A Month-by-Month Guide to Stress-Free Planning
Planning a wedding involves many moving pieces—but your invitations and RSVPs don’t have to be one of them. With a clear timeline, you can stay organized, avoid last-minute panic, and ensure your guests have everything they need to celebrate with you.
Here’s a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of what to do and when to do it—plus expert tips to make your invitation process smoother and more enjoyable.
12 Months Before – Finalize Your Guest List & Collect Addresses
Before you can send anything, you need to know who you’re inviting. This is the time to sit down with your partner (and possibly your families) and finalize your guest list.
What to Do:
- Create your master guest list.
- Collect mailing addresses or email addresses (depending on your invitation format).
- Set up a system to track RSVPs (Google Sheets, Trello, or wedding websites like Zola or The Knot).
💡 Pro Tip: Start a spreadsheet with names, addresses, and “plus one” details. Use columns for tracking save-the-dates, invitations, RSVPs, and gifts—it’ll be your best friend through this whole process.
9–12 Months Before – Send Save-the-Dates
Save-the-dates are a courtesy that gives your guests time to plan—especially important for destination weddings or weddings around holidays.
What to Include:
- Your names
- Wedding date
- City and state/country
- Wedding website URL (if available)
- A note that a formal invitation will follow
💡 Pro Tip: Keep it simple. You don’t need the venue address or exact schedule yet—just the basics to help people block off their calendars.
6–8 Months Before – Order Your Wedding Invitations
This is the sweet spot to design and order your wedding invitations. It gives you time to work with a stationer, approve proofs, and receive the finished product without a rush.
Things to Decide:
- Invitation wording
- RSVP method: paper, digital, or hybrid
- Envelope style (inner and outer?)
- Inserts: maps, schedules, RSVP cards, etc.
💡Pro Tip: Order at least 10–15 extras for keepsakes, photographer detail shots, and last-minute guest list changes.
10–12 Weeks Before – Mail Wedding Invitations
It’s time to send those beauties out! Mailing invitations 10–12 weeks before your wedding gives guests enough time to RSVP and make arrangements.
Include:
- Invitation
- RSVP card + return envelope (if applicable)
- Any relevant info cards (accommodation, dress code, map)
- QR code or link if you’re using a digital RSVP
💡 Pro Tip: Hand-cancel your invitations at the post office to avoid machine damage. Mailing internationally? Add at least 2–3 extra weeks.
4–6 Weeks Before – Set the RSVP Deadline
You’ll need a final headcount for catering, seating, and rentals, so don’t push this step too late.
What to Do:
- Set RSVP deadline 4 weeks before the wedding date.
- Follow up with non-responders a week before the deadline.
- Update your RSVP tracker daily or weekly.
💡 Pro Tip: Make it easy to RSVP—especially for older relatives. If you’re using a website, consider also offering a call-in option for guests less tech-savvy.
2–3 Weeks After – Send Thank-You Cards
The wedding’s over, but your etiquette journey isn’t! Expressing gratitude to your guests and gift-givers is a meaningful final step.
What to Include:
- A personal note mentioning the gift and/or their presence
- A warm thank-you message signed by both partners
💡 Pro Tip: Set a goal to write 5–10 cards per day after the honeymoon to avoid being overwhelmed.
Want the Summary in One Beautiful Visual?
We’ve created a clean, elegant graphic with this entire timeline so you can save it, print it, or pin it to your planning board.📌 Save this post or share it with a friend who’s engaged!
