Lyla Dejesus
Wedding invites should be 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 that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B list, and complete your seating charts. Sending invites too early or too late can hurt guest attendance. Save-the-dates should be sent four to six months before the wedding, or earlier if it's a destination wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How far in advance to send out invites? | 6-8 weeks before the wedding |
| How far in advance to send out save the dates? | 4-6 months before the wedding |
| When to ask for RSVPs? | 1 month before the wedding |
| When to send out bridal shower invitations? | 6-8 weeks before the event |
| When to send out bachelorette party invitations? | 1 month before the event |
| When to send out rehearsal dinner invitations? | 3-6 weeks in advance |
What You'll Learn
Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding
Sending out wedding invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding is considered standard etiquette and gives your guests plenty of time to plan. This timeline is also beneficial for the couple, as it means you can request RSVPs sooner and have more time to chase down late responses. Sending invites in this window also means you are less likely to have to deal with last-minute changes to your guest count, which you will need to communicate to your vendors.
If you're worried about giving your guests enough time to plan, remember that it's standard to send out Save the Dates 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives guests time to book travel and accommodations, and you can include your wedding website on the Save the Date card so that guests can find all the information they need.
If you're inviting a lot of international guests, it's a good idea to send invites a little earlier. Aim for 9-10 weeks before the wedding, and give your international guests the option to RSVP digitally so that you're not waiting for their responses to arrive by mail.
If you're concerned about giving guests enough time to respond, you can also send out invites 8-10 weeks before the wedding, which will give you 6-8 weeks to collect RSVPs.
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Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before
Sending out save-the-date cards is an exciting step in your wedding planning journey. It is a fun way to get your guests to mark their calendars and ensure they have enough time to make all the necessary plans to attend your big day.
Save-the-date cards are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or if you're planning a destination wedding, as it gives your guests ample time to block off the dates and make travel arrangements. Sending your save-the-dates early is a considerate gesture, allowing your guests to book their travel and accommodations in advance.
While save-the-date cards are not mandatory, they are extremely helpful when many of your guests have to make travel plans or if accommodations near your wedding venue are limited. It is also a great way to build excitement for your wedding and give your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars.
When creating your save-the-date cards, be sure to include essential details such as the wedding date, venue, and wedding website. This information will be invaluable to your guests as they make their plans. Additionally, consider including your wedding website URL, which can provide guests with further details and updates about your special day.
In conclusion, sending out your save-the-date cards four to six months in advance is a thoughtful gesture that ensures your guests have ample time to plan their attendance. It is a crucial step in your wedding planning process and will help build excitement for your upcoming nuptials.
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Ask for RSVPs no later than 1 month before
It is recommended that you ask for RSVPs no later than one month before your wedding date. This is the perfect amount of time, offering a brief window for guests to receive the invitation and consider their decision, while also providing your wedding vendors with enough advance notice to order and prepare supplies.
The sooner you receive RSVPs, the sooner you can finalise your wedding planning details, such as the seating chart, final menu selections, and cake size. Asking for RSVPs a month in advance also gives you some leeway for those who don't respond by the deadline. You can give them a quick call to remind them to send their response so that you have all the necessary information.
If you are inviting international guests, it is advisable to ask for their RSVPs even earlier—up to a year in advance. This will allow for the extended shipping and delivery time needed to get the invites to your loved ones. It is also a good idea to give international guests the option to RSVP digitally so that you are not waiting for their responses to arrive by mail.
If you are inviting out-of-town or out-of-state guests, it is customary to send out wedding invitations around eight weeks before the wedding. This still gives guests enough time to respond and make travel arrangements if needed.
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Send invites earlier for international guests
Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting steps in the planning journey. It's important to send out invites with enough time to allow your international guests to make the necessary travel arrangements.
If you are only inviting a few international guests, it is recommended to send their formal invitations at the same time as other guests, but ensure you give them a heads-up about the wedding details ahead of time. A quick call, text, or email with the information will give them time to plan their travel.
If a large percentage of your guest list is international, it is best to send out invites earlier. Aim to send your invites 12 weeks before your wedding date. This will give your guests plenty of time to book travel and accommodation.
It is also a good idea to follow up with anyone you haven't heard from to ensure they have enough time to book their flights. It is also beneficial to have all the information available on your wedding website as soon as save-the-dates are sent. This may mean ironing out hotel room blocks and transportation information sooner than expected, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Sending save-the-dates is also an important step in the process. These should be sent 4-6 months before the wedding, or even earlier if your wedding requires more extensive travel arrangements.
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Include a way for guests to respond on the invite
Wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding date, and it is important to include a way for guests to respond. Whether you choose to have guests RSVP online via your wedding website, or you send an RSVP card and pre-addressed envelope as part of your invitation suite, be sure to indicate an RSVP deadline so that guests know when they need to let you know.
The RSVP deadline should be about one month before the wedding date. This offers a brief window for guests to receive the invitation and consider their decision, while also providing your wedding vendors with enough advance notice to order and prepare supplies. The sooner you get an accurate guest count, the sooner you can finalise your wedding planning details, such as the seating chart, final menu selections, and cake size.
A one-month-prior deadline also gives some leeway for stragglers who won't get their RSVP card in on time. It is also good to follow up promptly with anyone you haven't heard from to make sure they have enough time to book their trip if necessary.
There are different ways to include a response option for guests. The most traditional way is to include an RSVP card with pre-printed response options. This usually includes space for guests to write their names, the number of guests attending, and a space for a short personal note to the couple. Another trend is to include 'attending in person', 'attending remotely', and 'unable to attend' on a single card. This gives guests options to choose from regarding their attendance.
If you include an RSVP card without pre-printed responses, guests can write a personal message. Some couples may add a prompt for guests to respond to, such as well-wishes, song requests, or attendance. Guests should include their full names and the number of people attending in a sentence as if they were speaking directly back to the host, matching the host's formality.
Some wedding invitations may not include a physical RSVP card. Instead, they might include a "details" card with the wedding website where guests can respond.
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Frequently asked questions
It's recommended to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to plan and respond.
Yes, it's a good idea to send invites to international guests nine to 12 weeks in advance. It's also a nice gesture to give them a heads-up via email or phone call.
Save-the-Dates are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, but for destination weddings, it's advisable to send them even earlier (six to 12 months).
You should request RSVPs about a month before the wedding. This gives you enough time to finalize details with vendors and create a seating chart.
Digital invites are becoming more common, especially for eco-conscious couples. However, it's still advisable to provide physical invitations, especially for less tech-savvy guests.
