Timing Your Wedding: When To Send Out Invites

Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of the planning process. But how early is too early? The general consensus is that invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. It also means you'll get RSVPs sooner and can request final numbers from your vendors. If your wedding falls on a holiday or you have a lot of international guests, it's a good idea to send invitations a little earlier – around 12 weeks in advance. And don't forget to factor in potential postal delays!

How early is too early?

When it comes to sending out wedding invitations, timing is crucial. Send them too early, and your guests might forget about the event or change their plans. Send them too late, and you risk your guests not having enough time to prepare. 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 gives guests enough time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements if necessary, and RSVP. Sending invitations within this timeframe also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to finalise your head count, seating chart, and other details before the wedding crunch.

However, some factors may require you to adjust this timeline. If your wedding falls on a major holiday, such as Christmas, sending invitations three months in advance is advisable. This is because people often have busier schedules and need to plan their holidays in advance. Similarly, if you have many out-of-town or international guests, you may want to send invitations eight to twelve weeks in advance to give them ample time to arrange travel plans.

On the other hand, sending invitations too early can lead to issues. People's plans can change, and they may forget about the wedding if it's too far in the future. It's also important to consider the possibility of guests feeling offended if they realise they are on a "B-list". While it's understandable that you want to ensure a full guest list, it's essential to be mindful of etiquette and guests' feelings.

To strike a balance, consider sending Save the Dates four to six months in advance, especially if your wedding is during a holiday or requires extensive travel for guests. This gives guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and plan accordingly. Then, follow up with the formal invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This approach ensures that your guests have the information they need without being too early or too late.

In conclusion, while there is no one-size-fits-all answer, sending wedding invitations too early can lead to challenges. Aiming for the six-to-eight-week timeframe is generally best, with adjustments made for holidays and destination weddings. Combining this with Save the Dates ensures that your guests have ample notice without overwhelming them or risking changes in plans.

Save-the-date cards

When creating your save-the-date cards, there are a few key details that you should include besides the date and location:

• Names of the couple getting married
• Wedding website or social media page
• City and state of the wedding venue
• An indication that a formal invitation will follow
• Travel and accommodation information, such as hotel room block details and transportation options
• Your wedding hashtag, if you have one

It's important to keep the save-the-date card simple and concise while still providing your guests with the information they need to plan their attendance. Remember, save-the-date cards are not required, but they are a helpful tool to ensure your guests can mark their calendars and make any necessary arrangements.

Once you've sent out your save-the-date cards, the next step is to send out your formal wedding invitations. The recommended timeline for sending wedding invitations is 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, while also allowing you to receive RSVPs earlier and finalise your seating charts before the wedding crunch.

Invitations for international guests

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting steps in the planning journey. But when it comes to international guests, there are a few extra things to consider to ensure they have enough time to plan their travels. Here are some instructive tips for sending out invitations to your international guests:

Timing:

It is recommended to send out invitations to international guests earlier than you would for domestic guests. While the standard timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding, international invitations should be sent out at least nine to twelve weeks in advance. This allows for extended shipping and delivery times and gives your overseas guests more time to arrange their travel plans. If you are sending invitations to developing countries, you may want to allow even more time to account for potential postal delays.

Save-the-Dates:

Consider sending out save-the-dates to your international guests earlier than you would for local guests, especially if you are planning a destination wedding. Save-the-dates can be sent out eight months to a year in advance, giving your overseas guests a heads-up to start planning their travels. This is also a good opportunity to include information about the wedding location and accommodation options.

Communication:

If you are only inviting a few international guests, it is a good idea to give them a personal heads-up about the wedding details. Send them an email or give them a call to let them know the date and location, as well as any information about booking hotel rooms. This way, they can start making travel arrangements with plenty of time.

RSVP Options:

When sending out invitations to international guests, it is a good idea to provide digital RSVP options. This way, you don't have to worry about international postage for response cards, and you are more likely to receive their responses in a timely manner. Include your wedding website, email address, and phone number so they can easily get in touch.

Invitation Format:

When it comes to the format of the invitations, you have a few options. You can choose to send paper invitations, especially if you think your guests would appreciate the formality. However, this may be more costly, and there is a risk of the invitations getting lost in the mail. Alternatively, you can opt for digital invitations, which are more cost-effective and convenient. Some couples choose to send paper invitations to their international guests and include a digital RSVP option.

Information on the Invitation:

Be sure to include all the necessary information on the invitation to make it easier for your international guests to plan their travels. Include the date, time, and location of the wedding, as well as any other relevant details such as accommodation options, transport information, or dress code. You may also want to include a link to your wedding website, where guests can find more detailed information.

RSVP deadlines

Setting an RSVP deadline for your wedding invitations is an important step in the wedding planning process. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you choose the right deadline:

Recommended Timeline

The recommended timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements. It also allows you to request RSVPs sooner, which is important for staying organised and ensuring you have an accurate headcount for your venue and vendors.

RSVP Deadline in Relation to Invitation Send-Out Date

Ideally, your RSVP deadline should be set about one month before your wedding. This means that if you send out invitations six to eight weeks in advance, your guests will have about a month to respond. This timeframe strikes a balance between giving guests enough time to respond and ensuring their plans are less likely to change.

Factors to Consider

When determining your RSVP deadline, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

• Final numbers for vendors: Many vendors, such as your caterer and transportation company, will require a final guest count ahead of the wedding. Setting your RSVP deadline about three to four weeks before the wedding will give you enough time to gather responses and finalise numbers for your vendors.
• Seating chart: Creating a seating chart is much easier when you have a confirmed guest list. Having the RSVP deadline about a month before the wedding gives you time to create the seating chart without last-minute stress.
• Destination weddings: For destination weddings, it's recommended to set the RSVP deadline two months before the wedding. This gives guests ample time to make travel plans if they haven't already.
• International guests: If you have international guests, it's a good idea to send their invitations a little earlier, about nine to ten weeks in advance. This accounts for extended shipping and delivery times and gives them more time to plan their travel.
• Late responses: It's common to have to follow up with a few guests who haven't responded by the deadline. Building in some buffer time allows you to chase down late responses without feeling rushed.

Practical Tips

To ensure you receive timely RSVPs and minimise stress:

• Include a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with your invitations to make it convenient for guests to respond.
• Provide options for responding, such as a digital RSVP option through your wedding website, in addition to mail-in cards.
• Use clear wording on the RSVP card, such as "The favour of your reply is requested by [date]." This ensures guests understand a response is needed, even if they are declining.
• Make the RSVP date clear and legible on the card, and consider including a countdown ticker on your wedding website if applicable.
• If you require meal choices, buffer time will also allow you to gather this information from your guests without feeling rushed.

Remember, while these are general guidelines, the specifics of your wedding may require adjustments to these timelines. It's always a good idea to give yourself a little extra time to account for any unexpected delays or changes in plans.

Digital vs. physical invites

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are two main options: digital or physical invites. So, which is the best choice? Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of each.

Digital Invites

Digital wedding invitations are a modern approach that offers several benefits. Firstly, they are cost-effective, eliminating expenses such as paper, postage, and additional fees for mailing services. Secondly, digital invites are environmentally friendly, reducing the amount of paper used and wasted. They also ensure timely delivery without the risk of delays or losses associated with physical mail. Additionally, digital invites provide a convenient way to track RSVPs in one place, making it easier for guests to respond.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to digital invites. Older guests may not be tech-savvy or have access to email, and there is a risk of invitations ending up in spam folders. Digital invites may also lead to confusion regarding who is included in the invitation, especially for older guests. Some guests may also prefer the traditional elegance of a physical invitation, which they can display or keep as a memento.

Physical Invites

Physical wedding invitations are considered a timeless tradition. They offer a classic and elegant way to extend an invitation, and guests often appreciate receiving a special mailer. Physical invitations can be beautifully designed and may include elegant pictures of the couple, making them worthy of being displayed on guests' fridges or scrapbooks.

However, physical invitations also come with their own set of considerations. They tend to be more time-consuming and expensive due to factors such as paper choice, colour, weight, and inserts. There are also shipping costs and turn-around times to factor in. While stores like Michael's and Costco offer more affordable options, the overall cost of physical invitations can quickly add up.

So, Which Is the Better Choice?

The decision between digital and physical invites ultimately depends on your personal preferences, the formality of your wedding, and your budget. Digital invites are convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly, but they may not suit all guests, especially older generations. On the other hand, physical invites are traditional and elegant but can be more expensive and time-consuming.

To ensure your guests have enough time to plan and respond, it is recommended to send out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeline allows you to receive RSVPs sooner and manage your guest list effectively.

Frequently asked questions