Basic Rule for Mailing Invitations

• For most weddings, the invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks before the big day. This allows time for the response cards to be returned, so you can make a final head count for the caterer and finish seating charts.
  
  

Out-of-Town Guests

• When you invite people from out-of-town, send their invitations at least eight weeks in advance. They may need to make travel arrangements and/or take time off from work, so a longer notice is often required.
  
  

Destination Weddings

• You can still mail the invitations six to eight weeks before the event. However, you should mail save the date card nine to 12 months before the wedding date.
  
  

Mailing Alternatives

• Even if you are cutting it close, there are no acceptable alternatives to mailing your wedding invitations. Good etiquette does not allow for invitations by email, phone or fax. Some of the invitations may be delivered by hand to very close members of the family and wedding party but only as a last resort.
  
  

Stamp Price Increases

• Because of postal rule changes, postage prices are likely to increase every May. If your response cards will be coming back to you around the time of the increase, plan ahead. Purchase the Forever stamps or discuss the situation with a postal employee.