George Boyle
Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. However, it can be tricky to know how far in advance to post them. The general consensus is that invitations should be sent out around two months before the wedding, with some sources suggesting six to eight weeks, and others saying eight to twelve weeks. If your wedding falls in peak season, you may want to give your guests more notice, with some sources suggesting sending invitations out four to six months in advance, and others saying eight to ten months. It's also worth considering whether your guests will need to travel, and whether you have already sent out save-the-date cards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long before the wedding to send save the dates | 4-6 months |
| How long before the wedding to send invitations | 6-8 weeks |
| How long before the wedding to send invitations for destination weddings | 3-4 months |
| How long before the wedding to send invitations for international guests | 9-10 weeks |
| How long before the wedding to send engagement party invitations | 4-6 weeks |
| How long before the wedding to send bachelor/bachelorette party invitations | 6-8 weeks |
| How long before the wedding to send bachelor/bachelorette party invitations involving travel | 4-6 months |
| How long before the wedding to request RSVPs by | 1 month |
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What You'll Learn
Save the dates: 6-12 months in advance
Save the dates are a fun and practical way to tell your friends and family that they are on the guest list for your wedding. It's a good idea to send them out early, especially if you are planning a destination wedding or a wedding during a busy holiday period. This will give your guests ample time to prepare and plan for your big day.
The general rule of thumb is to send save-the-dates 6 months before the wedding. However, for destination weddings or weddings during holiday periods, it is recommended to send them out 6 to 12 months in advance. This will give your guests enough time to make travel arrangements, request time off work, and save money if needed. Sending save-the-dates early is especially important if you are planning a destination wedding, as these events typically require more preparation from your guests.
It's important to note that you don't need to finalise all the details before sending save-the-dates. All you need is your wedding date and location (the city or state, not necessarily the exact venue). You can include accommodation information on your save-the-date cards or provide a link to your wedding website, where guests can find more details. It's also a good idea to be clear about who is invited to avoid any confusion.
When it comes to ordering save-the-dates, consider getting a few extras (around five) for keepsakes and last-minute guest list additions. You can send these extras to the wedding VIPs, who can then distribute them if needed. Additionally, if your save-the-dates include embellishments or unconventional mailing materials, expect a slightly higher cost per card.
While it's essential to give your guests enough notice, be mindful that sending save-the-dates too early (more than a year in advance) may cause your wedding date to be too far away to stay on your guests' radars. A good balance is to aim for 6 to 12 months, depending on the nature of your wedding and your guest list's travel requirements.
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Invites for destination weddings: 9-10 weeks in advance
Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and sending out invites is one of the most important tasks. For destination weddings, it's essential to give your guests ample notice to make travel arrangements. Here are some instructive guidelines and tips for sending out invites 9-10 weeks in advance:
9-10 Weeks: The Sweet Spot for Destination Weddings
This timeline is ideal for destination weddings, ensuring your guests have enough time to plan their travels. It's a considerate approach, especially if your guests are travelling internationally. This early notice allows them to request time off work, book flights or accommodation, and make any necessary travel preparations.
Save-the-Dates: Setting the Tone
Before sending out invites, it's customary to send save-the-dates, which are preliminary notifications. For a destination wedding, it's courteous to send these 9-12 months in advance. This gives your guests a heads-up about your wedding plans and sets the tone for your special day. It's a great way to ensure your guests reserve the date and creates a sense of anticipation.
Invites: The Formal Request
The wedding invitation is the official request for your guests to attend. Sending these out 9-10 weeks in advance for a destination wedding is ideal. This timing ensures your guests have the necessary details to make their travel plans. It's also a good idea to include an RSVP card with a deadline of around four weeks before the wedding. This helps you finalise numbers for your venue, caterers, and other vendors.
Flexibility is Key
While 9-10 weeks is a recommended timeline, it's good to be flexible. If you have guests travelling from far-flung destinations, you may want to send invites even earlier. On the other hand, if your guests have already received save-the-dates with venue and timing details, you can afford to send invites a little later, around 6-8 weeks before the wedding.
Practical Considerations
When sending invites, it's essential to include key details such as the time, date, month, year, and full address of the wedding. You may also want to include a wedding website link to keep your guests informed and excited. Don't forget to factor in shipping times, especially for international delivery, to ensure your invites arrive safely and promptly.
RSVP Management
Managing RSVPs can be simplified by using a wedding website or an online tool that allows you to track responses and manage your guest list. This ensures you have an accurate headcount and can follow up on any late responses.
By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to successfully inviting your loved ones to your destination wedding, giving them ample time to plan their attendance and share in your special day.
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Invites for local weddings: 6-8 weeks in advance
When it comes to local weddings, the general rule of thumb is to send out invitations around six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to plan and respond, and it's considered the sweet spot to ensure you have enough time to chase down late responses without being too early that guests forget to respond.
If you're sending out save-the-dates, these should be sent six to eight months in advance, and for destination weddings, it's courteous to give your guests more time, so aim for nine to twelve months. Sending save-the-dates is a great way to give your guests a timely heads-up, making it more likely you'll receive positive RSVPs. They also allow you to share venue and timing details, so you can afford to send out the full invites closer to the wedding, typically three months before.
If you're skipping save-the-dates, the recommendation is to send invitations around six months in advance for a standard engagement length. For shorter engagements, aim for two to three months before the wedding. It's also worth noting that if your wedding is during a busy holiday season, it's recommended to send invitations out ten to twelve weeks in advance.
When sending out your invitations, it's essential to include all the necessary details such as the time, date, month, year, and address of the wedding. Don't forget to include an RSVP card with a deadline, usually set around four weeks before the wedding, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for guests' convenience.
Lastly, consider creating a wedding website to share the most up-to-date information with your guests as the date approaches. Many websites offer tools to manage your guest list and RSVPs, making it easier to stay organized and ensure a memorable event.
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Invites for international guests: 4+ months in advance
When it comes to wedding planning, it's crucial to give your guests enough notice, especially those travelling from abroad. While the general recommendation for sending out wedding invitations is around six to eight weeks before the wedding, this timeframe may not be practical for international guests.
For international guests, it is advisable to send invitations at least 12 to 16 weeks in advance, or even three to four months ahead of time. This extended timeline is essential as it allows your overseas guests ample time to make the necessary arrangements, such as booking flights, securing visas, and organising accommodation. Considering the potential delays in international shipping and delivery, sending the invitations earlier ensures that your guests receive them in a timely manner.
To streamline the process, consider providing your international guests with the option to RSVP digitally. This way, you can avoid the lengthy wait for their responses to arrive by mail. Additionally, you may want to send \"Save the Dates\" six to nine months, or even up to a year, in advance of your wedding date. This early notice is particularly helpful for guests who need to renew their passports, request time off from work, or make extensive travel plans.
While it's important to give your international guests sufficient notice, be mindful that sending invitations too far in advance may lead to challenges. Guests may struggle to commit so early, and there's a chance they might forget to respond by your RSVP date. Therefore, it's a delicate balance between providing enough notice and maintaining a timely response rate.
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RSVP deadline: 4 weeks before the wedding
Setting an RSVP deadline is an important part of wedding planning. The general rule of thumb is to set the RSVP deadline at least three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to finalise the guest list, figure out who has not responded, and share the final guest count with your vendors.
It is important to consider the type of wedding, the distance to the venue, and your guest list when setting the RSVP deadline. For destination weddings, it is advisable to set an earlier RSVP deadline to give guests ample time to make travel arrangements. Similarly, if many of your guests are travelling from out of town, you may want to give them more time to respond.
To ensure that you receive timely RSVPs, make the process simple for your guests. Include a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with your invitations, and provide an option for guests to digitally submit their responses through your wedding website.
It is also a good idea to send a friendly reminder to your guests about one week before the RSVP deadline. This can be done through a quick note, a phone call, or a text message. However, it is important to refrain from following up with guests before the RSVP deadline to avoid coming across as pushy or pressuring.
By setting an appropriate RSVP deadline and taking steps to encourage timely responses, you can effectively manage your guest list and make informed decisions for your wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
It is customary to send out wedding invitations to out-of-town guests around eight weeks before the wedding. However, some sources suggest sending invitations nine to ten weeks in advance, or even a year in advance, to account for the time needed for shipping and delivery.
Save-the-dates should be sent four to six months before the wedding to give guests enough time to make plans. If your wedding is during a peak season or holiday, or at a far-off destination, it is advisable to send save-the-dates even earlier (six to twelve months in advance).
You should request RSVPs around one month before the wedding. This gives guests a brief window to receive the invitation and decide, while also providing vendors enough advance notice to prepare supplies.
