I will start with the honest answer: there is no single right number of weeks. It depends on how far your guests are travelling, how full the wedding calendar is that season, and what your family expects. But there is a sensible shape to it, and sticking to that shape saves a lot of phone calls.
The timeline
Five to six months out: tell the far-away people. If anyone is flying in from another country, they need the date now. A casual message is enough: “We’re getting married on 14 February in Madurai. Formal invitation will follow.” This is also where a save-the-date poster does its job. See the save the date poster checklist.
Three to four months out: the save-the-date for everyone else. Indian wedding seasons fill up quickly, and the best muhurtham dates are shared by many families. A save-the-date holds a place in people’s minds.
Eight to ten weeks out: finalise the details. You cannot send a good invitation until the events, timings and venues are settled. If any are still moving, hold off a week rather than send something you will have to correct.
Six to eight weeks out: the invitation. This is the main one. Personal visits for elders and close relatives happen around now, ideally before the digital link reaches them, so nobody hears second-hand. Then the link goes to everyone else.
Two weeks out: a reminder. Short, with the link, and a practical note such as parking or the dress code. This is the message that people actually act on.
Two to three days out: a last note. For the people travelling in, a note with the map link and a contact number for the day.
Why digital changes the timing
With printed cards, you are held back by the printer and the post. A hand-delivered card takes days, and one posted abroad can take weeks. A digital link has no such delay, so you can afford to send later and fix errors faster. Do not use that as a reason to send late, though. The constraint is no longer the card, it is your guests’ calendars.
When the page is not ready yet
If the design is still being finalised, send the save-the-date and tell people the full invitation is coming. People forgive a short delay, but they do not forgive a link with a wrong time. Review the page on your own phone, then on a family member’s older phone, before you share it.
What to include in each message
| Stage | Say | Include |
|---|---|---|
| Save the date | We’re getting married | Date and city |
| Invitation | Please join us | Link with events, map, timings |
| Reminder | Two weeks to go | Link, parking or dress note |
| Last note | See you soon | Map, a phone number for the day |
Special cases
- Peak season weddings. Add two to four weeks to everything.
- Destination weddings. Give four to six months for the save-the-date, and keep the logistics in one place on the page.
- Multi-event weddings. List every event separately. See how to list engagement, muhurtham and reception.
- Guests abroad. Time zones and calendar buttons make a big difference.
If you want a page ready in time, the publish page lets you set one up yourself, and our pricing page lists what each route includes.
Quick questions
How early should I send a digital wedding invitation?
Six to eight weeks before the wedding is a common range, earlier if many guests must book travel or take leave. A save-the-date before that gives them the date to plan around.
Is a save the date necessary for a family wedding?
Not required, but helpful. For a wedding in peak season, or when guests will travel, it protects the date in their calendars.
When should guests abroad get the invitation?
Give them the date four to six months ahead if you can. Visas, leave and flights take time.
Do I need to resend the link if details change?
If the invitation is a page and you edit it, the same link shows the new details. Still send a short message so people know to look.