The Perfect Timing For Sending Wedding Invites In The Uk

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and there's a lot to consider when it comes to sending out invites. The general rule of thumb is to send wedding invitations around four to eight months before the wedding, but there are a few factors to keep in mind. If you're having a destination wedding or a wedding during peak season, it's a good idea to send invitations earlier to give guests enough time to plan their travel and accommodation. The same goes for guests who need to book time off work or arrange childcare. Sending out a save-the-date card at least six months in advance is also a great way to give guests a heads-up, especially if you're getting married during a busy time of year. Ultimately, you want to give your guests enough notice so they can mark their calendars and start planning, but not so early that they forget about your big day!

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

Save-the-date cards are a great way to give your guests an early heads-up about your wedding date, especially if you're getting married abroad or during a busy time of year. They are also useful if your guests need to travel or book accommodation, giving them ample time to plan their trip, book time off work, and make any necessary arrangements.

The ideal time to send out your save-the-date cards is between 12 months and 6 months before your wedding day, with 9 months being the ideal time. Sending them out early ensures your guests can mark their calendars and gives them the best chance of attending. It's also a good idea if you're getting married during peak wedding season, as it prevents your guests from double-booking or committing to another event.

Save-the-date cards can be beautifully simple. Include your names, the wedding date, and the town or venue as a minimum. If you have a wedding website with details on accommodation or travel arrangements, you can include the URL as well. You can also include a map of the venue or a note about the dress code.

While it's not necessary to send out save-the-date cards, especially if you have a short engagement, they are a thoughtful way to give your guests a heads-up, ensuring they can plan and prepare for your big day.

Wedding invites: Send 4-8 months before the wedding

Wedding invites are a crucial part of your wedding planning. They are often the first glimpse your guests will get of your wedding style and they provide essential details such as accommodation booking information, dress code and whether children are invited. So, when is the best time to send them?

Save the Dates

Save the dates are a great way to give your guests an early heads-up about your wedding date, especially if you are getting married during peak season or if your guests will need to travel. They are typically sent out 6-12 months before your wedding day, with 8-10 months being ideal. This gives your guests plenty of time to prepare and change their plans if necessary.

Wedding Invites

If you haven't sent save the dates, wedding invitations should be sent out 4-6 months before your wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to reply, make travel arrangements and book accommodation.

If you have sent save the dates, wedding invitations should be posted at least 8 weeks before your wedding. Wedding invites should not be sent with less than 6 weeks until the wedding. The sweet spot is typically 3 months before, giving you enough time to receive RSVPs and finalise numbers with your venue and caterers.

For destination weddings, it is common practice to send out invitations 6-8 months before the wedding. This gives guests plenty of time to book time off work, plan travel and make accommodation arrangements.

Evening Invites

Evening invitations can be sent out 4-6 weeks before the wedding, giving guests enough time to plan and RSVP.

Destination wedding invites: Send 6-8 months before the wedding

Planning a destination wedding? It's a good idea to send out your wedding invites around 6-8 months before the big day. This will give your guests ample time to plan their trip, book time off work, and make any necessary travel arrangements.

While it's not essential, sending out save-the-date cards is a great way to give your guests an early heads-up, especially if you're getting married abroad or during a busy season. These can be sent out anytime from 12 months to 6 months in advance, with 9 months being ideal. This will ensure your guests have enough time to prepare, especially if they need to book travel or accommodation.

When it comes to the wedding invitations themselves, aim to send them out early, especially if your guests need to travel far or book accommodation. This will show your guests that you're thinking of them and their needs. It's also a good idea to include an RSVP card with your invitations, so your guests can easily let you know if they're attending.

For destination weddings, it's crucial to provide detailed information about the venue and location along with the invitations. This will help your guests immensely in their planning process. If you have a wedding website, be sure to include the URL on your save-the-date cards or invitations, so your guests can easily access all the information they need.

Remember, the key to sending out wedding invitations for a destination wedding is to give your guests as much notice as possible. This will ensure they have a positive experience and can fully enjoy celebrating your special day with you.

Reserve list: Send invites 3 months before the wedding

If you have a reserve list and need to send out wedding invites, it's a good idea to do so about three months before the wedding. This will give those unable to attend time to respond, and it will also allow you to send out new invites to your reserve list without them feeling like a second choice. Sending invites three months in advance is also helpful if you want favours and place cards customised for your guests.

When creating your reserve list, consider the following:

• Guest list size: If you have a large guest list and are not in regular contact with many of them, sending invites earlier will ensure everyone is aware.
• Travel and accommodation: If your wedding is in a different city or country, or if your guests are scattered across the country, send invites earlier so that guests can plan their travel and accommodation.
• Peak season: If your wedding falls during peak season (spring and summer months), send invites earlier to prevent guests from committing to another event.
• Final numbers: Remember to factor in enough time to get responses and finalise numbers for your venue and caterers.
• Save the dates: If you're sending save the dates, wedding invitations can be sent at least eight weeks before the wedding. If you haven't sent save the dates, invitations should go out four to six months in advance.
• Customisation: If you want customised items for your guests, sending invites three months ahead and setting an early RSVP date will make it easier to finalise your guest list and arrange for customisation.
• RSVP deadline: Set an RSVP deadline of around four weeks before the wedding to give yourself enough time to plan and make any necessary arrangements.

Personalised items: Send invites 3 months before the wedding

Planning a wedding can be a stressful task, especially when it comes to sending out invites. There are many factors to consider, including whether you have a lot of out-of-town guests, whether you are holding your wedding during peak wedding season, and whether you are having personalised items such as place names and wedding favours.

If you are having personalised items, it is recommended that you send out your invites three months before your wedding day. This will give you enough time to finalise your guest list and have these personalised items made or printed. For instance, if you are having a rustic boho-style wedding, you may want to ensure that your invitations reflect this theme. You may also want to include a separate RSVP card with your invitation, which can be a nice keepsake for you.

It is also worth considering whether you will be sending out save-the-date cards. These are becoming increasingly popular, especially if you are getting married abroad or during a busy time of year. Save-the-date cards should be sent out around nine months to a year before your wedding. This will give your guests plenty of time to book any necessary travel and accommodation. If you are sending save-the-date cards, you can afford to wait a little longer to send out your official invitations—around two to three months before the wedding.

However, if you are not sending save-the-date cards, it is recommended that you send out your invitations four to six months before your wedding. This will give your guests enough time to plan and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking time off work or finding a babysitter.

Frequently asked questions