Timing Your Wedding: When To Send The Invites

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. But when is the best time to do it? The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the big day.

However, if you have a lot of international guests or your wedding falls on a holiday, it's a good idea to send out invitations earlier – around nine to 12 weeks in advance. Sending invitations too early or too late can be inconsiderate and may hurt your guest attendance.

Invites should be sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. It's important to get the timing right, though, so your guests have enough time to prepare and you can get a final headcount for your vendors.

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to create a seating chart and finalise numbers with your vendors before the week of the wedding. Sending your invites within this timeframe also means you can avoid guests forgetting to respond or having to chase down late responses.

If you send your invites too early, there's a chance that your guest count won't be accurate as people's plans may change. Sending invites too late may not give your guests enough time to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel plans.

However, if you have a lot of international guests or your wedding is during a major holiday, you may want to send your invites a little earlier—around 12 weeks in advance. This will give your guests enough time to plan their travel without rushing.

It's also worth noting that sending Save the Dates is a good idea, especially if you have a lot of guests who need to travel. These should be sent out 4-6 months before the wedding, or earlier if it's a destination wedding.

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before

Save-the-date cards are not mandatory, but they are a fun way to inform your guests about your wedding date. Sending them out 4-6 months in advance is a good idea, especially if your wedding is a destination wedding or falls on a holiday weekend. This gives your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodations. It is also considerate to those guests who have busy calendars and need to plan in advance.

Sending save-the-date cards early ensures that your guests can block off the date on their calendars and not double-book. It also allows you to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding plans, including the venue and date, and any other relevant details such as lodging and travel. This is especially useful if you have a wedding website with this information, as guests can then refer to the website and start making their plans early.

If you are sending save-the-date cards, it is generally recommended to only send them to those on your guest list, i.e., those whom you definitely plan to invite to your wedding. This avoids any confusion or disappointment later on.

Save-the-date cards are a great way to get your guests excited about your wedding and to ensure they have all the information they need to start planning their attendance. It is a thoughtful gesture that shows you care about your guests' experience and want to make it as smooth as possible for them.

While save-the-date cards are not required, they are a helpful tool in the wedding planning process and can boost the number of positive RSVPs you receive later on when you send out your official invitations.

Request RSVPs no later than 1 month from the wedding date

It is recommended that you request RSVPs no later than one month from your wedding date. This is the perfect amount of time for your guests to receive the invitation and consider their decision, and it also provides your wedding vendors with enough advance notice to order and prepare supplies. The sooner you get an accurate guest count, the sooner you can finalise your wedding planning details, such as the seating chart, final menu selections, and cake size.

Requesting RSVPs a month in advance also gives you some timeline padding for stragglers who won't get their responses in on time. It's also a good idea to give international guests the option to RSVP digitally, so you're not waiting for their responses to arrive by mail.

If you're concerned about getting an accurate headcount, it's worth noting that sending out your invitations too early can result in a higher number of guests changing their plans. The sweet spot for sending out invitations is generally considered to be six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and respond, while also allowing you to request RSVPs sooner and stay in line with proper wedding invitation etiquette.

It's important to consider the travel plans of your guests when deciding on the timeline for your invitations and RSVPs. 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 the timeline. Aim to send your invites around 12 weeks before your wedding date, and request RSVPs no later than one month before the big day.

Send invites earlier if many guests are travelling

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. It's important to send out invites with enough time for your guests to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary.

If many of your guests are travelling, it's a good idea to send out invitations earlier than the typical six to eight weeks before the wedding. This will give your guests ample time to book flights and accommodation, and request time off work if needed. Sending invitations around three months in advance is often a good option if you have a lot of guests travelling for the wedding.

If you're inviting a large number of international guests, it's best to send out invitations even earlier – around 12 weeks before the wedding. This will give your guests plenty of time to prepare their travel arrangements. It's also a good idea to follow up with international guests to ensure they have enough time to book their flights.

If you're only inviting a few international guests, it's still advisable to send their invitations at the same time as everyone else's, but be sure to give them a heads-up via phone call, email, or text so they can start making travel plans.

Sending out Save the Dates four to six months in advance is also a good way to ensure your guests have enough time to plan, especially if they need to book travel or accommodation.

Include an RSVP deadline so guests know when to respond

When it comes to wedding planning, there are a few tasks that have guidelines, and one of the most important is knowing when to send out your wedding invitations. Sending out your invites is one of the most exciting steps in your planning journey, but it's important to get the timing right.

One crucial aspect of this is including an RSVP deadline so that guests know when to respond. Here are some tips to help you set an appropriate deadline and ensure a smooth planning process:

Allow Enough Time for Responses

It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as travel and accommodation plans. It also means you can request their RSVPs sooner, which is essential for accurate planning.

Set an RSVP Deadline

When setting an RSVP deadline, aim for about one month before the wedding. This provides a brief window for guests to receive the invitation, make their decision, and respond. It also gives your vendors enough advance notice to prepare supplies and finalise details such as seating charts and menu selections.

Be Mindful of Holidays and Travel

If your wedding falls near a major holiday or requires guests to travel, you may want to give them more time to plan and send out invitations earlier. Consider sending Save the Dates four to six months in advance, especially for destination weddings, to give guests a heads-up and allow them to block off the date.

Follow Up on Late Responses

Even with an RSVP deadline, there may be some stragglers who don't respond on time. Be prepared to promptly follow up with anyone you haven't heard from to ensure you get a final headcount and can finalise your plans.

Provide Digital RSVP Options

If you have international guests, consider providing a digital RSVP option on your wedding website. This will give them a faster way to respond and ensure you're not waiting too long for their responses to arrive by mail.

Be Clear and Intentional

Make sure your invitation suite includes a clear and concise response card or online RSVP option. Be intentional about the activities you plan for guests before the ceremony, and communicate this on the invitation or through your wedding website. This will ensure guests know what to expect and don't feel like they're waiting too long for the festivities to begin.

In conclusion, including an RSVP deadline of about one month before the wedding is essential for both you and your guests. It allows you to finalise details and gives your guests enough time to respond without increasing the chances of unexpected changes. A well-planned RSVP deadline will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.

Frequently asked questions