When to Send Invitations: A Timeline for Weddings, Quinceañeras and Baptisms

Timing your invitations matters as much as the design: send them too late and guests already have plans; too early and they forget to RSVP. Here are the recommended weeks for each type of event, how much time to allow for ordering, and a calculator that gives you your dates in a minute.

The short answer

Event	Save the date	Mail the invitation	RSVP deadline
Wedding	6–8 months before	6–8 weeks before	3–4 weeks before
Wedding with traveling guests	8–12 months before	10–12 weeks before	4–6 weeks before
Quinceañera	3–6 months before (optional)	6–8 weeks before	3–4 weeks before
Baptism and First Communion	Not needed	4–6 weeks before	2 weeks before
Birthday, baby shower and graduation	Not needed	3–6 weeks before	1–2 weeks before

The RSVP deadline is the date your venue and caterer need a final head count. Ask your vendors which day they need it and print it on the invitation.

Calculate your dates

Enter your event date and we'll tell you when to order, when to mail and which RSVP deadline to print.

How far ahead should you order?

Count backwards from the day you want to mail them:

• Production: we handcraft every order in California in 7–10 business days after your purchase.
• Shipping to you: a few more days, anywhere in the United States ($12, free on orders of $250 or more).
• Addressing and assembly: allow at least a week to address envelopes, add cards or ribbons and get them to the post office.

Bottom line: order your invitations about 4 weeks before the date you want to mail them. For a wedding, that means ordering roughly 3 months before the big day. If your date is close, message us before ordering and we'll see what's possible.

Before you pay, you see your invitation live with your names, date and venue. Take your time checking spelling and times so you don't lose days to corrections.

Weddings: save the date and invitation

A save the date simply asks guests to block the day. Send it as soon as your date and venue are booked, especially if guests need flights, time off or hotel rooms. Only send it to people you're sure you'll invite.

The formal invitation carries every detail: ceremony, reception, dress code, registry and how to RSVP. Mail it 6–8 weeks before; if most guests are traveling, move it up to 10–12 weeks. Browse our wedding invitations or acrylic wedding invitations.

Quinceañeras

For a quinceañera, aim for invitations to arrive about 6 weeks ahead. For a big party or family coming from another state or country, send a save the date 3–6 months out. Get wording ideas in our quinceañera invitation wording guide and designs in quinceañera invitations.

Baptisms and First Communions

These are more intimate celebrations, so mailing the invitation 4–6 weeks ahead is enough. If godparents or family live far away, call them as soon as the church date is set. See our baptism invitations and First Communion invitations.

Common mistakes

• Ordering before the date and venue are confirmed. Wait until the church and reception venue are booked.
• Leaving out the RSVP deadline. Without one, many guests won't reply in time.
• Buying stamps before weighing an assembled invitation. Acrylic or embellished invitations can cost more to mail; we explain why in our acrylic invitations guide.
• Leaving envelopes for the last day. Addressing 150 envelopes takes longer than you think.