Sending Wedding Invites: 12 Weeks Too Soon?

Sending out wedding invitations too early or too late can be inconsiderate and may hurt guest attendance. The ideal timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. It also allows the host to request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount. However, if the wedding is around a major holiday, it is suggested to send invitations earlier, as close to three months in advance, to allow guests to plan ahead. Sending invitations too early, such as a year in advance, may cause the event to slip guests' minds as the date approaches.

Sending invites 12 weeks in advance is not too early if it's a destination wedding

Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of the wedding planning process. While there's no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of timing, here's why sending invites 12 weeks in advance is not too early if you're planning a destination wedding.

Destination Wedding Dynamics

Planning a destination wedding comes with unique considerations. Giving your guests ample notice is essential, especially if they need to plan and save for flights, accommodation, and time off work. Sending invitations 12 weeks in advance ensures your guests have the time and information they need to start making these arrangements.

Save the Dates

Save the dates are a great way to give your guests an early heads-up, but they're not always sent. If you opt to send save the dates, the ideal time is 6 to 12 months before the wedding. This early marker in your guests' calendars is especially helpful for destination weddings, giving them time to plan and budget for the trip.

Following Up with Invites

After sending save the dates, it's customary to follow up with the official wedding invitations 4 to 6 months before the wedding. However, for destination weddings, sending invitations 12 weeks in advance is a sensible choice. This timing ensures your guests have the details they need to finalise their travel plans and book any necessary accommodations.

RSVP Management

Sending invitations 12 weeks in advance also helps with managing RSVPs. With this timing, you can set an RSVP deadline of around one month before the wedding, giving you and your vendors ample time to prepare. This lead time is especially valuable for destination weddings, as it allows you to communicate a rough number of guests to your venue and prepare welcome packs for your attendees.

In conclusion, sending wedding invitations 12 weeks in advance is not too early, especially for destination weddings. This timing shows thoughtful consideration for your guests' travel needs and helps you manage the logistics of your special day more effectively.

Sending save-the-date cards 9-12 months in advance

Sending out save-the-date cards is a great way to let guests know your wedding date in advance so they can plan appropriately. The ideal time to send save-the-date cards is between 9 and 12 months before the wedding. This is especially important if you're having a destination wedding or getting married during holiday weekends, as guests will need to plan and book travel well in advance.

Sending save-the-date cards early ensures your guests have plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements, such as requesting time off work, confirming travel plans, saving money, and organising childcare or pet care. It's also a good idea to include your wedding website on the save-the-date card, so guests can stay informed and up to date with the latest information.

When sending save-the-date cards, it's crucial to be clear about who is invited to avoid any confusion. Include the names of all intended guests on the envelope, and specify if you are offering plus ones. Remember, save-the-date cards are only for those you definitely plan to invite to the wedding.

While it's exciting to share your wedding date, it's important to finalise the details before sending save-the-date cards. Be sure to include the date, names, and location (city and state) at a minimum. You don't need to have your venue booked yet, but providing this information early on will help your guests plan their travel accordingly.

If you're sending save-the-date cards 9-12 months in advance, you can wait a little longer to send the formal wedding invitations. The invitations will provide guests with more detailed information, so sending them closer to the wedding date (around 2-3 months) is standard practice.

Sending invites 3-4 months in advance is too early

The "sweet spot" for sending out wedding invitations is around two months, but no earlier than three months. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules, plan travel, and make any necessary accommodations. It also allows you to request RSVPs sooner and stay in line with proper wedding invitation etiquette.

If your wedding is during peak "wedding season," consider sending invitations earlier, around six to eight months in advance. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or requires guests to travel.

In general, it's a good idea to send save-the-date cards as soon as you've secured the date and venue, usually around 9-12 months in advance. This gives your guests plenty of time to ensure they're available and make any necessary arrangements.

Remember, the key is to give your guests enough notice without sending the invitations so early that they're forgotten or lost.

Sending invites 6-8 weeks in advance is ideal

Sending wedding invitations 6-8 weeks in advance is ideal. This timing is considered the proper wedding invitation timeline and is in line with wedding invitation etiquette. It gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking time off work, travel, or accommodations. It also allows you to request RSVPs sooner, making it easier to finalise your seating chart and other wedding details.

Sending invitations within this timeframe ensures that your wedding is at the top of your guests' minds. It strikes a balance between giving everyone plenty of time to make plans and not providing so much advance notice that they forget about the date.

If you're inviting international guests or having a destination wedding, it's advisable to send invitations a bit earlier, around 9-12 weeks in advance. This extra time accounts for shipping and delivery, allowing your invitations to reach your loved ones safely. It also gives international guests more time to plan their travel arrangements.

In certain circumstances, sending wedding invitations three months in advance is acceptable, especially if your wedding is around a major holiday. However, the sweet spot is generally considered to be around two months before the big day.

To summarise, sending wedding invitations 6-8 weeks in advance is ideal as it provides a balance between giving your guests enough notice and ensuring that your wedding remains at the forefront of their minds.

Sending invites 12 weeks in advance for international guests

Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of the wedding planning process. But it can be tricky to know the best time to send them, especially for international guests. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, here are some guidelines and suggestions to help you make the right decision for your wedding.

Save the Dates

Before sending out your official wedding invitations, it is common to send out "Save the Date" cards, especially if you have a lot of international guests or are planning a destination wedding. "Save the Date" cards are typically sent out much earlier than the invitations themselves, giving your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements. The recommended timeline for sending "Save the Date" cards is around 4 to 6 months before the wedding, although some sources suggest that even earlier is acceptable, especially for destination weddings. This gives your guests enough time to plan and book their trips without feeling rushed.

Wedding Invitations for International Guests

Now, let's talk about the wedding invitations themselves. For international guests, it is generally recommended to send out the invitations around 9 to 12 weeks in advance. This is slightly earlier than the typical timeline for domestic guests, which is usually around 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. Sending the invitations 12 weeks in advance for international guests allows for extended shipping and delivery times, ensuring that your loved ones abroad have enough time to receive their invitations and make the necessary arrangements.

Additional Considerations

It's important to keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wedding invitation timing. The above guidelines are just that—suggestions to help you navigate the planning process. Ultimately, the decision of when to send out invitations depends on your personal circumstances and what works best for your wedding.

Additionally, it's worth noting that while sending out invitations 12 weeks in advance for international guests is generally a good idea, you don't want to send them too early. Aim to find a balance between giving your guests enough notice and ensuring that your wedding remains at the forefront of their minds as the day approaches.

RSVP Management

Managing RSVPs is an important aspect of wedding planning. Be sure to include a clear deadline for responses, typically about one month before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalize details with your vendors and create a seating chart if needed. For international guests, consider offering a digital RSVP option to expedite the process and avoid potential delays in mail delivery.

Frequently asked questions