Free planning tool
Invitation timing calculator
Enter your party date and occasion. We’ll suggest when to send invitations and when to ask for replies, using the ranges in our party invitation timing guide.
The ranges behind it
| Occasion | Send invitations | Set the RSVP deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Kids’ birthday party | 2–4 weeks before | About 1 week before, or a few days before a venue needs numbers |
| Adult birthday party | 3–6 weeks before | 1–2 weeks before |
| Baby shower | 3–6 weeks before | 1–2 weeks before |
| Holiday party | 4–6 weeks before | 1–2 weeks before |
| Friendsgiving | 2–3 weeks before | About 1 week before, ahead of shopping or dish assignments |
| Graduation party | 2–6 weeks before | 1–2 weeks before |
| Housewarming or informal dinner | A few days to 3 weeks before | A few days before |
These are planning ranges, not deadlines every host must follow. Allow more notice when guests need travel, childcare, or time off. If a venue, caterer, or food order needs your count earlier, move the RSVP deadline earlier to match.
The calculator counts a week as seven days and reads “a few days” as three. Pick the date within each window that fits your guests.
Sources and reasoning are in the full timing guide. Your dates are calculated in this browser and aren’t sent anywhere.