The Perfect Timing For Sending Out Wedding Invites

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is a crucial aspect of wedding planning. The general consensus is that invites should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, giving guests ample time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. This timeline also allows couples to receive RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount for seating charts and vendor counts. However, some sources suggest sending invitations two to four months in advance, especially for destination weddings, to give guests more time to book flights and accommodation. Sending save-the-dates four to six months before the wedding is also recommended, or even earlier for destination weddings.

How far in advance to send out invites?

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is an important part of the wedding planning process. It's essential to give your guests enough notice, but not so much that they forget about the event or change their plans. Here are some guidelines and tips to help you navigate this aspect of your wedding planning:

Timing is crucial

As a general rule, it is recommended to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeframe gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking time off work or organising travel and accommodation. Sending invitations within this window also allows you to request RSVPs sooner, making it easier to finalise your headcount, seating charts, and other last-minute details.

Cultural and geographical differences

It's worth noting that the timing of wedding invitations can vary depending on cultural and geographical factors. For example, in Sweden, it is customary to send out wedding invitations a year in advance. If your wedding is a destination wedding or requires guests to travel, it's considerate to give them more time to plan and book their trips. In such cases, sending invitations three to four months in advance is appropriate.

Save-the-dates

Sending out save-the-date cards is a good idea, especially for destination weddings or weddings with many out-of-town guests. These are typically sent out six to twelve months before the wedding, giving guests a heads-up to mark their calendars. Save-the-dates are particularly helpful when guests need to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding venue are limited. While not mandatory, they are a fun way to get your guests excited about the event.

B-lists and late invitations

Some couples work with an A-list and a B-list of guests. The A-list comprises people you absolutely want to invite, while the B-list includes those you would like to invite if space and budget allow. If you're working with a B-list, it's generally advisable to wait until you receive some "no" RSVPs before sending out additional invitations. This approach can be tricky, as some guests may be offended to learn they were on the B-list. It's also important to be mindful of the timing when sending late invitations. Sending them too close to the wedding may give the impression that they are last-minute afterthoughts.

Practical considerations

When determining how far in advance to send out invitations, consider the time it takes for your guests to receive and respond to them. For international guests, allow for extended shipping and delivery times. Digital RSVPs can be a good option for these guests, streamlining the response process. Additionally, consider the time it takes to assemble and post your invitations, especially if you're creating handmade or bespoke designs. Give yourself a buffer to account for any unexpected delays.

Final thoughts

While the six-to-eight-week window is a widely accepted guideline, it's not set in stone. You may need to adjust the timing based on the specific circumstances of your wedding and your guest list. Ultimately, you want to strike a balance between giving your guests enough notice and minimising the risk of last-minute changes or forgetfulness.

Save-the-date cards

When to Send Save-the-Date Cards

The timing of your save-the-date cards will depend on the location of your wedding. If you're having a destination wedding or your wedding is in a different location from where you and the majority of your guests live, send your save-the-dates eight months or more in advance. For local weddings, send your save-the-dates four to six months before the big day. If your wedding is in less than four months, you can skip the save-the-dates and go straight to sending out the invitations.

What to Include on Save-the-Date Cards

In addition to the wedding date, your save-the-dates should include the location (city and state) and your wedding website URL and password, if you have one. You can also indicate who is invited by how you address the envelopes. For example, if children are not invited, address the envelopes to the parents only. If children are invited, address the envelope to "The Smith Family."

Before You Send Your Save-the-Dates

Before sending out your save-the-dates, be sure to finalise your wedding guest list. You can start by creating an A-list of people you absolutely want to invite, such as close family and friends, and a B-list of people you'd like to invite if your venue and budget allow. It's also a good idea to gather your guests' addresses in one place, using a guest list management tool or an address collection tool.

Invitations for international guests

If you're inviting international guests to your wedding, it's important to give them ample time to plan their travels. While the general recommendation is to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, you should allow more time for guests who need to travel from abroad.

For international guests, it's advisable to send out invitations around nine to ten weeks in advance. This extra time will account for shipping and delivery, ensuring that your invitations reach your loved ones safely. Keep in mind that you may need to be flexible with this timeline if your wedding is during a busy travel season or if your guests need to plan around work and other commitments.

When sending invitations to international guests, it's a good idea to give them a heads-up in advance. Consider calling or emailing them with the wedding details, including information about booking accommodations. This will allow them to start making travel arrangements early and ensure they have plenty of time to plan their trip.

If a significant portion of your guest list is from abroad, you may want to consider sending out invitations even earlier, around 12 weeks in advance. This is especially important if you want to give your international guests the option to RSVP by mail. However, keep in mind that the earlier you send out invitations, the higher the chances of guests forgetting or having to change their plans.

To make things easier for your international guests, consider including a digital RSVP option on your wedding website. This will allow them to respond promptly without having to worry about postal delays. Additionally, having all the relevant information, such as travel and accommodation details, easily accessible on your wedding website will be incredibly helpful for your overseas guests.

Remember, the key to sending out invitations for international guests is to provide them with ample time to plan their travels and ensure they feel included in your special day.

Digital invites

If you're planning a destination wedding or have a lot of international guests, it's a good idea to send the invites a little earlier, around nine to twelve weeks in advance. This will allow your guests to book flights and accommodations without worrying about last-minute changes to your wedding plans.

There are many advantages to digital invites. They are more affordable than paper invitations, typically costing less than $2 per invite. They are also more sustainable, as you won't be using any paper. Digital invites can also be easily customised to match your wedding colours and theme, and they often include convenient features like RSVP tracking.

However, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider. Digital invites may not be as accessible to older guests or those who are less tech-savvy, and there's always the risk of your invite ending up in the junk mail folder. Additionally, you'll need to put in extra effort to collect each guest's email address, especially if they are from the same household.

When creating your digital invites, make sure to include all the essential details such as the date, time, and location of the wedding. You can also include a link to your wedding website, where guests can find more information and RSVP online.

Overall, digital invites are a convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly option for your wedding. Just remember to give your guests enough notice and consider any potential accessibility issues.

B-list invites

Wedding planning is an art that requires prioritisation, especially when it comes to intimate weddings or weddings with limited space and budgets. One effective way to manage your guest list is by creating an A-list and a B-list. The A-list comprises non-negotiable guests, such as close family and friends, while the B-list includes those whom you would like to invite but are not as crucial, such as extended family, colleagues, or friends of your parents. Here are some detailed tips for handling B-list invites:

Make B-List Decisions Early

It is essential to decide early on if you need an A-list and a B-list. This decision will give you ample time to determine who belongs on each list and plan the arrangements for invitations and RSVP deadlines accordingly.

Organise Intentionally

When creating your B-list, organise it in order of priority. Place those who are important to you but didn't quite make the A-list at the top, and those who would be nice to include towards the bottom. This way, if some A-list guests decline, you know exactly who to invite next.

Send Invitations Early

For A-list guests, it is standard to send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, with an RSVP deadline of around three weeks before the wedding. However, if you have a B-list, you should mail your A-list invitations around 12 weeks in advance. This gives you a buffer to receive RSVPs and send out B-list invitations in a timely manner.

Have Two Sets of RSVP Cards

To maintain consistency, print two sets of RSVP cards with different deadlines. The first set, sent with the A-list invitations, should have an RSVP deadline of about eight weeks before the wedding. The second set, included with the B-list invitations, should have an RSVP deadline of approximately three weeks before the wedding, adhering to traditional etiquette.

Mail B-List Invites Simultaneously

Choose a deadline for adding B-list guests to your "invited" list and mail all the B-list invitations on the same day. This helps you keep track of your guest list and ensures that invitations arrive promptly and predictably.

Remember, timing is crucial when inviting B-list guests to avoid any last-minute surprises. By following these tips, you can navigate your B-list gracefully and ensure a well-organised wedding celebration.

Frequently asked questions