When to Send Wedding Invitations
Wedding invitations should be sent six to eight weeks before the wedding date. For destination weddings, send them three months in advance. Save-the-dates go out six to twelve months before the wedding, giving guests time to plan travel and book accommodation.
Who Gets Invited
Create your guest list in tiers. The A-list includes people you cannot imagine the day without. The B-list fills spots as A-list declines come in. Set a firm deadline for RSVPs and have your B-list invitations ready to send the day after.
- Immediate family always gets invited
- Close friends and extended family form the core list
- Work colleagues and acquaintances fill remaining spots
- Both partners should have roughly equal guest counts
Addressing Wedding Invitations
Use full names on the outer envelope. For married couples, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" is traditional, while "Jane and John Smith" is modern. For unmarried couples living together, list both names on separate lines. Children under 18 are listed under their parents' names.
The Plus-One Question
The general rule: anyone in a committed relationship gets a plus-one. Single guests in the wedding party should also receive one. Beyond that, it depends on your budget. Be consistent with your policy to avoid hurt feelings.
Digital Wedding Invitations in 2026
Digital wedding invitations have become widely accepted. They offer instant delivery, built-in RSVP tracking, and zero printing costs. Many couples now send digital save-the-dates universally and reserve printed invitations for the formal invitation itself, or go fully digital.