The Perfect Timing For Sending Out Wedding Invitations

Wedding planning can be a stressful process, but creating a timeline can help to reduce the stress and ensure that every detail is taken care of. One of the most important details is the wedding invitation, which not only announces the upcoming nuptials but also sets the tone for the entire event. So, when is the best time to send out wedding invitations?

The general rule of thumb is to send out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking travel and accommodations. It also allows the couple to request RSVPs sooner, making it easier to finalize details such as seating charts and meal choices. For destination weddings or weddings with a large number of international guests, it is recommended to send out invitations three months or twelve weeks in advance to account for extended shipping and delivery times.

Save-the-date cards can be sent out earlier, typically four to six months before the wedding, to give guests a heads-up and allow them to plan accordingly. It is important to note that sending invitations too early or too late can be inconsiderate and may hurt guest attendance. Therefore, adhering to the recommended timeline is crucial to ensure a smooth planning process and a well-attended wedding celebration.

Destination weddings: Send invites 3 months in advance

Planning a wedding can be a stressful process, but sending out your invitations on time doesn't have to be! Here is a guide to help you with your destination wedding invitation timeline.

When to Send Out Invitations for a Destination Wedding

It is recommended that you send out your destination wedding invitations three months in advance, or 12 weeks at the very latest. This is because a destination wedding will require your guests to make more extensive travel arrangements and accommodations. Sending out your invitations three months in advance gives your guests a heads-up and enough time to plan their travel and time off work.

Save-the-Date Cards

Save-the-date cards are not required, but they are a fun and helpful way to give your guests a preliminary notice about your wedding date and location. It is standard to send these out 4-6 months before your wedding, but for destination weddings, it is recommended to send them out even earlier (6-12 months in advance). This will allow your guests to catch the information before they make other plans and allow them to block off the date on their calendars.

Requesting RSVPs

It is important to give your guests enough time to respond to your invitation with an RSVP. For destination weddings, it is recommended to request RSVPs no later than one month before your wedding date. This will give you and your vendors ample time to finalise your wedding plans with an accurate headcount.

Invitation Design and Wording

Before you send out your invitations, you will need to decide on the design and wording. You can choose formal or casual phrasing, depending on the style of your wedding. Regardless of the tone, be sure to include the full names of you and your fiancé(e), the hosts (if applicable), the time, date, month, and year of the wedding, and the full address of the location. You may also include other details such as the appropriate attire, a map, accommodation suggestions, and information about any wedding-related activities.

Invitation Envelopes

Don't forget to consider the colour and style of your invitation envelopes! Choosing a colour that complements your wedding theme can be a nice touch. It is also recommended to hand-address the envelopes for a personal touch. Be sure to write out your guests' names and titles in full and write out all the words in the address.

Local weddings: Send invites 6-8 weeks in advance

For local weddings, it is recommended that you send out your invitations six to eight weeks in advance. This is considered the "sweet spot" as it gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, while also allowing you to request RSVPs sooner, in line with proper wedding invitation etiquette. Sending your invitations within this timeframe will help you finalise your seating charts and complete other planning tasks before the wedding crunch.

It is important to note that sending invitations too early or too late can be inconsiderate and may hurt your guest attendance. Sending invitations too early may result in guests forgetting about the wedding or having their plans change. On the other hand, sending invitations too late may not give your guests enough time to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel arrangements.

To ensure a smooth process and boost the number of positive RSVPs, it is advisable to send out Save-the-Date cards four to six months before the wedding, especially if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or requires extensive travel arrangements. This gives your guests enough time to plan and make any necessary accommodations.

When sending out your wedding invitations, it is also crucial to include all the necessary details such as the full names of the couple, the hosts (if applicable), the time, date, month, and year of the wedding, as well as the full address of the venue. Don't forget to include an RSVP card with a deadline of around one month before the wedding.

Save-the-date cards: Send 4-6 months in advance

Save-the-date cards are a fun and helpful way to ensure your wedding guests mark their calendars. They are especially useful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. It is important to note that save-the-date cards are not a requirement and are typically only sent to those whom you definitely plan to invite to your wedding.

Save-the-date cards should be sent out 4-6 months before your wedding date. This gives your guests ample time to make any necessary plans, such as booking travel or accommodations. Sending save-the-date cards early is also a considerate gesture towards guests who may need to request time off work or make special arrangements. If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, it is advisable to send save-the-date cards even earlier (6-12 months in advance) to allow your guests extra time to plan.

When sending save-the-date cards, it is important to include key details such as the date and location of the wedding. You may also choose to include your wedding website, which can provide guests with additional information such as accommodation options and travel tips.

While it is exciting to send out save-the-date cards, it is important to remember that they are just the first step in the wedding invitation process. Formal wedding invitations should typically be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding date, giving your guests plenty of time to respond and make any necessary arrangements.

RSVP deadline: 1 month before the wedding

It is important to send your wedding invitations at the right time. This will ensure that your guests have enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It will also 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 crunch.

The ideal timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is considered the sweet spot, giving guests ample time to plan and respond while also not being too early, which could cause the wedding to slip your guests' minds. However, if your wedding is around a major holiday, such as Christmas, it is recommended to send invitations earlier, around three months in advance, as people may need more time to plan.

For destination weddings or weddings with a large number of out-of-town guests, it is customary to send invitations even earlier, around eight to ten weeks before the wedding. This will allow guests to book accommodations and make travel plans. Sending Save the Dates in advance can also help guests plan their attendance, especially if they need to request time off work or make travel arrangements.

Now, let's discuss the importance of setting an RSVP deadline one month before the wedding. Firstly, it gives you time to chase down any late responses. While most guests will respond promptly, there may be a few stragglers who need a gentle reminder. Secondly, it helps with the logistics of the wedding. For example, if your venue or caterer requires final numbers a few weeks before the wedding, having an RSVP deadline one month in advance gives you a buffer to collect all the responses and finalise details. This is especially important if you plan to create personalised place cards or a seating chart.

Additionally, setting an RSVP deadline one month before the wedding allows you to manage your guest list effectively. If you have a B list of guests, you can send out invitations to them if you have not reached your desired headcount. It also gives you time to adjust your plans if there are unexpected cancellations or no-shows. By setting a clear deadline, you can ensure that you have an accurate guest count and make the necessary arrangements for your big day.

Invites for international guests: Send 9-10 weeks in advance

When planning a wedding, it's important to send out invitations with plenty of notice. While there are no hard and fast rules, there are some general guidelines and wedding invitation etiquette to follow.

If you're inviting international guests to your wedding, it's a good idea to send their invitations out with a little more advance notice than your other guests. Aim for 9-10 weeks before your wedding date. This will allow for extended shipping and delivery times, ensuring your overseas loved ones receive their invites on time.

It's a good idea to follow up with your international guests to make sure they've received their invitation and have enough time to arrange their travel plans. You can also give them a heads-up by calling or emailing them with the wedding details and information about booking accommodations.

While it's not necessary to send their invitations extremely early (up to a year in advance is too much), you can send a Save the Date card 4-6 months before the wedding. This will give your international guests a timely heads-up, making it easier for them to plan their attendance and make the necessary travel arrangements.

Wedding Invitation Timeline Recommendations

• Send Save the Date cards up to a year in advance, especially for destination weddings.
• Send invitations to all guests 6-8 weeks before the wedding.
• Request RSVPs no later than 1 month from the wedding date to finalise your guest count and complete seating charts.
• Send invitations for destination weddings 3 months in advance.

Frequently asked questions