When to send save the dates: a timeline for every event

When to send save the dates: the timeline at a glance

The table shows common timings in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Treat them as a starting point and adjust to your guests.

One rule applies to all of them: the date and the guest list must be fixed before you send. If you're not sure what a save the date is for in the first place, start with what is a save the date.

Wedding save dates: why 6 to 8 months?

Six to eight months is the sweet spot many wedding planners and stationers recommend for a local wedding. It's early enough that guests haven't planned their summer yet and late enough that the date feels real and doesn't get forgotten.

Move toward the earlier end (8 months or more) if:

• your wedding is in peak season, often late spring to early fall in the US and UK, or spring and fall in much of Australia,
• it's on a holiday weekend such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, the Fourth of July, a UK bank holiday, Canada Day or an Australian long weekend,
• your town has few hotel rooms or is a popular weekend destination,
• a lot of guests have kids or jobs with fixed vacation schedules (teachers, nurses, shift workers).

You can stay at the later end (around 6 months) for a small local wedding where most guests live nearby.

Tip: Count backwards from your wedding date and put three reminders in your calendar: "order save the dates" (about 2 months before sending), "mail save the dates" and "mail invitations". Printed cards take longer than most couples expect.

When to send save the dates for a destination wedding

For a destination wedding, guests have a lot more to organize: time off, flights, a hotel, maybe a passport renewal, a pet sitter or childcare. That's why 8 to 12 months is the common range. For long-haul or international trips, or a date during school holidays, aim for 12 months.

Before the save the dates go out, have these ready:

• the exact date range (arrival day, wedding day, departure),
• a wedding website with travel and hotel information,
• a room block or at least a list of recommended places to stay,
• any travel hints guests should know early, like the nearest airport or visa requirements for international guests.

The invitation for a destination wedding usually goes out around three months before, a little earlier than for a local wedding, so guests have time to RSVP after booking. For wording ideas, see our destination save the date wording.

Too early or too late?

Too early

More than a year ahead is rarely necessary for a local event. People lose cards, forget the date or haven't got their own plans that far out. The other risk: the longer the gap, the more likely something changes, like the guest list, the venue or even the date.

Too late

If you're only a few months away, a save the date loses most of its point. Rather than sending a card and then an invitation a few weeks later, many couples go straight to the invitation and send it a little earlier than usual. A short message or email to guests who travel far is a good middle way.

Short engagement

With a short engagement of a few months, skip the printed save the date. Instead, call or text the closest people the moment you have a date, then send invitations as soon as possible.

Save the date timing for birthdays, reunions and parties

Milestone birthdays

A 40th dinner in your hometown doesn't need much lead time: two to three months is generous. A 50th birthday trip to Mexico is a different story. Treat it like a small destination wedding and give people four to six months. A regular birthday party needs no save the date at all. Our birthday invitation wording guide covers the invitation.

Class and family reunions

Reunions involve many people from many places, some of whom will need to travel. Six to twelve months is common for the save the date, especially for big anniversaries like a 10th or 20th class reunion. More in how to plan a class reunion.

Bachelorette and bachelor weekends

These usually sit a few months before the wedding and often involve travel and shared costs. Give the group four to six months, and share a rough budget early so nobody is surprised.

Holiday and office parties

December fills up fast. A save the date four to eight weeks ahead, often sent in October or early November, keeps the evening free before the calendar crowds.

Before the save the date: pick a day people can make

For weddings the date usually follows the venue. For many other events, though, you're free to choose, and that's the moment to check with your guests. For a birthday weekend, a reunion or a bachelorette trip, send a quick day poll to the core group. Everyone marks the days they're free, the poll shows which day or stretch of days works best and you lock it in. Then the save the date goes out with a date that already works for the people who matter most.

Free toolFind the best date, then save it›

For more planning guides, browse Parties & planning. For the classic heads-up order (date, save the date, invitation, RSVP), here's a short checklist:

1. Choose the date and book the venue.
2. Finalize the guest list.
3. Set up a website or info page, especially if guests travel.
4. Send save the dates (see the timeline above).
5. Send invitations with an RSVP deadline, for weddings often 3 to 4 weeks before the day.
6. Follow up kindly with anyone who hasn't replied.

psst … this makes it easier

Find the day that works for everyone

• Create a poll and drop the link in the group chat
• Everyone taps the days they're free and the best one shows up instantly
• Free, no account, no app

Create a poll

When is everyone free?MTWTFSS891011121314🎉Best day foundeveryone can make it ✓

Frequently asked questions