The Perfect Timeline For Sending Out Wedding Invites

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure your guests have all the information they need to plan for and attend your big day. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, several factors determine the ideal timeline for sending wedding invitations. The first consideration is the time needed for guests to plan their attendance, especially if they are travelling from out of town or overseas. Secondly, sending invitations too early or too late can impact the accuracy of your guest count, which is essential for managing venue capacity and catering. Finally, cultural norms and personal circumstances also play a role in determining the appropriate timeframe.

Save-the-date cards: 4-6 months before the wedding

Save-the-date cards are a fun and simple way to let your guests know about your upcoming nuptials and to ask them to hold the date. They are typically sent out 4-6 months before the wedding, but for destination weddings, it is common to send them out 8-12 months in advance to allow guests to make travel arrangements.

Save-the-date cards are not a requirement, but they are a helpful way to give your guests a heads-up, especially if many of them will be travelling or if accommodations near the wedding venue are limited. They are also a great opportunity to give your guests a sneak peek of your wedding theme and style. You can include your engagement photo or a fun, personal message like "We can't wait to celebrate with you!"

When creating your save-the-date cards, it is important to include the names of the couple, the wedding date, and the city and state where the ceremony will take place. You may also want to include a wedding website with more details and travel information.

It is recommended to send save-the-date cards to everyone on your guest list, with one card per household. This ensures that no one accidentally gets left out and that you have an accurate idea of how many guests to expect.

If you're ordering custom or luxury save-the-date cards, it's a good idea to start the process 11-12 months before your wedding to leave plenty of time for design and production. However, if you're opting for ready-made or online designs, you can order them as late as 8-9 months before the big day.

Sending out save-the-date cards is an exciting step in your wedding planning journey, and it will surely get your guests excited to celebrate with you!

Invites for international guests: 9-12 weeks in advance

Planning a wedding can be a busy and sometimes stressful time, and knowing when to send out your wedding invitations is an important part of the process. While it's normal to send out wedding invitations at least two months before the wedding, there are some circumstances in which you may want to send them out earlier.

If you're inviting international guests to your wedding, it's a good idea to give them a little more notice. This will allow them enough time to make travel arrangements and book accommodations. The recommended timeline for sending out invitations to international guests is nine to twelve weeks in advance. This will give your guests plenty of time to plan their trip and ensure they can be a part of your special day.

To stay organised, it's a good idea to start designing your invitations a few weeks early. This will give you time to finalise the details and ensure that everything is correct. It's also a good idea to follow up with your international guests promptly after sending out the invitations. This will allow you to confirm their attendance and ensure they have started making the necessary arrangements for their trip.

In addition to sending out invitations, it's also a good idea to have all the relevant information available on your wedding website. This includes details such as hotel room blocks and transportation options. By providing this information in advance, you can make it easier for your international guests to plan their trip and ensure they have all the details they need.

When sending out invitations to international guests, it's important to consider the time it takes for mail to be delivered overseas. Taking this into account will ensure that your guests receive their invitations with enough time to plan their trip. To expedite the process, you may also want to consider sending a digital invitation or providing the option for guests to RSVP digitally.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your international guests have ample time to make travel arrangements and be a part of your wedding celebration. Sending out invitations nine to twelve weeks in advance is a thoughtful gesture that will be appreciated by your guests, and it will also help you in finalising the details of your special day.

Invites for out-of-town guests: 8 weeks in advance

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of wedding planning, and it's important to give guests ample time to RSVP and make travel arrangements. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how far in advance invitations should be sent, there are some general guidelines and considerations to keep in mind. Here are some detailed instructions specifically for inviting out-of-town guests eight weeks in advance:

Inviting Out-of-Town Guests:

It is customary to send out wedding invitations for out-of-town guests around eight weeks before the wedding. This timeline is considered standard etiquette and gives your guests enough time to plan their travel and accommodation arrangements. It's important to remember that sending invitations too early or too late can be inconsiderate and may affect guest attendance.

Sending All Invitations at the Same Time:

It is recommended to send all your invitations at the same time, regardless of how many guests live out of town. This simplifies the process and ensures that everyone receives their invitation within the typical timeframe of eight weeks before the wedding.

International Guests:

If you have international guests, it is advisable to give them a heads-up about the wedding details ahead of time. You can do this by giving them a call, sending an email, or including them in your save-the-date distribution list. This will allow them to start arranging their travel plans early.

RSVP Timing:

When sending out invitations eight weeks in advance, it is essential to set an RSVP deadline that gives you enough time to finalize your wedding plans. Aim to request RSVPs no later than one month before the wedding. This will allow you to get a final headcount, make seating charts, and communicate the final numbers to your vendors.

Save-the-Dates:

Sending out save-the-dates is a separate step that usually occurs before sending formal invitations. These are typically sent around four to six months before the wedding, giving your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars. This is especially important for out-of-town guests, as it allows them to start planning their travel and accommodation arrangements.

Destination Weddings:

If you're planning a destination wedding, it's crucial to give your guests, especially those from out of town, ample notice. Consider sending save-the-dates even earlier, such as six to twelve months in advance, to allow your guests to book their travel and accommodations.

Communication and Follow-up:

Remember that clear and timely communication is essential. Be proactive in reaching out to your out-of-town guests to ensure they have all the information they need. If you haven't heard back from them after sending the save-the-dates, consider following up to confirm their receipt of the information and to allow them to plan their travel accordingly.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your out-of-town guests have sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements to attend your wedding, making it a memorable celebration for everyone involved.

Invites for local guests: 6-8 weeks in advance

Sending your wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure your guests have all the information they need to plan for and attend your big day.

The general rule of thumb is to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance. This gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking time off work, babysitters, or travel and accommodation. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, create seating charts, and make any necessary adjustments.

However, if you're inviting many guests from out of town or overseas, it's advisable to send their invitations a little earlier, around eight to twelve weeks in advance. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday or is a destination wedding, as guests will need extra time to plan their travels.

For local guests, sending invitations six to eight weeks in advance strikes a balance between giving them enough notice and not sending them out too early. This timeframe ensures your wedding is on your guests' minds, and they are less likely to forget or double-book the date.

It's also essential to consider other factors, such as the time it takes for invitations to be delivered, especially if you're sending them internationally. Additionally, if you're including an RSVP card and pre-addressed envelope, allow sufficient time for guests to receive, complete, and return them.

To summarise, sending your wedding invitations to local guests six to eight weeks in advance is generally considered appropriate. This timeframe allows your guests to plan accordingly while also giving you the advantage of receiving RSVPs sooner to finalise your wedding preparations.

Request RSVPs by: 1 month before the wedding

It's important to get your wedding invitations out at the right time. You want to give your guests enough notice so they can plan and make any necessary travel arrangements, but you also don't want to send them out too early and risk them getting lost or forgotten. The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests about a month to respond, and you enough time to chase up any stragglers.

Setting your RSVP date for one month before the wedding gives you enough time to finalise your guest list and figure out who hasn't responded yet. It also allows you to organise a seating plan and share a final guest count with your caterer and venue.

You can gently remind guests to RSVP by including a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope with the invitation. You could also include a fun call to action on the response card, such as "RSVP with a song that will keep you on the dance floor".

If you haven't heard from several people by the RSVP date, it's time to pick up the phone and give them a call. It's important to get an idea of your final guest count as soon as possible, and the closer you get to the wedding, the busier you'll be with other last-minute to-dos.

Frequently asked questions