Timing Tips For Sending Out Wedding Invitations

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of wedding planning, and timing is everything. Send them too early, and your guests might forget; send them too late, and your guests might not be able to make it. So, when is the best time to send out wedding invitations?

Invitations for international guests

If you're inviting international guests to your wedding, it's a good idea to send their invitations out around nine to ten weeks in advance. This will allow for extended shipping and delivery times to ensure that your loved ones receive their invitations on time.

When sending invitations to international guests, it's important to consider the cost of postage. Sending an invitation by mail to another country may be more expensive than sending it domestically, and you may need to use the currency of the destination country for return postage. In some cases, it may be more practical to send an email invitation or a digital invitation via a wedding website. This can be a more cost-effective and efficient option, especially if you are inviting guests from multiple countries.

However, if you prefer a traditional paper invitation, rest assured that it is possible to mail invitations internationally. Some guests may be willing to figure out the return postage for RSVPs themselves, while others may prefer to respond via email or a phone call.

To ensure a timely response, it is recommended to include a digital RSVP option for international guests. You can include this option on your wedding website or provide your email address and phone number for them to respond directly.

If you have many international guests, it is advisable to start designing your invitations a few weeks early and aim to send them out at least 12 weeks in advance. This will give your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodations. It is also a thoughtful gesture to provide them with information about booking hotel rooms and travel tips to help them plan their trip.

For destination weddings, it is customary to send out invitations even earlier, typically three to four months in advance. This is because destination weddings often involve more planning and logistics for guests, so giving them extra time to prepare is considerate and practical.

In summary, when inviting international guests to your wedding, it's important to give them ample notice by sending out invitations earlier than you would for domestic guests. Consider the most practical and cost-effective way to send invitations, whether by mail, email, or through a wedding website. Finally, make sure to provide clear RSVP options, including digital alternatives, to ensure you receive timely responses from your international guests.

Save-the-date cards

It is recommended to send out save-the-date cards six to eight months before your wedding day. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan and make travel arrangements if needed. If you're planning a destination wedding or getting married during peak season, it's best to send out save-the-date cards even earlier, ideally eight to twelve months in advance. This will allow your guests to make the necessary travel and accommodation arrangements.

It is also a good idea to ensure your guest list is finalized before sending out save-the-date cards to avoid any confusion or miscommunication. Save-the-date cards should be sent to everyone on your guest list, especially if you're planning a destination wedding or getting married during a holiday or peak travel season. Sending these cards early will increase the likelihood of your guests' attendance on your special day.

In addition to the date and location of the wedding, you can include other relevant information on your save-the-date cards to help your guests plan their trip. Here are some details you may want to include:

• Names of the couple getting married
• Wedding website or social media page
• City and state of the wedding venue
• An indication that a formal invitation will follow
• Travel and accommodation information, including hotel room block details and transportation options
• Your wedding hashtag, if you have one

Invitations for out-of-town guests

Planning a wedding can be a busy and sometimes stressful time, and sending out invitations to out-of-town guests is one of the many details to arrange. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you navigate this process:

Timing:

It is customary to send out invitations to out-of-town guests around eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements and take time off work if needed. However, if you have a large number of international guests, it is recommended to send out invitations nine to ten weeks in advance or even earlier to account for shipping and delivery times.

Save-the-Dates:

Before sending out the official invitations, it is a good idea to send out Save-the-Dates to your guests. This is especially important for out-of-town guests as it gives them a heads-up about the wedding date and location, allowing them to start planning their travel and accommodations. The general rule of thumb is to send Save-the-Dates four to six months before the wedding, but for destination weddings or weddings during holiday periods, it is advisable to send them even earlier (six to twelve months in advance).

Additional Information:

When sending out invitations to out-of-town guests, it is a thoughtful gesture to include some extra information to help them with their travel plans. You can include this information on a separate card along with the invitation or on your wedding website. Here are some details you may want to include:

• Accommodation suggestions: Recommend a few hotels or Airbnb options, and if possible, negotiate wedding rates/discounts for your guests.
• Transportation options: Provide information on local transportation, such as rental cars, shuttles, or parking options.
• Map of the area: Include a map or link to an online map to help guests navigate the wedding location and surrounding areas.
• Website and email information: Provide the link to your wedding website, where guests can find further details and RSVP. Also, include your email address so guests can reach out with any specific questions.

RSVP Timing:

When sending out invitations to out-of-town guests, it is important to give them enough time to respond. Request RSVPs no later than one month before the wedding date. This will allow you to make the necessary preparations and finalize your planning details, such as the seating chart and menu selections.

In conclusion, sending out invitations to out-of-town guests requires some extra consideration and advance planning. By following the above guidelines and giving your guests ample notice, you can ensure that they have a smooth and enjoyable experience attending your wedding.

Invitations for local guests

When it comes to sending out wedding invitations, the general rule of thumb is to give your guests enough notice, especially if they need to plan travel or accommodations. For local guests, it is customary to send out invitations around six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to RSVP and make any necessary arrangements, such as taking time off work or arranging childcare.

While it is important to give your local guests ample notice, you also don't want to send out your invitations too early. If you send your invitations more than four months in advance, there is a risk that they will get lost or that your guests will forget about the date. It's a good idea to send out Save the Dates before your official invitations, especially if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or if you're planning a destination wedding. Save the Dates should be sent four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if guests will need to travel or make extensive arrangements. This will give your local guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and ensure they don't make conflicting plans.

When sending out your wedding invitations to local guests, it is important to include all the necessary information. A traditional wedding invitation suite includes the main invitation, a response card, and any other enclosure cards with helpful information such as reception details, travel and accommodation options, attire suggestions, and your wedding website. Including these details will help your local guests make any necessary arrangements and ensure they have all the information they need to attend your big day.

It is also a good idea to request RSVPs from your local guests no later than one month before your wedding date. This will give you and your vendors ample time to make the necessary preparations, finalise your seating chart, and get an accurate headcount. Sending out your invitations to local guests around six to eight weeks in advance will allow enough time for your guests to respond while staying in line with proper wedding invitation etiquette.

RSVP deadline

The RSVP deadline is an important aspect of wedding planning, as it helps you finalise the guest list and plan other details such as seating charts and food choices. It is recommended that the RSVP deadline is set for three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to organise the final details and ensures that your guests feel the need to respond without putting it off for too long.

If you are having a destination wedding, it is advisable to set the RSVP deadline for about two months before the wedding. This is because your guests will need to arrange travel and accommodation, and an earlier deadline will give you a better idea of when people will arrive and depart, allowing you to plan pre- and post-wedding events accordingly.

It is also a good idea to send a friendly reminder to your guests about one week before the RSVP deadline, especially if many of your guests are travelling from abroad or if you have given them the option to RSVP via mail. This will help ensure that you receive timely responses and can finalise your plans.

Some couples may also choose to stagger their invitations, sending out a first wave with an earlier RSVP deadline and following up with additional invitations closer to the wedding date. This can be a good strategy if you have a set budget for the number of guests and want to invite additional guests if there are declines.

Overall, setting an RSVP deadline that is three to four weeks before the wedding is generally recommended, but you may need to adjust this timeline depending on the specific circumstances of your wedding and guest list.

Frequently asked questions