Sending Wedding Invites Overseas: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful, especially when it comes to sending out invitations. If you're having a destination wedding, there are a few extra things to consider when sending invites to your overseas guests. Here's a guide to help you navigate the process and ensure your guests have all the information they need.

Send invites 2-3 months before the wedding

Sending your wedding invitations early is crucial, especially if your wedding is abroad. Your guests will need to travel, so the more notice they have, the more likely they will be able to attend. It will also give them more time to get their finances together and plan any necessary travel vaccinations or visa applications.

It is recommended that you send your invitations 2-3 months before your wedding date. If you are also sending out save-the-date cards, these should be sent 9-12 months before. This will give your guests plenty of time to plan and book their trip.

If you are inviting guests from overseas, it is worth noting that international postage systems can be less dependable than those in the US. It is a good idea to give these guests a heads-up by calling or emailing them with the details of your wedding and information about booking accommodation. You could also ask them to RSVP via email or phone, rather than by post.

When sending invitations to guests in another country, remember that American stamps won't be valid on their RSVP envelopes. You could ask them to email or text their response, or you could include a note in the invitation asking them to figure out the correct postage for their country.

The more notice you can give your guests, the better. Sending your invitations early will make it easier for you to plan, too, as you will be able to finalise details with suppliers, such as caterers, and book any necessary hire equipment.

Include RSVP slips

When sending wedding invitations to guests abroad, it is important to consider the different options for RSVP slips. Here are some tips to make the process smoother:

Firstly, it is recommended to send invitations for destination weddings earlier, ideally 2-3 months before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to plan their trip and make travel arrangements. Sending a "save the date" card or email in advance is also a good idea, especially for a destination wedding, so guests can be prepared.

When including RSVP slips, one option is to provide a phone number, email address, or wedding website for guests to respond. This is often more convenient and reliable than relying on international postal services. You could also include your phone number, email, or website address on the RSVP slip itself, with a note requesting that international guests use these methods to respond. This way, you can avoid the complications of international postage for RSVP slips.

However, if you prefer to receive RSVP slips by post, there are a few things to keep in mind. Be sure to include international postage on the RSVP envelope, as stamps from the guest's country will be needed for the response to reach you. You may need to research the correct amount of postage for the country you are sending to, as some postal services may not be able to provide this information. Another option is to ask a family member or friend in the destination country to purchase stamps for you and send them over.

Additionally, consider including a note with the invitations to international guests, informing them of the details and asking them to respond by a certain date. This can be done via email or phone call. It is also a good idea to follow up with guests who have not responded, especially those abroad, to ensure they received the invitation and have enough time to plan their trip.

Finally, remember that the RSVP deadline should be set with your vendors' deadlines in mind. Choose the earliest deadline from your caterer, travel agent, venue, or resort, and set your RSVP deadline about a week before that. This will give you enough time to gather the information and inform your vendors.

Use email or phone for RSVP

When sending wedding invitations to guests abroad, it is important to give them as much advance notice as possible. It is recommended to send a 'save the date' card or email 9-12 months before the wedding date. This is especially important for a destination wedding, as it gives guests enough time to plan their trip and allows them to get the best deals on flights and accommodation.

If you are sending paper invitations to international guests, you will need to pay a little extra for postage and allow for a longer delivery time. It is also a good idea to include a note in the invitation asking international guests to RSVP by email or phone, as postal services in their country may be unreliable or costly. Here are some tips for using email or phone for RSVP:

• Include multiple RSVP options: Provide your email address and phone number on the invitation, giving guests the option to respond by email or text message. This ensures that guests can choose the method that is most convenient for them.
• Set up a wedding website: Create a personal wedding website where guests can RSVP online. This can be a one-stop shop for all the information guests need about your wedding, including travel and accommodation details. You can also use the website to send updates and reminders to your guests.
• Send reminders: If you haven't heard back from some guests, don't be afraid to send a friendly reminder by email or text message. This is especially important for international guests, as they may need more time to plan their travel.
• Collect email addresses: Requesting email addresses on the RSVP allows you to easily update guests with any last-minute details or changes to the wedding plans.
• Be mindful of time zones: When communicating with international guests, be mindful of time zone differences and try to reach out at a reasonable hour for them.
• Provide clear instructions: Make sure your RSVP instructions are clear and concise. Let guests know when and how you would like them to respond, and provide all the necessary contact information.

Using email or phone for RSVP can be a convenient and efficient way to collect responses from international guests. It saves on postage costs and gives you a direct line of communication with your guests. By providing multiple RSVP options and clear instructions, you can make it easy for your guests to respond and ensure that you have an accurate headcount for your wedding.

Send save-the-date cards 9-12 months before

Sending save-the-date cards 9-12 months before the wedding is a great way to give your guests a heads-up, especially if your wedding is abroad. This is even more important if you haven't informed your guests of your wedding date and destination. It is the perfect opportunity to get your guests excited about the adventure that awaits them.

You can choose to send a paper save-the-date card or keep it simple with an email or digital save-the-date. If you opt for a paper save-the-date, remember to include your destination, wedding date, and the URL of your wedding website. For international guests, you may need to pay a little extra for postage and consider the return postage for RSVPs. Alternatively, you can suggest that they respond via email or text, or set up a phone call. It is a good idea to follow up with your international guests to ensure they received the save-the-date card and have enough time to plan their travel.

If you prefer a more tech-savvy approach, you can set up a personal wedding website that doubles as your save-the-date. This option allows you to provide your guests with all the necessary information in one place and update it regularly as you confirm additional details. You can also use your website to send reminders or updates to your guests.

Whether you choose a paper save-the-date or a digital alternative, sending it out early will give your guests more time to prepare financially and plan their travel accordingly. It may also allow them to take advantage of better deals on flights and accommodation. Sending a save-the-date card 9-12 months in advance is a thoughtful way to ensure your guests have ample time to make arrangements and increase the likelihood of their attendance at your special day.

Match invites to the wedding theme

Matching your wedding invitations to your wedding theme is a great way to give your guests a sneak peek of what to expect on the big day. It's also a fun way to get creative and add a personal touch to your wedding planning. Here are some tips to help you match your invites to your wedding theme:

Choose a Theme or Colour Palette

Start by deciding on a theme or colour palette for your wedding. This will help guide the design of your invitations. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, you might opt for a simple invite printed on recycled brown paper. Or, if you're going for a glam theme, a luxe-looking invite with glitter or foil details could be a perfect choice.

Incorporate Motifs and Illustrations

Using motifs and illustrations that tie into your theme is a great way to bring it to life. For instance, if you're having a garden wedding, watercolour florals or botanical illustrations would be a lovely addition to your invites. Similarly, if you're having a beach wedding, you could include illustrations of seashells, starfish or other beach-themed elements.

Consider the Formality

The style of your invitations can also give guests a hint about the formality of your wedding. For example, a glittery, formal invitation might suggest a black-tie affair, while a rustic, barn wedding might call for a more casual, simple design.

Use Your Colours

While you don't have to match your invitation colours exactly to your wedding colour palette, using similar shades or colours from the same family can help tie everything together. This could be as simple as using the same colour for the font or adding a coloured ribbon or embellishment to your invites.

Be Creative and Have Fun

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to matching your invitations to your wedding theme. It's your special day, so feel free to get creative and have fun with it! Choose a design that reflects your personality and don't be afraid to mix and match different elements to create a unique invitation suite.

Matching your wedding invitations to your theme is a wonderful way to build excitement for your big day and give your guests a taste of what's to come. Whether you opt for a perfectly coordinated suite or a more eclectic mix, your invitations are sure to set the tone for your celebration.

Frequently asked questions