When To Send Out Wedding Invites

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting steps in the planning journey. But how far in advance is too far? Or not far enough?

Well, it depends. If you're sending out save-the-date cards, these should go out four to six months before the wedding. If you're having a destination wedding, it's good etiquette to send these even earlier – up to a year in advance.

Wedding invitations are traditionally sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating plan.

However, if you have a lot of international guests, it's a good idea to send invitations around 12 weeks before the wedding. This gives overseas guests enough time to arrange travel and accommodation.

So, while there's no one-size-fits-all answer, sending out invitations around two months before the wedding is generally considered the sweet spot.

Invites should be sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting steps in the planning journey. It is recommended that invites be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is the perfect timeframe as it gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. It also means that 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.

Sending out invites in this timeframe ensures that you are following proper wedding invitation etiquette. It is important to give your guests enough notice, especially if they need to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel plans. However, you also don't want to send out invites too early, as there is a chance that your wedding won't be at the top of your guests' minds as the day draws closer.

If your wedding is around a major holiday, such as Christmas, it is suggested that you send out invites a little earlier, as people will need more time to plan in advance. Additionally, if you have guests from outside the country, it is recommended to send their invites nine to ten weeks in advance to account for extended shipping and delivery times.

The invitation timeline also depends on whether you are sending out save-the-dates. If you choose to send save-the-dates, they should go out four to six months before the wedding, and then you can follow up with the official invitations six to eight weeks before the big day. This gives your guests enough time to plan and also builds excitement as they receive their beautiful invites and start to count down the days!

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before

Sending out save-the-dates is an exciting step in your wedding planning journey. It is advisable to send out save-the-dates 4-6 months before your wedding date. This gives your guests plenty of time to make the necessary plans and arrangements to attend your big day. Sending save-the-dates in advance is especially important if you are having a destination wedding or if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, in which case you should aim for 6-12 months in advance.

Save-the-dates are not a requirement, but they are a fun and helpful way to get your guests to mark their calendars, especially if many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. It is important to only send save-the-dates to those whom you are planning to invite to the wedding.

When sending out save-the-dates, be sure to include the date, venue, and wedding website, which can provide guests with additional information such as lodging options. You may also want to include your wedding website URL on the save-the-date, or even create a QR code that guests can scan to easily access your wedding website and make digital RSVPs.

While sending out save-the-dates, it is also a good idea to give international guests or those with a long way to travel a heads-up via email or phone call, so they can start making their travel arrangements. This is a thoughtful gesture that will ensure your guests have enough time to plan their trip and will be much appreciated, especially if they need to book time off work or make other commitments.

After sending out your save-the-dates, the next step will be to send out your official wedding invitations, typically 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Request RSVPs by 1 month before

Requesting RSVPs by one month before the wedding is a great way to ensure you have enough time to finalise the details of your big day. Here are some reasons why this is a good idea, along with some additional tips for sending out wedding invitations:

Finalising Details

Requesting RSVPs a month in advance gives you ample time to finalise the details of your wedding with your vendors. This includes providing a final headcount to the caterer and finalising your seating chart. Having an accurate guest count is essential for ensuring your wedding day runs smoothly, and requesting RSVPs a month in advance helps you achieve this.

Chasing Late Responses

By setting an RSVP deadline a month before the wedding, you allow yourself some buffer time to chase any late responses. It is not uncommon for guests to miss the RSVP deadline, and having that extra time means you can follow up with them without the last-minute stress.

Guest Travel Arrangements

If you have guests travelling from out of town or overseas, requesting RSVPs a month in advance gives them enough time to make travel arrangements. While it is recommended to send invitations to international guests earlier, usually 9-12 weeks in advance, having the RSVP deadline a month before the wedding ensures they have made their travel plans and can attend.

Save-the-Dates

It is worth noting that the RSVP deadline is separate from the timing of sending out your wedding invitations. Typically, Save-the-Date cards are sent 4-6 months before the wedding, allowing guests to keep the date free and make any necessary travel arrangements. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday or is a destination wedding.

Invitation Timing

The ideal time to send out wedding invitations is 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. Sending out invitations too early may result in guests changing their plans, while sending them out too late may not give your guests enough time to plan.

In conclusion, requesting RSVPs by one month before your wedding is a thoughtful and practical approach that ensures a smooth planning process and a well-organised celebration.

Send invites earlier if it's a holiday

It is generally recommended that wedding invitations 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, if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, it is advisable to give your guests more advance notice.

Sending your invitations earlier is especially important if your wedding is around a major holiday, like Christmas. According to etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, "When it is around a major holiday, like Christmas, I suggest more time because people need to plan in advance." Giving your guests more time to respond will allow you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the week of your wedding.

If you are inviting international guests, it is recommended that you send their invitations nine to ten weeks in advance to account for extended shipping and delivery times. It is also a good idea to follow up with them promptly if you have not heard from them, to ensure they have enough time to book their flights.

In addition to sending invitations earlier, you may also want to consider sending save-the-dates to give your guests a timely heads-up, especially if many of your guests will need to make travel arrangements. Save-the-dates are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if you are planning a destination wedding.

By sending your wedding invitations and save-the-dates earlier, you can ensure that your guests have enough time to plan their attendance and make the necessary arrangements.

Send invites 8-12 weeks before if abroad

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting steps in the planning journey. It's important to send them at the right time so that the date will be secure in your guests' calendars. Send your invitations too late, and you risk guests being unable to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel arrangements. Send them too early, and your wedding might not be at the top of your guests' minds as the day draws closer.

If you're inviting international guests, it's a good idea to send their invitations 9-12 weeks in advance. This will allow for extended shipping and delivery times and give your guests plenty of time to prepare their travel arrangements. If half of your guest list lives abroad, you might want to consider bumping up the timeline for everyone and sending all your invites a minimum of 12 weeks in advance.

If you're only inviting a few international guests, it's fine to send their invitations at the same time as everyone else's, but be sure to give them a heads-up by calling or emailing them with the wedding details. That way, they can start arranging their travel plans with plenty of time to spare.

When sending invitations to international guests, it's a good idea to give them the option to RSVP digitally, so you're not waiting for their responses to arrive by mail.

Frequently asked questions