Wedding Invitations: Who Gets One And Who Doesn't?

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of the wedding planning process. It's important to give guests enough notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. So, when is the best time to send out wedding invitations?

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and RSVP, allowing the couple to get a final headcount and complete their seating charts. However, if the wedding is around a major holiday, it's recommended to send invitations earlier, as people may need more time to plan. For international guests, it's advisable to send invitations nine to ten weeks in advance to account for shipping and delivery times.

To ensure a smooth process, it's essential to organize and address the invitations correctly, weigh them to determine the required postage, and hand them in at the post office to avoid potential damage.

Timing: Send invites 2-3 months before the wedding, or 6-8 weeks before as a minimum

Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of the wedding planning process. The perfect timeframe for sending out wedding invitations is considered to be 2-3 months before the wedding. This is especially important if you have chosen to skip sending out save-the-date cards. Sending out invitations within this timeframe will allow your guests to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. It is also beneficial for the wedding planning process as it will allow you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B list if needed, and complete your seating charts.

If you are sending out save-the-date cards, it is advised to send them out 4-6 months or even a year before the wedding, especially if you are planning a destination wedding. This will give your guests enough time to make travel arrangements and request time off work.

The latest you should send out your wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is still enough time for your guests to plan and for you to request their RSVPs. It is also a good idea to give your international guests the option to RSVP digitally, so you are not waiting for their responses to arrive by mail.

If you are sending out invitations 2-3 months before the wedding, it is a good idea to get organized about a month before your desired invitation send-out date. This will give you enough time to assemble your invitations and weigh a fully assembled envelope to determine the correct postage.

Weighing: Ask the post office to weigh a fully assembled invite so you know how much postage to use

Weighing your wedding invitations is a crucial step in the mailing process. Here are some reasons why you should ask the post office to weigh a fully assembled invite:

• Determining Postage: The weight of your invitation suite will determine the exact amount of postage required. By taking a fully assembled invitation to the post office, you can ensure you have the correct number and denomination of stamps. This could be more than the basic Forever stamp, so it's important to verify.
• Avoiding Insufficient Postage: Issues with insufficient postage can cause delays in your wedding planning timeline. Returned invitations due to insufficient postage can be frustrating and time-consuming to rectify. Weighing a complete invitation bundle helps prevent this issue.
• Consistency in Postage: Ensuring that all your invitations have the correct postage will make the mailing process more efficient. By weighing one fully assembled invitation, you can determine the necessary postage for all your invites, creating consistency across your mailing batch.
• Cost Savings: Properly weighing your invitations helps you avoid under- or over-estimating the required postage. This saves you from paying more than necessary or having to make additional trips to the post office to correct postage deficiencies.
• Peace of Mind: Asking the post office to weigh your invitations gives you peace of mind that your invites will reach their intended recipients without any issues. It's one less thing to worry about during the stressful process of wedding planning.

By following this weighing tip, you can ensure that your wedding invitations are mailed correctly and efficiently, saving you time, money, and potential headaches. It's a small but important step to guarantee the smooth delivery of your invitations to your guests.

Addressing: Write out all words in addresses in full, e.g. Street instead of St

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to ensure that your guests' addresses are written in full. This means spelling out words like "Street" instead of using the abbreviated form "St". The same goes for “Post Office Box” instead of "P.O. Box", and “Apartment” instead of "Apt.". For example, an address might look like "123 Main Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota".

It's also worth noting that you should write out the full city and state names. So, instead of using abbreviations like "MN" for Minnesota, write out the full state name. This attention to detail will ensure that your invitations are both elegant and clear.

• Organise your guest list and double-check it against your completed invitations. This will help you catch any errors or missing details.
• Number the backs of your RSVP cards or envelopes. This way, if a guest forgets to write their name, you can still match the response to your guest list.
• Weigh a fully assembled invitation before buying postage. This will ensure you have the correct amount, and avoid any issues with insufficient postage.
• Consider hand-cancelling your invitations. This means asking the post office to manually sort your invitations instead of running them through a machine, which can cause damage.
• Always take your invitations inside the post office. This provides extra peace of mind and reduces the risk of damage from the elements.

Numbering: Number the backs of RSVP cards to correspond with your guest list

When it comes to wedding planning, there are many tasks to consider, and sending out invitations is one of the most exciting steps. It's essential to give your guests plenty of notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. The general rule of thumb is to send out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This allows your guests enough time to clear their schedules and for you to receive RSVPs and finalise the seating chart.

Now, let's focus on the numbering aspect. It is indeed a good idea to number the backs of your RSVP cards or envelopes. This simple yet effective trick ensures you can easily match each response to your guest list. Here are some detailed steps and tips to guide you through the process:

• Create a Numbered Guest List: Start by assigning a unique number to each guest or household on your guest list. This number will be the key to matching responses with your guests.
• Number the RSVP Cards: On the back of each RSVP card, write the corresponding number from your guest list. Ensure the number is small and discreet but still legible.
• Keep a Record: It's helpful to keep a record of the numbers you've assigned. Create a spreadsheet or use your guest list to note down the numbers and the corresponding names.
• Track Responses: As the responses start coming in, you can easily identify who has responded, even if they forget to write their names. Simply match the number on the RSVP card to your guest list.
• Privacy Consideration: If you're concerned about privacy, instead of using numbers, you can use a code system that only you can decipher. For example, use the first letter of the guest's last name and the first letter of their first name, followed by a number (e.g., SM01).
• Discreet Placement: When writing the numbers, try to place them in a less noticeable area, such as the lower corner of the RSVP card. This makes it less obvious and maintains the aesthetic of your stationery.
• Numbering Envelopes: If you're providing RSVP envelopes, remember to number the envelopes as well. That way, even if the card gets separated from the envelope, you can still identify the sender.
• Online RSVPs: If you're using an online RSVP system, you can still apply the numbering trick. Assign each guest a number, and when they respond online, note their number on your guest list to track responses.
• Double-Checking: After numbering a few cards, double-check to ensure you haven't missed any and that the numbers are legible and correctly matched to your guest list.
• Consistency is Key: Maintain consistency throughout the process. Ensure that the same number is used for each guest or household across all wedding stationery, including save-the-dates, invitations, and any other correspondence.

By numbering your RSVP cards, you'll be able to easily track responses and finalise your guest list. This simple trick ensures an efficient and organised process as you plan your special day.

Stamping: Include a stamp on RSVP envelopes to make it easy for guests to reply

When it comes to wedding planning, there are many tasks to consider, and sending out invitations is one of the most exciting steps. It's essential to prepare your invitations for mailing correctly, ensuring they reach your guests without any issues. Here are some detailed tips for including stamps on RSVP envelopes to make it easy for your guests to reply:

• Etiquette and Convenience: It is considered proper wedding invitation etiquette to include a stamp on the RSVP envelope. This makes it convenient for your guests to reply, as they won't have to worry about finding or purchasing stamps. It also ensures that they won't have to pay for postage to respond to your invitation.
• Encourage Timely Responses: Including a stamp on the RSVP envelope can increase the likelihood of receiving timely responses from your guests. Without the added barrier of finding or buying stamps, guests will be more inclined to respond promptly, helping you get a headcount sooner.
• Avoid Unnecessary Costs for Guests: By providing pre-stamped RSVP envelopes, you relieve your guests of any financial burden associated with responding to your invitation. It's important to consider that some guests may not have stamps readily available, and asking them to purchase them can be an unexpected expense.
• Ensure International Guests' Participation: When inviting international guests, it's essential to provide pre-stamped RSVP envelopes with the appropriate postage for their country. This ensures their ability to respond, as they may not have access to your country's stamps.
• Weigh and Plan Your Postage: Before finalising your invitations, take a fully assembled invitation suite to the post office and have it weighed. This will help you determine the exact postage required, which may be more than the basic Forever stamp rate. Planning your postage in advance ensures you have sufficient stamps and avoids issues with insufficient postage.
• Consider Digital RSVP Options: If you're concerned about the cost of stamps, consider providing a digital RSVP option alongside the traditional mailed response. This can be particularly useful for international guests, reducing the time and cost associated with mailing responses.

Frequently asked questions