When To Send Wedding Invites: Timing And Tips

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of the wedding planning process. The timing of sending out wedding invitations is important to get right. It is generally recommended that invitations 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. It also allows the couple to request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount for the wedding. Sending out invitations too early or too late can be inconsiderate and may hurt guest attendance.

In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to send out invitations earlier, such as if the wedding falls on a major holiday or if a large number of guests are travelling from abroad. In these cases, it is recommended to send out invitations around 12 weeks before the wedding.

Save-the-date cards are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, or earlier if it is a destination wedding. This gives guests enough time to plan and make travel arrangements.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invitations around six to eight weeks before the wedding is considered the perfect timeframe. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if they need to. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B-list if needed, and complete your seating chart before the last-minute wedding crunch.

Sending your invites within this timeframe ensures you follow proper wedding invitation etiquette. It strikes a balance between giving your guests ample notice and not sending out your invites too early, reducing the risk of your wedding slipping your guests' minds.

If your wedding falls near a major holiday, such as Christmas, it is advisable to send your invites a little earlier, as people tend to plan further in advance during these periods. Similarly, if you have many international guests, sending your invites around 9 to 12 weeks in advance is recommended to account for extended shipping and delivery times.

It is worth noting that before sending out your wedding invitations, you should send out 'Save the Dates' to your guests. These are typically sent out 4 to 6 months before the wedding, or even earlier if you are planning a destination wedding. This gives your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and plan any necessary travel arrangements.

Overall, sending your wedding invitations 6 to 8 weeks in advance strikes a delicate balance between giving your guests enough notice and reducing the chances of last-minute changes to their plans.

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before

Sending out save-the-date cards is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. While they are not mandatory, they are a fun and considerate way to inform your guests about your upcoming nuptials and give them ample time to plan their attendance. Here are four to six paragraphs detailing why sending save-the-dates 4-6 months before your wedding is a great idea:

Save-the-dates are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding. This timeline falls within the sweet spot of giving your guests a heads-up without being too early. Sending them this far in advance ensures that your guests can block off the specified date on their calendars and make any necessary arrangements, especially if they need to book travel or accommodations. It's a simple yet effective way to boost the number of positive RSVPs you receive later when you send out the official invitations.

If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, it is advisable to send out your save-the-dates even earlier, ranging from six to twelve months in advance. This extra lead time is considerate to your guests, especially those with busy schedules, as it allows them to plan their travels and accommodations well in advance. By doing so, you increase the likelihood of your guests being able to attend your special day.

The save-the-date cards can be sent out as soon as you've secured your wedding date and venue. They don't need to include all the detailed information, but they should mention the date and location to ensure your guests don't double-book or accept other wedding invitations for the same date. This is especially crucial if you're planning a destination wedding, as your guests will need ample time to book their travel and accommodations.

While the save-the-date cards are a crucial first step, don't forget about the official wedding invitations. The general rule of thumb is to mail these invitations around six to eight weeks before your wedding date. This timing allows your guests plenty of time to respond and make any necessary travel arrangements. Combining your save-the-date cards with the official invitations ensures your guests have all the information they need to plan their attendance.

If a large percentage of your guest list lives abroad or you're planning a destination wedding, it's advisable to add a few weeks to this timeline. Aim to send out your invitations around twelve weeks before your wedding date. For international guests, it's a thoughtful gesture to inform them of the wedding details ahead of time through a quick call, text, or email, so they can start preparing their travel plans.

By sending out your save-the-date cards 4-6 months in advance, you strike a perfect balance between giving your guests ample notice and not overwhelming them with information too early. This timing ensures your guests can plan accordingly and increases the chances of a memorable celebration surrounded by your loved ones.

Request RSVPs no later than 1 month before

When it comes to wedding planning, there are many factors to consider when sending out invitations and requesting RSVPs. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, here are some instructive guidelines and suggestions to help you make informed decisions regarding your wedding invitations and RSVP timeline:

Recommended Timeline for Sending Out Wedding Invitations:

• For a standard wedding, it is recommended to send out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to plan and make travel arrangements if needed.
• In the case of a destination wedding, it is advisable to send out invitations ten to twelve weeks in advance to accommodate the travel plans of your guests.
• If you are sending out save-the-dates, these are typically mailed four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings.

Requesting RSVPs:

• It is recommended that your RSVP deadline be set around three to four weeks before the wedding. This allows ample time to organize your final guest list and identify any outstanding responses.
• When requesting RSVPs, it is essential to provide multiple response options. Include a physical RSVP card with your invitation suite and offer an online RSVP option through your wedding website.
• For a destination wedding, it is advisable to request RSVPs within a month of the wedding to give you sufficient time to coordinate with out-of-town vendors and make accommodation arrangements.
• When creating your wedding invitations, ensure that the RSVP deadline is clearly stated on both the invitations and your wedding website.
• If you have not received responses from all your guests by the deadline, give them a friendly reminder by sending a text or giving them a quick call.

Benefits of Setting an Appropriate RSVP Timeline:

• Setting the right RSVP date is crucial as it helps you finalize other wedding details that depend on the guest count, such as the number of rentals, food and beverage quantities, and seating arrangements.
• An appropriate RSVP timeline ensures you have accurate information from your guests before your meetings with vendors, avoiding last-minute frantically calling guests who haven't responded.
• It allows you to provide your final guest count to the caterer, venue, and other vendors on time, which is essential for their preparations.

In summary, when planning your wedding, it is essential to consider the recommended timelines for sending out invitations and requesting RSVPs. This will ensure that you have a confirmed guest list and can make the necessary arrangements for your big day. Remember to provide clear instructions and multiple response options for your guests' convenience.

Send invites to international guests 9-10 weeks before

When planning a wedding, it is crucial to give your guests enough notice, especially if they will be travelling from abroad. While the general recommendation is to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, it is advisable to allow a little more time for international guests. Aim to send their invites nine to ten weeks in advance. This will give them ample time to make travel arrangements and request time off work.

If you have many international guests, it is best to send all your invitations around twelve weeks before the wedding. This way, you can avoid making your overseas guests feel singled out. However, if you only have a few international guests, you can send their invites at the same time as everyone else's, but be sure to give them a heads-up by phone, text, or email. This way, they will have the details they need to start planning their trip.

It is also a good idea to follow up with your international guests if you haven't heard from them. This will ensure that they have enough time to book their flights and make other necessary arrangements.

When sending invitations to international guests, it is essential to consider the time it will take for the invites to arrive. To avoid delays, opt for digital invites or include an option to RSVP digitally. This way, you won't have to wait for their responses to arrive by mail.

By allowing nine to ten weeks, you can ensure that your international guests have the time they need to plan their trip and be a part of your special day.

Send invites to out-of-town guests 8 weeks before

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of planning a wedding. It is customary to send out invitations to out-of-town guests around eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests ample time to make travel arrangements and ensures that they have enough time to respond.

If you are inviting international guests, it is a good idea to send out invitations a little earlier, around nine to ten weeks in advance. This will allow for extended shipping and delivery times and give your loved ones overseas enough time to plan their trip and book their flights.

It is important to note that sending out invitations too early can lead to guests forgetting about the event, while sending them out too late may result in a lower attendance rate as guests may already have plans. Therefore, it is recommended to stick to the standard timeline of sending invitations to out-of-town guests about two months before the wedding.

To make the process smoother, you can send out "save-the-date" cards in advance, usually four to six months before the wedding. This will give your guests a heads-up and allow them to block off the date on their calendars, especially if they need to book travel or accommodations.

Additionally, it is a good idea to include an RSVP deadline of at least two to three weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to chase down late responses and finalize your seating chart, catering orders, and other preparations.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your guests have enough time to plan and respond, and you will have a more accurate idea of the final guest count for your big day.

Frequently asked questions