Failing that every e-mail! The etiquette is to send formal invitations six weeks before your wedding dresses. If you do not send save the date cards I would recommend sending your invitations six weeks before the really - the same reason. People booking holidays, as they know about things too far in advance. With regard to wedding gifts, this is another controversial issue. My personal opinion is that if you have a gift list, you should be in your or at least to the people details of where they are finding them. Many couples these days for gift lists and prefer cash or gift certificates. There is nothing wrong with it, but there are ways to go about it. I personally hate with a passion for the sticky cheesy poems that people use to beg for their money> Wedding. I find them quite uncomfortable and irritating.