When do you book food catering?! rsvp timing!!????!

You’re within a great window (about 12–18 months out), so you can absolutely start reaching out to caterers now. Since you already have a caterer in mind, this is the right time to request proposals, check availability, and review contracts.

For timing: your caterer and venue will both give you a “final headcount due” date (often 7–14 days before the wedding). That date is what drives your RSVP deadline. A good rule of thumb is to set your RSVP deadline about 2 weeks before that final headcount is due. That gives you time to follow up with anyone who hasn’t responded and confirm your numbers accurately.

On invitations: it’s very early to send them out now. Even for a 2027 wedding, invitations are typically mailed about 6–8 weeks before the wedding (save-the-dates go earlier, usually 8–12 months out). If invitations go out too far in advance, guests tend to set them aside and forget to respond, then you end up chasing RSVPs for months.

On catering: one more thing to check early is the caterer’s policy on leftovers. Some venues and caterers have restrictions on taking food home due to health regulations, so it’s good to know upfront rather than assume leftovers can be taken home.

Thank you so much, that was super helpful and exactly what I was looking for!

You're very welcome! I'm so glad it helped. Enjoy the planning process, and don't hesitate to ask questions as they come up. Congratulations!