Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and one of the most important tasks is setting an RSVP deadline. The right amount of time to give guests to RSVP is crucial – too much time and they may forget, too little and they may have already made other plans. Wedding invitations should be sent out six to ten weeks before the wedding, and the deadline for RSVPs should be around three to four weeks before the big day. This gives the couple enough time to finalise the guest list and share the numbers with the caterer, venue and other vendors. For destination weddings, it's a good idea to give guests more notice – sending out invites three months in advance and setting the RSVP deadline for six weeks before the wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time between sending invites and RSVP deadline | 6-10 weeks |
| Time between RSVP deadline and wedding | 2 weeks to 1 month |
| Time between sending invites and wedding | 2-3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Invitations should be sent out 6-10 weeks before the wedding
Wedding planning can be a stressful task, especially when it comes to sending out invitations and waiting for RSVPs. It's important to give your guests enough time to respond, but you also don't want to send them out too early and risk guests forgetting to RSVP or making alternate plans.
A good rule of thumb is to send out your wedding invitations six to ten weeks before the wedding. This timeline is supported by several sources and is considered the "standard" etiquette for wedding invitations. Sending invitations within this timeframe will give your guests a reasonable amount of time to plan their attendance, make travel arrangements if necessary, and RSVP without causing you undue stress from waiting too long for their responses.
It's worth noting that some sources suggest sending invitations eight to ten weeks before the wedding, especially if your wedding is during a busy holiday season or if many of your guests will be travelling from out of town. This earlier timeframe can help ensure a higher attendance rate and give you a more accurate headcount for catering and other arrangements.
On the other hand, sending invitations six weeks before the wedding is also becoming more common, especially if you have already sent \"Save the Date\" cards. This shorter timeline may be preferable if you want to give your guests more flexibility in their RSVP responses, as people's availability can change further out from the event.
Regardless of when you send out your invitations, it's essential to set an RSVP deadline and clearly communicate it to your guests. This deadline should ideally be two to four weeks before the wedding, giving you enough time to finalise catering, seating arrangements, and other last-minute details.
To summarise, sending invitations six to ten weeks before your wedding strikes a good balance and is generally considered appropriate etiquette. However, you may adjust this timeline slightly based on your specific circumstances and the needs of your guest list.
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RSVPs should be due 3-4 weeks before the wedding
When it comes to wedding planning, there are many factors to consider when setting a deadline for RSVPs. Firstly, caterers and venues often require a final headcount around a month in advance, so setting an RSVP deadline that allows for some buffer time is essential. This buffer is crucial for handling late responses or unexpected changes.
The ideal timeframe for receiving RSVPs is widely considered to be three to four weeks before the wedding. This timing provides a balance between not being too close to or too far from the wedding date. Sending invitations six to eight weeks ahead of the wedding is recommended, allowing guests about a month to respond. This approach ensures that guests don't forget to respond and don't make alternate plans due to a prolonged period.
However, it's important to note that some caterers may require final numbers earlier, and for destination weddings, sending invitations three months in advance with an RSVP deadline of six weeks before the wedding is suggested. This longer lead time accounts for travel arrangements and provides a better sense of guest attendance for pre- and post-wedding event planning.
To ensure timely responses, it's recommended to include a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with the invitation. Additionally, for those with wedding websites, a countdown ticker or a written deadline can be helpful. While it's essential to set an RSVP deadline and stick to it, there may be situations where following up with guests is necessary. It's advisable to wait until a week after the deadline before initiating friendly reminders or phone calls.
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Give guests a month to RSVP
Giving your wedding guests a month to RSVP is a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, it strikes a balance between not being too close to or too far away from the wedding date. If you give guests too much time, they may procrastinate and forget to respond. On the other hand, if you don't leave enough time, they may make alternate plans.
Secondly, a month is enough time for guests to confirm their attendance, especially if they need to arrange travel and accommodation. This is also enough time for you to chase up any guests who haven't responded without causing too much stress close to the wedding.
Thirdly, a month gives you enough time to finalise the details that depend on knowing the number of guests, such as the seating chart, transportation, meals, and rentals. It's also a good idea to give your caterers a final headcount two weeks before the wedding, so having RSVPs a month in advance gives you some leeway.
Finally, a month is a standard amount of time for RSVPs. Wedding invitations are usually sent out six to ten weeks before the wedding, and the RSVP deadline is often set for three to four weeks before the wedding. This means that guests usually have about a month to respond.
However, it's worth noting that there are some exceptions to this. For destination weddings, it's recommended that invitations are sent out four months in advance, with an RSVP deadline two months before the wedding, to give guests ample time to make travel plans. On the other hand, some couples prefer to set an earlier RSVP deadline to help with wedding planning, especially if they are making wedding favours that require an early headcount, like brewing beer.
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Send save-the-date cards to give guests a heads-up
Save-the-date cards are a great way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding plans. They are a formal invitation asking your guests to attend your wedding and are usually sent out months in advance to give your guests enough time to prepare. Unlike formal wedding invitations, save-the-date cards only include the time and place of your wedding. They are meant to be streamlined and focused, offering just enough information to excite your guests without overwhelming them.
When is the best time to send a save-the-date card? For local weddings, it is generally recommended to send save-the-date cards about four to six months before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements and plan their schedules. However, if you are planning a destination wedding or a wedding over a holiday weekend, it is advisable to send save-the-date cards even earlier, about ten months to a year in advance. This will allow your guests to plan their travel and accommodation accordingly.
Save-the-date cards can be sent digitally or through the mail. You can personalize your cards with engagement photos, custom illustrations, or a sketch of your wedding venue to make them more special and exciting for your guests. It is important to include your full names, especially if you are inviting more distant relatives or friends who may not be familiar with your partner's name. Additionally, including the city and state, or the destination of the wedding, will help your guests with their travel arrangements.
While it is not necessary to include specific details such as the order of events, timing, dress code, or meal information on save-the-date cards, you can include a QR code that links to your wedding website, where guests can find more information. This way, you can provide your guests with a sneak peek of what to expect while keeping the save-the-date card concise and focused.
Sending save-the-date cards is a crucial step in wedding planning, ensuring that your guests have ample time to prepare for your big day and giving them a glimpse of what to look forward to.
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Follow up with guests who haven't responded
It is important to follow up with guests who haven't responded to your wedding RSVP. This is necessary to get a final headcount for your venue and caterers. Here are some tips for following up with guests who haven't responded:
- Start by going down the list of everyone you haven't heard from yet. Do this at least a week before your RSVP deadline. This way, you avoid working last minute.
- If you provided guests with a card to post back, wait a few days before following up, as their response might be in the mail.
- When you do follow up, keep your message short and sweet. You can say something like, "We hope you received our wedding invitation that was extended to you X weeks ago. We have not yet received an RSVP from you, and we will need to get the final numbers to our venue and caterer. If we don't hear back from you by [date], we will assume you are unable to attend. If you would like to join us, please give us a call as soon as you can."
- It is recommended to send individual messages to each guest rather than a group email or text.
- If you have a large number of guests who haven't responded, you might want to ask someone to help you get through the list.
- Be mindful of the time of day when following up. Avoid calling during dinner time, for example.
- If your guests still don't respond by the later date you've set, you can remove them from the list and move on.
Remember that there are various reasons why guests might not be able to attend your wedding, such as travel, financial constraints, family responsibilities, or a lack of childcare. It's also possible that your invitation got buried in everyday items, or they might have simply forgotten to respond. By following up politely and giving them a clear deadline, you can get the information you need while maintaining a friendly tone with your guests.
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Frequently asked questions
The general consensus is that the deadline for RSVPs should be around one month before the wedding, with some sources suggesting that the sweet spot is around three to four weeks before. This gives you enough time to organize your final guest list and chase up anyone who hasn't responded.
Wedding invitations are typically sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, with some sources suggesting up to ten weeks. This gives guests a window of about one month to RSVP.
If your wedding is at a destination, you'll want to give your guests more notice – typically, three months in advance. This will give your guests time to make travel arrangements. You should also consider sending out save the date cards as early as possible so that guests can start planning.
If you haven't heard from guests by the deadline, it's recommended that you wait about a week before sending friendly follow-ups via phone, text, or email. It's important to get an idea of your final guest count as soon as possible, and you may need to start following up with guests around two weeks before the wedding.
