Get Your Wedding Invitations Ready In Advance

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. But when is the right time to do it? The general rule of thumb is to send out your invites six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if they need to. It's also a good idea to give your guests a heads-up by sending out Save the Dates four to six months before the wedding. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or if you're having a destination wedding. When it comes to RSVPs, it's best to set a deadline of at least two to three weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalize your guest list, create a seating plan, and provide a final headcount to your caterer. So, if you're wondering when to send out those wedding invitations, mark your calendar for six to eight weeks before the big day!

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is crucial. Etiquette experts recommend sending out invites six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is the perfect timeframe for several reasons.

Firstly, it gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or if many of your guests are travelling from out of town. Sending invites within this timeframe also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the last-minute crunch.

To ensure your invitations arrive at the perfect time, it's recommended that you start the process of ordering and assembling them four to six months in advance. This may seem like a long time, but there are many steps involved, from choosing a design to proofreading and addressing envelopes. If you're using a calligrapher, this can also add several weeks to the process.

It's also worth noting that if you're having a destination wedding or getting married during the summer months, it's advisable to add a bit more cushion to this timeline. For destination weddings, sending invites six months in advance is recommended, while summer weddings should be mailed out eight to ten weeks before the big day. This accounts for guests who may be vacationing when your invite arrives.

Finally, don't forget the importance of save-the-dates. These should be sent out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if you're having a destination wedding. Save-the-dates give your guests a timely heads-up, making it more likely that they'll be able to attend.

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before

Sending out save-the-date cards is a great way to let guests know about your wedding date in advance so that they can plan their attendance. Here are some tips for sending save-the-date cards 4-6 months before your wedding:

Timing is crucial

It is essential to send save-the-date cards at the right time. For local weddings, send them 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to plan, without being too early that they might forget. For destination weddings or weddings during busy holiday periods, it is best to send them even earlier, around 6-12 months in advance. This gives guests ample time to make travel arrangements and any necessary preparations.

Be clear and specific

When addressing the save-the-date cards, be as clear and specific as possible about who is invited. Include the names of each guest to avoid any confusion. This also helps guests know if they are invited with a plus one or if they need to plan for childcare. Being clear about the invitee list early on helps your guests with their planning and saves you from having to field queries later on.

Include all the necessary details

While save-the-date cards do not require as much information as the formal invitation, it is important to include certain key details. At a minimum, the save-the-date should include the names of the couple, the wedding date, and the location (city and state). You may also want to include a note that a formal invitation will follow, and your wedding website if you have one.

Order and send your save-the-dates early

It is recommended to order your save-the-date cards early, around 4-6 months before the wedding, to allow for design and printing time. This ensures that you can send them out promptly at the 4-6-month mark. It is also a good idea to have a few spares in case of loss or damage.

Match your save-the-dates with your invitations

While it is not essential, matching your save-the-date cards with your wedding invitations is a nice touch. It helps to set the tone and style of your wedding, whether it is formal, casual, or destination. However, it is more important to send your save-the-dates on time than to worry about matching them with your invitations.

In conclusion, sending out save-the-date cards 4-6 months before your wedding is a great way to give your guests a heads-up about your upcoming nuptials. It allows them to plan their attendance, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your save-the-dates are informative, timely, and help build excitement for your big day.

Request RSVPs by 1 month before

The timing of your wedding invitations is crucial. It's important to give your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements, but you also want to ensure that you have enough time to organize yourself and take care of last-minute details.

Set a Clear Deadline

It is recommended that you set the RSVP deadline to be around three to four weeks before your wedding day. This timing ensures that your guests feel like they can't put off responding, but it's also not so close that they may have already made other plans. By setting the deadline one month before the wedding, you'll have time to follow up with any delinquent guests and finalize details with your vendors.

Mail Your Invitations on Time

To ensure timely RSVPs, it's essential to mail your wedding invitations on time. The general rule of thumb is to send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeframe takes into account any potential delays in mail delivery and allows guests ample time to respond. If you're having a destination wedding, consider sending invitations even earlier, around ten to twelve weeks in advance, to accommodate travel arrangements.

Make it Easy for Your Guests

Increase the likelihood of timely RSVPs by making the process as straightforward as possible for your guests. Include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped return envelope within your invitation suite. Additionally, consider providing options for responding, such as through your wedding website or via email/text, in addition to the traditional mail-in cards.

Choose Clear and Direct Wording

Ensure your guests understand the importance of responding by using clear and direct wording on your RSVP cards. Instead of simply stating "RSVP," consider phrasing it as "The favor of your reply is requested by [date]." This makes it crystal clear that a response is needed, even if they are declining the invitation.

Add a Call to Action

Engage your guests and encourage them to respond by including a call to action or a participation factor on the response card. For example, you could ask them to "RSVP with a song that will keep you on the dance floor" or "RSVP with your favorite memory of the bride and groom." This adds a fun element to the process and may increase the chances of timely responses.

Be Mindful of Holidays and Events

When setting your RSVP deadline, check your calendar for any major holidays or family events in the weeks leading up to your wedding. If there are any conflicts, consider adding an extra week and setting the RSVP deadline for four weeks before the wedding. This ensures that your guests have enough time to respond without the added complication of holiday plans.

Add 2 weeks in summer

Planning a wedding can be a busy and sometimes stressful time, so it's important to give your guests plenty of notice. The general rule of thumb is to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, if you're mailing your invitations during the summer months, it's a good idea to add an extra two weeks, so eight to ten weeks before the big day. This allows a little cushion for any guests who might be vacationing when your invite arrives.

It's also worth considering sending out "save the date" cards, especially if you're having a destination wedding or if many of your guests will need to make travel arrangements. These should go out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if you've finalised your plans further in advance. This will give your guests plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements and ensure they don't double-book.

When it comes to the invitations themselves, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to choose a design that reflects your wedding style and personalities as a couple. You can opt for custom-designed or ready-made invitations, depending on your budget and how much time you have. Custom designs will take longer, so it's best to start the process at least seven to eight months before the wedding. Ready-made invitations can be ordered much closer to the wedding, but even then, it's advisable to allow at least three months.

Once you've chosen your design, you'll need to order your invitations. For custom designs, this process can take 12 weeks or more, so it's important to factor this into your timeline. It's also a good idea to order a few extra invitations (around 10% more) in case of mistakes or last-minute guest additions.

Finally, when it comes to setting your RSVP deadline, aim for two to three weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise numbers with your venue and caterer and create your seating plan.

Send destination invites 6 months before

Planning a wedding is a tricky business, and even more so when it's a destination wedding. There are many more logistics to consider, and it's important to give your guests plenty of time to plan and prepare. So, when it comes to sending out those all-important invites, here's why you should consider doing it six months in advance:

Allow Guests to Make Travel Plans

By sending out your destination wedding invites six months in advance, you're giving your guests the gift of time. They will need to book time off work, sort out their travel and accommodation, and maybe even save up some extra spending money. It's a big ask to attend a wedding, especially one that involves travel, so giving your guests a heads-up as early as possible is a considerate move.

Save-the-Dates

Save-the-date cards are usually sent out 6-8 months before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings. These give your guests a preliminary heads-up to mark their calendars. Sending your save-the-dates 9-12 months in advance is a good idea for destination weddings, especially if you want to include travel details for your guests at this stage. This way, your guests can start looking into travel options and booking their trips.

Provide Time for Multiple Mail-outs

If you're planning on sending out save-the-dates, invitations, and maybe even additional information packs, you'll need to allow time for multiple mail-outs. Sending your invites six months in advance gives you room in your schedule to include all these mail-outs without overwhelming your guests. It also means you can space out the costs of stationery and postage.

Allow Time for Assembly and Printing

Assembling and addressing wedding invitations can take longer than you think, especially if you're doing it yourself or using a calligrapher. Giving yourself a six-month window means you can take your time with this process, proofread, and make any necessary changes without feeling rushed. It also allows for any printing delays or customisation time.

Give Guests Time to Plan Extras

Destination weddings often involve additional events, such as a welcome dinner the night before or a lunch the day after. By sending your invites six months in advance, you're giving your guests a clear picture of what to expect and when. This allows them to plan their time and budgets accordingly, especially if they want to join you for these extra celebrations.

Be Mindful of the Time of Year

If your wedding is taking place during the summer months, it's a good idea to give your guests a little extra time to plan. Some of your guests may be vacationing during this period, so sending your invites six months in advance reduces the risk of your invite arriving when they're away.

In summary, sending your destination wedding invites six months in advance gives your guests ample time to plan their attendance and gives you a comfortable timeline to space out your wedding stationery tasks. It's a considerate and practical choice that will help ensure your big day is a success!

Frequently asked questions