stamp

• Square or weirdly shaped invite = $1.19

• Multiply by 100 guests and you start to feel the sting.

On average, couples drop $283.24 on just postage. That’s the price of a decent weekend getaway. Or, you know, three really solid cocktail hours.

Pro tip: Want invitations that look like luxury but don’t break the bank?
Check out Rinlong’s wedding collection — modern, elegant, and perfect for couples who care more about aesthetics than mailing mishaps.

Step 4: Hand It Off at the Post Office (Not Your Sketchy Mailbox)

You could just drop them into a mailbox, but if you’re mailing custom-shaped invitations with hand-calligraphed envelopes and a wax seal that took you six hours to learn on TikTok — go to the damn counter. Ensure they’re postmarked and handled with care.

Or… Go Digital (No, You’re Not a Monster)

Want to skip the postage, paper cuts, and inevitable typos? Digital wedding invitations are a thing now — and not just for “quirky” couples with ukuleles and vegan tacos at their reception.

Digital Done Right:

• Create a joint email account just for the wedding — makes life easier and less spammy.

• Personalize the subject line: “Sam & Jordan’s Wedding | 11.15.25” beats “YO come party??”

• Always address emails individually — no mass BCC disasters.

• Attach a beautifully designed invite image, and keep the message short and sweet.

• Follow up. Because let’s face it, half your guests haven’t checked their inboxes since 2019.

RSVP Reality Check

Here’s the brutal truth: people will forget to RSVP. They will ignore deadlines. They will text you a “hey can I still come?” message the night before your wedding.

To Stay Sane:

• Set RSVP deadline 4-6 weeks before the wedding (or 8-10 for destination weddings).

• Follow up one week after the deadline — call, email, or text.

• Be polite, be direct, and don’t be afraid to guilt-trip just a little.

Extra Pro Tips (Because Chaos Loves Company)

• Always order extra invitations. Someone will spill wine on one, or your cousin will suddenly start dating someone new.

• Coordinate your RSVP deadline with your vendor headcount needs — caterers usually want numbers 2-3 weeks in advance.

• Track who you sent invites to and when. You will forget, and your great-aunt will notice.

The Bottom Line

Sending wedding invitations isn’t just a task — it’s a rite of passage. It’s where planning meets logistics, meets family politics, meets the unspoken art of postage selection. Do it well, and your wedding will start on a high note.

And if you need stunning, realistic wedding florals to go with those stunning, realistic timelines — check out Rinlong’s wedding flowers. Zero wilting. Zero drama. Just effortless beauty that won’t ghost your RSVP.