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How Many Wedding Invitations to Order — and When to Send Them
Two free tools for couples planning their 2026 or 2027 wedding: a quantity calculator that tells you exactly how many invitations to order, and a timeline that works backwards from your wedding date to give you every deadline that matters.
The Calculators
Invitation Quantity
How many invitations do I actually need?
Stationery Timeline
When do I need to order and send?
Invitations by Guest Count
Wedding invitations are sent per household, not per guest. These figures include a 12% spare-copy buffer.
| Total guests | Guest mix | Order this many | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Mixed | 28 | 24–32 |
| 60 | Mixed | 42 | 36–50 |
| 80 | Mixed | 56 | 48–66 |
| 100 | Mixed | 70 | 60–80 |
| 120 | Mixed | 83 | 72–96 |
| 150 | Mixed | 105 | 90–120 |
| 200 | Mixed | 140 | 120–160 |
| 250 | Mixed | 175 | 150–200 |
Your Wedding Stationery Timeline
These windows apply to most weddings. Use the timeline calculator above for personalised dates.
Count by household — couples and families at the same address receive one invitation. This number drives every decision that follows.
A save the date is not optional for summer weddings. Bank holidays, school terms, and long-haul travel all need early warning. Keep the design consistent with your invitation suite.
Your digital proof arrives within 2–3 business days; allow up to three revision rounds, then 3–5 weeks for production and express delivery — typically 5–8 weeks from order to your door. Folio and boxed sets take slightly longer.
Allow 2–5 business days for domestic delivery. For international guests, send earlier and use tracked shipping. Include a pre-addressed RSVP envelope or a QR code linking to your wedding website.
State the deadline clearly on the invitation itself. Chase non-responders a week after — a quick text or call is warmer than a formal reminder. Your caterer and venue typically need confirmed numbers 4 weeks out.
Most caterers and venues require confirmed numbers four weeks out. Use your RSVP data, adding a small buffer for table plans and on-the-day stationery.
A handwritten thank-you is one of the most memorable parts of the wedding experience for guests. Order a matching set alongside your invitations so they are ready the moment you return.
Frequently Asked Questions
For 100 guests, order approximately 62–72 invitations. Invitations are sent per household — couples and families at the same address receive one. Add 12% spare copies for addressing errors, late additions, photographer styling shots, and a keepsake for your memories box.
Send wedding invitations 3–5 months before your date. If you have not sent save the dates, allow 5–6 months. For peak summer 2026 or 2027 weddings, aim for 5–6 months ahead so guests have time to arrange travel and accommodation.
Send save the dates 10–12 months before your UK wedding. For a summer 2026 wedding, that means sending by September 2025 at the latest. Destination weddings and overseas guests need 12–14 months' notice to arrange travel.
One invitation per household. Married couples, cohabiting partners, and families at the same address all receive one invitation addressed to all adults. Single adults over 18 who live independently usually receive their own — it is a gracious way to acknowledge them individually.
Order 10–15% more than your calculated household count. On a guest list of 100, that means 10–15 spares — for calligraphy mistakes, last-minute additions, your photographer's flat-lay shots, and a keepsake set. Reprinting a small quantity later is almost always more expensive than ordering extra upfront.
Set your RSVP deadline 4–6 weeks before the wedding and state it clearly on the invitation. This gives you time to chase non-responders before your caterer and venue need confirmed numbers — typically 4 weeks out.
Order printed invitations 4–6 months before your wedding date. Your digital proof arrives within 2–3 business days; allow up to three revision rounds, then 3–5 weeks for production and express delivery — typically 5–8 weeks from order to your door. Order earlier for folio and boxed suites, which take a little longer.
Eight weeks before the wedding is the absolute minimum — any later and guests may have already made other plans. If you are running late, follow up by phone alongside the invitation, and consider a digital RSVP to speed responses. At six weeks out, we can still print and dispatch urgently — contact us to discuss lead times.
Ready to see our invitation collections?
Order a sample — delivered to the UK, US and Europe via DHL Express.