The Perfect Timing For Sending Out Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are one of the most important elements of your big day. They carry crucial information that your guests need to know before the wedding, and they set the tone for the entire event. So, when is the best time to send them out? The general rule of thumb is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. For destination weddings, it is recommended to send invitations three months in advance to allow guests ample time for travel preparations.

Destination wedding invites: 12-16 weeks before the wedding

Planning a destination wedding comes with a unique set of considerations, and timing is crucial. Sending your invitations within the appropriate timeframe ensures your guests have the necessary information to plan their attendance. So, when is the best time to send out those invites?

Destination Wedding Invitation Timeline:

For a destination wedding, it is recommended to mail your invitations 12-16 weeks (3-4 months) before the wedding. This is an earlier timeframe than traditional weddings, which typically suggest sending invitations 6-8 weeks in advance. Why the difference? Destination weddings often require guests to book travel arrangements and accommodations, so the extra time is crucial.

Additionally, sending save-the-dates 6-12 months in advance is highly advisable for destination weddings. This gives your guests ample time to compare flight options, request time off from work, and plan any additional activities or extended stays.

What to Include in Your Destination Wedding Invitations:

Destination wedding invitations should include more information than a typical wedding invitation. Here are some key details to consider including:

• Travel and accommodation suggestions: Provide guests with the best ways to reach the destination and recommend places to stay. You may even consider booking a room block at a hotel and sharing that information.
• Timeline of events: If there are welcome parties, brunches, or group activities, give guests an overview of the weekend's events so they can plan accordingly.
• Local tips: Share recommendations for places to visit and eat during any downtime.
• Weather forecast: Help guests plan their attire by including information about the expected weather at the time of the year.
• RSVP details: Make sure to indicate an RSVP deadline, usually set for one month before the wedding, to help with your final headcount and planning.

Other Considerations:

If you have international guests or your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, you may want to send invitations and save-the-dates even earlier. It's also a good idea to follow up with guests who haven't responded to ensure they have enough time to book their travel.

Finally, consider creating a wedding website to complement your invitations. This provides a central hub for all the necessary information and can be easily updated as new details are confirmed.

Hometown wedding invites: 6-8 weeks before the event

Sending out wedding invites is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning! But it's important to get the timing right.

The general rule of thumb is to send out your wedding invites six to eight weeks before the big day. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any travel arrangements. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the last-minute crunch.

If you're only inviting a few out-of-town guests, it's fine to send their invites at the same time as everyone else. However, if a large percentage of your guest list is from out of town, it's a good idea to add a few weeks to this timeline. Aim to send their invites around 12 weeks before the wedding date.

For international guests, it's best to give them a heads-up about the wedding details ahead of time through a quick call, text, or email. This will ensure they have enough time to prepare their travel arrangements.

Save-the-Dates

Save-the-dates are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding, but they can be mailed up to a year in advance if you've finalised the details. This is especially important if you're having a destination wedding or getting married during a holiday weekend.

RSVPs

You'll want to set the RSVP deadline at least two to three weeks before the wedding date. This will give you enough time to get a final headcount to the caterer and finalise your seating chart.

So, to ensure your guests have all the information they need to attend your hometown wedding, send out those invites six to eight weeks in advance!

Save-the-dates: 4-6 months before the wedding

Save-the-date cards are not mandatory, but they are a fun way to get your guests excited about your wedding and to ensure they don't make other plans. They are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if there are limited accommodations near the wedding venue.

The general rule of thumb is to send save-the-date cards out four to six months before the wedding. However, if you're planning a destination wedding or if you have a lot of guests coming from out of town, it's a good idea to send them out even earlier—up to 6 to 12 months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to request time off work and make the necessary travel arrangements.

Save-the-date cards are typically sent before the official wedding invitations, which are usually mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeline allows your guests plenty of time to reply, book travel if needed, and purchase a gift.

If you're only inviting a few international guests, it's acceptable to send their formal invitations at the same time as other guests. However, be sure to give them a heads-up about the wedding details ahead of time through a quick call, text, or email so they can start planning their travel.

It's important to note that sending your save-the-date cards too early may result in guests tucking them away and forgetting to RSVP. On the other hand, sending them too late may lead to guests being unable to attend due to prior commitments. Therefore, the recommended timeframe of 4 to 6 months before the wedding is ideal for ensuring your guests have enough time to prepare without being too early or too late.

Rehearsal dinner invites: 1-2 weeks after sending wedding invites

The rehearsal dinner is a significant event in its own right, and invitations should be sent out with care and attention to detail. Rehearsal dinner invitations should be sent out 3-6 weeks in advance, and definitely after the wedding invitations have been sent. This gives the host or couple enough time to finalise plans and gives guests time to book any necessary travel or accommodation.

• Timing is key: Send out rehearsal dinner invites 1-2 weeks after sending out your wedding invites. This will give your guests ample time to plan and will create a sense of anticipation for the upcoming events.
• Guest list considerations: The guest list for the rehearsal dinner may differ slightly from the wedding guest list. Typically, close family members, the wedding party, and the officiant are invited to the rehearsal dinner. It is also considerate to invite out-of-town guests as a token of appreciation for their travel efforts.
• Clear and concise information: Ensure that your rehearsal dinner invites include all the necessary details such as the couple's names, the date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP information. This will help your guests plan accordingly and avoid any confusion.
• RSVP management: Request RSVPs for the rehearsal dinner about two weeks before the event. This will give you enough time to make any necessary adjustments to your plans, such as adding or reducing seats or changing catering plans.
• Personalise your invites: Add a personal touch to your rehearsal dinner invites by including a favourite poem excerpt or a lyric from your first dance song. This will make your invites memorable and special for your guests.
• Digital or paper invites: Traditionally, couples mail paper invitations for the rehearsal dinner. However, digital invites are also a convenient and cost-effective option, especially if many of your guests are travelling from out of town.

RSVPs: Due 2-3 weeks before the wedding

When it comes to wedding planning, timing is everything. Sending your wedding invitations at the right time is crucial, and this includes setting the right RSVP date.

As a general rule of thumb, your wedding RSVPs should be due at at least two to three weeks before your wedding date. This gives you enough time to finalise the headcount for your caterers and to put together a seating chart. It's also worth noting that caterers and venues often need final numbers around a month in advance, so you'll want to confirm your headcount with them at this time too.

If you send your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, this gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements if they need to. It's also a good idea to send save-the-date cards in advance of your invitations, especially if your wedding is a destination wedding or during a holiday period. This gives your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and make any necessary arrangements.

It's important to set an RSVP deadline and stick to it. You may need to follow up with guests who haven't responded by your deadline. Give them a quick call or send a friendly text to remind them to send their RSVPs. It's also a good idea to give guests a few different ways to respond, such as by mail, online through your wedding website, or via text or email.

Remember, the sooner you get an accurate guest count, the sooner you can finalise the details for your big day.

Frequently asked questions