Once you’ve secured your venue and wedding date, one of the next big questions couples ask is: “When should we send our save the dates and invitations?” Timing plays a huge role in guest attendance, travel planning and overall organization — especially if you’re hosting guests from out of town.
At Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn, we guide couples through every step of the planning process, including communication timelines. Here’s a simple, stress-free breakdown of when to send save the dates and invitations — plus how to choose between digital and traditional paper options.
When to send save the dates
Save the dates are your guests’ first official heads-up. They don’t need all the details — just enough information to reserve the date and begin travel planning.
Ideal timing:
- 6–8 months before your wedding for local guests
- 8–12 months in advance for destination weddings or heavy out-of-town attendance
If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, during peak travel season, or involves guests flying into Chicago, sending save the dates on the earlier side is always a good idea.
What to include on a save the date
Keep it simple. Save the dates typically include:
- Your names
- Wedding date
- City and venue name
- A note that a formal invitation will follow
Many couples also include their wedding website URL so guests can begin gathering travel information.
When to send formal wedding invitations
Wedding invitations provide all the important details your guests need to officially RSVP.
Ideal timing:
- 6–8 weeks before the wedding for local guests
- 8–10 weeks in advance for destination or holiday weddings
Sending invitations too early can lead to forgotten RSVPs, while sending them too late may limit guests’ ability to attend — especially those arranging flights or hotel stays.
When should RSVPs be due?
A good rule of thumb is to set your RSVP deadline 3–4 weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to:
- Finalize guest counts
- Confirm seating layouts
- Submit menu selections to your venue
Abbington’s experienced in-house planning team helps couples align RSVP deadlines with catering and event timelines to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Digital vs. paper save the dates and invitations
Modern couples have more options than ever when it comes to wedding stationery. There’s no wrong choice — just what fits your style and priorities.
Digital options
Digital save the dates and invitations are increasingly popular, especially for tech-savvy couples.
- Quick delivery and easy updates
- Lower cost
- Eco-friendly
- Integrated RSVP tracking
Digital works especially well for save the dates, weekday weddings, and casual celebrations.
Paper options
Traditional paper invitations remain a favorite for formal weddings.
- Elegant and timeless presentation
- A tangible keepsake for guests
- Wide variety of textures, finishes and designs
Many couples choose a hybrid approach — digital save the dates paired with printed invitations.
Special timing considerations
You may want to adjust your timeline if:
- Your wedding falls near a major holiday
- Most guests are traveling from out of state
- You’re hosting a destination or multi-day celebration
- You’re planning a winter wedding with seasonal travel considerations
In these cases, earlier communication helps guests plan comfortably and confidently.
Let Abbington help you stay on schedule
From guest counts to seating layouts, communication timelines matter. When you host your celebration at Abbington, our team helps ensure your planning milestones stay on track — including invitation timing, RSVP deadlines and final confirmations.
Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration in the West Chicago suburbs, Abbington offers the guidance, flexibility and hospitality you need. Explore our wedding packages or schedule a tour to start planning with confidence.
