When To Send Out Wedding Shower Invites

Wedding showers are a staple of the engagement period and an awaited joy for the bride-to-be. The best time to send out wedding shower invitations is anywhere between four and eight weeks before the event. This gives guests ample time to book their calendars and find a gift, and it affords the host time to prepare for the final headcount. If the guest list includes out-of-towners, it's good etiquette to send invitations at least two months in advance so that guests have enough time to organise travel and accommodations.

Invitations should be sent 4-8 weeks before the event

Sending out wedding shower invitations in a timely manner is crucial to ensuring that all guests have the opportunity to attend and celebrate with the happy couple. While the specific timing may depend on certain factors, adhering to a general guideline of 4-8 weeks ahead of the event is considered good etiquette. Here are some factors to consider when planning to send out your invitations:

Guest Convenience

It is important to give your guests enough time to plan and prepare for the wedding shower, especially if they have busy schedules or live out of town. Sending the invitations 4-8 weeks in advance allows guests to arrange their schedules, make travel plans if necessary, and choose a gift for the couple. This timeframe ensures that your guests can attend without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Finalising Details

The weeks leading up to a wedding shower are crucial for finalising all the details, such as catering, decorations, and other arrangements. Sending out invitations during this period allows you to get a more accurate headcount for the event. It gives you the opportunity to confirm the number of guests with your venue, finalise catering plans, and make any necessary adjustments to your preparations. This helps ensure a smooth and well-organised event.

Managing RSVPs

When sending out wedding shower invitations, it is standard practice to include an RSVP request with a deadline of at least two to three weeks before the event. This timeframe allows you to gather responses from guests and finalise the guest list. It gives you a clear understanding of how many people to expect, which is essential for planning purposes, especially if you are catering the event or require a minimum number of attendees for venue reservations.

Courtesy to Out-of-Town Guests

If you are inviting guests who live far away or need to travel to attend the wedding shower, it is considerate to give them extra notice. Sending invitations 4-8 weeks in advance, or even earlier, allows these guests to make travel arrangements, book accommodations, and plan their schedules accordingly. This extra time ensures that they have the opportunity to attend without feeling rushed or incurring last-minute travel expenses.

Synchronising with Other Events

When planning a wedding shower, it is important to consider other related events, such as the bachelorette party or bridal shower. Sometimes, these events are combined or held on the same weekend to maximise attendance, especially if many guests are coming from out of town. Sending out invitations 4-8 weeks in advance allows you to coordinate with other event organisers and ensure that guests can participate in all the celebrations without overlap or conflict.

Out-of-town guests should be given more notice

When it comes to sending out wedding shower invitations, it's important to give your guests enough notice so they can plan their attendance. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, as the timing may depend on the occasion and season, there are some general guidelines to follow.

If you're concerned about your out-of-town guests having enough time to prepare, it's better to give them a little extra notice. This is especially considerate if your event falls during a busy holiday season, as people tend to have fixed plans during these periods. Sending out a “save the date” notification or a simple electronic invitation in advance of the formal invitation can be a thoughtful way to give your guests a heads-up.

For out-of-town guests, the extra lead time allows them to organize their travel plans, decide on accommodations, and coordinate any other necessary arrangements. It also gives them the opportunity to decide on appropriate attire and purchase gifts for the happy couple. By providing them with ample notice, you increase the chances of your out-of-town guests being able to attend your special celebration.

Remember, the key to successful wedding shower planning is ensuring that all your guests, near and far, have sufficient time to prepare and make the necessary arrangements. So don't hesitate to send out those invitations a little earlier, especially for your guests who need to travel. This thoughtful gesture will be appreciated by all.

RSVPs should be requested 2-3 weeks before the event

When planning a wedding shower, it's important to give your guests enough notice, especially if they need to travel or make accommodation arrangements. It is recommended that invitations be sent out four to eight weeks before the event, with six weeks being the widely accepted sweet spot. This gives your guests ample time to prepare and plan their attendance.

However, the timing of your requests for RSVPs is equally crucial. You'll want to ensure you have a confirmed headcount well in advance of the event to finalise catering numbers, venue capacity, and other logistics. Therefore, it is best practice to request RSVPs two to three weeks before the wedding shower. This timeframe allows you to be respectful of your guests' schedules while also providing you with the information you need to finalise the event details.

When creating your invitations, be sure to include clear instructions for RSVPs, such as the deadline and how to respond (via phone, email, or mail). You may also want to consider requesting "regrets only," which means you will only receive responses from those who cannot attend, potentially reducing the number of incoming messages you need to manage.

Additionally, if you are planning a catered event, it is essential to communicate the final headcount to your caterers with enough notice. This is where the two-to-three-week timeframe for RSVPs becomes especially important. It gives you the necessary buffer to finalise these details without feeling rushed.

By following this timeline and requesting RSVPs two to three weeks in advance, you can ensure a smooth and well-organised wedding shower planning process, allowing you to focus on creating a memorable celebration for the happy couple.

Paper invites should be designed, printed, and sent early

Wedding shower invitations should be sent out between four and eight weeks before the event. However, if you're sending paper invites, it's important to start the process early to allow for design and printing time. This is especially true if you're envisioning a complex invitation design.

• Design and printing time: Creating and printing paper invitations can take longer than expected. By starting early, you'll have ample time to choose a design, make any necessary revisions, and ensure that the final product meets your expectations. This is especially important if you're opting for a custom or intricate design.
• Logistics and postage: Sending paper invitations involves addressing envelopes, affixing postage, and coordinating with a postal service. By allowing extra time, you can ensure that your invitations are mailed on schedule and that your guests receive them as planned.
• Guest considerations: Sending invitations early shows consideration for your guests, especially those who need to make travel arrangements or have busy schedules. It allows them to plan their attendance, book any necessary travel, and request time off from work or other commitments.
• RSVP management: By sending invitations early, you can set an RSVP deadline that gives you enough time to finalize catering numbers, venue details, and other logistics. This helps you avoid last-minute rushes and ensures a more accurate headcount for your event.
• Cohesive event planning: Designing and sending paper invitations early allows you to coordinate other event details, such as the theme, decorations, and menu. It enables you to create a cohesive and well-planned celebration, ensuring that all aspects of the wedding shower are thoughtfully considered and executed.

In conclusion, sending paper wedding shower invitations early demonstrates thoughtful planning and consideration for your guests. It allows you to manage the logistics effectively and ensures that your guests have ample time to prepare for the event. By starting the process early, you can create a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

The host is responsible for sending invites

The host is responsible for sending out the wedding shower invitations. This is usually one of the older women in the bride's life, such as her mother or mother-in-law, or the maid of honour. The host should ask the couple to approve the guest list before sending the invites. It is also good etiquette to get the couple's input on the theme, the type of celebration they would like, and whether they would like games to be included. The host should also decide on a venue, whether that's a restaurant, a park, or someone's home.

The best time to send out wedding shower invitations is between four and eight weeks before the event. This gives guests enough time to book the date and find a gift, while still allowing the host time to prepare for the final headcount. If there are out-of-town guests, it is considered good etiquette to send the invites at least two months in advance so that they can organise travel and accommodation.

The invitations should include the date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP information. It is also a good idea to include the host's contact details and the couple's wedding registry information.

The host should provide their contact details on the invitations and instruct guests to RSVP by phone or email. It is recommended that the RSVP date is set at least two weeks before the event to allow time to finalise any last-minute details.

Frequently asked questions