Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Timing And Sending Out

Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of wedding planning. But when is the best time to do it? The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. It also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the wedding. For destination weddings or weddings with a large number of international guests, it is recommended to send out invitations three months or 12 weeks in advance. Sending out invitations too early may result in guests forgetting or changing their plans, while sending them out too late may not give guests enough time to make necessary arrangements.

Invites should be sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. It's important to get the timing right, though, so your guests have enough time to plan and you can get a final headcount for your vendors.

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This is considered the "sweet spot" that gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and RSVP while reducing the risk of unexpected changes. Sending invitations too early may result in a higher rate of plan changes, while sending them too late may not give your guests enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

If your wedding falls on a major holiday, such as Christmas, or if a large percentage of your guest list is international, it is recommended to add a few weeks to this timeline. In these cases, sending invitations 2-3 months in advance is more appropriate.

It's worth noting that this timeline is for formal wedding invitations. If you choose to send Save the Dates, these should be sent out 4-6 months before the wedding, or even earlier if your wedding falls on a holiday or requires extensive travel for your guests.

To summarise, sending wedding invitations 6-8 weeks in advance strikes a balance between giving your guests enough notice and reducing the chances of last-minute changes. Adjustments can be made based on the specific circumstances of your wedding, such as the time of year or the distance travelled by your guests.

Send Save the Dates 4-6 months before the wedding

Sending out Save the Dates is an important step in the wedding planning process. While not mandatory, they are a great courtesy to your guests, especially if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or will be a destination wedding. Save the Dates should be sent out 4-6 months before the wedding, giving your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodations. This is also a good idea if your wedding falls on a popular date, increasing the likelihood that your guests will be able to attend.

It is important to only send Save the Dates to those you definitely plan to invite to your wedding. Anyone who receives a Save the Date should be 100% invited to the wedding. It is also recommended that you only send Save the Dates once you have finalised the date and location of your wedding.

If you are planning to skip the Save the Dates, you should send out your wedding invitations around six months in advance. For couples with a shorter engagement, sending out invitations 2-3 months before the wedding is also an option.

Save the Dates are a great way to get your guests excited about your upcoming nuptials and give them a heads-up to plan their attendance. They are particularly useful if a large number of your guests are travelling from out of town or out of state.

Send invites to international guests 9-10 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of the wedding planning process. But it's important to get the timing right so that your guests have enough time to plan and make travel arrangements.

If you're inviting international guests, it's a good idea to send their invitations 9-10 weeks before the wedding. This will give them plenty of time to prepare for their trip and make any necessary bookings. It also allows for extended shipping and delivery times, ensuring that your loved ones receive their invites on time.

You can give your international guests a heads-up about the wedding beforehand by calling, texting, or emailing them. This way, they can start making travel arrangements and blocking off the dates on their calendars. However, it's best to send the official invitation 9-10 weeks in advance so that they have all the necessary details, such as the date, time, location, and any other relevant information.

If you're sending paper invitations, it's a good idea to request digital RSVPs from your international guests. This way, you won't have to wait for their responses to arrive by mail, and it will be easier for them to confirm their attendance.

Some couples choose to send out "Save the Date" cards or magnets, especially if their wedding falls on a holiday weekend or if many guests are travelling. These are typically sent 4-6 months before the wedding, giving guests a timely heads-up to make planning their attendance smoother. However, this is not mandatory, and you can choose to send only the official invitations if you prefer.

For domestic guests, it is customary to send out invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This timeline ensures that your guests have enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements without increasing the risk of unexpected changes to their plans.

So, for a well-planned and exciting celebration, be sure to send your wedding invitations with plenty of time to spare, especially for your international guests!

Request RSVPs no later than 1 month from the wedding date

Wedding planning can be a stressful process, but a wedding planning timeline can help to reduce stress and ensure that every detail is taken care of in time for the big day. One of the most important details is the wedding invitation, which sets the tone for the entire event.

It is important to send out your wedding invitations at the right time. The ideal timeline is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and allows you to request RSVPs sooner, helping you finalise your seating chart and other details.

If your wedding falls near a major holiday, such as Christmas, it is recommended to send out invitations earlier, as people will need more time to plan. For destination weddings, it is best to send invitations three months in advance.

To ensure you receive RSVPs no later than one month from the wedding date, it is recommended to set the RSVP date for around four weeks before the wedding. This will give you ample time to chase down any late responses and finalise your wedding plans.

Some couples choose to send out "Save the Date" cards in advance of the official invitations, especially if their wedding falls on a popular date or holiday weekend. "Save the Date" cards can be sent out as early as a year in advance, but ideally, they should be sent around four to six months before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to make travel arrangements if needed.

When creating your wedding invitations, be sure to include the full names of the happy couple and the hosts (if using formal phrasing), as well as the time, date, month, and year of the wedding, and the full address of the venue. If requesting an RSVP by a certain date, this should be clearly indicated on the invitation, usually in the lower left corner.

Remember, while it is important to adhere to proper wedding invitation etiquette, you can also add personal touches to make your invitations unique and exciting.

Include who, when, and where on the invite

Wedding invitations should include the full names of the happy couple and the full names of the hosts if formal phrasing is being used. It should also clearly list the time, date, month, and year of the wedding, as well as the full address of the venue. If you are requesting an RSVP, this should be written in the lower left corner of the invitation.

The invitation suite can include other details such as the appropriate attire for the event, a map to the venue, accommodation suggestions, and information about any wedding-related activities. It's also a good idea to include an RSVP card with a deadline of around four weeks before the event, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

It's recommended that wedding invitations are sent out six to eight weeks in advance of the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the week of the wedding.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's customary to send invitations to your guests three months in advance. This gives international guests enough time to receive their invitations and make the necessary arrangements.

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