When To Send Wedding Invites: Two Or Three Months?

Wedding planning can be a stressful time, and there are many details to consider, from the venue to the food and, of course, the guest list. One of the most important considerations is when to send out invitations. While it may seem like a simple task, the timing of sending wedding invitations is crucial to ensuring your big day goes smoothly. So, how far in advance should you send them? Is two months enough time, or should you give your guests three months' notice?

Invites for destination weddings should be sent earlier

When it comes to destination weddings, it is advisable to send out invitations earlier than you would for a local wedding. This is because guests will often need to make travel arrangements such as booking time off work, sorting out accommodation, and booking flights or other transport.

It is common for guests to wait for a formal invitation before booking their travel, so it is a good idea to send out save-the-date cards as early as possible, and follow up with invitations at least three months before the wedding. This gives guests time to plan and make the necessary arrangements. Sending out save-the-date cards 9-12 months before the wedding is recommended, and some sources suggest that invitations can be sent at the same time. This gives guests all the information they need to start planning their trip.

If you are sending paper invitations, it is worth bearing in mind that they may get lost in the post, so it is a good idea to send them early enough to allow for this. It is also worth noting that some workplaces require a month's notice for time off, so sending invitations three months in advance is a good way to ensure your guests can get the time off work.

If you are having a destination wedding, you may also want to set up a personal website. This is a great way to communicate all the details of your wedding and can be updated regularly. It is best to set up your website as soon as you have confirmed your venue and date, even if you don't have all the details yet. You can always update the site once you start confirming additional information.

Save-the-date cards are sent before invites

Save-the-date cards are an optional but fun way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location. They are especially useful if you have a lot of guests who need to make travel arrangements or if there are limited accommodations near your wedding venue. Sending save-the-date cards in advance gives your guests plenty of time to plan and ensures that no one books a holiday or accepts another wedding invitation for the same date.

The general rule of thumb is to send save-the-date cards four to six months before your wedding date. However, if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, is in a far-off destination, or you have a lot of international guests, it is advisable to send them even earlier, around six to twelve months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to block off the date on their calendars and make any necessary travel or accommodation arrangements.

Save-the-date cards can be simple or elaborate, depending on your preferences and budget. Online digital providers offer quick and affordable options, while custom-made luxury designs can be more expensive and time-consuming but add a special touch to your wedding stationery.

It's important to note that save-the-date cards are not a substitute for formal wedding invitations. While they give guests a heads-up about the date and location, the official invitation suite contains more detailed information about the event, including the full names of the couple and the hosts (if applicable), the time, date, and address of the wedding, and any other relevant details such as attire, maps, and accommodation options.

The official wedding invitations should typically be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, giving guests enough time to respond and make travel arrangements if needed. This timeline ensures that you have enough time to chase down late responses and finalize your guest count for vendors and seating charts.

Invites should be sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is an important part of the wedding planning process. It's essential to give guests enough notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. So, when is the best time to send out those all-important invites?

The Sweet Spot

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out around six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules, make travel plans if necessary, and RSVP. Sending your invitations within this timeframe also means you'll be able to request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to finalise your head count, seating charts, and other last-minute arrangements.

Don't Send Them Too Early

While it's important to give your guests a heads-up, you don't want to send your invitations too early. If you do, you run the risk of your wedding slipping your guests' minds as the day approaches. It's a delicate balance, but hitting that six-to-eight-week sweet spot will give everyone ample time to plan without being too early.

Save-the-Dates

If you're sending out save-the-dates, these should go out around four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if it's a destination wedding. This gives your guests a chance to block off the date on their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements.

International Guests

If you have a lot of international guests, it's a good idea to give them a little extra time. Consider sending their invitations around nine to twelve weeks in advance. This will allow for extended shipping and delivery times and give your overseas guests more time to plan their travels.

Last-Minute Changes

Remember, even with the best planning, last-minute changes can happen. It's a good idea to order some extra invitations to account for additional guests or lost invites. Keep in mind that you may need to be flexible and adjust your timeline if unexpected circumstances arise.

In conclusion, while there is no one-size-fits-all answer, sending your wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance is generally considered the best practice. This timeframe strikes a balance between giving your guests enough notice and minimising the risk of them forgetting about your special day.

The RSVP deadline should be around 1 month before the wedding

Wedding planning can be a stressful time, and there are many details to consider when it comes to sending out invitations. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of timing, there are some general guidelines and etiquette tips that can help ensure your guests have enough notice and that you have an accurate headcount for your big day.

One important consideration is the deadline for RSVPs. It is recommended that the RSVP deadline be set for around one month before the wedding. This allows you and your vendors enough time to make the necessary preparations, finalise the seating chart, and make any last-minute adjustments. It also gives your guests a reasonable amount of time to respond without increasing the likelihood of unexpected changes or cancellations.

Setting the RSVP deadline a month in advance also aligns with the recommended timeline for sending out invitations. Typically, invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements if needed, and send back their responses. Sending the invitations two to three months in advance can be a good option, especially if your wedding falls on a holiday or if many of your guests will be travelling.

However, it's important not to send the invitations too early, as this may increase the chances of guests forgetting about the event or changing their plans. The sweet spot is usually around two to three months, with the latest being one and a half months in advance. This ensures that your guests have enough notice and that you're not waiting too long for responses, which can impact your planning and cause unnecessary stress.

In summary, setting the RSVP deadline for around one month before the wedding is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. This deadline works in conjunction with the recommended timeline for sending out invitations, which is typically two to three months in advance. By following these guidelines, you can increase the likelihood of a smooth and well-organised event, with an accurate headcount and happy guests.

Invites should be hand-addressed

When it comes to wedding invites, presentation is key. The envelope is the first thing your guests will see, so it's worth taking the time to hand-address them. Not only does this add a personal touch, but it also ensures that your invitations look neat and elegant.

To hand-address your wedding invitations, start by gathering your supplies. You'll need envelopes, pens or calligraphy pens, and a list of your guest's addresses. Give yourself plenty of time to complete this task, as it can be time-consuming.

When addressing the envelopes, be sure to write your guests' names and addresses in full. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith." It's also customary to include social titles, such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. The return address should be written on the back flap of the envelope.

If you're worried about your handwriting, consider practising on scrap paper beforehand or using a calligraphy pen to create elegant lettering. You could also ask a friend or family member with neat handwriting to help you.

Hand-addressing your wedding invitations is a labour of love that will surely be appreciated by your guests. It adds a special touch to your invitations and showcases the effort and care you've put into your wedding planning.

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