Spring Wedding Plans: Mailing March Invitations

Wedding planning is an exciting time, and sending out invitations is one of the most thrilling steps in the process. It's important to get the timing right, so your guests have enough time to plan and RSVP. So, when is the best time to send out wedding invitations for a March wedding?

Traditionally, invitations are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, for a March wedding, you may want to give your guests a little more notice, especially if they need to travel or make accommodation arrangements. In this case, sending out invitations two to three months in advance is a good idea. This will ensure your guests have enough time to plan and RSVP, allowing you to finalise numbers for your seating chart and catering.

If you're sending save-the-dates, these should go out four to six months before the wedding, or earlier if it's a destination wedding.

Send save-the-date cards 4-6 months in advance

Sending out save-the-date cards is an exciting step in your wedding planning journey. It is the first official announcement of your wedding plans and sets the tone for your special day. The timing of sending out save-the-date cards is crucial, not just for your schedule but also for your guests' schedules. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to send out save-the-date cards about six to eight months before the wedding. However, if you are planning a destination wedding, it is considerate to give your guests more time to make travel arrangements, so aim for nine to twelve months in advance.

When creating your save-the-date cards, keep them simple and fun. Include your names, the wedding date, and the location – just the city and state. You can also include your wedding website, but this is not necessary. Be mindful that save-the-date cards are typically sent only to those who will definitely receive an invitation. Sending them too early may result in guests forgetting, and sending them too late may not give your guests enough time to plan. Therefore, it is essential to find the right balance and send them out within the recommended timeframe.

Additionally, be clear about who is invited to avoid any confusion. Include the names of all intended guests on the envelope, and specify if you would like them to bring a plus one. This will help your guests with their travel and accommodation arrangements and give parents time to plan for childcare. Overall, sending out save-the-date cards 4-6 months in advance is a crucial step in ensuring your guests can attend your wedding and giving them a glimpse of what to expect on your big day.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of the planning process. It's important to get the timing right so that your guests have enough time to prepare and RSVP, but not so much time that they forget about your wedding altogether.

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements, plan their outfits, and organise gifts. It also means you can get a final headcount, invite any guests on your B list, and complete your seating chart before the last-minute crunch.

If you send out your invitations too early, there's a risk that your guests will forget about your wedding or that their plans might change. On the other hand, sending them out too late might not give your guests enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

If you're having a destination wedding or getting married during a busy holiday season, it's courteous to give your guests more time to prepare. In these cases, mailing the invitations 10-12 weeks in advance is recommended.

To ensure your guests can make the necessary arrangements and reflect your consideration and etiquette, it's essential to send your invitations on time.

Send destination wedding invites 3 months in advance

Planning a wedding can be a tricky task, especially when it comes to sending out invitations. The general rule of thumb is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, in the case of destination weddings, it is recommended to send out invitations three to four months in advance. This is because destination weddings require guests to make travel and accommodation arrangements, which can take more time to plan and book.

If you are planning a destination wedding for March, it is a good idea to send out your invitations by the end of the year. This will give your guests enough time to prepare for their trip and make any necessary arrangements. Sending out invitations earlier is also a good opportunity to include travel details and suggestions for places to stay near the wedding venue. This can be especially helpful for guests who may not be familiar with the area.

It is also a good idea to send out save-the-date cards in advance of the invitations, especially for destination weddings. Save-the-date cards can be sent out nine to twelve months before the wedding, giving your guests plenty of notice to plan their attendance. These cards can also include initial information about the wedding location and travel details. This way, your guests can start making arrangements and booking their trips early, which is often necessary for destination weddings.

When sending out your invitations, it is important to consider the response deadline. You will want to give your guests enough time to respond, but not so much time that they forget about the wedding or have their plans change. A good rule of thumb is to set the RSVP deadline for about one month before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise the guest list, create a seating chart, and make any necessary adjustments to your plans.

Finally, keep in mind that the timing of your invitations may depend on the specifics of your wedding and your guest list. If you have a lot of guests coming from far away or if your wedding falls during a busy holiday season, you may need to send out invitations even earlier. Ultimately, the key is to give your guests enough notice to plan their attendance and make the necessary arrangements, ensuring that they have all the information they need to celebrate your special day with you.

Include RSVP cards with a deadline 4 weeks before the event

When it comes to wedding planning, timing is everything. Sending out your invitations at the right time will ensure your guests can make the necessary arrangements and is a reflection of your consideration and etiquette.

Traditionally, invitations are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is especially important if you have already sent out save-the-dates, as it gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. Sending out your invitations in this time frame also means that you can request your wedding guests' RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B-list, and complete your seating chart before the week of your wedding.

To ensure you get your RSVPs back in time, it is recommended to include an RSVP deadline of at least two to four weeks before your wedding date. This will give you enough time to get a final headcount for your venue and caterer and finalise your seating plan. To make it easier for your guests to respond, it is a good idea to include stamped, addressed envelopes with your RSVP cards.

If you are having a destination wedding or are getting married during a busy holiday season, it is courteous to give your guests more time by mailing the invitations 10-12 weeks in advance, with an RSVP deadline of around four weeks before the wedding.

• Pick a deadline date at least a few weeks before you need the final headcount.
• Add 4-6 weeks extra time if you have a reserve guest list and to give yourself plenty of time to follow up with guests who have not replied.
• Include a blank line for guests' names and a traditional 'M' at the start, which stands for 'Mr', 'Mrs', or 'Miss'.
• Include "Accept" and "Decline" checkboxes with formal or casual wording options.
• Include a way for guests to indicate the number of people attending, especially if you have invited multiple people with one invitation (e.g., families and couples).
• If offering food options, include blank lines or boxes for guests to indicate their preferences.
• Include a blank line for guests to fill in any dietary requirements.
• Include a fun space for a song request to get guests excited for the reception.

Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for RSVPs

When sending out wedding invitations, it is important to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) for RSVPs. This will make it easier for your guests to respond and will save them the cost of postage. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a SASE:

• Purchase the correct envelope: Choose an envelope that is the right size to hold the RSVP card or any other item your guests will be sending back to you. You can also use a self-sealing envelope for added convenience. Ensure that the envelope is unsealed so that your guests can insert their responses.
• Write your complete address: On the front of the envelope, write your full name and return address in the centre. This will ensure that the envelope is mailed back to the correct address.
• Add the postage stamp: Affix a postage stamp to the top right corner of the envelope. Make sure the stamp covers the cost of returning the envelope to you. Check the postal rates and use the appropriate stamps, especially if you are sending the SASE to a different country.
• Include instructions: Clearly instruct your guests on what action they need to take. For example, you can add a note outside the SASE that says, "Please send your response in the enclosed envelope." You can also include additional instructions or a personal note inside the main envelope.
• Insert the SASE into the main envelope: Place the unsealed SASE inside the main envelope, along with your wedding invitation and any other relevant information. Make sure that the main envelope is larger than the SASE to avoid any damage during transit.
• Send out your invitations: Once you have sealed the main envelope and affixed the correct postage, write the recipient's address and send out your invitations. You can drop them off at a mailbox or take them to your local post office.

By including a SASE with your wedding invitations, you are making it more convenient for your guests to respond, and you will also have a better idea of your final headcount for the wedding. It is a simple process that will help ensure a smooth and efficient response process.

Frequently asked questions