RSVP card return date

I think it is surprising that your venue/caterer need headcounts so early.. mine is 3 days before. People don't need 2 months to RSVP- sending out invites in late June and requesting RSVP by late July should be fine, and gives you a couple weeks to call the stragglers. Again, this is very very early. I would confirm that you truly need to give headcount so early.

That’s what I thought too. The venue said the latest is 5 weeks.. it was originally supposed to be 6 weeks in which I turn in my headcount at my final walk through. My caterer just said she would like to know so that she can make sure she has everyone on her team for how many people we’ll have. I’m just beginning to rethink this and it seems like somehow, my timeline is way off compared to others.

My catering contract says final numbers are due 30 days before the event, so I don't find this odd. My RSVP date will be two weeks before that and sending out invites four or so weeks before that. So in your case, I would probably send invites out mid to late June.

Wow, that's early. I'd probably mail them the last week of June and set rsvp date for 8/1/18 giving you like a week to followup with people.

I'd ask 6 weeks ahead if venue needs 5 weeks. That gives you a week to hunt down people who haven't responded. 8 week's seems excessive.

If you sent out save the dates, then send them out 2 months before. If you didn't then do it when you said above.