Why these dates

Stationery timing is a chain: each deadline exists to protect the next one. Save-the-dates go out 6–8 months ahead (9–12 for destination weddings) so guests can book travel. Invitations mail at 8 weeks (12 for destination) — earlier and people set them aside and forget; later and your RSVP window collapses. The RSVP deadline sits 4–5 weeks before the wedding, giving you a buffer before the caterer’s final headcount, which is the deadline that actually costs money if you miss it.

And build in the chase: at a typical wedding, 10–20% of guests miss the RSVP deadline. That’s not a catastrophe — it’s a planned phone-call session three days later. Our timeline schedules it for you.

Stationery tips that save money and stress

• Order 10–15 extra invitations (and envelopes). Reprinting a batch of 10 later costs nearly as much as ordering 25 up front, and you’ll want keepsakes.
• Weigh a fully-stuffed invitation at the post office before buying stamps. Wax seals, ribbon and square envelopes all trigger surcharges — hand-cancelling can also protect delicate envelopes.
• Number the back of your RSVP cards to match your guest list. At least one card always comes back with no name on it.
• Give an RSVP date about a week earlier than you truly need — the calculator already includes this quiet buffer for you.
• Online RSVPs are fine. A QR code to your wedding site speeds up replies dramatically and cuts postage costs in half.

The “Add to calendar” button downloads an .ics file with every deadline — it works with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook.