The Perfect Timing For Sending Out Wedding Invites

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of wedding planning. It is customary to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, some people send out their invitations anywhere from three to six months before the wedding, especially if it is a destination wedding. Sending out invitations too early or too late can lead to issues with guest availability and RSVP management. It is important to give guests enough notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements.

Invites for destination weddings

Planning a wedding is tricky, but destination weddings come with their own world of etiquette and logistics. Here are some tips for sending out your invitations:

Save the Dates

It is advisable to send out save-the-date cards as soon as possible, especially if your guests will need to book travel and accommodation. The general recommendation is to send these out nine to twelve months in advance, although some sources suggest six to eight months is sufficient. This will ensure your wedding is firmly in your guests' diaries, and they will have time to organise their plans. You might also want to include travel and accommodation details at this point, rather than waiting for the formal invitation.

Invitations

Destination wedding invitations should be sent out earlier than for a local ceremony. The general consensus is that these should be sent out three to four months before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to prepare for their travel and accommodation. However, some sources suggest sending invitations out even earlier, from eight weeks to four months before the wedding, especially if you have a large number of international guests.

What to Include

Destination wedding invitations usually include more information than a standard wedding invitation. As well as the usual details, you might want to add tips for places to visit and eat in the area, and information about the weather, so your guests know what to wear. This could be included on a separate information card sent with the invitation. If you are hosting events in addition to the wedding, such as a dinner the evening before or lunch the day after, these should also be listed, so guests can RSVP for each event.

Gifts

Although it is customary to ask for wedding gifts, for a destination wedding, you might want to specify that your guests' presence is gift enough, as they will already be spending extra on travel and accommodation.

RSVPs

It is recommended that you ask for RSVPs no later than one month before your wedding date, to give you and your vendors enough time to make the necessary preparations.

Save-the-date cards

Timing

It is recommended to send out save-the-date cards six to eight months before your wedding day. This is especially important if you're planning a destination wedding or if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or during peak travel season. Sending the cards early gives your guests, especially those travelling from out of town, ample time to make travel and accommodation arrangements.

Guest List

Content

In addition to the date and location of the wedding, save-the-date cards can include other relevant information to assist your guests in their planning. Here are some details you may want to consider including:

• Names of the couple getting married
• Wedding website or social media page
• City and state of the wedding venue
• An indication that a formal invitation will follow
• Travel and accommodation information, including hotel details and transportation options
• Your wedding hashtag, if applicable

Format

Remember, while save-the-date cards are highly recommended, they are not mandatory. If you choose to skip them, you should send your wedding invitations around six months in advance for a standard engagement length.

RSVP deadline

The RSVP deadline is an important aspect of wedding planning, allowing you to confirm numbers with your caterer and venue, and finalise details such as seating charts and place cards. Here are some recommendations and considerations for setting the RSVP deadline:

Timing

The general consensus is that the RSVP deadline should be around four weeks or one month before the wedding. This gives you enough time to confirm numbers and finalise details without being too early, reducing the risk of unexpected changes. However, some sources suggest setting the deadline at six weeks if you want to be cautious or have a large number of guests who need to travel.

Chasing Responses

It's a good idea to factor in some time to chase up any late responses. This could be one to two weeks, depending on how many guests you expect to be late in responding. Having a buffer will help ensure you have accurate numbers for your venue and vendors.

Destination Weddings

If your wedding is a destination wedding, it is advisable to set an earlier RSVP deadline. This is because guests will need more time to make travel arrangements and accommodations. A deadline of six to eight weeks before the wedding is recommended in this case.

Holiday Weddings

For weddings around major holidays, such as Christmas, it is also advisable to set an earlier RSVP deadline. This is because guests will likely need to plan their holiday time and travel in advance.

Sending Reminders

If your RSVP deadline is approaching and you are still missing some responses, it is acceptable to send a polite reminder. You can send a message saying something like, "We hope you've received our invitation. We'd love to know if you can make it or not." You can send reminders via multiple methods, such as text, email, or a private message through your wedding website or app.

Final Thoughts

While it is important to give your guests enough time to respond, you also want to avoid setting the RSVP deadline too early. Plans can change, and sending invitations too far in advance may result in an inaccurate guest count. Therefore, it is generally recommended to send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, with an RSVP deadline of around four weeks. This allows for a balance between giving guests enough time to respond and reducing the chances of unexpected changes.

International guests

If you're inviting international guests to your wedding, it's a good idea to give them a little more notice than your local guests. While wedding invitations are typically sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, it's recommended that you send invitations to international guests at least 12 weeks in advance. This will give them ample time to arrange travel and accommodation.

If you're only inviting a small number of international guests, it's fine to send their invitations at the same time as everyone else's, but be sure to give them a heads-up in advance via phone call, text, or email. This way, they can start making their travel arrangements. It's also a good idea to follow up with them to ensure they have enough time to book their flights.

For destination weddings, it's advisable to send out "save the date" notices nine to twelve months in advance. This will give your international guests plenty of time to plan their trip and make any necessary arrangements. When sending out the formal invitations, it's recommended to do so two to four months before the wedding. This will serve as a reminder for your guests to finalise their travel plans.

When sending invitations to international guests, consider the reliability of the postal service in their country. In some cases, it may be more practical to send an email invitation or create a wedding website where guests can RSVP digitally. However, some people still prefer paper invitations and are willing to pay a little extra for postage. If you choose to send paper invitations, remember to include a way for guests to RSVP, such as an email address or phone number, as international postage for RSVP cards can be costly and inconvenient.

To help your international guests, consider including travel and accommodation details with your invitations. You can suggest the best ways to reach the destination, inform them when flights go on sale, and provide links to places to stay. If you're feeling generous, you could even book reasonably-priced accommodation for your guests and ask them to reimburse you later.

Bespoke designs

Your wedding day is one of the most special and unique events in your life, so why not make your wedding stationery just as distinctive? Bespoke wedding invitations are a great way to showcase your personality and set the tone for your big day.

At Bespoke Wedding Invitations, our in-house designers work with you to create personalised stationery that reflects your style and theme. We can incorporate any colours, patterns, and themes to make your invitations elegant and stylish. Whether it's the colours of the bridesmaids' dresses or the overall theme of your wedding, we'll create a unique design that's tailored to you.

If you're looking for something truly special, consider the couture wedding stationery offered by Emily & Jo. Their unique and contemporary designs are beautifully executed, combining fun, creativity, and responsive project management. The result is gorgeous, ageless stationery that appeals to the most style-conscious couples.

Another option is Lilac and White, who offer personalised elegant wedding invitations. With worldwide shipping and no import duties to the US, they make it easy to get the invitations you want, no matter where you are.

When it comes to timing, it's recommended to send out your bespoke wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance of your wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, while also allowing you to request RSVPs sooner.

However, if you're planning a destination wedding, it's best to send invitations to your guests three months in advance. This gives them ample time to plan their travel and accommodations.

Frequently asked questions