When To Send Wedding Invites: A Timely Guide

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of wedding planning, and timing is essential. The general rule of thumb is to mail invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, allowing guests enough time to respond and the couple to finalise numbers with vendors. Sending invites too early risks guests forgetting, while sending them too late may result in last-minute changes and a scramble to arrange travel. Couples typically send out save the date cards four to six months in advance, especially if the wedding is abroad or during a holiday, to give guests ample time to plan.

The ideal timeline for sending wedding invites

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. The ideal timeline for sending wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking travel or accommodation. It also allows the couple to request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount before the week of the wedding.

While this is the recommended timeline, there may be circumstances where it is necessary to send invitations earlier. For example, if a large number of guests are travelling from abroad, it is advisable to send invitations around 12 weeks in advance. Similarly, if the wedding falls on a holiday weekend, sending invitations earlier will give guests more time to plan. In the case of a destination wedding, it is recommended to send save-the-dates 6 to 12 months in advance, followed by formal invitations around 4 to 6 months before the wedding.

On the other hand, sending invitations too early can also be an issue. If invitations are sent out more than 4 to 6 months in advance, there is a risk of them getting lost or guests forgetting the date. Therefore, it is generally best to stick to the six to eight-week timeline, unless there are specific circumstances that require earlier notice.

It is also important to consider the timing of save-the-dates and RSVPs. Save-the-dates should typically be sent out 4 to 6 months before the wedding, giving guests enough time to mark their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements. The RSVP deadline should be set for around one month before the wedding, providing a brief window for guests to respond while also giving vendors enough notice to prepare.

Sending invites for destination weddings

For a standard wedding, it is customary to send out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding date. However, if you are planning a destination wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind that may adjust this timeline.

First, it is essential to send out save-the-dates nine to twelve months in advance for a destination wedding. This will give your guests ample time to organise their travel plans and accommodations. It is also a good idea to include travel details and suggestions for places to stay with your save-the-dates.

As for the formal invitations, it is recommended to send them out three to four months before the wedding. This will give your guests the information they need to prepare for their travel and accommodations. It is also a good opportunity to include tips for places to visit and eat in the area, as well as information on the expected weather. This additional information can be included on a separate card that you send along with the invitation.

If you are having an at-home reception after your destination wedding, it is suggested to mail separate save-the-dates for each event but send them at the same time. This will help avoid any confusion for guests who may not be invited to both events. The invitations for the at-home reception should be sent out six to eight weeks before, following the standard timeline.

It is also worth noting that you may want to create a personal wedding website to communicate all the details of your destination wedding. This can be done as soon as you have confirmed your venue and date, and it can be updated regularly as you confirm additional details.

Sending invites to international guests

When it comes to sending wedding invitations to international guests, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your guests have enough time to plan their travels and that your invitations arrive safely. Here are some tips to consider:

Timing:

It is recommended to send wedding invitations to international guests earlier than you would for local guests. While the general guideline for local guests is to send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, for international guests, it is advisable to allow nine to ten weeks. This will give your overseas guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodations. If you have many international guests, you may want to consider sending all your invitations within this timeframe to keep things simple.

Save-the-Dates:

Sending out Save-the-Dates is a good idea, especially for destination weddings. These should be sent nine to twelve months in advance to give your international guests a heads-up and allow them to start planning their travels. Include travel details and information on accommodations with your Save-the-Dates to give your guests a chance to make the necessary arrangements.

Communication:

It is essential to maintain open communication with your international guests. Give them a call or send an email with the wedding details and information on booking accommodations. This will ensure they have the information they need and can start planning their trip. It is also a good idea to follow up with anyone you haven't heard from to ensure they received the invitation and have enough time to book their travels.

RSVP Options:

When sending invitations to international guests, it is a good idea to provide multiple RSVP options. Include a digital RSVP option on your wedding website or provide an email address and phone number to make it easier for them to respond. This will also save you time waiting for responses via mail, which can get delayed.

Mailing Options:

When sending invitations to international guests, consider the most cost-effective and reliable mailing options. If you have a large number of guests in one country, it may be cheaper to send the invitations in bulk to someone in that country, who can then mail them out locally. This method can save you money on international postage fees.

Invitation Contents:

When sending invitations to international guests, it is essential to include all the necessary information they need to plan their trip. In addition to the standard invitation details, provide information on transportation, accommodations, and things to do in the area. You may also want to include a separate information card with your invitation to ensure your guests have all the details they need.

Remember, the key is to give your international guests enough time to plan their travels and ensure that your invitations are sent with enough lead time to account for any potential delivery delays.

Save-the-date cards

The general rule of thumb is to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. It also means you'll receive RSVPs sooner, allowing you to finalise your head count and complete your seating charts before the wedding crunch.

However, if you're planning a wedding around a major holiday, it's recommended to send invitations earlier—around three months in advance. This is because people are more likely to have plans and need to book time off work.

Now, onto save-the-date cards. These are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding. However, if you're planning a destination wedding or a wedding during peak season, it's best to send them out even earlier (eight to twelve months in advance) so that guests can make the necessary travel arrangements. Save-the-date cards are especially useful when many of your guests will be travelling or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited.

Here's what to include on your save-the-date cards:

• 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

Remember, while it's a good idea to give your guests a heads-up with a save-the-date card, they are not a requirement.

RSVPs

When it comes to wedding planning, there are a few tasks that have recommended guidelines, including when to send out invitations. While there's no set rule for aesthetic decisions like flowers or colour palettes, the timing of your invites is important.

The general recommendation is to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to finalise your head count, seating charts, and other details before the wedding crunch.

Sending invites within this timeframe is considered proper wedding invitation etiquette. However, there are some circumstances where you may want to send them out earlier. If your wedding falls around a major holiday, such as Christmas, sending invites three to six months in advance is advisable, as people need more time to plan.

For couples with a shorter engagement period, the recommended timeline shifts slightly. If you've been engaged for only a few months before the wedding, aim to send out invitations two to three months in advance.

The sooner you receive RSVPs, the sooner you can finalise details such as the seating chart, menu selections, and cake size. It's also helpful to have a deadline for RSVPs to account for any stragglers who may not respond on time.

If you have a mix of local and international guests, it's a good idea to give everyone the same RSVP deadline. However, you can send invitations to international guests earlier, giving them more time to prepare their travel arrangements.

For digital RSVPs, you can use your wedding website to easily collect and track responses. This can be especially useful when dealing with international guests, as it eliminates the wait time for responses to arrive by mail.

Save-the-Dates

Save-the-dates are not required but are a fun way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date. They are typically sent four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings. Sending save-the-dates ensures that your guests can mark their calendars and makes it less likely that they will double-book or forget about your wedding.

While there is flexibility in the timing of your wedding invitations, sending them out too early or too late can be inconsiderate and may impact guest attendance. The sweet spot is usually considered to be six to eight weeks before the wedding, giving your guests enough time to plan and respond, while also reducing the chances of unexpected changes.

Frequently asked questions