Mailing Wedding Invites: Timing And Tips For Your Big Day

Sending out wedding invites is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. But how early is too early, and how late is too late? 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. It also means that you can request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount before the week of the wedding. If you're having a destination wedding, it's best to send out invites three to six months in advance to allow guests ample time for travel preparations.

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

Save-the-date cards are an exciting part of wedding planning. They are not mandatory, but they are a fun way to inform your guests about your upcoming wedding and ask them to mark their calendars. They are especially helpful when many of your invitees have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. Save-the-date cards should only be sent to those who you are planning on inviting to the wedding.

The ideal time to send save-the-date cards is four to six months before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to make the necessary plans and arrangements to attend your wedding. Sending save-the-date cards in advance is also considerate for guests who need to book travel or accommodations. If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, it is advisable to send your save-the-dates even earlier, such as six to twelve months before the wedding date.

Save-the-date cards should include essential details such as your wedding website, venue information, and the date of the wedding. If guest accommodations will be required, it is helpful to include that information as well. It is not considered good etiquette to include your wedding registry on save-the-date cards, as it may be perceived as begging. Instead, you can include this information on your wedding website.

While sending save-the-date cards is a fun and practical way to give your guests a heads-up, it is important to follow up with the official wedding invitations closer to the wedding date. The recommended timeline for sending wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending your wedding invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding is considered the perfect timing. This is the sweet spot that 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 get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the last-minute crunch.

Sending invites within this timeframe ensures that your wedding will be at the top of your guests' minds. It gives them plenty of time to make plans without being too early, reducing the chances of unexpected changes. It's also not too late, so your guests won't have already made other plans for that date.

If you send your invites 6-8 weeks in advance, you can expect to start receiving RSVPs almost right away, giving you ample time to chase down late responses if needed. This timing is particularly important if you have specific questions about paper RSVPs or need to collect dietary preferences.

To ensure your guests have all the information they need, it's essential to include crucial details in your invitation suite, such as the full names of the couple, the hosts (if using formal phrasing), time, date, month, year, and address of the wedding venue. You may also include other important details such as attire suggestions, a map, accommodation options, and information about any wedding-related activities.

If you're inviting international guests or having a destination wedding, it's advisable to send the invitations a bit earlier, around 9-12 weeks in advance, to account for extended shipping times and travel arrangements.

Remember, while this timeframe is considered ideal, it's flexible, and you can adjust it based on your specific circumstances and the needs of your guest list.

Request RSVPs no later than 1 month before the wedding

When planning a wedding, it's important to get the timing right for sending out invitations and requesting RSVPs. While it's an exciting part of the process, it's also a critical step that requires precision and timely execution.

When to Request RSVPs

It is recommended that you request RSVPs no later than one month before the wedding. This is the perfect amount of time as it gives your guests a brief window to receive the invitation and make their decision. It also provides your wedding vendors with enough advance notice to order and prepare supplies. The sooner you get an accurate guest count, the sooner you can finalise other wedding details, such as the seating chart, menu selections, and cake size.

Requesting RSVPs a month in advance also gives you some leeway for stragglers who may not get their responses in on time. Additionally, it helps to reduce the chances of unexpected changes to your guest count, which is important for providing accurate numbers to your venue and vendors.

When to Send Out Wedding Invitations

The ideal time to send out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. Sending out invitations at this time also allows you to request RSVPs sooner while staying in line with proper wedding invitation etiquette.

If your wedding is a destination wedding or has a large percentage of guests from abroad, it is recommended to send out invitations a little earlier, around 12 weeks before the wedding. This will give international guests enough time to plan their travel and make any necessary arrangements.

Save-the-Dates

Save-the-dates should typically be sent out four to six months before the wedding, giving guests enough time to make plans and allowing them to block off that date on their calendars. Sending save-the-dates early is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday or will take place at a far-off destination. In such cases, sending save-the-dates six to twelve months in advance is highly advisable.

Final Thoughts

While there are general guidelines for when to send wedding invitations and request RSVPs, it's important to consider your specific circumstances and the convenience of your guests. Ultimately, you want to give your guests enough time to plan and respond while also ensuring that you have accurate and timely information for your wedding preparations.

Send invites 3 months in advance if most guests are international

Planning a wedding can be a stressful task, and there are many details to consider, from the flowers to the colour palette and, of course, the guest list. One of the most important considerations is the timing of sending out the wedding invitations.

If most of your guests are international, it is advisable to send out your wedding invitations three months in advance. This is an exception to the general rule of thumb, which suggests sending invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. The extra time is necessary to account for international shipping and delivery times, ensuring that your loved ones receive their invitations safely.

It is also a good idea to give your international guests a heads-up about the wedding before sending out the formal invitations. Consider giving them a quick call, text, or email to let them know the wedding details, including the date, time, location, and any travel or accommodation information. This will allow them to start making their travel arrangements with plenty of time to spare.

Additionally, you may want to create a wedding website where all the necessary information is easily accessible for your guests. This can include details such as the wedding venue, dress code, travel and accommodation options, and even a virtual RSVP option. Having a central online platform can make it easier for your guests to access all the information they need to plan their trip.

Finally, when it comes to RSVP deadlines, aim for a date that is roughly four weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise the guest count and make any necessary arrangements, such as seating charts and catering plans.

Include a map, attire, accommodation details and wedding-related activities in the invite

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to give your guests all the information they need while also sending them at the right time. Here are some tips for including a map, attire, accommodation details, and wedding-related activities in your wedding invites:

Map and Directions:

It is a good idea to include a map or direction card, especially if your wedding venue is in an unfamiliar or remote location. This ensures that your guests can find their way to the ceremony and reception without getting lost. You can make this fun by creating a custom map or illustration that also highlights key landmarks, parking areas, and entrances. This adds a personal touch and can be a nice keepsake for your guests.

Attire:

Including attire suggestions or requirements is important so that your guests know what to wear. You can indicate the dress code on the main invitation or include a separate attire card. This is especially useful if you have multiple wedding events with different dress codes, such as a casual welcome party and a black-tie reception. You can also include a preferred colour palette or a note about appropriate footwear for outdoor activities.

Accommodation Details:

If you have guests coming from out of town, it is considerate to include accommodation suggestions or details about any room blocks you have reserved. You can include this information on a separate accommodations card, along with the deadline for making reservations. This ensures that your guests have a place to stay and can plan their travel arrangements accordingly.

Wedding-Related Activities:

If your wedding includes other events such as welcome drinks, after-parties, or day-after brunches, it's helpful to include this information in your invitation suite. This gives your guests a clear picture of what to expect and allows them to plan their attire and travel accordingly. You can include a full itinerary or schedule, along with any relevant details such as transportation arrangements.

Timing:

When sending out your wedding invitations, it's important to consider the timing. The recommended timeline is to send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to plan and also allows you to receive RSVPs sooner. If you're inviting international guests, it's advisable to send their invitations a little earlier, around nine to twelve weeks in advance, to account for shipping and travel arrangements.

Frequently asked questions