Mailing Wedding Invites: Timing And Tips For Your Big Day

Wedding invitations are one of the most important elements of your big day. They carry crucial information that your guests need to know before the wedding day. The general rule of thumb is to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. However, some couples choose to send out their invitations earlier, especially if they are having a destination wedding or if many of their guests are travelling from out of town. In these cases, it is common to send out invitations three to six months in advance. Sending out invitations too early or too late can lead to issues with guests forgetting to RSVP or not having enough time to plan their attendance.

Save-the-date cards: 6-12 months before the wedding

Save-the-date cards are an exciting part of the wedding planning process. They are the first opportunity to notify your guests of your wedding date and venue. It is best practice to send these out 6-12 months before the wedding, although some sources suggest that sending them 9-12 months in advance is also acceptable. This is especially important if you are planning a destination wedding or if many of your guests will be travelling. Save-the-date cards give your guests plenty of time to plan, ensuring that they don't book a holiday or accept another wedding invitation for the same date.

It is important to remember that save-the-date cards do not need to give too much away. You can include your wedding website, venue details, and date, but you don't need to have ironed out all the finer details yet.

If you are planning a destination wedding, it is worth noting that the time it takes to find the right wedding stationery supplier, place your order, and have it delivered will vary. Online, off-the-shelf designs can be bought and shipped to you within 2-3 weeks, whereas custom-made, luxury save-the-date cards can take 4-6 weeks. Therefore, if you are ordering simple off-the-shelf designs, there is no rush, and you can order them 8-9 months before the wedding. However, if you want high-end boutique designs, it is best to start researching and reaching out to stationery designers 11-12 months before your wedding.

By sending out your save-the-date cards, you can get an idea of how many of your friends and family will be able to attend. This is especially important for destination weddings, as you will need to communicate a rough number of guests to your venue and prepare welcome packs for your guests.

Invitations for destination weddings: 4-6 months in advance

Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, and knowing when to send out your wedding invitations is a common question. There are a few things to consider when deciding on the timing, such as the location of your wedding and the number of guests who will be travelling. Here are some tips and advice for sending out invitations for a destination wedding 4-6 months in advance:

Save-the-Dates:

It is recommended to send out save-the-date cards or notifications 9-12 months before the wedding date for a destination wedding. This will give your guests ample time to plan their travel arrangements, book accommodations, and request time off work. Sending save-the-dates early is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or if the majority of your guests will be travelling long distances. You can include your destination, wedding date, and a link to your wedding website on the save-the-date.

Wedding Website:

It is becoming increasingly popular to set up a personal wedding website, which can be shared with guests as soon as the date and location are confirmed. The website can include all the necessary details, such as travel and accommodation information, and can be updated regularly as more information becomes available.

Invitations:

For destination weddings, it is generally recommended to send out formal invitations 2-3 months before the wedding. This timing serves as a reminder for your guests to finalise their travel plans and book their trips. It is also a good idea to request RSVPs about a month before the wedding, to give yourself enough time to plan and make any necessary adjustments.

Other Considerations:

When sending out invitations for a destination wedding, it is important to consider the time it takes for international postage. It is recommended to send invitations to international guests about 9-10 weeks in advance to account for shipping and delivery times. Additionally, giving your guests the option to RSVP digitally can help expedite the process and ensure you receive their responses promptly.

Flexibility:

Remember that there may be unexpected changes to your wedding plans, so it is advisable to wait as long as possible before sending out your invitations. This will help ensure that the details on the invitation are accurate and up-to-date.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your guests have enough time to plan their attendance at your destination wedding while also giving yourself the necessary time to prepare and finalise the details for your big day.

Invitations for local weddings: 1-2 months before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations is a critical step in the wedding planning process, and it's important to do so at the right time. For local weddings, it is generally recommended to send out invitations one to two months before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to plan and respond, while also ensuring that your wedding stays fresh in their minds.

When sending out invitations for a local wedding, it's crucial to consider the logistics and convenience of your guests. Sending the invitations one to two months in advance allows your guests to arrange their schedules, request time off from work, and make any necessary travel plans. It also gives them ample time to respond to your invitation, helping you finalise the guest list and make necessary arrangements.

The timing of your invitation can also be influenced by the availability of your wedding venue and the lead time required by your stationer or invitation designer. If you have a shorter lead time or your guests need to plan more extensive travel, you may want to send the invitations closer to the two-month mark. On the other hand, if your venue requires an earlier confirmation of guest count, sending the invitations one and a half months in advance may be more suitable.

When sending out local wedding invitations, it's essential to include specific details such as the wedding venue and the expected dress code. You may also want to include a wedding website or provide additional information that will be helpful for your guests' planning.

It's worth noting that the timing of wedding invitations can vary depending on cultural norms and personal circumstances. While the one to two-month timeframe is a common guideline, it's always a good idea to consider the unique needs of your guest list and choose a timing that works best for everyone.

RSVPs due: one month before the wedding

It's important to get your wedding invitations right – they are one of the most important elements of your big day. While there are no set rules, there are guidelines to follow.

The ideal timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements, and it means you can request RSVPs sooner. It's also a good idea to send out 'save the date' cards as soon as you've secured the date with your venue, and at least nine to twelve months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send out invitations eight to twelve months in advance to allow guests ample time for travel preparations. If you have a mix of local and international guests, you might want to consider bumping up the timeline for everyone and sending out invitations a minimum of twelve weeks in advance.

RSVP deadlines should be set around one month before the wedding. This will give you enough time for a final headcount and to communicate that number to your caterer. It will also help you draw up your seating chart without a last-minute rush.

• If your wedding is around a major holiday, send out invitations earlier than you otherwise might.
• If you have guests travelling from outside the US, send their invitations nine to ten weeks in advance to allow for shipping and delivery times.
• If you're skipping 'save the dates', and you have a standard engagement length, send invitations around six months in advance.
• If you're only engaged a few months before the wedding, send invitations two to three months before.
• If you have a mix of local and international guests, send all your invitations at the same time.

Rehearsal dinner invitations: 3-6 weeks in advance

Planning a wedding can be a stressful task, and the rehearsal dinner is an important part of the process. It is usually the first event of the wedding weekend, so it's essential to get the rehearsal dinner invitations right. Here are some tips and guidelines for sending out rehearsal dinner invitations 3-6 weeks in advance:

Timing:

• It is recommended to send out rehearsal dinner invitations 3-6 weeks in advance, after the wedding invitations have been mailed. This timing ensures that guests receive their wedding invitations first and provides enough time for them to make travel arrangements if needed.
• Asking for RSVPs about two weeks before the rehearsal dinner is advisable. This allows for any last-minute adjustments to the guest list and helps with finalizing catering plans.

Content:

• The rehearsal dinner invitation should include essential details such as the host's name, the couple's names, the event date, time, and location, and the RSVP deadline and method.
• It is also a good idea to include any additional information that guests may need, such as the wedding website, dress code, or any other relevant details.

Format:

• Rehearsal dinner invitations can be sent digitally or as paper invitations. Paper invitations are traditionally preferred as they can set the tone for the event and are often seen as more formal. However, digital invitations are becoming increasingly acceptable.
• If you choose to send paper invitations, consider using the same stationer who created your wedding invitations to maintain a cohesive theme and style.

Guest List:

• The guest list for the rehearsal dinner is typically smaller than the wedding guest list and usually includes the wedding party, immediate family, and sometimes close friends or out-of-town guests.
• It is essential to coordinate with the couple to ensure that the guest list for the rehearsal dinner aligns with their preferences and does not cause any confusion or conflict.

Wording:

• The wording of the rehearsal dinner invitation can be less formal than the wedding invitation, but it should still include all the necessary information.
• Some examples of wording for rehearsal dinner invitations include:
• "You're invited to celebrate [Couple's Names] at their rehearsal dinner hosted by [Host's Names]."
• "Join us for a cocktail rehearsal dinner in honour of [Couple's Names]."
• "Let's celebrate our bride and groom! You're invited to [Couple's Names] rehearsal dinner hosted by [Host's Names]."

Remember, the key is to provide clear and concise information to your guests while maintaining a tone that reflects the level of formality desired for the event.

Frequently asked questions