Enter your wedding date and whether it is local or a destination wedding to get every stationery date: when to order and mail save-the-dates and invitations, the RSVP date to print on your reply cards and when the final headcount is due.
Last updated:
Your wedding
Wedding type
Stationery & vendors
days before
Check your caterer or venue contract; 7–14 days is common.
Invitations 2 weeks earlier for international mail
How the dates are worked out
Every date counts backward from the wedding day. Save-the-dates subtract whole months, invitations and RSVP deadlines subtract weeks, and the headcount subtracts the days in your caterer contract. Mailing dates that fall on a Sunday move to the Saturday before. The order-by date is the mailing date minus printing time, addressing time and one week for proofs.
Example: a local wedding on Saturday, June 12, 2027 gives save-the-dates on December 12, 2026, invitations on April 17, 2027, an RSVP deadline of May 15 and a final headcount on May 29 for a 14-day caterer deadline. Guests get four weeks to reply and you get two weeks to chase late replies.
Tips for smooth invitations
Collect mailing addresses when you send save-the-dates, and keep them in one list with RSVP status. The Wedding Guest List Manager helps.
Take one fully assembled invitation to the post office before buying stamps. Square, rigid or heavy envelopes often need more postage.
Number the back of the reply cards in pencil to match your guest list, so you can identify a card that comes back without a name.
Order 10–15% extra invitations and envelopes for mistakes, late additions and keepsakes.
For a local wedding the usual etiquette is 6 to 8 weeks before the date; this calculator uses 8 weeks. Destination weddings and weddings where most guests travel need more time, typically 10 to 12 weeks, and holiday weekends or international guests call for a couple of extra weeks.
When should save-the-dates go out?
About 4 to 6 months before a local wedding and 8 to 12 months before a destination wedding, so guests can book travel and time off. The calculator uses 6 months for local, 8 for mostly out-of-town and 10 for destination weddings, plus 2 months for holiday weekends (up to 12).
What date should I put as the RSVP deadline?
A common choice is 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding for local weddings, which leaves time to chase late replies before the caterer needs the final count. Destination weddings often use an earlier deadline, around 6 to 8 weeks, to match hotel room block and travel deadlines.
When do caterers need the final headcount?
Most caterers and venues ask for the final guest count 7 to 14 days before the event, and some require up to 3 weeks. Check your contract and enter that number; the calculator warns you if the RSVP deadline leaves too little time before it.
When should I order wedding invitations?
Work backward from the mailing date: printing (1 to 6 weeks depending on the method), addressing and assembling (1 to 3 weeks) and about a week for proofs. For most couples that means ordering invitations roughly 3 to 4 months before the wedding.
Do I need to send save-the-dates?
They are optional but helpful when guests must travel, the date falls on a holiday weekend or the wedding is during a busy season. For a small local wedding with invitations sent 8 weeks ahead, many couples skip them.
What if I am already past the ideal mailing date?
Send invitations as soon as you can and pick an RSVP date that still gives guests at least 2 to 3 weeks to respond while leaving a few days before the caterer deadline. A quick digital invitation alongside the printed one helps when time is short.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.