Timing Your Wedding: When To Send Out Invites

Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of wedding planning. But when is the best time to do it? The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out at least eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the big day.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send out invitations even earlier – around three months in advance. This gives guests ample time to plan their trip and make the necessary arrangements.

On the other hand, sending out invitations too early can lead to issues, as plans may change and guests may need to alter their response closer to the date.

Invites should be sent 6-8 weeks in advance

Wedding planning can be stressful, but a timeline can help to reduce the stress and ensure that every detail is taken care of. One of the most important details is the wedding invitation, which not only announces the upcoming nuptials but also sets the tone for the entire event.

It is recommended that wedding invitations be sent to guests six to eight weeks in advance of the wedding. This is considered the "sweet spot" that gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as travel and accommodation bookings. It also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the week of the wedding.

Sending invitations within this timeframe ensures that your wedding will be at the top of your guests' minds. It strikes a balance between giving everyone enough time to make plans and not providing so much time that they forget about the event or have their plans change.

If your wedding falls on a major holiday, such as Christmas, or if a significant number of your guests are travelling from out of town or out of state, it is advisable to give them a bit more time. In these cases, sending invitations around two to three months in advance is appropriate. This earlier timeline ensures that your guests can plan their trips, request time off from work, and make the necessary travel and accommodation arrangements.

For destination weddings, some sources suggest sending invitations as early as possible, even up to a year in advance, to allow guests ample time to plan their trip.

It is worth noting that this six-to-eight-week recommendation applies when you have already sent "Save the Date" cards. If you have not sent "Save the Dates," the invitation timeline extends to four to six months before the wedding date.

To summarise, sending wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance strikes a balance between giving your guests enough time to plan and reducing the chances of unexpected changes.

Send at 3 months for destination weddings

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and there are many details to consider, from the invitations to the menu and everything in between. Sending out your wedding invitations is one of the most important steps in your planning journey, so it's essential to get the timing right. Here are some tips and guidelines for sending out invitations for a destination wedding three months in advance:

It is recommended to send out invitations for a destination wedding three months or 12 weeks in advance. This is because destination weddings often require guests to plan their travel and accommodation, request time off work, and make other necessary arrangements. Giving your guests an early invitation is a courtesy that allows them to plan their trip and is especially important if your wedding is during a busy time of year or a popular holiday weekend.

The invitation should include all the essential details, such as the full names of the couple, the hosts (if using formal phrasing), the time, date, month, and year of the wedding, and the full address of the venue. It is also helpful to include accommodation booking information, dress code, and whether it's an adults-only event. A map of the location and information about any wedding-related activities are also good to include.

Save-the-dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before the wedding day, and this is recommended if your engagement is longer than six months. This gives guests a heads-up to mark their calendars, especially if there are multiple weddings in one summer. However, if your engagement is shorter, you can send out save-the-dates sooner, even as early as eight months to a year before the wedding.

It is recommended to set an RSVP date of around four to five weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to track down any missing responses and plan your seating arrangements. You can also add a small number on the back of the RSVP card to easily identify which household it belongs to if it comes back blank.

Any Other Tips?

When sending out invitations, it is essential to hand-address the envelopes for a personal touch. You can also choose a wedding envelope colour that complements your wedding theme. Additionally, consider creating a wedding website where guests can find additional information, such as a link to your wedding registry, a virtual RSVP option, and other useful details.

Send 8-10 weeks early if you need meal choices

Wedding planning can be stressful, but sending out your invitations on time doesn't have to be! If you're offering your guests meal choices, you'll want to send out your invites with enough time to receive their preferences. Here are some tips to help you navigate this process:

Recommended Timeline

The general recommendation is to send out your wedding invitations eight to ten weeks before the big day. This timeline is supported by wedding stationers, who suggest sending invites eight to ten weeks before the RSVP deadline, which is typically about two months before the wedding. This timing ensures you have enough time to chase down late responses without sending the invites too early, which could cause guests to forget to respond.

Destination Weddings

If you're planning a destination wedding, it's customary to give your guests a bit more notice. Sending invitations three months in advance is a good idea, especially if many of your guests are travelling internationally. This extra time allows your guests to make travel arrangements and request time off work.

Save-the-Dates

Sending save-the-date cards about a year in advance is a good way to give your guests a heads-up, especially if you're having a destination wedding. This way, your guests can plan their schedules and make any necessary arrangements. However, it's important to note that save-the-dates don't replace formal invitations.

Meal Choices

Now, onto the meal choices! If you're offering your guests a plated meal with options to choose from, you'll want to include these options on the invitation or an attached reply card. This way, your guests can select their preferences when they RSVP. It's a good idea to include a line for dietary restrictions as well, to accommodate any allergies or special requirements.

Online RSVPs

If you're using online RSVPs, you can direct your guests to your wedding website, where they can make their meal selections. This method allows you to receive an email with each guest's preferences, making it easier to keep track.

Vague Options

If you're unable to finalise your menu before sending out the invitations, you can include vague options, such as "fish and meat," on the reply cards. This gives your guests an idea of what to expect without committing to specific dishes.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the key to sending out wedding invitations is finding the right balance. You want to give your guests enough time to plan and respond without sending the invites too early or too late. By following the recommended timelines and including meal choices or dietary restrictions, you'll be well on your way to a stress-free wedding planning journey!

Send 4-6 months early if no save-the-date sent

If you're not sending out save-the-date cards, it's recommended that you send out your wedding invitations four to six months in advance. This is especially important if you have guests requiring travel arrangements, as it gives them enough time to request time off work, secure accommodation, and make travel plans.

While it's not necessary to send out save-the-date cards, they are a good idea if you're having a destination wedding or if your wedding falls on a popular date or holiday weekend. Save-the-date cards should be sent out six to 12 months in advance.

If you are sending out save-the-date cards, you can send out your invitations a little later—generally, eight weeks before the wedding is standard. However, if you have a lot of guests travelling from out of town or out of state, it's a good idea to send them out a little earlier—around nine or 10 weeks in advance.

It's important to send out your invitations with enough time for your guests to plan their attendance, but not so early that they forget about your wedding or end up having to change their RSVP.

Send 9-10 weeks early for international guests

When it comes to international guests, it's best to send out your wedding invitations around nine to ten weeks in advance of the big day. This is to allow enough time for your guests to receive the invitation, make travel arrangements, and request time off work.

It's important to give your international guests ample notice, as they may need to book flights or other transportation, as well as accommodation. Sending out invitations early will also give them a chance to make any necessary arrangements for their trip, such as pet or child care.

While it's customary to send all invitations at the same time, you may want to consider sending them in batches. This way, if you receive early "no" RSVPs, you can send out additional invitations to guests on your "maybe" list. However, keep in mind that some people may view being on a "B-list" as offensive, so proceed with caution.

Additionally, it's a good idea to give your international guests the option to RSVP digitally, as this will save time compared to waiting for their responses to arrive by mail.

If you're concerned about your guests forgetting the wedding details, you can also send out "Save the Date" cards as early as a year in advance. This will give your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars, especially if your wedding falls on a popular date or holiday weekend.

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