When To Send Out Wedding Invitations

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of wedding planning, and timing is essential. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, the general consensus is that invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeline allows guests enough time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements if necessary, and RSVP. Sending invitations too early or too late can lead to challenges, such as guests forgetting the date or not having enough time to plan their attendance.

Invitations for international guests

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and you want to ensure your guests have all the information they need, especially those travelling from overseas. Here is a guide to help you navigate the process of sending out invitations to your international guests.

Timing:

It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, if you have many international guests, it is advisable to send out their invitations earlier, around nine to twelve weeks in advance. This will allow for extended shipping and delivery times and give your overseas guests more time to make travel arrangements. If you are sending invitations to developing countries, be aware that there may be postal delays, so it is best to allow extra time for delivery.

Save-the-Dates:

Save-the-date cards are a great way to give your international guests a heads-up, especially if they need to book travel and accommodation. These can be sent out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if you are planning a destination wedding. This will allow your overseas guests to plan their calendars and make any necessary arrangements.

Invitations:

When sending invitations to international guests, it is worth considering the cost of postage. Sending paper invitations can be more expensive, and you will also need to consider the return postage for RSVPs. Some couples choose to send paper invitations and request that international guests RSVP digitally, via email or a wedding website, to avoid the issue of return postage.

If you are hesitant to send paper invitations, you can send an email with all the wedding details and information about booking accommodation. Alternatively, you can send a digital invitation, which will arrive faster and reduce the cost of postage.

Follow-up:

Be sure to follow up promptly with your international guests if you haven't heard from them. This will ensure they have received the invitation and give them a reminder to start making travel plans if needed.

Information:

It is a good idea to have all the wedding information available on your wedding website as soon as the save-the-dates are sent out. This includes details such as hotel room blocks and transportation, which will be helpful for your international guests as they plan their trip.

Sending out invitations to international guests requires a little extra planning and consideration. By sending out invitations and save-the-dates early, you can ensure that your overseas guests have ample time to make travel arrangements and be a part of your special day.

Save-the-date cards

• 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, including hotel room blocks and transportation options
• Your wedding hashtag

The design of your save-the-date cards can also be a fun way to give guests a sneak peek into your wedding theme or style. You can choose from a variety of templates, including classic, rustic, or destination themes, and even add photos. They can be simple and straightforward while still providing guests with the information they need to plan their attendance.

If you're planning a destination wedding or your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, it's a good idea to send save-the-date cards to everyone on your guest list. This ensures that all your guests have enough time to prepare and can increase the likelihood of their attendance.

RSVP deadline

The RSVP deadline is an important aspect of wedding planning, helping you finalise the guest list, seating arrangements, and catering details. Here are some instructive guidelines for setting the RSVP deadline:

Timing:

It is recommended to set the RSVP deadline around four weeks before the wedding, with the absolute latest being two weeks prior. This allows enough time to chase any late responses and finalise numbers for your venue and caterer.

Communication:

Clearly communicate the RSVP deadline on your invitations and wedding website. This ensures guests are aware of the date and can plan accordingly.

Following Up:

It is inevitable that some guests will miss the RSVP deadline. Wait about a week after the deadline before sending friendly reminders via phone, text, or email. This gives guests a polite nudge and helps you secure a response.

Grace Period:

Some sources suggest skipping the grace period and starting to chase responses the day after the deadline. This is because guests have already been given ample time to respond, and you want to avoid guests forgetting to RSVP altogether.

What to Say:

When reaching out to guests who haven't responded, ask if they received the invitation and express your hope that they plan to attend. Most guests will apologise for their tardiness and provide an answer. If they are still unsure, request that they get in touch within 24 hours, explaining that you need to provide final numbers to the caterer.

Finalising Numbers:

Around two weeks before the wedding, connect with your caterer, venue coordinator, and other vendors to finalise numbers for table settings, entrees, wedding favours, and other guest-dependent details.

International Guests:

For international guests, it is advisable to send invitations earlier, giving them a heads-up via email or phone. You may also want to give them the option to RSVP digitally to avoid delays with postal mail.

In summary, setting an appropriate RSVP deadline and effectively managing responses are crucial steps in wedding planning. This process ensures you can finalise arrangements with your venue and vendors, making your special day a well-organised and memorable occasion.

Invitations for out-of-town guests

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and you want to ensure that your guests have all the information they need, especially those travelling from out of town. It is standard etiquette to send out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, and this applies to all guests, including those coming from out of town. However, there are some extra considerations when it comes to out-of-town guests, who may need more time to plan their travel and accommodation.

It is a good idea to send save-the-date cards to all your guests, but particularly those coming from out of town. These can be sent four to six months in advance, or even earlier if your wedding is a destination wedding. This will give your guests plenty of notice to plan their travel arrangements. You can also include information about booking hotel rooms, either by sending this via email or including it on your wedding website.

If you have a large number of out-of-town guests, you may want to consider sending out your invitations a little earlier, around 12 weeks in advance. This will give your guests more time to plan their trip and may reduce the number of questions you receive closer to the wedding. It is also a good idea to follow up with anyone you haven't heard from to ensure they have enough time to book their travel.

For international guests, it is recommended to send invitations nine to ten weeks in advance, although some sources suggest that up to a year in advance is acceptable. This will allow for extended shipping and delivery times, ensuring your guests receive their invitations in good time.

In addition to sending out invitations and save-the-dates, there are other ways to make your out-of-town guests feel welcome. You can suggest possible hotels, restaurants and local attractions, and even offer to help with travel arrangements. Individually acknowledging out-of-town guests during the wedding speeches is also a nice touch.

Overall, the key to inviting out-of-town guests is to give them plenty of notice and provide them with all the information they need to plan their trip. This will ensure they feel welcome and appreciated, and will make your wedding a memorable occasion for all your guests.

Timing for destination weddings

Planning a wedding is tricky, especially when your guests need to travel to get to the wedding destination. When it comes to sending out invitations for a destination wedding, timing is crucial to ensure your guests have enough time to make the necessary travel arrangements.

It is recommended that you send out 'save the date' cards for destination weddings nine to twelve months in advance. This will give your guests ample time to organise their travel plans and book any necessary accommodation. It is also a good idea to include travel details and suggestions for places to stay with your 'save the date' cards.

The official wedding invitations for a destination wedding should be sent out two to four months before the wedding date. This will allow your guests to prepare for their travel and accommodation needs. It is also a good idea to include additional information in your invitations, such as tips for places to visit and eat in the area, as well as information on the expected weather conditions. This information can be included on a separate card sent with the invitation.

If you are inviting international guests to your destination wedding, it is advisable to send out their invitations a little earlier, around twelve weeks in advance. This will allow for extended shipping and delivery times and give your international guests more time to plan their travel. It is also a good idea to give them a heads-up via email or phone call, so they can start making their travel arrangements as early as possible.

Finally, when planning a destination wedding, it is customary to host additional events, such as a dinner the evening before or a lunch the day after the wedding. These events are expected to be paid for by the couple and will give your guests a chance to celebrate with you for longer.

Frequently asked questions