When To Expect Your Wedding Invitation

Wedding planning is an exciting time, and sending out invitations is one of the most important steps in the process. It's essential to give your guests enough notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. So, how far in advance should you send out your wedding invitations?

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules, make travel plans if necessary, and RSVP. Sending invitations in this timeframe also allows the couple to get a final headcount and complete their seating charts before the wedding crunch.

However, there may be circumstances where you might want to send invitations earlier. If you're having a destination wedding or your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, sending invitations and save-the-dates earlier is advisable. In these cases, sending invitations three to six months in advance is not uncommon.

On the other hand, sending invitations too early can also be an issue. Guests' plans may change, and they may forget the details of the wedding if they receive the invitation too far in advance. Therefore, it's essential to find a balance and send invitations within a reasonable timeframe.

Invitations for international guests

If you're inviting just a few overseas guests, send their invitations at the same time as the rest of your guest list. However, be sure to give them a heads-up by phone or email, so they can start to make travel arrangements.

If you have a lot of international guests, you may want to send out invitations a little earlier. A minimum of 12 weeks in advance is a good idea, and you can go up to a year in advance if you wish. Sending out invitations early will allow for extended shipping and delivery times and give your guests plenty of time to plan their trip.

It's a good idea to follow up with international guests to ensure they have received their invitation and have enough time to book their flights.

You should also make sure that all the information is available on your wedding website as soon as save-the-dates are sent out. This includes details about hotel room blocks and transportation, which will help your international guests plan their trip.

Invitations for local guests

When it comes to wedding planning, there are many factors to consider, and giving your guests enough notice is one of them. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, here are some guidelines for sending invitations to local guests:

Timing is Everything

It is generally recommended that wedding invitations be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeframe allows your local guests to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements without being too early, which could cause them to forget. Sending invitations within this timeframe also gives you an early headcount to work with when finalising details with your vendors.

Save-the-Dates

If you are sending save-the-dates, these should typically go out four to six months before the wedding. This gives your local guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and request time off work if needed, without being too far in advance.

RSVP Timeline

Request RSVPs no later than one month before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to respond and allows you to finalise numbers with your vendors. It is also a good idea to give your guests a way to RSVP digitally, making it quicker and easier for them to respond.

Exceptions to the Rule

If your wedding falls on a major holiday, such as Christmas, it is advisable to send invitations earlier – around three months in advance. This is because people are more likely to have prior plans or be going away, so they will need extra time to organise their schedules.

Other Considerations

If you are having a destination wedding or if a large percentage of your guest list lives abroad, it is considerate to send invitations earlier – around nine to twelve weeks in advance. This gives international guests more time to arrange travel and accommodations.

In summary, while there is no definitive answer, sending invitations to local guests six to eight weeks before the wedding is generally considered appropriate. This timeframe strikes a balance between giving your guests enough notice and minimising the risk of last-minute changes.

Save-the-date cards

Timing:

It is recommended to send out save-the-date cards six to eight months before your wedding day. This gives your guests ample time to plan, make travel arrangements, and RSVP in advance. However, if you are planning a destination wedding or a wedding during peak season, it is best to send them out even earlier, ideally eight to twelve months in advance, to allow your guests sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements.

Recipient List:

However, if you are still refining your guest list and prefer not to commit to sending a save-the-date card to everyone, you can start by sending them to close family members and friends or to out-of-town guests who will need to plan their travels. Keep in mind that sending a save-the-date card is essentially an indication that you are inviting that person to your wedding, so ensure you are comfortable with your guest list before sending them out.

Content:

In addition to the date and location of the wedding, a save-the-date card can include other relevant information to assist your guests in their planning:

• 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 block details and transportation options
• Your wedding hashtag, if you have one

Keep the card simple and concise while providing enough information to help your guests plan their attendance.

Design and Format:

Remember, sending out save-the-date cards is an optional step, and if you choose to skip them, you should send your wedding invitations around six months in advance for a standard engagement length.

RSVP deadline

Setting an RSVP deadline is an important part of wedding planning. It helps your to-do list move along in the final weeks before your wedding. There are a few things to consider when setting your RSVP deadline.

Firstly, it is important to give your guests enough time to respond. Wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, and guests should be given a window of about one month to respond. This means that the ideal RSVP deadline is three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to make travel arrangements if necessary, without being so far in advance that they forget to respond.

Secondly, you need to consider the other vendors involved in your wedding. Your wedding planner, caterer, and transportation company will all require a final guest count before the big day. Therefore, you should set your RSVP deadline for no later than two weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise your seating chart and other last-minute details.

To ensure that you get all your RSVPs back in time, it is a good idea to include a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with your invitations. You can also give guests the option to RSVP digitally via your wedding website. If your RSVP deadline is approaching and you are still waiting on responses, it is appropriate to follow up with guests who have not yet responded.

Timing for weddings with unique circumstances

The timing of your wedding invitations is crucial, ensuring your guests have all the necessary information and enough time to plan their attendance. Here are some considerations for weddings with unique circumstances:

Destination weddings

If you're planning a destination wedding that requires extensive travel arrangements, it's advisable to send out invitations and save-the-dates earlier than usual. Aim for four to six months in advance, or even earlier if your wedding is in a remote location. This gives your guests ample time to make travel plans, book accommodations, and arrange any necessary visas or vaccinations.

International guests

When inviting international guests, it's recommended to send their invitations nine to ten weeks in advance as a minimum, though you can go up to a year in advance. This extended timeline accounts for shipping and delivery times, ensuring your invitations reach your loved ones overseas. It also allows your international guests to start making travel arrangements and gives them a chance to request time off work.

Short engagement

If your engagement period is shorter than average, you'll need to adjust the timing of your wedding invitations accordingly. As a rule of thumb, send out invitations two to three months before the wedding. This applies when you have an engagement period of a few months and want to tie the knot quickly.

Cultural or religious traditions

Traditions and rituals associated with cultural or religious weddings may require additional time for preparations and ceremonies. For example, Catholic ceremonies with full Mass can last about an hour, while Jewish weddings may include a ketubah signing or yichud. Account for these extra elements when creating your wedding timeline, and consider seeking advice from cultural or religious leaders to ensure you allow for adequate time.

Weekday weddings

If your wedding falls on a weekday, it's essential to give your guests ample notice. They may need to request time off work or make special arrangements to attend. Sending out invitations three months in advance is a good idea, giving your guests enough time to plan their attendance without feeling rushed.

Holiday season

When planning a wedding around a major holiday, such as Christmas, it's advisable to send invitations earlier than usual. People often have busy schedules and travel plans during the holiday season, so sending invitations three months in advance gives them time to make the necessary arrangements.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can adjust them to fit your unique circumstances. The key is to give your guests enough notice, especially if they need to travel or make special arrangements.

Frequently asked questions