Destination Wedding: When To Send Out Invitations?

Planning a wedding is a tricky affair, and destination weddings come with their own set of challenges and considerations. One of the most important aspects is timing—specifically, when to send out those all-important invites and save-the-dates. So, when is the right time to start notifying your guests? Well, it's all about giving your guests enough time to plan. For save-the-dates, it's recommended to give at least six months' notice, and up to eight or even twelve months for a destination wedding. This gives your guests ample time to book travel and accommodation. When it comes to sending out the formal invitations, it's best to do so around three to four months before the big day. This strikes a balance between giving your guests enough time to prepare and avoiding sending the invites too early, which can lead to procrastination or a sense of it getting lost in the shuffle.

Send save-the-date cards 9-12 months before the wedding

Planning a destination wedding comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to sending out invitations and save-the-date cards. Here are some instructive tips focused on sending save-the-date cards 9-12 months before a destination wedding:

Send Save-the-Date Cards Early:

It is recommended to send save-the-date cards for a destination wedding 9-12 months in advance. This longer timeframe is crucial as it gives your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodation plans. It's important to remember that your guests will need to organise their schedules and budgets, so providing this early notice is considerate and practical.

Provide Essential Details:

When sending out your save-the-date cards, be sure to include essential details such as the destination, wedding date, and the URL of your wedding website. You may also want to include travel information, such as flight and accommodation options. This way, your guests can start planning their trip and making the necessary arrangements.

Consider a Digital Approach:

If you're concerned about timing, you can opt for digital save-the-date cards or even use a personal wedding website. This allows you to reach your guests instantly and provides an opportunity to include more detailed information and updates. A website can serve as a central hub for all wedding-related information, including travel tips, local attractions, and any changes that may occur.

Prepare a Guest Information Packet:

Instead of a simple postcard, consider sending out a packet with additional information. This can include a general timeline of events, such as welcome parties, brunches, or group activities. It's also a good idea to secure a room block at your hotel so that guests can plan their stay accordingly.

Ask Guests for Their Preferences:

If you're still finalising the wedding activities, you can involve your guests in the planning process. Include a response card or a poll on your wedding website where guests can indicate their preferences. This not only helps you plan accordingly but also ensures that your guests feel included and considered.

Emphasise the Importance of Early Planning:

Encourage your guests to start planning their trip as early as possible. Highlight the benefits of booking flights and accommodation in advance, such as better availability and potentially lower costs. This is especially important for destination weddings, as your guests will likely need to take time off work and make more extensive travel plans.

Include your wedding website on save-the-date cards

When planning a destination wedding, it is important to give your guests ample notice. Save-the-date cards are a great way to do this, and it is becoming increasingly common to include your wedding website on these cards. Here are some reasons why you should include your wedding website on your save-the-date cards:

Help Guests Plan Ahead

Save-the-date cards are meant to help your guests plan ahead, and including your wedding website is a great way to provide them with more detailed information. Your website can include travel and accommodation recommendations, as well as other important details such as the dress code and registry information. This will allow your guests to start making the necessary arrangements and bookings well in advance, especially if they are travelling from out of town.

Keep Guests Informed

If any details about your wedding change, it is much easier to update your wedding website than to send out new save-the-date cards. By including your wedding website on your save-the-date cards, you can direct guests to a central source of information that you can update as needed. This is especially useful if you are having a destination wedding, as travel plans and accommodations may change.

Collect RSVPs Online

Many couples choose to collect RSVPs online through their wedding website, rather than having guests fill out paper response cards. Including your wedding website on your save-the-date cards will make it easy for guests to know where to go when the time comes to RSVP. This also helps you keep track of your guest list and manage responses with real-time updates.

Share Important Details

Your wedding website is a great place to share important details about your big day. In addition to travel and accommodation recommendations, you can include information about the type of celebration you'll be having, the wedding schedule, and any other pertinent details. This will give your guests a better sense of what to expect and help them plan accordingly.

Provide Regular Updates

Even if your wedding website is not 100% perfect when you send out your save-the-date cards, it is a great idea to include the URL. You can continue to update your website as you finalise the details of your wedding, and your guests will have a central place to go to for the most up-to-date information. This is a great way to keep everyone informed and reduce confusion.

Send invites 2-4 months before the wedding

Sending out invites for a destination wedding is a tricky business. You want to give your guests enough time to prepare, but not so much time that they put off planning their trip. So, when is the best time to send out those invites?

Well, if you're sending out save-the-dates, the general consensus is to do so around nine to twelve months in advance. This gives your guests plenty of time to book travel and accommodation. It's also a good idea to include travel details with your save-the-dates, so your guests can start planning their trip.

But what about the formal invitations? How far in advance should you send those out? Some sources suggest sending them out two to three months before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to prepare without being too far in advance. Others suggest sending them out three to four months before the wedding, to give guests more time to plan their travel and accommodation.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's also a good idea to have a wedding website. This can be a great way to communicate all the details of your wedding to your guests. You can include information on how to reach the destination, where to stay, and even tips on places to visit and eat in the area. You can set up your website as soon as you have confirmed your venue and date and update it regularly as more details are confirmed.

So, to sum up, send your save-the-dates around nine to twelve months in advance, and your formal invitations two to four months before your destination wedding. This will give your guests plenty of time to plan their trip and ensure they don't forget about your special day!

Include travel and accommodation details on invites

When it comes to destination weddings, it's important to give your guests plenty of notice. Sending out save-the-dates nine to twelve months in advance is a good idea, and you may want to include travel details at this point. This gives your guests ample time to organise their travel plans and book accommodation.

The wedding invitation itself should be sent out two to four months before the wedding. This is when you can include more detailed travel and accommodation information. It's a good idea to include a separate information card with your invitation. This card can contain transport options, directions to the venue, and suggestions for places to stay. You could also include tips for local restaurants and places to visit, as well as information on the local weather to help your guests pack appropriately.

If you are able to, you could even book reasonably-priced group accommodation for your guests and ask them to reimburse you. This can be a convenient option for your guests, and you could also arrange welcome gift bags for them on arrival.

It's also worth noting that some guests may prefer to wait for the formal invitation before booking their travel and accommodation. To encourage guests to book earlier and secure better rates, you could send an email or update via your wedding website, assuring them that none of the details will change.

For guests travelling from overseas, it's a good idea to send out invitations even earlier—up to five or six months in advance—to give them more time to plan their trip.

Finally, if you are having additional events around the wedding, such as a dinner the evening before or lunch the following day, be sure to include these on your RSVP card so that guests can indicate their attendance.

Send thank you cards after the wedding

When planning a destination wedding, it's important to give your guests ample notice. While the invitations themselves are typically sent out 2-4 months before the wedding, it is recommended that you send out "save the dates" 9-12 months in advance. This gives your guests plenty of time to organise their travel plans and accommodation.

Now, let's talk about sending thank you cards after the wedding. It's a lovely way to express your gratitude and make your guests feel appreciated. Here are some tips and guidelines to keep in mind:

• Timing: Aim to send your thank you cards as soon as possible after the wedding, preferably within 2-3 months. This shows your guests that you are thoughtful and appreciative of their attendance and any gifts they may have given you.
• Personalisation: Make each thank you card personal and heartfelt. Mention specific details about their attendance, such as how happy you were to see them or a particular conversation you enjoyed. If they gave you a gift, mention it specifically and describe how you plan to use it or how it has already brought value to your life.
• Mention the Destination: Since it was a destination wedding, acknowledge the extra effort your guests made to be there. Express your gratitude for their willingness to travel and celebrate with you. You can also include a favourite memory or two from the trip that you shared with them.
• Practical Considerations: If you have a large number of guests, it might be a good idea to create a template for your thank you cards. This will save you time while still allowing for personal touches. You can also include a photo from the wedding, either printed or as a keepsake, as a special memento.
• Gifts: If you received gifts, it is customary to send a thank you card even if you've already expressed your gratitude in person. It reinforces your appreciation and shows that you value their thoughtfulness.
• Format: Thank you cards can be handwritten or typed, depending on your preference. Handwritten cards add a personal touch, but if your handwriting is difficult to read, typing is also acceptable.

Frequently asked questions