Send save the dates 6 to 8 months before a local wedding, and 9 to 12 months before a destination wedding or one that falls over a holiday weekend. This gives guests enough notice to request time off, book travel, and arrange childcare, while still leaving you time to finalise your venue and guest list first.
The Short Answer
| Wedding type | When to send save the dates |
|---|---|
| Local wedding | 6–8 months before |
| Destination wedding | 9–12 months before |
| Holiday weekend wedding | 9–12 months before |
| Short-notice / elopement | As soon as your date and venue are confirmed |
Why Timing Matters
Save the dates exist to do one thing: let guests lock in the date before anything else claims it. Send them too early and you risk your venue or guest list changing after the fact. Send them too late and guests may already have travel booked, especially for destination weddings or dates that fall near public holidays.
A good rule of thumb: send your save the dates as soon as your venue and date are confirmed, but not before you're confident both are final.
Local Weddings: 6–8 Months Out
For a wedding guests can drive or take a short flight to, 6 to 8 months' notice is typically enough. It gives people time to request annual leave and plan around the date without asking them to commit that far in advance.
Destination Weddings: 9–12 Months Out
If guests need to book flights, arrange visas, or take extended time off work, give them closer to a year. This is especially important if you're expecting a high number of out-of-town guests, since flight prices and availability only get worse the closer you get to the date.
Holiday Weekend Weddings: 9–12 Months Out
Weddings that fall on or near a bank holiday weekend, Christmas, New Year, or a long weekend deserve the same lead time as a destination wedding — guests are competing with everyone else's holiday plans, and accommodation nearby can book out fast.
What If You're Short on Time?
If your wedding is coming up faster than your stationery timeline allows, don't skip save the dates altogether — just send them as soon as possible and lean on digital formats to save time:
- Digital save the dates can be delivered within 24 hours, so you can get them out to guests almost immediately after confirming your date and venue.
- Printed save the dates are dispatched within 3 working days, so even a shorter runway still leaves room for a physical card in the post.
When to Order From Loft + Fig
Once you know your wedding date and venue, that's your cue to order:
- Need them fast? Choose a digital download - your personalised file will be ready within 24 hours, so you can email or print it yourself the same week.
- Want a printed card? Printed save the dates are dispatched within 3 working days of approval, giving you a realistic window even if you're working with 6–8 months rather than a full year.
Whichever format you choose, the earlier you lock in your date and venue, the more breathing room you'll have to get your save the dates designed, personalised, and out the door, while your guests get the maximum possible notice to plan around your big day.