The Art Of Sending Wedding Invitations

Sending out wedding invitations is an important part of the wedding planning process. It is essential to do it properly and on time to ensure that your guests have enough time to plan and prepare for your special day. This paragraph will provide an overview of the key considerations and timeline for sending out wedding invitations, covering both traditional paper invitations and digital alternatives.

Timing is key: send invites 2-3 months before the wedding

Timing is a crucial aspect of wedding planning, and sending out your invitations at the right time is key to ensuring a smooth process for both you and your guests. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, as it depends on factors such as the location of your wedding and the majority of your guest list, here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the timing of your wedding invitations.

Save the Dates

The first step is to send out "Save the Date" cards, which are typically sent out 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to plan and ensure they are available, especially if they need to book time off work, arrange babysitters, or make travel plans. Sending "Save the Dates" early is also a good idea if you are having a destination wedding or getting married during a busy holiday period. This way, your guests can book their travel and accommodations in advance and possibly take advantage of early bird discounts.

Wedding Invitations

Now, for the wedding invitations themselves, the general rule of thumb is to send them out 2-3 months before the wedding. This timing ensures that your guests have enough notice and can plan their attendance without feeling rushed. It also allows you to receive RSVPs and get a more accurate headcount for your vendors and venue. Sending invitations in this timeframe reduces the likelihood of guests changing their plans or forgetting the date, which can happen if invitations are sent out too early.

RSVP Deadline

When sending out your invitations, it is important to set an RSVP deadline. This deadline is usually about a month before the wedding, giving your guests enough time to respond without causing last-minute planning issues for you. It is essential to have an accurate headcount to finalise details such as seating charts, menu selections, and cake size.

International Guests

If you have international guests or a large proportion of your guest list is based abroad, it is advisable to give them a heads-up before sending out the official invitations. A quick call, email, or text with the wedding details will allow them to start making travel arrangements. For these guests, it is recommended to send out invitations about 12 weeks in advance to accommodate their travel needs.

Digital Invitations

In today's modern world, digital invitations are becoming an increasingly popular and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper invitations. Digital invitations follow a similar timeline, with "Save the Dates" being sent out 6 months in advance and invitations being sent 2-3 months before the wedding. Digital platforms often offer RSVP tracking, making it easier to manage guest responses.

In conclusion, while there may be exceptions based on cultural norms or unique circumstances, sending out your wedding invitations 2-3 months in advance is generally a safe bet. This timing ensures your guests have enough notice and helps you in finalising the details of your special day.

Digital invites are acceptable and eco-friendly

Digital invites are a modern alternative to traditional wedding invites and are now widely accepted. They are an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and time-saving option for couples.

Eco-Friendly

Digital wedding invites are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. By opting for digital invites, you can plan a more sustainable wedding, as they mean less paper waste.

Cost-Effective

Digital invites are also a more affordable option. Physical wedding invitations can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $8,000 on average, whereas digital invites typically cost no more than $100.

Time-Saving

Sending digital invites saves a lot of time. There are no envelopes to close, no stamps to secure, and no addresses to write. The time saved can be used to focus on other aspects of the wedding.

Design Options

Digital invites offer a range of design options to suit different wedding themes and styles. You can choose from modern, chic, rustic, vintage, or even create your own design from scratch. Etsy, for example, offers editable templates for digital wedding invites, with prices starting as low as $2.

RSVP Management

Digital invites also simplify the RSVP process. With an online invitation service, guests can easily RSVP through the couple's wedding website, and the couple can instantly see who has responded.

Timing

The timing of sending digital wedding invites is similar to that of traditional invites. It is recommended to send save-the-dates around 6-12 months before the wedding and the invitations themselves at least 2-3 months before, or 4-6 months for a destination wedding.

Include who, when, and where, plus RSVP details

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few key details that you'll need to include: who, when, and where, as well as RSVP details.

Who

The invitation should include the full names of you and your partner, as well as the full names of the hosts if you're using formal phrasing. For couples, simply include both names separated by "and". If you're planning a formal event, include titles and surnames, but if it's more relaxed, first names are fine.

When

Be sure to include the time, date, month, and year of the wedding. It's also a good idea to include an RSVP date, which should be around four weeks before the wedding.

Where

Don't forget to include the full address of the venue! If you're sending digital invitations, you can include a link to the location on your wedding website.

RSVP Details

If you're requesting an RSVP, this is typically written in the lower left corner of the invitation. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for guests to send back their responses. If you have a wedding website, you can also include a virtual RSVP option there.

It's recommended to send invitations six to eight weeks in advance for local weddings, and three months in advance for destination weddings. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements if needed, and respond with their RSVPs.

Address envelopes by hand, with full names and titles

When addressing your wedding invitation envelopes by hand, it is important to include your guests' full names and titles. Spell out all words in the address, including "Street" instead of "St.", "Post Office Box" instead of "P.O. Box", and "Apartment" instead of "Apt.". This rule also applies to city and state names; for example, write "Saint Paul, Minnesota" and "Washington, District of Columbia". House numbers smaller than 20 should also be written out in full.

The return address should be written on the envelope's back flap. Traditionally, this was done using blind embossing, or colorless raised lettering, but today most couples opt for printing in the same style as their invitations.

If you are sending out invitations to married couples, address them as "Mr. and Mrs.". For a man with a suffix, write "Mr. Joseph Morales, Jr." or "Mr. Joseph Morales IV". "Junior" can be spelled out for a more formal invitation.

Add a map, accommodation details, and dress code to the invite

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few key details that you should include to make sure your guests have all the information they need. Adding a map, accommodation details, and dress code to your invite is a great way to provide your guests with essential information and ensure they feel welcome and prepared for your big day. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you create informative and thoughtful wedding invitations:

Map and Accommodation Details:

Including a map with your wedding invitation is a thoughtful way to help your guests navigate to your wedding venue, especially if they are travelling from out of town. You can create a custom map that highlights key locations, such as the ceremony and reception venues, hotels, airports, and points of interest. Here are some steps to create a custom map:

• Use online tools like Google Maps or Maptive to create a personalized map.
• Mark important locations such as the venue, reception location (if different), hotels, and accommodations.
• Add transportation options, main thoroughfares, parks, and landmarks to help guests navigate.
• Choose a colour scheme and add illustrations or drawings for a unique touch.
• Combine all the elements and create a digital or printable map to include with your invitation.

Along with the map, providing accommodation details is essential, especially for destination weddings. You can include a separate accommodation card with your invitation or mention the details on your wedding website. Share information such as nearby hotels, the nearest airport, and any reserved room blocks for guests.

Dress Code:

Including a dress code on your wedding invitation ensures that your guests know what to wear and helps maintain the desired formality or theme of your wedding. Here are some suggestions for including the dress code:

• Invitation: You can add the dress code to the lower left or right corner of the invitation or centre it at the bottom.
• Information/Details Card: If you have a separate card with other important information, you can include the dress code there to keep the invitation simple.
• Wedding Website: If you have a wedding website, you can mention the dress code there, along with other relevant details.

When mentioning the dress code, be clear and specific about the expected attire. For example, "Black Tie" indicates an evening wedding where men wear tuxedos, and women wear formal floor-length gowns. "Lounge Suit" or "Semi-Formal" indicates a step down in formality, where men can wear a classic suit or tux with a tie, and women can wear formal evening wear.

In conclusion, adding a map, accommodation details, and dress code to your wedding invitation is a thoughtful way to provide essential information to your guests. It helps them navigate to your venue, choose appropriate attire, and feel prepared for your special day. You can include this information directly on the invitation, on separate information cards, or through your wedding website.

Frequently asked questions