Timing Your Wedding Invites: The Perfect Window

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of wedding planning, and timing is essential to ensure your guests can join you on your big day. 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 any necessary travel arrangements, while also allowing the host to request RSVPs and get a final headcount. However, some sources suggest sending invitations out three to four months in advance, especially if guests need to travel or if it's a destination wedding. Sending out save the dates six to twelve months before the wedding is also recommended to give guests a heads-up and help them plan accordingly. Ultimately, the timing of sending out wedding invitations depends on personal circumstances and cultural norms.

Invites for weddings with out-of-town guests

When it comes to wedding invites, timing is everything. Send them too early, and your guests might forget about the event; send them too late, and your loved ones might not have enough time to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel arrangements.

For weddings with many out-of-town guests, it is customary to send out invites eight weeks before the wedding. This is true even if half of your invitees are from out of town. Sending invites to all your guests at the same time will keep things simple.

If you have guests coming from outside the US, it is a good idea to mail their invites nine to ten weeks in advance to account for extended shipping and delivery times. However, some sources say you can send these as early as a year in advance.

If you are having a destination wedding, it is recommended that you send your invites three to four months in advance. This will give your guests more time to prepare for their travel and accommodations.

Save-the-Dates

It is becoming increasingly common to send out save-the-dates before the official invites. These are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. Save-the-dates are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if your wedding is in a destination that requires extensive travel arrangements.

RSVPs

It is important to give your guests enough time to respond to your invite. RSVPs should be due about a month before the wedding. This will allow you to get a final headcount, create seating charts, and invite guests on your B list if needed.

Save-the-date cards

These cards include the names of the couple getting married, the date and location of the wedding, and sometimes an indication that a formal invitation will follow. You can also include your wedding website or social media page, travel and accommodation information, transportation options, and your wedding hashtag.

It is important to note that save-the-date cards are not a requirement, but they are a helpful tool to ensure your guests have enough time to plan their attendance, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. They also give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date so they can keep that time free.

When it comes to sending out the actual wedding invitations, the recommended timeline is 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements. It also allows you to receive RSVPs sooner and finalize your headcount, seating charts, and other wedding details.

Destination weddings

For destination weddings, it is recommended that you send out your save-the-dates nine to twelve months in advance, especially if your wedding is in a location that requires more extensive travel arrangements. This is much earlier than the four to six months recommended for non-destination weddings. Sending out save-the-dates this early ensures that your guests can book their travel and accommodation in advance. It's also a good idea to include travel details for your guests at this point, rather than in the invitations.

When it comes to the invitations themselves, it is recommended that you send them out three to four months before the wedding. This is earlier than the six to eight weeks recommended for non-destination weddings. Sending out your invitations at this time will give your guests the information they need to prepare for their travel and accommodation.

If you haven't already included travel details with your save-the-dates, it's a good idea to include this information with your invitations. You might also want to add tips for places to visit and eat in the area, as well as information on what the weather may be like at the time of year, so your guests know what to wear. This can all be included on a separate information card that you send with your invitation.

If you are having various events around the wedding, such as a dinner the evening before or lunch the following day, then you should include this information on your RSVP card so that guests can indicate which events they will be attending.

Invitations for international guests

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting steps in the planning journey. Here is some advice on when to send out invitations for international guests:

Timing

The general rule for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, if you are inviting international guests, it is recommended that you send out invitations at least nine to ten weeks in advance to allow for extended shipping and delivery times. If half of your family lives abroad, you might want to consider sending out invitations to all guests twelve weeks in advance. This will give your international guests plenty of time to arrange travel and accommodation.

Save-the-Dates

Save-the-date cards are not required, but they are a good idea, especially if many of your guests have to make travel arrangements. These should be sent out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if you are planning a destination wedding. If you are inviting international guests, it is a good idea to send out save-the-dates eight months to a year in advance to give them a heads-up.

RSVPs

It is a good idea to give international guests the option to RSVP digitally, as postal services can be unreliable. If you are sending paper invitations, make sure to include a note with your phone number, email, or wedding website so that they can RSVP electronically.

Postal Costs

If you are sending paper invitations, you will need to pay a little extra for international postage. It is also a good idea to include postage for the RSVP cards in the currency of the country you are sending them to. However, be aware that postal services in some countries may be unreliable, so it is always best to provide digital RSVP options as well.

Follow-up

Be sure to follow up promptly with any international guests you haven't heard from to ensure they have received the invitation and have enough time to book their travel.

Bespoke wedding stationery

Wedding planning is an exciting time, and sending out invites is a big step. The general consensus is that wedding invites 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, and it also means you can request RSVPs sooner.

Now, for the fun part: designing your wedding invitations. Bespoke wedding stationery is a great way to create a cohesive look and feel for your special day. Here are some things to consider when creating your perfect wedding stationery:

• Find a reputable stationer: Look for an independent design and print studio that specialises in bespoke wedding stationery, like Rose Press. They combine traditional printing methods with modern design techniques to create truly personalised stationery.
• Start with "Save the Dates": Work with your stationer to create unique and hand-finished "Save the Dates" that give your guests a glimpse of your wedding theme and style. This is also a good time to include your wedding website, where guests can find more information about lodging and travel.
• Create a cohesive suite: From "Save the Dates" to full invitation suites and "on-the-day" stationery, your stationer can help you design a cohesive set of stationery that reflects your style and personality. Consider adding personalised touches like hand-printed letterpress designs, luxury hot foil, or contemporary digital design elements.
• Think about your paper and printing techniques: As Emily & Jo note, good design and typesetting are important, but the right printing techniques and paper stock can make your stationery truly special. Consider the different printing methods available, such as letterpress or digital design, and choose a high-quality paper stock that reflects the style and tone of your wedding.
• Add bespoke illustrations: Include bespoke illustrations or unique design elements that reflect your personality as a couple. This could be anything from a fun logo to intricate drawings that tie into your wedding theme.
• Make it personal: Work closely with your stationer to ensure your stationery is a true reflection of you and your partner. Don't be afraid to make changes, such as updating the colour palette or adding finishing touches, to ensure your stationery complements your day perfectly.

Remember, your wedding stationery is a precious keepsake for you and your guests, so take the time to create something truly special and unique.

Frequently asked questions