How Far in Advance Should I Send Wedding Invitations?

Getting your wedding invitations out on time isn’t just about being polite-it’s about giving people enough space to plan, save money, book travel, and actually say yes. If you send them too early, guests might forget. Too late, and they’ll already have plans-or worse, no time to make them.

Standard Timeline: 6 to 8 Weeks Before

For most weddings in New Zealand, sending invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the big day is the sweet spot. That gives guests around 45 to 60 days to respond, which is enough time to arrange time off work, book flights, and decide whether they can make it. Most couples here aim for this window, especially if the wedding is on a weekend and not during a major holiday.

Think about it: if your wedding is on Saturday, June 14, 2026, you should have invitations in the mail by April 25 to May 10. That way, RSVPs start coming in by mid-June, giving you a clear headcount for catering and seating by early July.

When to Send Them Earlier: 10 to 12 Weeks

There are a few situations where you need to send invitations earlier. If your wedding is during peak season-like December or February-guests will be juggling holidays, vacations, and family events. If you’re hosting a destination wedding, especially overseas, or even just in a remote part of New Zealand like Stewart Island or Fiordland, people need more time to plan travel and book accommodation.

For example, if you’re getting married in Queenstown in January, and you’ve got guests flying in from Australia, the UK, or the US, sending invitations in October or early November is smart. That gives them three months to save up, apply for visas if needed, and snag cheaper flights before prices spike.

Same goes for weddings that fall on public holidays. If your big day is on Waitangi Day (February 6) or ANZAC Day (April 25), people will have other commitments. Give them 10 to 12 weeks to adjust.

When You Can Wait: 4 to 5 Weeks

If your wedding is small-under 30 guests-and everyone lives nearby, you can get away with sending invites just 4 to 5 weeks ahead. A backyard BBQ wedding in Ponsonby or a quick ceremony at the Auckland Domain? Most local guests can say yes or no within a week or two.

But even then, don’t wait until the last minute. If you send invites too late, you’ll end up chasing people down via text, which feels rushed and unpolished. Plus, if you’re using a caterer or venue that requires final numbers, you’ll be stressed trying to get replies in time.

RSVP Deadline: Set It Early

Don’t just send the invitation and hope for the best. Always include a clear RSVP deadline. Most couples set it for 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding. That gives you two weeks to confirm numbers with your caterer, florist, and venue. If your wedding is on July 12, set the RSVP date for June 15.

Include a reply card, a link to an online form, or even a simple email address. Don’t make people guess how to respond. A study by The Knot found that couples who used digital RSVPs got 85% of responses within two weeks, compared to 58% with paper cards.

Save-the-Dates: Don’t Skip These

If you’re having a destination wedding, a weekend wedding in a popular spot like Waiheke Island, or you’re getting married during a busy time of year, send save-the-dates 6 to 8 months in advance. These aren’t formal invitations-they’re just a heads-up. A simple postcard or email saying, “We’re getting married on October 18, 2026. Save the date!” works perfectly.

Save-the-dates are especially helpful if you’ve booked a venue that books up fast, like the Christchurch Botanic Gardens or a beachside lodge in Bay of Islands. Guests need to clear their calendars early, and many will start looking at flights and hotels right away.

Pro tip: If you’re sending save-the-dates, make sure your wedding website is live with basic info-date, location, and a link to RSVP later. People will Google it.

What About Digital Invites?

Digital invitations are faster, cheaper, and greener. But they still need the same timeline. Don’t assume that because it’s an email or a link, people will act quicker. They won’t. Most people still treat digital invites the same way as paper ones.

Use a platform like Paperless Post, Minted, or even a simple Google Form linked in a beautifully designed email. But don’t send it out as a last-minute text or WhatsApp message. That comes off as lazy, not modern.

What Happens If You Send Them Too Early?

Sending invitations more than 12 weeks ahead can backfire. Guests might forget. They might think it’s a draft. They might assume you’re still planning and won’t commit until later.

There’s also the risk of people saying yes too early, then changing their minds. If you book your caterer based on early RSVPs and someone cancels two weeks out, you’re stuck paying for extra plates.

One couple in Tauranga sent invites 14 weeks out and ended up with 15 no-shows because guests assumed the wedding was months away and didn’t mark it on their calendar until the last minute.

What If Guests Don’t Respond?

Follow up. Politely. A week after the RSVP deadline, send a quick message: “Hi Sam, just checking in to see if you got our invitation and if you’ll be able to make it? We’re finalizing numbers this week.”

Don’t be shy. Most people aren’t rude-they’re just busy. A gentle nudge works better than silence. And if you’re using an online RSVP tool, you can see who hasn’t responded yet.

Final Checklist

• Confirm your guest list before printing or sending invites
• Order invitations at least 3 months before you plan to send them (printing and delivery take time)
• Include RSVP deadline and method clearly
• Send save-the-dates 6-8 months ahead if it’s a destination or peak-season wedding
• Send formal invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding (or 10-12 weeks if travel is involved)
• Follow up with non-responders one week after the deadline
• Confirm final headcount with vendors at least 2 weeks before the wedding

Wedding planning is full of moving parts. Getting your invitations timed right takes the pressure off the rest. It’s not about being perfect-it’s about being thoughtful. Give your guests the gift of time, and you’ll get a much smoother day in return.