When To Send Out Wedding Invites

Wedding invites are a crucial part of the big day, and timing is everything. Send them too early, and guests might misplace them; send them too late, and your guests might not be able to attend. So, when is the right time to send out wedding invites?

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. However, some sources suggest sending invitations out three to four months in advance, especially if the wedding is during a busy holiday period or if guests need to travel.

To ensure guests can adequately prepare, many couples also send out 'save the date' cards. These are typically sent six to twelve months before the wedding, giving guests a heads-up to mark their calendars.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding is considered good etiquette. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It is also enough time for you to receive RSVPs and finalise your seating chart.

If you are inviting guests from overseas, it is a good idea to give them a heads-up before sending out the official invites. A simple email or phone call with the details of the wedding and information about booking hotel rooms will allow them to start making travel plans.

It is also worth noting that save-the-date cards are typically sent out much earlier, usually 4-6 months before the wedding. This is especially important if your wedding is during a busy holiday period, like summer or Christmas, or if it is a destination wedding. Save-the-date cards allow your guests to book time off work, arrange childcare, and save money.

When it comes to the invitations themselves, it is important to include all the necessary details such as the date, time, location, directions, accommodation recommendations, dress code, and RSVP cards. It is also a good idea to include a separate details card if there is a lot of information to convey, so that your guests don't miss any important details.

Finally, don't forget to include postage stamps on your RSVP envelopes and a return address on your wedding invitations. This will ensure that you receive responses and that your guests can contact you if there are any issues with delivery.

Send save-the-date cards 4-6 months before

Save-the-date cards are an essential part of wedding planning, giving your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and make necessary arrangements. They are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel plans or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. Sending these out 4-6 months before the wedding is a common practice, but for destination weddings or weddings during holiday periods, it is recommended to send them out 6-8 months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to request time off work, book accommodations, arrange childcare, and save money.

If you are marrying abroad, your guests may need to renew their passports, book flights, and make other travel arrangements. Sending save-the-date cards early will help them plan their trip and coordinate with their families. Similarly, for weddings during the summer or Christmas holidays, an early save-the-date card ensures that your guests receive it before they book any holidays or make alternative plans.

Even if you are excited about your upcoming wedding, it is not advisable to send out save-the-date cards too early. Sending them more than a year in advance increases the chances of them being misplaced, and you may also experience changes in your social circle, leaving you wishing you could revise your guest list. A good rule of thumb is to send them no earlier than 12 months before the wedding.

Save-the-date cards are typically sent only to guests who are invited to the entire wedding day. It can be misleading and awkward to send them to guests who are only invited to the evening reception. However, you can invite your evening guests separately, either through a formal evening reception invitation or a more casual phone call, email, or digital invite.

Send invites 2-3 months in advance for weddings abroad

For weddings abroad, it is advisable to send out invitations 2-3 months in advance. This is because there are a lot more logistics for guests to consider when attending a wedding abroad. They may need to renew their passport, book flights, and sort out accommodation, as well as childcare if they will be away for more than a day. Sending out invitations early gives guests more time to get their finances together and it may also allow them to plan holidays around the wedding or take a mini-break.

Sending invitations out early will also help to ensure guests get the best deals on flights and accommodation. It will also give you, as the organiser, more time to plan. Knowing the number of guests attending will help with working out your budget, choosing a venue, booking hire equipment, finalising details with suppliers, reserving accommodation, and choosing a wedding planner or wedding package.

It is also a good idea to send a 'save the date' email or card to all guests before sending out the official invitations. This is especially important if you haven't informed your guests of your wedding date and destination prior to sending out the invitations. Sending a 'save the date' card will help your guests to plan ahead and ensure they can attend. For weddings abroad, it is recommended to send 'save the date' cards 6-8 months in advance.

Send invites 3-4 months before Christmas weddings

Christmas is a busy time for everyone, so it's worth considering this before sending out your wedding invites. It's recommended that you send your invites 3-4 months before your Christmas wedding. This gives your guests ample time to plan and make travel arrangements if necessary.

If your wedding is during the holiday season, it's a good idea to let your guests know in advance. Sending out "save the date" cards or emails 6-8 months before the wedding is a thoughtful gesture that allows your guests to block off time, book accommodation, and make the necessary arrangements. It's especially important if your wedding is during the summer holidays, as people often plan vacations during this period.

For destination weddings or weddings abroad during the Christmas season, it's advisable to send out invitations as early as possible, ideally 12 weeks in advance. This gives guests enough time to plan their trip, make travel arrangements, and coordinate with their families.

When sending out your wedding invitations, it's essential to include all the necessary details such as the date, time, location, directions, accommodation recommendations, dress code, and RSVP information. You may also want to include a link to your wedding website, where guests can find additional information and updates.

To ensure a timely response from your guests, set an RSVP deadline of 2-3 weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalize the headcount for catering and other arrangements. Don't hesitate to send friendly reminders to those who haven't responded yet.

Planning a wedding can be a complex process, but sending out invitations 3-4 months in advance for a Christmas wedding will help ensure your guests have the necessary information to join you on your special day.

Send invites 12 weeks before destination weddings

Destination weddings are a unique occasion, and the timeline for sending out invitations differs significantly from that of local weddings. It is recommended that invitations be sent out as early as possible, ideally 12 weeks in advance. This allows guests ample time to plan their trip, make travel arrangements, and request time off work. It is also beneficial for guests with families to discuss whether they will be attending just the wedding or turning it into a family holiday.

Sending out invitations 12 weeks in advance also provides an opportunity to include accommodation booking information, travel recommendations, and other helpful details for guests attending a destination wedding. It is a considerate gesture that shows you care about your guests' comfort and convenience.

In addition to sending invitations, setting up a wedding website can be incredibly beneficial for a destination wedding. This allows for easy updates on all event details and gives guests a platform to RSVP for each activity. It is a great way to keep everyone informed and engaged, especially if your wedding spans multiple days with various activities like tours, excursions, dinners, and brunches.

For destination weddings, it is essential to give your guests ample notice. Sending out invitations 12 weeks in advance strikes a balance between providing enough time for planning and ensuring that your guests don't receive the invitation too early, reducing the risk of them misplacing it or forgetting about it.

To ensure a smooth process, it is advisable to finalise your guest list and addresses before sending out the invitations. This will help you avoid any last-minute changes and ensure that everyone receives their invitation on time.

If you are concerned about the timing of your destination wedding invitations, it is always a good idea to give your guests a heads-up. You can do this by sending 'save the date' cards or even a simple email or message to let them know the date and location of your wedding. This preliminary notice will help your guests plan their schedules and travel arrangements accordingly.

Remember, the key to successful destination wedding invitations is timely communication. Sending them out 12 weeks in advance strikes a balance between providing enough notice and ensuring your guests' convenience and excitement for your special day.

Frequently asked questions