Sending out wedding invites at the right time is a crucial aspect of wedding planning. It's essential to give your guests enough time to plan and make travel arrangements if needed. The general rule of thumb is to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, with RSVP cards returned about two weeks before the event. This allows time to update the guest list and reach out to those who haven't responded. Sending invitations too early may result in guests forgetting to RSVP or misplacing the invitation. Save-the-dates are also a good idea, especially for destination weddings, and are typically sent out six to twelve months in advance.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How far ahead to send wedding invites | 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding |
How far ahead to send save-the-dates | 4 to 6 months before the wedding |
How far ahead to send save-the-dates for a destination wedding | 6 to 8 months or even earlier |
How far ahead to send wedding invites for a destination wedding | 12 to 16 weeks before the wedding |
How far ahead to send wedding invites with no save-the-dates | 9 to 10 weeks before the wedding |
What You'll Learn
Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding
Sending out your wedding invites in good time is an important part of wedding planning. Send them too early and your guests might forget to RSVP or even misplace the invite; send them too late and your guests might not be able to attend due to prior commitments. So, when is the right time to send out your wedding invites?
The general consensus is that wedding invites should be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements without being so far in advance that they forget to RSVP. It also gives you enough time to chase up any guests who haven't responded and finalise your guest list numbers.
If you're sending out paper invites, you'll need to factor in time for printing and shipping, assembling and addressing the invites, and adding postage. It's also a good idea to take a sample invite to the post office to be weighed so that you can make sure you've got the right postage.
Save-the-Dates
If you're sending out save-the-dates, these should go out 6-12 months before the wedding. This is especially important if you're having a destination wedding or if your wedding is at a particularly busy time of year, so that your guests can make the necessary arrangements to be there.
RSVPs
You should ask your guests to RSVP around 2-4 weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to confirm numbers with your caterers and create a seating plan.
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Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before
Save-the-dates are an exciting way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding and ensure they keep the date free. They are especially useful if you have lots of guests who need to make travel arrangements or if your wedding is at a popular time of year when schedules fill up fast.
The general rule of thumb is to send save-the-dates 4-6 months before your wedding. However, if you are planning a destination wedding, it's a good idea to give your guests more notice, so they have plenty of time to figure out their travel plans. In this case, you should send your save-the-dates 6-8 months in advance.
If you're having a particularly long engagement, it's common to send save-the-dates out 12 months before the wedding. And if you're rescheduling your wedding due to the global pandemic, it may be wise to send them out even earlier, so your loved ones can save the date.
While it's not essential to send save-the-dates, it is a nice way to give your guests a heads-up, especially if you're marrying at a busy time of year.
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Send invites 2-4 months before for no save-the-dates
Sending out wedding invites 2-4 months before the wedding is a good idea if you're not sending out save-the-dates. This gives your guests enough time to plan and book travel if necessary. It's also a good idea to send out save-the-date cards, especially if you're having a destination wedding, as it gives your guests a chance to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements.
If you're not sending save-the-dates, it's generally recommended that you send out your wedding invitations a little earlier than the typical 6- to 8-week timeline. This gives your guests a little more warning and time to plan, especially if they need to request time off work or make travel arrangements.
While it's not required, sending out save-the-date cards is a fun way to get your guests excited about your wedding. They are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. Save-the-dates are typically sent out 4 to 6 months before the wedding, or even earlier if you're planning a destination wedding.
If you're not sending save-the-dates, it's a good idea to stick with the earlier end of the timeline for sending out wedding invitations. This will give your guests enough time to plan and make any necessary arrangements. It's also important to consider the timing of your RSVP date. You'll want to give your guests enough time to respond, but not so much time that they forget to RSVP. A good rule of thumb is to set the RSVP date for 2 to 3 weeks before the wedding.
When planning the timing of your wedding invitations, it's also important to consider the production and shipping time for the invitations themselves. If you're ordering custom invitations, be sure to factor in the time it will take to design, print, and ship the invitations. You'll also need time to assemble and address the invites, add postage, and take them to the post office.
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Send save-the-dates 8+ months before a destination wedding
Planning a destination wedding? It's time to start thinking about your save-the-dates. These are a crucial part of the wedding planning process, especially if you're tying the knot in a far-flung location. Save-the-dates give your guests ample notice to plan their travel and accommodation, and they also help to build excitement for your big day.
So, when should you send save-the-dates for a destination wedding? The general rule of thumb is to mail them out between eight and twelve months in advance. This gives your guests plenty of time to book flights, accommodation, and any other necessary arrangements. It's also a good idea to include your wedding website on the save-the-date so guests can stay informed and refer to it for more details as your wedding plans come together.
If your wedding is in a particularly remote location or will require extensive travel for your guests, don't be afraid to send out your save-the-dates even earlier. Some sources suggest that sending them out as early as you have the date and location details finalized is perfectly fine, especially if you anticipate your guests will need more than a year to plan and save for the trip. Just be sure to make it very clear what year your wedding is taking place to avoid any confusion.
When creating your save-the-dates, consider including some of the following key details:
- Your names
- The wedding date
- The wedding location
- Your wedding website
- A phrase like "invitation to follow" to confirm that a formal invitation with more details will come later
- A picture of you and your partner
Destination wedding save-the-dates can also be a fun opportunity to incorporate travel-themed designs, such as luggage tags, passports, or boarding passes. You can even send save-the-date magnets so your guests can display your announcement proudly on their fridges!
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Send invites 12-16 weeks before a destination wedding
Planning a destination wedding is exciting, but it requires more effort and consideration than a local wedding. The key to success lies in organisation and timing, especially when it comes to sending out your wedding invitations. Here is a guide to help you navigate the process:
Save-the-Dates:
It is recommended to send out save-the-dates for a destination wedding at least 6 to 8 months in advance, or even earlier if possible. This is crucial as it gives your guests the gift of time to plan their attendance. They will need to research, make travel arrangements, and take leave from work. Sending save-the-dates early ensures that your guests have a better chance of attending your special day.
Wedding Invitations:
The general rule of thumb for sending out wedding invitations is 12-16 weeks before your destination wedding. This timeline allows your guests to finalise their travel plans and make any necessary arrangements. It is important to have all the key details confirmed before sending out invitations, such as the dates, timeline of events, and accommodation options.
RSVP Management:
It is advisable to request RSVPs from your guests within 1-2 months of sending out the save-the-dates. This will give you a clearer idea of the guest count and assist with organising logistics. Be prepared to promptly follow up with any guests who have not yet responded to ensure you have an accurate headcount for planning purposes.
Additional Communication Channels:
Having a wedding website is highly recommended for destination weddings. It provides a central platform to share information about accommodation, transport, activities, and other important details. A private Facebook group or event page can also be useful for keeping guests informed and allowing them to connect with each other.
Remember, the key to a successful destination wedding invitation process is timely communication and providing your guests with as much notice as possible. This will ensure that your guests have a seamless and delightful experience, and you can focus on the other aspects of your wedding preparations.
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Frequently asked questions
The general rule of thumb is to send out invites 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements.
Save-the-date cards are typically sent out 6 to 8 months before the wedding, but can be mailed up to a year in advance if you've finalised your details.
If you're not sending save-the-date cards, it's recommended to send out wedding invites 9 to 10 weeks before the wedding.