We sent out "Save the Date" fridge magnets about 5 months early as we had a lot of friends/family invited from overseas and interstate.

Then the actual official invitations were sent out 6 weeks before.

In terms of centrepieces we kept it fairly traditional........square glass vases filled with antique roses. And did away with the candelabras and had tea lights in little glass pots on the tables instead. I did use some massive beeswax candles on a fireplace though.