Wedding Invitations: Order Lead Time And Planning

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is important for both the couple and the guests. It's a good idea to order your invitations 4–6 months in advance to allow ample time for addressing and assembling them before mailing them out. The ideal time to send wedding invitations is 6–8 weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and for the couple to receive RSVPs and complete their seating charts. If you're having a destination wedding or your wedding falls on a major holiday, it's recommended to send invitations earlier to allow guests more time to plan their travel arrangements. Sending save-the-dates 3–4 months before the wedding is also a good idea, especially for destination weddings, to give guests a heads-up and allow them to start planning their trip.

Invites should be ordered 4-9 months in advance

Planning a wedding can be a stressful task, but ordering your invitations early can help you get ahead and stay organised. Ordering your wedding invitations 4-9 months in advance is a great way to ensure you have ample time to assemble and address them before mailing them out. This is especially important if you have a lot of guests who need to travel or if you are planning a destination wedding.

It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart. Ordering your invitations 4-9 months in advance gives you plenty of time to discover, decide and design your entire ensemble. You can request free samples of your favourite invitations, personalised in your wedding colours, to ensure you find the perfect fit.

If you are ordering custom designs or planning a destination wedding, it is a good idea to start the ordering process even earlier, around 9 months in advance. This will give you more time for any necessary revisions and ensure that your invitations accurately reflect your wedding vision. It is also important to consider any cultural or religious traditions that may require additional time for planning and preparation.

Ordering your invitations in advance also allows for any potential delays or issues that may arise. Printing errors or spelling mistakes can occur, and you may need to order additional invitations to account for last-minute invites or mistakes during addressing. By ordering your invitations 4-9 months in advance, you can rest assured that you have allowed sufficient time for any unforeseen circumstances.

Send save-the-dates 3-4 months before the wedding

Sending save-the-dates ahead of your wedding invitations is a great way to give your guests a heads-up and make planning to attend a smooth process. Save-the-dates typically go out 3-4 months before the wedding, but if your wedding is a destination wedding or your guests are spread far and wide, more time is better. This gives your guests ample time to plan their trip, and you can get a rough estimate of how many people are going to turn up. This lets you organise things like the seating plan, travel arrangements and more well in advance.

If you're worried about the extra cost of save-the-dates, there are other ways to spread the word. You can send emails, texts, or even call your guests, especially if they are family and close friends. You can also send out a mass email with a link to a YouTube video of the proposal, or use a free or inexpensive digital service like Paperless Post.

If you're sending physical save-the-dates, make sure that all pertinent information is included. The names of the couple getting married and the date should be most prominent, along with a note that invitations will follow. You don't have to name the venue, but if you have a wedding website, include the URL.

If you're sending out wedding invitations without save-the-dates, the standard timeline is 6 months in advance. For couples with a shorter engagement, aim for 2-3 months before the wedding.

Allow 6-8 weeks for guests to RSVP

When planning your wedding, it's important to give your guests enough time to respond to your invitation. While it's exciting to send out invites and start receiving RSVPs, you want to make sure you give your guests a reasonable amount of time to plan and respond.

Allowing 6-8 weeks for guests to RSVP is considered the proper wedding invitation timeline and is in line with wedding invitation etiquette. This timeframe gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking time off work, accommodation, or travel. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, helping you finalise your headcount, seating charts, and invite any additional guests if needed.

If your wedding falls on a weekday, is a destination wedding, or during peak wedding season, it's advisable to give your guests even more time to plan and respond. In these cases, sending out save the dates 3-4 months in advance is a good idea, especially for those who need to plan travel.

However, it's important not to send out invitations too early, as guests may forget or lose the invite. While you want to give your guests ample notice, sending invitations 6-8 weeks in advance strikes the right balance, ensuring your wedding is fresh in your guests' minds without overwhelming them with early planning.

To ensure a smooth process, it's recommended to order your invitations 4-6 months in advance, allowing time for any mistakes, addressing, and assembly. This will give you peace of mind and help you avoid last-minute stress.

Remember, everyone has busy calendars, and sending out invitations at the right time will help secure your wedding date in your guests' plans.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invites is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. It's important to get the timing right so that your guests have enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements.

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This is considered the "sweet spot" as it gives your guests plenty of notice without being too early. Sending your invites in this timeframe will also allow you to request RSVPs sooner, helping you finalise your headcount, seating charts, and invite any additional guests if needed.

If your wedding falls on or near a major holiday, consider sending your invites a little earlier—around 2-3 months in advance. This will give your guests more time to plan, especially if they need to book time off work or make travel plans. Similarly, if you are having a destination wedding, it is advisable to give your guests more notice, with some sources suggesting up to 12 months in advance.

On the other hand, if you are concerned about giving your guests too much notice, you may want to consider sending out "save the date" cards in advance of your official invitations. These can be sent out 3-4 months before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings, to give your guests a heads-up without committing them to a definite RSVP.

Send rehearsal dinner invites at the same time

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, but it's essential to allow yourself ample time to discover, decide, and design your wedding invitations. Experts recommend ordering your invitations at least 4 to 6 months in advance, giving you plenty of time to assemble and address them before mailing them out. This timeline ensures that you can establish the style and tone for your wedding and make any necessary adjustments.

Now, let's discuss sending out rehearsal dinner invites at the same time as your wedding invitations. While it's not mandatory to hold a rehearsal dinner, it is a wonderful opportunity to socialize with your loved ones and relieve pre-wedding jitters. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations for sending out rehearsal dinner invites concurrently with your wedding invitations:

• Timing: Send out your rehearsal dinner invites approximately four to eight weeks after mailing your wedding invitations. This timing ensures that your guests receive the rehearsal dinner invitation after knowing about the main event. It's essential to maintain good etiquette and treat the rehearsal dinner as a separate, elegant affair.
• Host's Discretion: Traditionally, whoever pays for the rehearsal dinner, typically the groom's parents, has the final say on the guest list and sends out the invitations. However, in modern times, the couple or both families may opt to share expenses, giving them a more prominent role in the decision-making process.
• Guest List: The guest list for the rehearsal dinner is typically more intimate and exclusive than the wedding itself. It usually includes the wedding party, their guests, and immediate family. However, if you're having a destination wedding, it's considerate to invite all out-of-town guests to the rehearsal dinner as well.
• Invitation Details: Ensure that your rehearsal dinner invitations include the host's name, the couple's names, the event date, time, location, RSVP deadline, and method (email is often the easiest option). You may also include additional information such as the wedding website and dress code.
• Invitation Format: While digital invitations are acceptable, paper invitations are generally recommended for rehearsal dinners as they set the tone for the wedding festivities and tend to garner more attention from guests. Consider using the same stationer as your wedding invitations to maintain a cohesive theme and style.
• Separate Events: Remember that the rehearsal dinner is a separate event from the wedding. Avoid including the rehearsal dinner invitation with the wedding invitation. Instead, send them separately, either concurrently or a few weeks after the wedding invites, depending on your preference and the availability of guest list information.

Frequently asked questions