The Knot' Guide To Sending Wedding Invitation

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but The Knot is a one-stop shop for all your wedding invitation needs. The website offers a range of printed and online invitation options, with customisable designs, fonts and colours. You can also choose to include RSVP cards, enclosure cards, place cards and menus. The Knot's Guest List Manager is a free tool that allows you to organise your guest list, gather addresses, collect and track RSVPs, and share your list with others. The website recommends sending out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, and setting the RSVP deadline for two to three weeks before the big day.

When to send wedding invites

Sending out your wedding invites at the right time is crucial. You want to give your guests enough time to plan their attendance, but you also don't want to send them out too early and risk your wedding not being at the top of their minds as the day approaches.

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is considered the "sweet spot" that gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. Sending invites within this timeframe also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B-list if needed, and complete your seating charts before the week of the wedding.

However, there are some circumstances where you may want to send your invites earlier. If your wedding falls on a major holiday, such as Christmas, or if a large percentage of your guest list lives abroad, it is advisable to give your guests more time to plan. In these cases, sending invitations around three months or even up to a year in advance is not too early.

On the other hand, if you have a shorter engagement, the recommended timeline changes slightly. For couples who are only engaged for a few months before tying the knot, it is suggested to send invitations two to three months in advance.

It is also worth noting that sending out "Save the Dates" is a common practice, especially for destination weddings or weddings during holiday periods. These are typically sent four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier, to give guests a heads-up to hold the date.

Regardless of when you send your invitations, it is essential to give your guests enough time to respond and for you to make the necessary preparations for your big day.

RSVP deadline

When it comes to wedding invitations, timing is everything. Sending out your invites at the right time is one of the most important steps in your planning journey. As guests receive their mail and the RSVPs begin to flow in, your celebration will start to feel very real.

The ideal timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner while staying in line with proper wedding invitation etiquette. This will allow you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B list if needed, and complete your seating chart before the week of the wedding.

So, when should your wedding RSVPs be due? As a general rule of thumb, you want to make your RSVP date at least two to three weeks before your wedding date. This allows enough time to get a final headcount for the caterer (given to them one week before) and to finalise your seating chart. If you can, it's a good idea to request RSVPs three to six weeks before the wedding, giving you some wiggle room.

Your wedding RSVPs should be due at least four weeks before the wedding, and absolutely no later than two weeks before. This gives you enough time to organise your final guest list and figure out who (if anyone) hasn't responded yet. Add the date to your wedding planning checklist, along with your wedding website and wedding invitations so guests are fully aware.

If you're sending paper invitations, it's a good idea to include a paper RSVP card for guests to fill in and return. Make sure you include a stamped and addressed envelope to make it as easy as possible for your guests to respond. You could also include a phone number as an alternative option for less tech-savvy guests.

Many couples are now taking a digital-first approach and asking guests to RSVP through their wedding website. The Knot's wedding website RSVP feature is a great, free tool that allows you to gather loved ones' attendance responses in real time and add custom questions for anything else you'd like to know, such as meal preferences and song requests.

Paperless invites

Paperless wedding invitations are a great way to save money and the environment. They are also a good option if you're in a time crunch, as they are sent and received instantly. Here are some tips for sending paperless wedding invitations through The Knot:

Using The Knot's Guest List Manager

The Knot offers a free Guest List Manager tool that allows you to seamlessly organize your guest list, gather addresses, collect and track RSVPs, and share your list with others. Here's how to use it:

• Create an account with The Knot if you haven't already.
• Find the Guest List tool under Planning Tools or Wedding Website in the navigation bar.
• Add guests and their information one by one, or use a spreadsheet template for Excel or Google Sheets. You can also let your guests do the work by sending them a link to fill in their address and contact information.
• Once you've added guests, you can edit each person's profile to include more information, such as the number of guests in their party, dietary restrictions, and seating preferences.
• Track RSVPs by clicking on each guest's name and updating their response manually or using a wedding website with The Knot to automatically populate RSVPs.
• Use the "My Notes" section to make notes about each guest, such as whether they are on the A or B list.
• Download your guest list as a table, create address labels, or receive a table of guest RSVP responses to get an accurate headcount.

Creating and Sending Paperless Invitations

The Knot offers a variety of digital invitation options through their website and partnerships with other companies. Here are some tips for creating and sending paperless invitations:

• Choose a design that fits your wedding theme and style. The Knot offers customizable designs, or you can upload your own.
• Personalize the invitation with your wedding details, including the date, time, and location. You can also include a link to your wedding website for more information.
• Decide how you want to send the invitations. The Knot allows you to send invitations via email or text.
• Collect the email addresses or phone numbers of your guests. If sending to multiple guests in the same household, consider sending to both members of a couple.
• Send your invitations! The Knot allows you to send to everyone at once with a simple click.
• Track RSVPs through The Knot's digital RSVP functionality or by directing guests to RSVP on your wedding website.
• Follow up with guests who have not responded. The Knot will also send reminders to guests who have not opened or replied to your invitation.

Pros and Cons of Paperless Invitations

There are several benefits to sending paperless wedding invitations, including cost savings, sustainability, and speed. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:

Pros:

• Cost: Digital wedding invitations typically cost less than paper invitations, with some options being completely free.
• Speed: Paperless invitations are sent and received instantly, making them a good option for last-minute weddings or events.
• Sustainability: Choosing paperless invitations is an eco-friendly option that reduces paper waste.

Cons:

• Inaccessibility: Digital invitations may not be accessible to less tech-savvy recipients or may end up in junk mail folders.
• Contact Information: You'll need to put in extra work to collect each guest's email address or phone number.
• Design Options: Paperless invitations may have fewer bespoke design options than traditional paper invitations.
• Sentimentality: Some guests may prefer the sentimentality of a paper invitation that they can keep as a memento.

Invitation wording

The wording of your wedding invitation is important, and there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, it depends on who is hosting (and paying for) the wedding. If the couple's parents are hosting, then it is appropriate to include their names on the invite. If multiple people are contributing, you can write "together with their parents" or "together with their families".

You can also include a dress code on the invite, which is often included at the bottom of the invite or on a separate details card. Be sure to include "black tie", "cocktail attire", or "dress casual" as a guide for guests.

If you are having an adults-only wedding, it is considered impolite to include this information directly on the invitation. Instead, be intentional about how you address the invitations, stating each guest by name, rather than "and guest" or "family".

If you are having a small, intimate ceremony followed by a larger reception, it is now acceptable to invite additional guests to the reception only. Just be sure that your invitation wording is clear so that your loved ones know what to expect.

Finally, it is considered impolite to include registry information on your wedding invitations as it can give the impression that you are asking for gifts. Instead, put your registry details on your wedding website or include them on your wedding shower invitations.

Invitation design

The Knot offers a collection of printed wedding stationery in a wide range of styles, from vintage to modern to boho to industrial. While full customizations aren't possible, you can personalize many details, including colour schemes and fonts, and choose to include coordinating RSVP cards, enclosure cards, place cards, and menus.

The Knot's invitations are priced from around $199 per 100 invitations. This is a relatively limited selection compared to other wedding invitation websites.

If you're looking for something more bespoke, you could try Paperless Post's Personal Design Services. They offer custom designs with helpful event management tools. The minimum price is $100 for custom design work, plus sending costs starting at 2 Coins per guest.

Another option is Crane & Co., a household name in stationery circles. Their dedication to quality paper, inks, and service has made them famous for their craftsmanship and invite expertise. Their designs run the gamut from formal and traditional to lighthearted and unconventional. Crane & Co. invitations start from around $362 per 100 invitations, and personalized printed invitation orders may take 25 business days or longer to process and send.

For a more affordable option, you could try Paper Source. They offer quality paper invites at brick-and-mortar stores and an extensive online collection from a wide variety of designers, with the option to add matching RSVP cards. Paper Source invitations start from around $220 per 100 invitations, but customization options are limited.

If you're looking for something eco-friendly, digital invitations are also an option. While they don't align with traditional wedding invitation etiquette, they can be a good choice for couples planning an eco-friendly wedding. Just be sure to keep guests in mind and have a few physical invitations for loved ones who are less tech-savvy.

Frequently asked questions