The Perfect Timing For Sending Out Wedding Invitations

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. But it's important to get the timing right. Send them too early and your wedding might slip your guests' minds. Send them too late and you risk your loved ones not having enough time to take time off work, book accommodation or make travel arrangements. So, when is the best time to send out wedding invitations?

Save-the-dates

When to send save-the-dates

The general rule of wedding etiquette is to send save-the-dates 4-6 months before your wedding. This gives your guests enough time to plan and book any necessary travel or accommodation. It is also enough time for your guests to note the date in their calendars, especially if they have busy schedules or children. Sending save-the-dates early is also a good idea if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding. In these cases, it is recommended to send save-the-dates 6-12 months in advance.

Who to send save-the-dates to

What to include in save-the-dates

In addition to the date and location (city/state), save-the-dates can include your wedding website URL and password. Here, guests can find more information about the event, travel and accommodation, and your wedding registry. You can also indicate who is invited by how you address the envelopes. For example, if children are not invited, the envelope would be addressed to the parents only.

Digital or paper save-the-dates?

Digital save-the-dates are becoming more acceptable, especially in recent years. However, physical save-the-dates are still the best way to set the tone for your wedding, as guests can see the design and get a taste of what to expect.

Wedding invitations

Save the Dates:

It is advisable to send out your Save the Dates 4-6 months before your wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to make the necessary travel arrangements and accommodations. If your wedding is a destination wedding, it is recommended to send out your Save the Dates even earlier, anywhere from 6-12 months in advance. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is taking place at a far-off destination.

The ideal time to send out your official wedding invitations is 6-8 weeks before your wedding date. This timeline ensures that your guests have ample time to respond and make any necessary preparations. It is important not to send out your invitations too early or too late, as this can affect guest attendance.

RSVPs:

It is recommended to set an RSVP deadline of about 1 month from your wedding date. This allows you, your vendors, and your guests enough time to make the necessary preparations for your big day. It is also a good idea to follow up with guests who have not responded by the deadline to get a final headcount for your venue and caterer.

International Guests:

If you have guests travelling from abroad, it is advisable to send out their invitations earlier, ideally 9-12 weeks in advance. This allows them sufficient time to request time off work, book flights, and make travel arrangements.

Digital Invitations:

Digital wedding invitations are becoming an increasingly popular and eco-friendly option. However, it is still recommended to follow the traditional timeline for sending out invitations, even if they are digital. This ensures that your guests have ample time to RSVP and make the necessary plans.

Remember, these timelines may vary slightly depending on the specific circumstances of your wedding. It is essential to consider the location and date of your wedding, as well as the number of guests who will need to travel. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your guests have all the information they need to celebrate your special day with you!

RSVPs

Timing:

It is recommended that you request RSVPs no later than one month before your wedding date. This allows ample time for preparations and gives you an accurate guest count. Sending out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance is ideal as it provides enough time to receive responses while staying within the boundaries of proper wedding invitation etiquette.

Methods:

You can choose to receive RSVPs through various methods, including online via your wedding website or through traditional mail with RSVP cards and pre-addressed envelopes. Digital RSVPs offer a convenient and timely option, especially for international guests, as you won't have to wait for their responses to arrive by post.

Deadlines:

Be sure to indicate an RSVP deadline on your invitations to give guests a clear timeframe for their response. This deadline is typically set for one month before the wedding, allowing a brief window for consideration while also providing vendors with advance notice.

Follow-ups:

It is inevitable that some guests will not respond by the deadline. In such cases, it is advisable to follow up with a call or email a few days after the deadline to secure their response. This ensures you receive timely confirmations and can adjust your plans accordingly.

Early Responses:

Some guests may respond almost immediately upon receiving their invitations, especially if they have already made plans or are excited about the event. It is helpful to set the RSVP date back slightly to allow for these early responses and encourage guests to make decisions without feeling rushed.

International Guests:

If you have a significant number of international guests, consider sending their invitations a little earlier, around nine to twelve weeks in advance. This extra time is crucial for guests who need to arrange travel plans and request time off work.

Reminders:

To improve response rates and ensure timely RSVPs, consider sending gentle reminders to your guests as the deadline approaches. This can be done through email, text, or a quick phone call, depending on your relationship with the guest.

Finalising Details:

Once you have received all RSVPs and finalised your guest count, you can proceed with finalising other wedding details such as the seating chart, menu selections, and cake size. It is essential to provide accurate numbers to your vendors to ensure a smooth and well-organised event.

By following these guidelines and staying organised, you can effectively manage your RSVPs and ensure that your wedding plans are on track.

International guests

If you're inviting international guests to your wedding, it's a good idea to give them a heads-up about the date and location as early as possible. This is especially important if they need to book travel and accommodation. Sending out 'save the date' cards 9-12 months in advance is a good way to do this. You can include your destination, wedding date, and the URL of your wedding website.

If you're not sending 'save the date' cards, it's advisable to send out your invitations at least 12 weeks in advance, and preferably earlier. This will give your international guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements and book time off work. It's also a good idea to follow up with them promptly after sending the invitations to ensure they received them and have enough time to prepare for the trip.

To make things easier for your international guests, you can include travel and accommodation details on your wedding website. This could include suggestions for places to stay, information on when flights to your destination go on sale, and tips for places to visit and eat in the area. You could also suggest that they book their travel and accommodation as soon as possible to get the best deals.

It's also worth considering sending digital invitations and allowing digital RSVPs to save time and ensure a faster response.

Digital invites

Digital Wedding Invitations

Digital wedding invitations are a convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper invites. They are also a great option if you're planning your wedding at short notice or want to reduce the amount of paper waste generated by your event.

When to Send Digital Wedding Invites

It is recommended that digital wedding invitations be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This is the same timeline that applies to traditional paper invitations. Sending invites within this timeframe gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as travel and accommodation bookings. It also allows you to request RSVPs sooner, making it easier to finalise your headcount, seating charts, and other wedding preparations.

If your wedding falls on a major holiday, such as Christmas, it is suggested to send out invitations earlier, around three months in advance, as guests will need more time to plan their attendance.

How to Send Digital Wedding Invites

There are several ways to send digital wedding invitations:

• As an image attachment in an email
• Pasting the invitation image directly into the email text
• Embedding the invitation details in the email with 'click here' buttons that direct guests to the wedding website or RSVP form
• Using a digital invitation platform or service, such as Evite or Paperless Post, which offer customisable templates and RSVP tracking
• Creating a joint email account for wedding correspondence, with a personalised signature or monogram

What to Include in Digital Wedding Invites

Digital wedding invitations should include the same key information as traditional paper invites, such as the date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony. You may also include a short subject line that includes the names of the couple and the event, such as "Suzy & Shane are Tying the Knot - 02.10.2021".

The email message accompanying the invitation can be relatively short, as all the necessary details are included in the invitation image. It is important to address each guest by name and send individual emails, as this provides clarity on who is invited and simplifies RSVP management.

Pros and Cons of Digital Wedding Invites

Pros:

• Cost-effective: Digital invitations are typically much cheaper than paper invitations, with some options costing under $2 per invite or a flat fee for a digital download.
• Time-saving: There is no need for envelope stuffing, stamp sticking, or handwriting addresses.
• Eco-friendly: Digital invitations are a sustainable option, reducing paper waste and the need for eco-friendly materials.
• Seamless RSVPs: Online invitation services make it easier for guests to RSVP, and you instantly receive their responses.
• Design consistency: It is easy to create a cohesive design suite by incorporating your wedding colours, themes, and fonts across digital save-the-dates, invitations, and thank-you cards.

Cons:

• Potential inaccessibility: Digital invitations may be challenging for less tech-savvy recipients, and there is a risk of them ending up in spam folders.
• Contact information collection: You will need to put in extra effort to collect email addresses for all intended guests, especially if they are from the same household.
• Lack of formality: Some guests may prefer the sentimentality and gravitas of a traditional paper invitation, which can also be kept as a keepsake.

Examples of Digital Invitation Platforms

• Greenvelope: Offers customisable designs, RSVP tracking, and digital envelope liners. Prices start at $19 for up to 20 people.
• Evite: A familiar platform that offers free standard email invitations and premium options from $15.99 for 15 invitations.
• Paperless Post: Collaborates with well-known brands and designers, offering beautiful templates and RSVP tracking. Payment is made through the purchase of "coins" on the site, starting at $12 for 25 coins.
• Bliss & Bone: Provides immersive digital invitations with realistic textures and shadows, giving the impression of paper. Prices start at $0.90 per recipient.
• Etsy: Vendors offer downloadable templates for digital invitations, often at very affordable prices (as low as $2).

Digital wedding invitations offer a modern and convenient approach to inviting your guests, providing a seamless experience for both you and your attendees. With the right design and attention to detail, you can create elegant and impactful invitations that set the tone for your special day.

Frequently asked questions