Franklin Dean
Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of the wedding planning process. But it's also a detail that requires careful timing. Send them too early, and your wedding might not be at the top of your guests' minds when the day draws closer. Send them too late, and you risk not giving your guests enough time to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel arrangements. So, when is the right time to send out wedding invitations?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How far in advance to send wedding invitations | 6-8 weeks before the wedding |
| How far in advance to send save-the-date cards | 4-6 months before the wedding |
| How far in advance to send invitations for destination weddings | 3 months before the wedding |
| How far in advance to send invitations for weddings with many international guests | 9-12 weeks before the wedding |
| When to request RSVPs by | 1 month before the wedding |
What You'll Learn
Invites should be sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding
Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. It's important to get the timing right, though, so your guests have enough time to plan and so you can get a final headcount.
The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks in advance of the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount, allowing you to invite guests on your B-list if needed and complete your seating chart before the week of the wedding. Sending your invitations within this timeframe also means you're less likely to have guests change their plans and gives you enough time to chase down late responses.
If you're inviting international guests or having a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send invitations a little earlier, around nine to twelve weeks in advance. This will give your guests more time to book flights and accommodations. You can also give these guests a heads-up via email or phone call so they have plenty of time to prepare.
If you're concerned about giving your guests enough notice, you can send out Save the Dates. These are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if it's a destination wedding. This will give your guests a chance to mark their calendars and plan any necessary travel or accommodations.
So, while there is some flexibility, it's best to aim to send out your wedding invitations around six to eight weeks in advance to ensure a smooth planning process and an enjoyable celebration.
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Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before
Sending save-the-date cards is an important step in the wedding planning process, as it gives your guests a heads-up about your upcoming nuptials and allows them to block off the date on their calendars. The general rule of thumb is to send save-the-dates 4-6 months before your wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to make any necessary travel arrangements and accommodations.
However, if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, it is advisable to send your save-the-dates even earlier, anywhere from 6 to 12 months in advance. This is because your guests may need more time to plan their travel and accommodations during popular vacation times or for far-off locations.
It is important to note that save-the-dates are not required, but they are a considerate way to give your guests a timely heads-up, making it more likely that they will be able to attend. Additionally, they can be a fun way to get your guests excited about your upcoming celebration!
When creating your save-the-dates, be sure to include key details such as the date, venue, and wedding website. This will give your guests all the information they need to start planning their attendance. You can also include your wedding website URL, which can provide guests with additional details such as accommodation options and travel recommendations.
In terms of design, you may want to tie your save-the-dates into your wedding theme through colours or embellishments. This can be a fun way to give your guests a sneak peek of what to expect at your wedding!
Remember, the purpose of sending save-the-dates is to give your guests ample notice so that they can plan their attendance accordingly. By sending them 4-6 months in advance, you strike a balance between giving them enough time to prepare without being too early that they might forget by the time your wedding rolls around.
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Ask for RSVPs no later than 1 month from the wedding date
When planning a wedding, it's important to get the timing right for sending out your invitations. Send them too early and your wedding might slip your guests' minds as the day draws closer; send them too late and you risk not giving your guests enough time to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel arrangements.
So, when is the right time to ask for RSVPs? Wedding invitation etiquette dictates that you should ask for RSVPs no later than one month before your wedding date. This gives your vendors enough time to prepare and allows you to finalize your wedding planning details, such as the seating chart, menu selections, and cake size. It's also a good idea to give yourself some wiggle room by requesting RSVPs up to six weeks before the wedding. This way, you can chase down any late responses without having to worry about last-minute changes.
To ensure you receive RSVPs by this deadline, it's recommended to send out your invitations six to eight weeks in advance. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It's also a good idea to send out save-the-date cards four to six months in advance, especially if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or requires extensive travel plans. This gives your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and plan accordingly.
When creating your wedding invitations, be sure to include all the essential details such as the full names of the happy couple, the hosts (if using formal phrasing), the time, date, month, year, and address of the wedding. Don't forget to include an RSVP card with a clear deadline, which should be about four weeks prior to the event. You can also include other important details in your invitation suite, such as attire suggestions, a map to the event location, accommodation options, and information about any wedding-related activities.
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Send invites to international guests 9-10 weeks in advance
Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of the wedding planning process. It's the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding style or theme, and it's also a crucial logistical element. So, when is the best time to send out invites to your international guests?
The general recommendation is to send invitations to international guests nine to ten weeks in advance of the wedding. This gives them enough time to make travel arrangements and book their accommodations. It's also a good idea to give them a heads-up by calling, texting, or emailing them with the wedding details so they can start planning their trip.
If you have a large number of international guests, or if your wedding is in a destination where no one lives nearby, it's best to add a few extra weeks to this timeline. In this case, aim to send out invitations around twelve weeks before the wedding.
It's important to consider shipping and delivery times when sending invitations to international guests. The extra week or two will ensure that your invitations arrive safely and give your guests enough time to plan their trip.
Remember, when it comes to wedding invitations, the most important thing is to give your guests enough time to RSVP and make the necessary arrangements.
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Include who, when, and where on the invite
The wedding invitation is the first line of defence when it comes to delivering important details to guests. The invite should cover the who, what, when, and where of the nuptials.
Who
The invitation should give the full names of the couple getting married. Heterosexual couples traditionally list the woman's name first, but modern convention allows for names to be listed in any order, including alphabetically for LGBTQIA+ couples. The couple's first and middle names or full legal names can be used, depending on the level of formality of the event.
The names of the hosts are also usually included, especially if they are paying for the wedding. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, this can be omitted.
When
The date and time of the ceremony should be included, with the time written out in full for formal invitations (e.g. "four o'clock in the afternoon") and in numerals for modern invites. It is also important to specify the time of day (a.m. vs. p.m.) to avoid confusion.
Where
The name and full address of the wedding venue, including the state and zip code, should be listed. If the wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well.
If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, a simple line like "Reception to follow" can be included. If the reception is at a different location, a separate reception card with the address and start time should be included.
Additional Details
While not compulsory, including the dress code on the invitation can be helpful for guests. This can be mentioned in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite, or on a separate details card.
Other optional details that can be included in the invitation suite or on insert cards are:
- A map or directions to the venue
- Accommodation details
- Information about wedding-related activities
- An RSVP card with a deadline
- The wedding website address
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding invitations should be sent six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements.
No, it's not too early. While it's recommended to send invitations six to eight weeks in advance, sending them three months early is also acceptable, especially if you have guests coming from out of town or if your wedding falls on a holiday.
Yes, you can send your invitations earlier, especially if you have a lot of guests coming from out of town or if your wedding falls on a holiday. However, some sources advise against sending invitations more than three months in advance to reduce the risk of guests changing their plans.
Save the Dates should be sent four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if you're planning a destination wedding.
You should give your guests at least one month to RSVP, but no more than three months. This will give you enough time to chase down late responses and finalize your seating chart and headcount for vendors.
