When To Send Wedding Invites For Timely Rsvps

Sending out wedding invites at the right time is a crucial part of wedding planning. It's important to give guests ample time to respond and make travel arrangements, but sending invites too early might mean that your wedding isn't at the top of their minds as the day draws closer. So, how early is too early?

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is considered the sweet spot as it gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make necessary arrangements, while also allowing couples to request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount.

However, there are some circumstances where it may be appropriate to send invitations earlier. For destination weddings, it is recommended to send invitations three months or even up to a year in advance to give guests ample time to plan their trip. Similarly, if you have a lot of out-of-town guests, you may want to send invitations earlier, with some sources suggesting eight to ten weeks before the wedding.

On the other hand, sending invitations too early can lead to issues such as guests forgetting the date or losing the invitation. Therefore, it is generally advised not to send invitations more than four to six months in advance.

To conclude, while there is no one-size-fits-all answer, sending wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance is considered the best practice in most cases.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invites in a timely manner is crucial to giving your guests enough time to plan their attendance and for you to finalise the details with your vendors. Here are some tips and best practices for sending out your wedding invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding:

Save-the-Dates

Before sending out your official wedding invitations, it is a good idea to send out save-the-date cards to your guests. Save-the-dates are typically sent out 6-8 months before the wedding, but can be mailed up to a year in advance if you have your wedding details finalised. Sending out save-the-dates is especially important if you are having a destination wedding. This gives your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and plan any necessary travel arrangements.

Timing of Wedding Invites

The traditional timeline for sending out wedding invitations is 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. It is important to strike a balance when sending out invites. Sending them too early may cause guests to put off responding, while sending them too late may not give your guests enough time to plan.

RSVP Deadline

When setting the RSVP deadline, aim for a date that is 2-4 weeks before your wedding. This allows you to have a final headcount to provide to your vendors, such as the caterer and venue, who typically request this information 1-2 weeks before the wedding. Keep in mind that some guests may respond late or forget to respond altogether. Therefore, it is crucial to give yourself a buffer of about 2 weeks to follow up with any late responders.

Tips for Responses

To increase the likelihood of timely responses, include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped return envelope within your invitation suite. Additionally, consider providing options for guests to respond digitally through your wedding website, as not everyone uses mail as frequently nowadays. When wording your invitations, be clear and explicit about the response deadline. You can also include an engaging call to action, such as requesting a song request or a favourite memory of the couple.

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before

Sending save-the-dates early is a good idea, especially if you're planning a destination wedding or your wedding is during a holiday period. Save-the-dates can be sent up to a year in advance, but the typical timeline is six to eight months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan and make travel arrangements if needed. It's also a good idea if you want to give your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars, especially if your wedding date is during a busy time.

Sending save-the-dates early is a considerate move, ensuring your guests have ample time to prepare and giving them a chance to hold the date before receiving the full details. It's a good way to get people excited about your wedding and gives you a chance to share your wedding website, where guests can find more information.

However, it's important to note that sending save-the-dates early doesn't guarantee an early RSVP. People's plans may change, and they may not be able to commit until closer to the date. Additionally, some guests may put off responding, thinking they have plenty of time. Therefore, it's essential to set a realistic RSVP deadline and follow up with guests who haven't responded by the due date.

When it comes to the official invitations and RSVPs, the general rule is to send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, with an RSVP deadline of two to four weeks before. This gives your guests a month to respond, allowing you to finalise numbers for your vendors and create a seating chart.

Request RSVPs no later than 1 month from the wedding date

It is important to give your wedding guests enough time to RSVP. While you might be eager to get their responses as soon as possible, it's not realistic to expect a real answer if you set the RSVP date too early. The RSVP deadline should ideally be three to four weeks before your wedding date. This gives your guests a window of about one month to respond, which is enough time for them to check their calendars and make travel arrangements if needed.

Setting the RSVP date too early can backfire, as people may not know their plans months in advance. They may put the invitation aside, thinking they'll deal with it later, and then forget about it. On the other hand, if you set the RSVP date too close to the wedding, your guests may feel pressured and end up making other plans.

• Include a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with your invitation.
• Give guests options for RSVPing, such as mailing in a response card or submitting their response digitally through your wedding website.
• Choose clear wording for your RSVP request, such as "The favor of your reply is requested by [insert date]."
• Ask for song requests or favourite memories of the couple along with the RSVP to make it more engaging for your guests.
• If you're having a destination wedding or a holiday wedding, send out your invitations earlier and set the RSVP deadline sooner to give guests more time to make travel arrangements.
• Make the RSVP date clear and legible on the card, and consider including a countdown ticker on your wedding website.
• Follow up with guests who haven't responded by the deadline. Send a friendly reminder that you'd love to know if they can make it and provide a link to your online invitation.

By following these suggestions, you'll be more likely to receive timely RSVPs and have a better idea of your final guest count for your wedding day.

Send invites earlier if many guests are travelling

It is generally recommended that wedding invites be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. However, if many of your guests are travelling, it may be a good idea to send out your invites earlier.

For destination weddings, it is recommended that invites be sent out at least four months in advance, and the RSVP deadline be set for two months before the wedding. This gives guests ample time to make travel plans and allows you to have an early RSVP deadline, ensuring that every guest is accounted for. It also gives you buffer time to plan pre- and post-wedding events accordingly.

If you have a mix of local and international guests, you may want to consider sending out invites to your international guests earlier than the rest of your guests. It is recommended that you send out invites at least 12 weeks in advance and follow up promptly with anyone you haven't heard from to ensure they have enough time to book their travel.

Even if you are not having a destination wedding, sending out invites earlier can be beneficial if a large number of your guests are travelling. This gives them more time to plan their travel and take time off work. Sending out invites three to four months in advance can be a good option in this case, with RSVP deadlines set for one to two months before the wedding.

Keep in mind that sending out invites too early may lead to guests changing their plans or forgetting to RSVP. Therefore, it is important to find a balance and give your guests enough time to plan without being too early.

Send digital invites to international guests

For international guests, sending digital invites is a great option. This is a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to ensure your guests receive all the necessary information. Here are some tips for sending digital invites to your international wedding guests:

Timing

It is generally recommended to send out wedding invites six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. However, for destination weddings or weddings requiring international travel, it is advisable to send out invitations earlier, around four to six months in advance. This will allow your international guests ample time to arrange their travel plans, especially if they need to book flights and accommodation.

Creating Digital Invites

You can create digital invites that are just as beautiful and stylish as physical invitations. Choose a design that reflects your wedding theme and incorporates your colour palette, fonts, and any other unique details. There are many online platforms that offer customizable digital invitation templates, such as Paperless Post, Evite, and Riley & Grey. These platforms often provide additional features like RSVP tracking, digital envelopes, and the option to include photos and personalized messages.

Providing Necessary Information

Ensure your digital invites include all the essential details your international guests will need. This includes reception information, such as venue locations and transportation arrangements. You can also include guidance on dress code, information on whether children are invited, and your plus-one policy. Consider creating a wedding website where guests can find additional information about the wedding, such as travel and accommodation suggestions, a schedule of events, and any other relevant details.

RSVP Management

One of the benefits of digital invites is that they make it easier for your guests to RSVP, and you will instantly have their response. You can direct guests to your wedding website to RSVP or provide them with a link to an online form. It is recommended to set your RSVP date around three to four weeks before the wedding, giving you enough time to finalise numbers with your vendors and create a seating chart.

Communication

Remember that not all guests may be comfortable with digital invites, especially those who are less tech-savvy. Be prepared to offer alternative options, such as physical invitations or phone calls, for guests who may have difficulty with digital communication. Additionally, be responsive to any queries or concerns your international guests may have regarding travel or other arrangements.

By following these suggestions, you can successfully send digital invites to your international wedding guests, ensuring they have all the necessary information and can easily confirm their attendance.

Frequently asked questions