When to send out invitations?

Yes, it’s a little early to send invitations. But you can send a save the date if you’d like (not necessary though). We’re getting married in October 2020 as well and sending our save the dates in January.


What wedding plans have you completed thus far?

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I have a venue (got that literally the week after I got engaged), some decorations, booked my hairstylist and makeup artist, and I hopefully will have my dress in February! I have a whole word document of things that I am planning to do for the wedding lol. How about you?

As Sexypoodle said, it’s definitely too early for invites. Those will go out 6-8 weeks before your wedding, with an RSVP date about a week ahead of when you need final numbers (so you can hunt down any who may not have RSVPd). Save the Dates would be a good option to send out now if you’re concerned about people not being available on your date (October 2020 will be insane for weddings), though they are definitely not a requirement. Have you looked for your caterer and photographer yet? Florals? Officiant?

View Quoted Comment We’re doing the food and the flowers ourselves. And we have a photographer and officiant booked!

It is definitely too early. Invites normally go out 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding, but you could definitely send out save the dates now. I copied a list of items I sent to another bride of things to do for her wedding. Hope this list helps!

- wedding dress
- shoes

- jewelry/accessories

- bridesmaids dresses

- groom and groomsmen attire

- hair stylist and makeup artist

- videographer if you want one

- programs

- seating chart or escort cards

- guest book

- invitations including any inserts like accommodation cards, meal selection (if you are doing plated), and rsvps

- card box

- if you are having a unity ceremony the things for that

- florist and decor

- who is doing wedding cake or whatever dessert you choose

- garter

- gifts for bridal party and parents

- getting ready outfits

- dress and outfit for flower girl and ring bearer if you are having one

- flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow

- something old, new, borrowed and blue

- if you want your nails done a place to get them done

- if you need transportation

- hotel for guests

- place to host rehearsal dinner

- favors

- wedding bands

- writing vows if you plan on writing your own

- if your DJ isn't handing the music for your ceremony then you should find someone for that (our DJ provided the music for the ceremony)

- Signs

- If you want a wedding website (we did so guests could find all of the information)

- registry

- welcome bags (we choose not to have them, but some people like them)

- if you are hosting a welcome party, after party, or brunch where do you plan on having that

- if you want any kind of special send off the things for that

- honeymoon plans

- cake topper

- outfit for rehearsal dinner and bridal shower

- day of emergency kit

- marriage license (once you are closer to the wedding)

- if you want anything throw at you when you during the recessional (some people like bubbles or confetti or something special like that)

- veil

- any special undergarments

- if you want any type of lighting or monogram

- cake knife and server

- if you want or need an aisle runner

- table numbers

- cake stand

View Quoted Comment Pretty much done with all the main planning. We have our venue, we booked all the vendors, I have my dress and shoes, we have our save the dates, started adding to our wedding website and have decided on the overall vision and decor. The main things remaining are ordering stationery type items (we already know what invitations and favors we want and we’ll order the seating chart after gathering RSVP’s). I’ve also decided on my accessories (birdcage veil, jewelry, rhinestone belt) but need to order them.


I had a personal goal of getting everything booked (and details decided on) by January so that we could enjoy 2020 without any major wedding planning.

We sent our save the dates out 10 months ahead and invites 3 months ahead. I think anything earlier than 3 months out for invites is too early.

I got married October of this year! We sent our save the dates out in April and our invitations out in August. Typically, save the dates are sent 6-10 months before your wedding and invitations are sent 6-8 weeks before your wedding.

Our wedding is September 2020. We just sent our save the dates out a couple weeks ago. 90% of our guest are flying in from several different states. So we sent out our save the dates ASAP. I’m a little in the same boat for invites/ RSVP since so many people are traveling.

I’m also getting married in October 2020. We’re sending our Save the Dates in January sometime, and invitations in June.