Mailing Wedding Invites: Timing Etiquette For The Big Day

Wedding invitations are typically sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. It also means that hosts can request RSVPs sooner, allowing them to get a final headcount, invite guests on their B list if needed, and complete their seating charts before the wedding crunch. Save-the-date cards can be sent out earlier, usually four to six months before the wedding, to give guests enough time to make plans and book travel and accommodations.

Save-the-date cards: Send 4-6 months before the wedding

Save-the-date cards are a fun and considerate way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date. They are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. They are not mandatory, but they are a good idea if you are planning a destination wedding or if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend.

Save-the-date cards should be sent out four to six months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to make the necessary plans to attend. It also allows you to catch them before they've made other plans and lets them block off the date on their calendars. Sending your save-the-date cards early is a considerate move, especially for guests who need to book travel or accommodations.

If your wedding is a destination wedding or will take place in a far-off location, it is highly advisable to send your save-the-date cards even earlier, from six to twelve months before the wedding date. This will give your guests ample time to book their travel and accommodations.

It's important to only send save-the-date cards to those you're planning on inviting to the wedding. While it's exciting to share your wedding plans, it's not a good idea to send save-the-date cards to people who won't be invited to the wedding.

In addition to the date, your save-the-date cards can include other important details such as the location, appropriate attire for guests, accommodation options, and information about any wedding-related activities. You can also include your wedding website, where guests can find additional information such as an RSVP option and a summary of your love story.

Remember, save-the-date cards are just the first step in the wedding invitation process. Your official wedding invitations should typically be sent out six to eight weeks before your wedding date.

Invitations: Send 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. It's important to get the timing right so that your guests have enough time to plan and prepare, but not so much time that they forget about your big day.

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements if necessary, and RSVP. It also means you'll be able to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the last-minute crunch.

If you're having a destination wedding or if a large percentage of your guest list lives abroad, it's a good idea to send out invitations a little earlier – around 12 weeks in advance. This will give your guests more time to book travel and accommodations.

For those inviting out-of-town or out-of-state guests, it's customary to send invitations around eight weeks before the wedding. If you're inviting guests from outside the US, it's ideal to send invitations nine to ten weeks in advance to account for shipping and delivery times.

If you're skipping the save-the-dates, the timeline changes slightly. In this case, you should send wedding invitations around six months in advance if you've been engaged for a standard length of time (around 16 months). If you've had a shorter engagement, aim for two to three months before the wedding.

When it comes to RSVP deadlines, it's recommended to set the date for about one month before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalize your wedding planning details, such as the seating chart, menu selections, and cake size.

So, to ensure your guests have all the information they need and to give yourself time to organize, send out those invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding day.

Invitations for destination weddings: Send 3 months before the wedding

Planning a destination wedding? It's best to send out your invitations around three months before the wedding date. This gives your guests ample time to plan their travel and accommodations. It's also a good idea to send out Save the Dates six to 12 months in advance so that your guests can block off the date on their calendars and make the necessary arrangements.

When it comes to destination weddings, giving your guests more notice is always a good idea. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a busy travel period, such as a holiday weekend. By sending out your invitations and Save the Dates in advance, you increase the chances of your guests being able to attend.

The invitation suite for a destination wedding can include important details such as:

• Appropriate attire for the event
• A map to the event location
• Accommodation options
• Information about any wedding-related activities

Don't forget to include an RSVP card with a deadline of around six weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to plan your wedding weekend and any group activities or events.

It's also a thoughtful gesture to reach out to your international guests personally, through a quick call, text, or email, to let them know about the wedding details in advance. This ensures they have enough time to prepare their travel plans.

By following these recommendations, your guests will have plenty of time to make their arrangements and get excited about celebrating your special day with you!

Rehearsal dinner invitations: Send 1-2 weeks after main invitations

Wedding invitations are typically sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, if you're sending save-the-dates, you should give your guests a heads-up four to six months in advance. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or if you're planning a destination wedding.

Now, let's talk about rehearsal dinner invitations. The rehearsal dinner is usually the first event of the wedding weekend, so it's important to get the timing right. It's recommended that you send out rehearsal dinner invitations three to six weeks before the event, and always after you've mailed your wedding invites. This gives your guests enough time to plan and makes it clear that the wedding and rehearsal dinner are two separate events.

If you're sending paper invitations, it's best to send them in a separate mailing from the wedding invites. This ensures that your guests don't confuse the two events and gives you an opportunity to set the tone for the weekend. However, if you're short on time or postage, you can include the rehearsal dinner invitation with the wedding invite, but only for those who are invited to both events. This option can be a bit confusing, so be sure to clearly indicate who is invited to the rehearsal dinner.

When creating your rehearsal dinner invitations, include the host's name, the couple's names, the event date, time, location, RSVP deadline, and any other relevant information such as the wedding website and dress code. You can be creative with the design and format of the invitations to make them stand out from the wedding invites.

In summary, for a well-planned wedding and rehearsal dinner, send out your invitations in a timely manner and pay attention to the details. This will ensure your guests have all the information they need and set the right tone for your special day.

RSVP deadline: 2-3 weeks before the wedding

Setting an RSVP deadline of two to three weeks before your wedding strikes a balance between giving your guests enough time to respond and not leaving so much time that they forget to reply. Here are some reasons why this is the ideal deadline:

Vendor Requirements

Your caterer will likely want a final headcount at least one week before the reception, and you'll need a few days to get in touch with people who haven't responded. By setting the RSVP deadline two to three weeks in advance, you'll have a buffer to account for any late responses and ensure you can provide the caterer with the final numbers on time.

Guest Attendance

Allowing four to five weeks for guests to RSVP is generally considered sufficient time for them to figure out their attendance, make travel arrangements if necessary, and respond to your invitation. A two-to-three-week deadline before the wedding gives you a chance to follow up with guests who haven't responded without causing unnecessary delays.

Timely Planning

Having an RSVP deadline of two to three weeks before the wedding enables you to finalise other wedding details promptly. With the guest count confirmed, you can efficiently complete tasks such as finalising the seating chart, making menu selections, and deciding on the cake size. This deadline helps you avoid last-minute rushes and ensures a more organised approach to your wedding planning.

International Guests

If you have international guests, it is considerate to give them ample notice. Sending invitations and setting an earlier RSVP deadline allows them to make travel arrangements and secure accommodations, especially if they need to plan around busy travel periods or limited accommodation options.

Managing Stragglers

Even with a well-planned timeline, there may be guests who don't respond by the deadline. By setting the deadline two to three weeks before the wedding, you allow yourself some time to follow up with these stragglers and confirm their attendance or absence. This buffer helps you finalise the guest list and make any necessary adjustments to your plans.

Frequently asked questions