Let’s get real – managing RSVPs can be a bit tricky.

RSVPs are a crucial step in planning your wedding, as having an accurate guest count helps you get all the details right. However, managing RSVPs requires some strategy to ensure accurate and timely responses. You need to supply your guests with enough opportunity to respond and be part of your big day, but you also don’t want to send them too early so they forget and change plans.

So, when is the best time to send out your wedding RSVPs? Let’s decode the secrets of the best RSVP timing based on your wedding month.

What’s the Best RSVP Timing Based on Your Wedding Month?

We all have someone in our lives who tends to respond late, not respond at all, or even RSVP “Yes” and then not show up. It’s just the way things go!

But what if I told you that you could minimize this problem by picking the perfect time to send your RSVPs? Sending them in advance in the perfect time window will encourage guests to send their RSVPs on time and give them plenty of time to plan for your special day.

Send Your Save The Dates Early

Before sending RSVPs, you should first send Save the Dates. Save the Dates look like a wedding invitation, typically printed on your custom stationery and sent in a neatly handwritten envelope. They are an extension of your wedding aesthetic and get guests excited in anticipation of your special event.

Save the Dates play a pivotal role in getting your wedding on everyone’s calendars. They offer guests an early heads-up to mark their calendars and make preliminary arrangements. Save the Dates should be sent out 8 to 10 months before the wedding month. Check out this guide for what to include on your Save the Date cards.

The Perfect Save the Date Timing Based on Your Wedding Month

Following this schedule for sending Save the Dates will help your guests plan for your wedding and coordinate their schedules, facilitating a fantastic turnout on your special day.

Another option is to send digital Save the Dates. Going digital is an eco-friendly alternative that can be extra convenient and effective for you and your guests.

Paperless Post has many elegant Save the Date designs available for you to choose from. For a seamless hybrid option, Paperless Post has joined forces with Paper Source, providing the opportunity to send both digital designs and printed wedding invitations. This collaboration effortlessly marries the convenience of digital options with the enduring charm of printed invitations, offering you a flexible and environmentally friendly solution to announce your special day.

September-November (Fall wedding)

For enchanting fall weddings, the ideal time to send Save the Dates is from late Fall to mid-January, approximately 8 to 12 months before the wedding.

December – March (Winter wedding)

For a Winter Wonderland celebration, the recommended timeframe for Save the Dates is late April to early May, ensuring they reach guests 10 to 12 months before the wedding.

April – June (Spring wedding)

As nature blossoms in spring, plan to send Save the Dates from late July to early August, providing your guests a comfortable 9 to 12 months lead time.

July- August (Summer Wedding)

For a sun-soaked summer celebration, send your Save the Dates between late October and early November, offering guests 8 to 10 months to prepare.

Invitations & RSVP Timing – Your Next Step

Just like with Save the Dates, getting the timing right for your wedding RSVPs is essential to ensure a smooth process. Consider how guests have to plan differently for summer weddings than winter weddings and allow them enough time to respond, prepare, and get excited. Below, we have provided our recommendations for the best time to send invitations. And check out this in-depth guide on how to create your wedding invitations.

Pro Tips for Sending Wedding Invitations — Secrets We Share with Our Brides

There are a few common mistakes that brides make when sending invitations that can complicate the process. Here are our best tips for sending your wedding invitations.

First, many people get confused about postage for all their invitations. Before purchasing stamps, take your completed invitations to the post office and get them weighed. Sometimes, regular stamps are insufficient, so talk to your local post office to make sure you have what you need.

Wax seals are an elegant personal touch for your wedding invitations. However, envelopes with wax seals might require additional postage. Again, talk to your local post office to confirm the guidelines and whether you can send out your invitations with the seals you want.

Minted Weddings is one of our favorite secret weapons for creating and sending unique, personalized wedding invitations. Check out their example Perfect Wedding Day Schedule. When you book with Girasole & Co., you’ll receive an exclusive code to use at checkout at Minted Weddings!

As your wedding day approaches, check out our advice for planning the perfect timeline so everything is seamless and wonderful for your special day!

Key Takeaways: When is the Best RSVP Timing Based on Your Wedding Month

Follow these tips to make your wedding invitation process as smooth as possible: 

• Start early: Begin planning when you’re going to send out your RSVPs well in advance so that you can give guests plenty of notice
• Send Save the Dates first: Send out Save the Dates first and aim for 8 to 12 months before your wedding month to ensure guests can mark their calendars
• Explore digital and print invitation options: Consider using digital Save the Dates for convenience, with the option to follow up with printed invitations
• Adjust your schedule based on your wedding date: Adjust RSVP and invitation timing based on the season of your wedding to accommodate different guest planning needs
• Check with the post office: Work with your local post office to confirm your invitation designs will be covered with normal postage or if you have to make special accommodations to ensure delivery

Get Personalized Wedding Planning Support

All Girasole & Co. clients get access to our online planning software, Aisle Planner. This wedding planning tool is a game-changer, effortlessly tracking and organizing all your wedding guest information for Save the Dates, RSVPs, and seating charts. For more wedding planning tips and inspiration, check out our expert wedding planning services and schedule a consultation today!

Heather Arra

I’m fueled by caffeine and obsessed with weddings, but above all, I’m focused on you, my clients. I’m Heather, your go-to hypewoman. A true Enneagram 3, I thrive on adventure, love spontaneous kitchen dances, and cherish soul-filling laughter.