Do we need a save-the-date?
For a majlis during holiday season or with many overseas guests, yes — share the date 3 to 6 months ahead even before the full card is ready. For a typical local majlis, an invitation 4 to 8 weeks out is enough.
Updated: 23 August 2026
When Should You Send Wedding Invitations?
The best window to send wedding invitations is 4 to 8 weeks before the majlis for local guests — early enough to plan around, close enough not to be forgotten. Overseas and out-of-state guests need 2 to 3 months. This guide covers the full timeline, when to close RSVPs, and how to follow up with guests who have not replied.
Sending timeline by guest group
| Guest group | When to send |
|---|---|
| Immediate family & VIPs | As early as possible — share the date once it is locked |
| Overseas guests | 2–3 months before (flights and leave) |
| Out-of-state guests | 6–10 weeks before |
| Local guests | 4–8 weeks before |
| Colleagues & acquaintances | 3–4 weeks before |
| Follow-up reminder | 1–2 weeks before the majlis |
Why not earlier, and why not later
Invitations sent too early — three or four months out — tend to sink. Guests cannot confirm their schedule yet, postpone replying, then forget. Invitations sent too late force guests to choose between your majlis and commitments they have already made.
The 4-to-8-week window balances both: your date enters the guest’s monthly planning, and RSVPs start arriving exactly when you need them for catering confirmation.
When to close RSVPs
Set your RSVP deadline 1 to 2 weeks before the majlis. Caterers usually ask for the final pax count about a week before the event, so your deadline needs to come before that — with a little room to chase quiet guests.
- State the RSVP deadline clearly on the invitation.
- Send one friendly reminder about 2 weeks before the majlis to guests who have not replied.
- For guests still silent after the reminder, count them as attending in your catering estimate — slightly over is safer than under.
A digital card changes the math
With printed cards, the sending timeline must subtract printing, packing, and postage — typically several extra weeks. A digital card erases that subtraction: it is ready in hours, arrives instantly via WhatsApp, and stays editable after sending if the time or venue changes. You also watch RSVPs arrive live, so following up becomes a short, clear list instead of guesswork.
Frequently asked questions
When should RSVPs close?
1 to 2 weeks before the majlis — enough time to chase quiet guests and still give the caterer a final pax count.
What about guests who never reply?
Send one short reminder about 2 weeks before the event. After that, count them as attending in your catering estimate so the food does not run short.
Can details change after the card is sent?
With print, no — a change means reprinting or a separate correction message. With a digital card, yes: the link stays the same and its content updates instantly for every guest.
Related pages
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