Planning Wedding Invites: How Far Ahead Is Sensible?

Sending out wedding invites is an important part of the planning process. The general consensus is that invites should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, with some suggesting up to ten weeks in advance. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. Sending invites too early may result in guests forgetting about the wedding, while sending them too late may not give guests enough notice. It is also customary to send out save-the-dates six to eight months before the wedding, or earlier if it is a destination wedding.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invites is one of the most exciting steps in your planning journey. It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is the sweet spot that gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if they need to, without being too early that they might forget or lose the invitation.

If you send your invites too early, you run the risk of guests forgetting about your wedding day, and if you send them too late, your loved ones might not have enough time to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel arrangements. Sending your invites six to eight weeks in advance also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B list, and complete your seating chart before the week of the wedding.

If you have already sent out Save the Dates, your guests will already know the key details of your wedding, such as the date and venue, and will have started to make their plans. In this case, sending your invites six to eight weeks before the wedding is plenty of time for guests to respond, and for you to chase down any late responses.

If you are inviting a lot of international guests, or having a destination wedding, it is a good idea to send your invites a little earlier, around nine to twelve weeks in advance. This will allow for the extended shipping and delivery time needed to get those invites into your loved ones' hands.

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before

Sending out save-the-date cards is an important step in the wedding invitation process. Save-the-dates are typically sent out 4-6 months before the wedding date. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan their attendance, especially if they need to book travel or accommodation. It is also a considerate gesture towards guests with busy schedules, allowing them to block off the date in their calendars.

Sending save-the-dates in advance is especially crucial if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or if you're planning a destination wedding. In such cases, sending out save-the-dates 6 to 12 months in advance is highly advisable. This ensures that your guests have ample time to make the necessary arrangements.

The save-the-date cards should include essential details such as the wedding date, venue, and wedding website. This information empowers your guests to start their planning process and make any necessary travel or accommodation bookings.

It is worth noting that save-the-dates are not a requirement. However, they are highly recommended, especially for destination weddings. If you choose to skip this step, it is generally advised to send out wedding invitations earlier, around six months in advance.

By sending save-the-dates 4-6 months in advance, you can strike a balance between giving your guests enough notice and ensuring that your wedding remains at the top of their minds. This timing also allows you to receive an early indication of attendance, helping you plan other aspects of your wedding more effectively.

Ask for RSVPs no later than 1 month from the wedding

When it comes to wedding planning, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind regarding the timing of your invitations and RSVPs. Firstly, it is important to give your guests enough notice to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. Secondly, you want to allow sufficient time for your guests to respond with their RSVPs. Finally, you need to give yourself enough time to finalise wedding planning details such as the seating chart and menu selections.

With these factors in mind, here is a suggested timeline to ensure you receive RSVPs no later than one month before your wedding:

• Send Save the Dates: Send out your Save the Dates around four to six months before your wedding date. This gives your guests ample time to plan, especially if they need to book travel or accommodations. If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, consider sending Save the Dates even earlier (up to 12 months in advance).
• Mail Wedding Invitations: The ideal time to send out your wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is the standard timeline recommended by etiquette experts and gives your guests plenty of time to respond. If you have a large number of international guests or a destination wedding, you may want to send invitations a little earlier, around 10-12 weeks in advance.
• Set an RSVP Deadline: On your wedding invitations, indicate an RSVP deadline of one month before the wedding. This timeline strikes a balance between giving your guests enough time to respond and providing you and your vendors with the necessary lead time for final preparations. It also allows for some wiggle room to follow up with any guests who may not have responded by the deadline.
• Follow Up on Outstanding RSVPs: As the RSVP deadline approaches, keep track of the responses and make a list of guests who have not yet replied. Give them a quick call or send a reminder to ensure you receive their RSVPs before the one-month mark.
• Finalise Wedding Details: Once you have a final headcount, you can proceed with finalising the seating chart, menu selections, and other wedding details. This is also the time to communicate the final numbers to your vendors, including the caterer, to ensure a smooth and well-prepared wedding day.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you receive RSVPs no later than one month from your wedding date, giving you and your vendors ample time to make the necessary arrangements for your special day.

Send invites 12 weeks before if many guests are international

Sending out wedding invites is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. But it can be tricky to know exactly when to send them out.

If you have a lot of international guests attending your wedding, it's a good idea to send out your invites 12 weeks before the big day. This gives your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements and sort out their accommodation. It's also a good idea to give your international guests the option to RSVP digitally, so you're not waiting for their responses to arrive by mail.

It's worth noting that sending out invites too early can lead to people forgetting about the wedding or changing their plans. So, if most of your guests are local, you might want to stick to the standard timeline of sending out invites six to eight weeks before the wedding.

To make sure your guests have enough time to plan, it's a good idea to send out save-the-dates six to eight months before the wedding, or even earlier if your wedding is around a major holiday or if most of your guests are international. That way, your guests can keep the date free and start making travel arrangements.

Once you've sent out your invites, you can expect to start receiving RSVPs pretty quickly. It's standard to ask for RSVPs no later than one month before the wedding, so you and your vendors can make the necessary preparations.

Include a return address on the invites

When it comes to wedding planning, there are many details to consider, and one important aspect is the timing of sending out invitations. Typically, it is recommended to send wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeframe allows guests to clear their schedules and gives the couple an early final headcount. However, it is not uncommon for invitations to be sent out earlier, especially if the wedding is around a major holiday or if there are many out-of-town guests. Some couples opt for sending invitations around two to three months in advance in such cases.

Now, let's focus on the topic of including a return address on the wedding invitations:

The Purpose of a Return Address

The return address serves two main purposes. Firstly, it tells guests where to send their RSVPs, ensuring a timely response. Secondly, it provides an address for guests to send their gifts if they are unable to attend or prefer to send them in advance. This is especially useful for guests who wish to avoid carrying gifts to the ceremony.

Placement of the Return Address

The preferred location for the return address is on the back flap of the invitation envelope. This makes it easily visible for the recipient and the postal service while maintaining a clean and uncluttered look on the front of the envelope. If using double envelopes (inner and outer), the return address only needs to go on the outer envelope.

Format and Etiquette

While there is room for creativity, some traditional etiquette guidelines can be followed for formatting the return address:

• Names and Address: Traditionally, the return address includes the names of the hosts or individuals sending the invitations, such as the parents of the bride or the couple themselves. It is proper etiquette to write out full names, the street address, city, state, and zip code, avoiding any abbreviations.
• Font and Style: It is recommended to select a font that aligns with the wedding's aesthetic and the overall design of the invitation. Handwritten calligraphy or printed calligraphy fonts are popular choices. Clear and legible handwriting or printed labels are also acceptable.
• Inner Envelope: If using an inner envelope, the return address can be written on the back of this piece. This is typically the address of the couple or the wedding planner if they are managing the RSVPs.

Options for Including the Return Address

There are several ways to include the return address on the envelopes:

• Return Address Labels: Printing return address labels is a simple and affordable option. However, it may look inconsistent with the guest address, especially if using white labels on coloured envelopes.
• Pre-printed Return Address: When ordering envelopes online, you can often pay a small fee to have your return address pre-printed. This saves time but may be more costly and less flexible if you need extra envelopes.
• Return Address Stamp: Similar to labels, you can order a custom return address stamp, which can be more cost-effective and allow for cohesive styling with the guest address.
• Calligraphy Return Address: For a luxurious option, consider hiring a calligrapher to write the return address. This ensures a perfect match in writing style and ink colour but is usually the most expensive choice.

In conclusion, including a return address on your wedding invitations is essential for managing the invitation process effectively. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your invitations are properly formatted and that your guests have all the necessary information to respond and send their well-wishes.

Frequently asked questions