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When to send out your wedding invitations

Image of Evite wedding invitation on a decorative presentation platter surrounded by flowers and stamps.

Welcome to the whirlwind that is wedding planning! From the engagement party, shower, bach parties, rehearsal dinner and wedding reception, there's no shortage of celebrations to send invitations for. BUT, the most important invitation of all is undoubtedly the wedding invitation. Whether you're planning to send a beautiful, professionally designed wedding invitation, design your own wedding invite, or create a wedding invite suite to keep the tone of your big day present throughout the entire process, knowing when to send your wedding invitations is crucial. To help you navigate wedding invitation etiquette and timeline, here's a guide on when to send wedding invitations to all of your lucky guests.

A diagram featuring a wedding stationery timeline: Wedding stationery timeline When to send invites for each event   2–4 months after getting engaged Engagement party invitations (Some people opt to celebrate earlier—it's really up to you!)   6–8 months before the wedding Save-the-date cards Send once your date and location are chosen and your guest list is final.   3–5 months before the wedding Bridal shower invitations Showers are usually held 3 weeks to 3 months before the wedding, so send out the invitations 4–6 weeks before the shower.   2–3 months before the wedding Wedding invitations Allow even more time if it's a destination wedding or if you skipped the save-the-dates.   2–5 months before the wedding Bachelorette/bachelor party invitations Bach parties are usually held 1–4 months before the wedding, so send out the invitations 3–4 weeks before the shower.    4–8 weeks before the wedding Reception invitations Send all of the details to your wedding guests and get a headcount on food preferences, etc.   4–6 weeks before the wedding Rehearsal dinner invitations Bring your wedding party together for one last gathering before the big day.   1 day to 3 months after the wedding Wedding announcements Let everyone know you tied the knot!   0–3 months after the wedding Thank you cards Start sending these out as soon as your honeymoon is over.


When should you send wedding invitations?

In general, it's recommended to send your wedding invitations approximately six to eight weeks before your wedding day. This timing allows your guests enough time to RSVP and make necessary arrangements, while still keeping the event fresh in their minds. By sending your invitations several weeks in advance, you give your guests ample time to respond and plan accordingly. There are some notable exceptions though. This timeline is usually sufficient for couples who previously sent wedding save-the-dates out to their anticipated guest list. But if you opted to skip the save-the-date step…


When should you send wedding invitations if save-the-dates weren't sent?

If you haven't sent save-the-date cards, it's vital that you send out your wedding invitations earlier to provide your guests with enough notice. Aim to send your wedding invitations to guests three to four months before the wedding date to ensure they have adequate time to adjust their schedules and make arrangements to attend your big day.


When should you send wedding invitations for a destination wedding?

If you have out-of-town guests or are planning a destination wedding, send out your wedding invitations earlier than the standard timeline—two to three months in advance of your wedding day should allow your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements, book accommodations and plan their visit. In addition to the usual wedding invitation details, consider providing additional information, such as recommended hotels or transportation options to help out-of-town guests attending your wedding.


Who should receive a wedding invitation?

Easy—anyone you want to attend your wedding! This typically includes close family members, friends and possibly colleagues, as well as any plus-ones indicated on the invitation or RSVP cards. If you send save-the-dates beforehand, everyone from that list will require a formal wedding invitation. Ensure that your guest list is finalized before sending out your wedding save-the-dates and wedding invitations to avoid any last-minute additions or omissions.


When should you request RSVPs for a wedding?

To allow sufficient time for guests to respond, it's recommended to request RSVPs no later than three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you time to finalize the guest count, make seating arrangements and communicate with vendors without stressing out over changes to your wedding celebration's headcount.


How early is too early to send out wedding invitations?

If you send invitations too far in advance, guests may forget or misplace them, resulting in delayed responses or misunderstandings closer to the wedding day. Therefore, it's best to stick to the suggested timeline of six to eight weeks before the wedding if you've already sent out save-the-dates for local ceremonies. 


When should you send wedding save-the-dates?

It's recommended to send save-the-dates about six to eight months before the wedding or event. This timing allows guests to mark their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements, particularly if they need to plan around work or school schedules. Four to six months before the wedding ceremony is also acceptable, but for destination weddings or events that require more extensive travel plans or take place during peak travel times like the holidays, consider sending save-the-dates up to a year in advance to ensure your family and friends can attend. Our "When to send out your save-the-dates" guide has all the details you need about these marvelous cards. Save-the-dates give your loved ones the opportunity to mark their calendars, while invitations provide the detailed information they need to RSVP and make concrete plans, so we highly recommended using this dynamic wedding stationery duo when planning your special day!


Other wedding invitation etiquette to remember

There's no one correct way to write or format a wedding invitation, but there are key components to include:

  • The host line
  • The request
  • The names of the couple
  • The date and time
  • The location

You can also include reception info, the dress code, an "RSVP by" line, and your wedding website on your invitation. Basically, your wedding invitation should fully inform your guests of what to expect and how to prepare for your day of love. Our complete wedding invitation wording and formatting guide can help you find just the right words for your unique celebration!


Wedding invitation design ideas

Your wedding day may be an occasion you’ve dreamed of your entire life, so make sure your wedding invitation matches the aesthetic of your dreams. The wedding invite design you choose goes a long way toward informing your guests what kind of a wedding to expect, and it’s also an opportunity to show you and your spouse-to-be’s personalities!


Classic or traditional wedding invitations

Two classic wedding invitations, one featuring a floral motif and the other an ethereal doily design.

Flowers are a perennial favorite for classic wedding invitations.

Minimalist wedding invitations

Two minimalist wedding invitations featuring bold typography.

Be bold and let the main details shine through.

Modern wedding invitations

Two modern wedding invitations, one featuring funny, sassy wording and the other featuring a minimalist pair of rings.

Marriage is serious. Your wedding invitations don’t have to be.

Destination wedding invitations

Two wedding invitations suitable for destination weddings.

Set the scene for your “I Do’s” in style.

Photo wedding invitations

Two wedding invitations featuring photos of the couple.

The hard part is deciding which sweet photo to use!

Religious wedding invitations

Two wedding invitations, one for a Jewish wedding ceremony and one for a Muslim wedding ceremony.

If your faith plays an important role in your life, make it part of your wedding invitation.


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What makes Evite SignUp Sheets different from SignUpGenius?

Developed hand-in-hand with community organizers, PTA presidents, parents and teachers, Evite's signup sheets are designed to make organizing volunteers a breeze. Here are a few ways SignUp Sheets are different than SignUpGenius:

  • 100% free: SignUp Sheets are free to use.
  • Ad-free: No popup ads ever! Our signup sheets remain clutter-free, keeping your volunteers focused on signing up.
  • No extra login required: Seamlessly use your Evite account to create and manage your signup sheets, keeping all your events in one convenient location.
  • Automatic reminders and notifications: Stay on top of your event with automated reminders and notifications for you and your participants. Perfect for busy parents, teachers and anyone juggling multiple commitments.
  • Customization options: Tailor your signup sheets to your specific event, whether it's a school fundraiser, potluck, volunteer opportunity or team activity. Add custom tasks, time slots and requirements for smooth coordination.
  • User-friendly experience: Our intuitive interface makes creating and sharing signup sheets simple for everyone, regardless of tech experience.
  • Real-time updates: Get instant notifications whenever someone signs up or makes a change, so you always know where things stand.

Choose Evite SignUp Sheets for the easiest, most streamlined way to get volunteers and signups for your next event!

What is a signup sheet?

Signup sheets are the perfect way to streamline scheduling, volunteer recruitment, class parties, snack duty, potluck organization, parent-teacher conferences and more! You can think of them as your digital assistant for coordinating events and tasks and ensuring that your event is a success.

Evite SignUp Sheets offers parents, teachers and event planners customizable online forms that organizers and volunteers can access and update effortlessly. Volunteers can choose their preferred time slots, sign up for tasks or indicate what they'll bring to the event. It only takes organizers a few minutes to create a signup sheet and send it out with a shareable link, so they can get the word out via text, email or social media—whichever way they prefer! 

Long story short, signup sheets save everyone involved tons of time, avoid scheduling headaches and ensure everything runs smoothly before and during the event.

How do I create a signup sheet?

Creating a signup sheet has never been easier than with Evite! Here’s how to create a sheet that’s sure to make your event an absolute success:

  1. Go to Evite SignUp Sheets and choose the template that best fits your needs. Evite offers multiple signup sheet templates perfect for every occasion, including:
    • Signup sheets for one day events (without different time slots), perfect for when you’re organizing a class party, potluck or end-of-season party.
    • Signup sheets for single or multiple day events (with time slots), perfect for when you’re organizing concession stand volunteers, fundraisers, parent-teacher conferences, meal train, post-game snack duty or during appreciation week.
  1. After selecting your sheet template, create a title for your signup sheet and add the date, the location, the time (if applicable), who the organizer is, the organizer’s phone number or email and an optional note describing the event to your volunteers. You can also change your signup sheet background and title image if you wish!
  1. Next, create slots for your signup sheet. If you aren’t logged into your account, you will need to do so at this point, but luckily, you can use your existing Evite account (no need to create yet another login!). What you’ll include here will depend on what your event needs, but you can include a list of what’s needed (along with optional descriptions), how many volunteers are needed, and dates and times.
  1. After creating your slots, you can then add a wish list from any retailer or include supply suggestions from Evite’s retailer partners. These are to help your volunteers find and purchase supplies quickly and easily.
  1. Finally, review your sheet, copy your shareable link and send it out to everyone on your list! Every time a volunteer signs up for a slot on your signup sheet, Evite will email you. We will also send reminders to you and your volunteers before your event so no one will forget about it, and we’ll even let volunteers know if you remove their slot or cancel your event sheet so you don’t have to!

What information should be included on a signup sheet?

When it comes to signup sheet information, there are some essentials to include regardless of what you’re organizing:

  1. A title for your signup sheet. Tip: Aim to keep your signup sheet title concise but clear. You want volunteers to read it and have a general understanding of what your event is about, and also make it easy for them to look for later if they need to reference your sheet again. You have the option to include a more descriptive note in a different field about your event, so save the more in-depth details for that!
  1. When and where the event is taking place. 
  1. The organizer’s name and phone number.
  1. Slots for volunteers to choose from. Once you choose the SignUp Sheets template that fits the occasion, the slots you’ll need for your sheet will be right there and ready for you to add the relevant info, such as dates, times, items to bring and tasks to complete. 

When adding your slot information, clearly define what people are signing up for, especially for a what-to-bring list or role assignments. If you want someone to bring healthy snacks for kids to enjoy after a game, specify that. You want your volunteers to feel confident in what they’re bringing and to make it easy for them to know what’s expected of them. It will save them time and stress (and you, too!). That being said, if you make your ask too specific (for example, asking for a hard-to-source item or something expensive), you may not end up with a volunteer for it. So be clear about what you expect, but also be reasonable!

Aside from providing the basic signup information, you can also add optional descriptions to both your entire signup sheet and individual slots. While not required, they can help guide your volunteers further and provide more information. You can add information about allergies, preferences and general info about the event. You can also add a wish list to make it easier for your volunteers to bring exactly what you need!

What are the benefits of using a signup sheet template?

Signup sheet templates offer a ton of advantages for both organizers and volunteers and with Evite SignUp Sheets, you'll enjoy even more benefits than other digital and paper signup sheets! Some benefits our signup sheet templates offer include:

  • A 100% free experience (no subscriptions required!).
  • Shareable links for quick and easy sharing.
  • No need to create another login—you can use your existing Evite account.
  • The option to add a wish list to help your volunteers out.
  • Automatic reminders—we’ll remind everyone on your behalf.
  • An easy-to-use experience with eye-catching guided templates.
  • Clean, modern designs with no pop-up ads.

With Evite SignUp Sheets, you can enjoy organizing and coordinating all your events with ease. Signup sheets streamline the signup process for everyone involved, ensuring that everything will go to plan on the day of your event while saving you precious time in the process.

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