Mailing Wedding Invites: How Early Is Too Early?

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is an important part of wedding planning. It is generally recommended that wedding invitations be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. It also allows the host to get a final headcount and complete seating charts before the wedding. Sending invitations too early or too late can be inconsiderate and may hurt guest attendance. In certain circumstances, such as around major holidays or for destination weddings, it is advisable to send invitations earlier, with some sources suggesting up to 12 weeks in advance. Save-the-date cards are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, giving guests enough time to plan their attendance.

Save-the-date cards

Timing

It is recommended to send out save-the-date cards four to six months before your wedding, or even earlier if you're planning a destination wedding that may require more extensive travel arrangements. This gives your guests ample time to plan their schedules and make any necessary travel and accommodation arrangements. If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or during peak travel season, consider sending out your save-the-dates eight to twelve months in advance.

Who to Send Them To

What to Include

In addition to the wedding date and location, you can include other relevant information to help your guests plan their attendance:

• Names of the engaged couple
• Wedding website or social media page
• The 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 save-the-date card simple and concise, providing enough information for your guests to start their planning process.

Finalizing Guest List

Before sending out save-the-date cards, it is advisable to have a finalized guest list. Once you send a save-the-date card, you are essentially inviting that person to your wedding. However, if you're still finalizing your list, you can send them to close family members and friends first or to those who need to make travel arrangements.

Following Up with Invitations

After sending save-the-dates, the next step is to send out the formal wedding invitations. The recommended timeline for sending invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and RSVP while staying within proper wedding invitation etiquette. Sending your invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure your guests can plan and secure their attendance.

Invites for international guests

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

If you're sending invitations to guests outside of your country, it's a good idea to give them a little extra time. Here are some tips and suggestions to ensure your international guests have plenty of time to plan their attendance:

• Send invitations nine to ten weeks in advance: While the standard timeline for sending wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding, it's recommended to add an extra week or two for international invites. This accounts for extended shipping and delivery times and ensures your invitations arrive safely.
• Give them a heads-up: If you have only a few international guests, send their invitations along with the others, but be sure to give them a heads-up. Contact them via email or phone call and share the wedding details, including information about booking accommodations. This way, they can start making travel arrangements with plenty of time.
• Consider sending invitations 12 weeks in advance: If a large portion of your guest list lives abroad, you may want to bump up the timeline for everyone. Sending invitations at least 12 weeks in advance gives your international guests more time to plan their travel and ensures they feel included in the celebrations.
• Follow up promptly: Keep track of your RSVPs, and be sure to follow up with any international guests who haven't responded. This will help ensure they received the invitation and give them a friendly reminder to make their travel plans.
• Provide digital RSVP options: To avoid the back-and-forth of mailed responses, consider providing digital RSVP options for your international guests. This could be through your wedding website or via email. This simplifies the process for them and ensures you receive their responses promptly.
• Send save-the-dates early: For destination weddings or weddings that require extensive travel, it's a good idea to send save-the-dates early. Aim for four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if possible. This gives your international guests ample time to plan their travel and make any necessary visa arrangements.
• Include travel and accommodation details: When sending invitations to international guests, be sure to include helpful information about travel and accommodations. You can include this on a separate information card within the invitation suite. Share tips on transportation options, recommended places to stay, and any group rates or blocked hotel rooms you've arranged for guests.
• Create a wedding website: A wedding website is an invaluable resource for your guests, especially those travelling from abroad. Have all the essential information available on your website as soon as save-the-dates go out. This includes wedding dates, location, travel and accommodation details, transportation options, and any other helpful tips for guests.
• Be mindful of visa requirements: Keep in mind that international guests may need to apply for travel visas, which can take additional time. If possible, spread the word about your wedding date as early as possible, especially for guests who need to initiate visa applications.
• Explore alternative invitation options: If you're concerned about the cost and reliability of international mail, consider alternative ways to invite your overseas guests. One option is to send the invitations to a family member or friend in the same country, who can then mail them locally, saving you money on international postage. Another option is to send electronic invitations, although this may not be as formal as you wish.

RSVP deadline

The RSVP deadline is an important aspect of wedding planning, and there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it's recommended that your wedding RSVPs should be due at least four weeks before the wedding and no later than two weeks before. This gives you, the host, enough time to organise the final guest list and make necessary arrangements. It's also a considerate time frame for guests, who may need to plan their attendance and make travel accommodations if necessary.

Secondly, it's good etiquette for guests to respond to your invitation as soon as they know whether they can attend. This helps you get an early idea of numbers and means you won't have to chase responses as much. It's also considerate to give guests a few different ways to respond, such as by post, email, text, or through your wedding website.

Thirdly, if you're sending save-the-date cards, it's worth noting that these are usually sent four to six months, or even earlier, before the wedding. This gives guests a heads-up to mark their calendars, especially if travel is involved. The official invitation and RSVP deadline can then follow closer to the wedding date.

Finally, it's worth being prepared to send friendly reminders to guests who haven't responded by the deadline. This could be a week before the deadline, and then again a week after. It's also a good idea to give yourself a couple of weeks to gather any late responses and make a final headcount for your venue and caterers.

Invitations for out-of-town guests

If you're inviting guests from out of town or out of state, it's customary to send out wedding invitations around eight weeks before the wedding. It's a good idea to send all your invites at the same time, regardless of how many guests live out of town. This will keep things simple and give your guests plenty of time to plan their travel.

For international guests, it's a good idea to send invitations nine to ten weeks in advance to allow for extended shipping and delivery times. Some sources suggest that you can send invitations to international guests up to a year in advance.

If you're only sending save-the-dates, it's recommended to do so four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if your wedding is a destination wedding that requires extensive travel arrangements.

It's worth noting that some sources suggest that it's unnecessary to send save-the-dates, as they are not a requirement. However, they can be helpful when many of your guests need to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited.

When sending invitations to out-of-town guests, it's a good idea to include specific information such as transportation options, suggestions for hotels or accommodations, and local restaurants and attractions. This will help your guests with their travel planning and make them feel welcomed and appreciated.

Additionally, it's a thoughtful gesture to individually acknowledge out-of-town guests during the wedding speeches, thanking them for making the extra effort to be there.

Timing for destination weddings

Destination weddings require a little more planning than a local ceremony. It's best to give your guests plenty of time to organise their travel plans and accommodation. Save-the-date cards should be sent out nine to twelve months in advance, and include travel details for your guests.

Invitations to a destination wedding should be sent out three to four months before the wedding. This gives your guests the information they need to prepare for their travel and accommodation. You can include this information on a separate information card that you send with your invitation.

If you're inviting guests from overseas, it's a good idea to send their invitations out a little earlier – around nine to ten weeks in advance. This will allow for extended shipping and delivery times.

It's also a good idea to follow up with your guests if you haven't heard from them, to make sure they have enough time to book their travel and accommodation.

Frequently asked questions