Mailing Wedding Invites: How Early Should You Send Them?

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of wedding planning. The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. However, some sources suggest sending out invitations three to four months before the wedding, especially if a large number of guests are travelling from abroad. It is also customary to send out save the date cards six to eight months before the wedding, or earlier if it is a destination wedding.

Sending invites 6-8 weeks in advance

Sending out your wedding invites 6-8 weeks in advance is considered the standard etiquette. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if they need to. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B-list if needed, and complete your seating chart before the week of the wedding.

If you're worried that 6-8 weeks doesn't give your guests enough time to plan, remember that they should have already received a save-the-date card from you, which would have been sent out 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives them all the information they need to start making arrangements, such as booking time off work and sorting out accommodation.

If you're inviting a lot of international guests, it's a good idea to send out invites a little earlier, around 9-10 weeks in advance. This is because it can take longer for international post to be delivered, and your guests will need more time to plan their trip. You can also give them a heads-up by calling, texting, or emailing them with the wedding details.

It's important not to send out your invites too early, as this could lead to guests forgetting about your wedding or having their plans change. 6-8 weeks is considered the sweet spot, giving your guests plenty of time to plan without being too early.

If you're worried about your guests forgetting, you could create a wedding website where they can find all the information they need, including accommodation suggestions and travel advice. You can include the URL on your save-the-date cards and invites, as well as on a separate details card.

Save-the-dates 4-6 months before

Save-the-dates are a fun way to let your guests know when and where your wedding will be held. They are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. They should be sent out 4-6 months before the wedding, or even earlier if you're planning a destination wedding.

When creating your save-the-dates, be sure to include the date, venue, and wedding website. This will allow your guests to start making their travel plans. It's also a good idea to include your registry information so that guests can start shopping for gifts.

In addition to sending out save-the-dates, there are a few other tasks you should focus on during the 4-6 month period before your wedding. This is a great time to start shopping for your wedding attire and to book hotel room blocks for your out-of-town guests. It's also important to finalize your guest list and start thinking about your wedding party.

If you're planning on having a rehearsal dinner, now is the time to book your venue. You should also start researching and reaching out to vendors, such as photographers, videographers, florists, bands or DJs, and cake bakers. It's important to get these vendors lined up early so that you have time to consider your options and keep looking if your first choices are booked up.

Overall, the 4-6 month period before your wedding is a busy but exciting time. Sending out save-the-dates and taking care of these other key tasks will help ensure that your big day goes off without a hitch!

RSVPs: 2-3 weeks before the wedding

To ensure you get RSVPs 2-3 weeks before your wedding, you should send out your invites 6-8 weeks in advance. This is the traditional timeline and is considered proper wedding invitation etiquette. Sending invites with this timing gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner and stay in line with wedding invitation etiquette.

If you send your invites too early, there's a risk that plans might change, and you could end up with an inaccurate guest count. However, if you send them too late, you might not give your guests enough notice to take time off work or make travel plans.

To ensure you get RSVPs back in time, make it easy for your guests to respond. Include a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with your invitation suite. You can also give guests the option to respond digitally via your wedding website, especially if you have international guests. This will ensure a quicker response.

It's also important to be clear with your RSVP deadline. Make the date legible on the card, and consider including a countdown ticker on your wedding website if you have one.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's a good idea to give your guests a little more time. Send out invites four months in advance and set the RSVP deadline for two months before the wedding. This gives guests ample time to make travel plans and gives you a buffer to account for late responses.

Remember, the timing of your invites and RSVPs is crucial to getting an accurate headcount for your vendors and creating your seating chart.

International guests: 9-10 weeks in advance

Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience, and knowing when to send out your wedding invitations is a crucial step in the process. While the general rule for wedding invitation timing is six to eight weeks before the wedding, there are exceptions to this guideline, especially when it comes to international guests.

For international guests, it is recommended to mail out wedding invitations nine to ten weeks in advance. This extended timeline is to account for the additional shipping and delivery time required for the invites to reach your loved ones overseas. It's important to give your international guests ample notice so they can make the necessary travel arrangements. A year in advance is not too early, according to etiquette expert Diane Gottsman.

To ensure your international guests have all the information they need, it's a good idea to give them a heads-up through a quick phone call, text, or email. Share the wedding day details and provide information about booking accommodations. This way, they can start planning their trip well in advance.

When sending invitations to international guests, consider offering a digital RSVP option. This will allow you to receive their responses more promptly, as you won't have to wait for their replies to arrive by mail.

Additionally, if you have a wedding website, make sure all the relevant information is easily accessible to your guests. This includes details such as the date, venue, travel arrangements, accommodations, and any other helpful tips for attending your wedding.

By following these suggestions, you'll be able to ensure that your international guests have enough time to plan their attendance at your wedding celebration.

Bespoke invites: order 7-8 months before the wedding

Planning a wedding can be a busy and sometimes stressful time, and there are so many details to arrange! One of the most important things to consider is the timing of your wedding invitations.

If you're opting for bespoke wedding invitations, it's best to get started on the design process at least 7-8 months before your wedding. This will give you plenty of time to finalise a design without feeling too pressured or stressed. Working with a stationer to create a custom design takes time and dedication, and you'll want to make sure you're happy with every detail.

Choose your stationer:

Start by finding a talented wedding stationer who can bring your vision to life. Take the time to research different options, read reviews, and look at their portfolios to find a style that reflects your personalities and your big day.

Communicate your vision:

Once you've selected your stationer, clearly communicate your ideas and expectations. This includes deciding on the size, style, and any additional elements you may want, such as envelope wraps or accommodation cards. Be sure to provide all the necessary information, such as the date, time, and location of the wedding, as well as any other relevant details.

Finalise the design:

Work closely with your chosen stationer to create a design that truly reflects your wedding. This may involve several revisions and back-and-forth communication. Be open to their expertise and suggestions, as they have the experience to guide you through the process.

Place your order:

Once you're happy with the design, it's time to place your order. Custom designs can take 12 weeks or more to be completed and sent out to you, so factor in this lead time when planning your timeline.

Allow for unexpected delays:

When ordering bespoke wedding invitations, it's always a good idea to build in some buffer time. Unexpected delays can happen, and you don't want to be rushing at the last minute. Ordering your invitations 7-8 months in advance gives you the flexibility to handle any unforeseen circumstances.

Order extra:

It's a good idea to order 5-10 extra invitations to account for lost invites or additional guests. This will give you peace of mind and ensure you have plenty to fall back on if needed.

Ordering bespoke wedding invitations is a special part of the wedding planning process, and starting 7-8 months in advance will ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. Remember to enjoy the process and savour the excitement of creating something unique for your big day!

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