Wedding Invitation Etiquette: A Guide To Sending Invites

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure that your guests can make the necessary arrangements to attend your big day. The general consensus is that invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements, and plan their outfits. It also allows you to request RSVPs sooner, helping you finalise your seating chart and share the final headcount with your vendors.

However, there are some circumstances where you may want to send out invitations earlier. For destination weddings or weddings during busy holiday seasons, it is considered courteous to mail the invitations 10 to 12 weeks in advance. Additionally, if a large percentage of your guest list lives abroad, it is recommended to add a few weeks to the timeline, aiming for around 12 weeks before the wedding.

On the other hand, sending out invitations too early may lead to guests losing or forgetting the information, while sending them too late may not give your loved ones enough notice to make the necessary arrangements. Therefore, it is essential to find the sweet spot when sending out wedding invitations to ensure a smooth planning process and a well-attended celebration.

Timing: Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding, or 3 months for destination weddings

Sending out your wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. It's important to get the timing right so that your guests have enough time to plan and prepare, but not so much time that they forget about your big day.

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking time off work or sorting out accommodation. It also means you'll get your RSVPs back sooner, allowing you to finalise your seating chart and make any necessary adjustments to your guest list.

However, if you're planning a destination wedding, it's a good idea to give your guests a little more notice. In this case, it's recommended to send out invitations three months in advance. This will give your guests ample time to plan their trip, sort out travel and accommodation, and make any necessary arrangements with their families.

If you're sending out save-the-date cards, these should typically go out four to six months before the wedding. This gives your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars, especially if your wedding falls on a busy time of year or a holiday weekend. Sending save-the-date cards is also helpful if many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if there are limited accommodations near your wedding venue.

For local weddings, it's best to stick to the six-to-eight-week timeline for sending invitations. While it may seem like this isn't enough time, keep in mind that your guests will already have the necessary information from your save-the-date cards. Sending your invitations too early may result in guests changing their plans or forgetting about your wedding altogether.

So, to summarise, the ideal timeline for sending wedding invitations is six to eight weeks for local weddings and three months for destination weddings. Sending save-the-date cards four to six months in advance will also help your guests plan accordingly.

RSVPs: Ask for responses by 1 month before the wedding

When it comes to wedding planning, there are many details to consider, and sending out invitations is one of the most important and exciting steps. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, here are some instructive guidelines and tips to help you navigate the process, specifically regarding when to request RSVPs.

RSVPs: Ask for responses by one month before the wedding

It is standard etiquette to request that your wedding guests RSVP by a certain date, typically around one month before the wedding. This timeline allows you to finalise details such as seating charts and make necessary adjustments based on the final headcount. It also gives your vendors enough time to prepare and ensures that your guests have ample time to respond.

The timing of your RSVP deadline depends on several factors, including the percentage of guests travelling from out of town or abroad, the complexity of travel arrangements, and the timing of your final headcount deadline. For example, if you have a large number of international guests or your wedding is a destination wedding, you may want to request RSVPs earlier, around six to eight weeks before the wedding. This will give you more time to follow up with guests who have not responded and ensure that everyone has enough time to make travel plans.

On the other hand, if most of your guests are local and your wedding is not during a busy travel season, you may have some flexibility with the RSVP deadline. In this case, you could set the deadline at four weeks before the wedding or even a bit sooner, especially if you have already sent out Save the Dates. This will give you a better sense of your guest count earlier on and allow you to focus on other planning details.

When determining the RSVP deadline, keep in mind that you may need to send reminders to some guests. It is common for some guests to miss the deadline or forget to respond altogether. By setting the deadline at one month before the wedding, you can account for any stragglers and give yourself a buffer to chase down late responses.

Additionally, consider including an RSVP card with a self-addressed, stamped envelope in your invitation suite. This makes it convenient for your guests to respond and ensures that they have all the necessary information readily available. You can also offer the option of RSVPing digitally through your wedding website, which may be faster and more efficient for some guests.

In conclusion, the key to successful wedding planning is finding the right balance between giving your guests enough time to respond and allowing yourself sufficient time to finalise details. By requesting RSVPs by one month before the wedding, you can achieve this balance and ensure a well-organised and memorable event.

Save-the-Dates: Send 4-6 months before the wedding

Save-the-date cards are not mandatory, but they are a fun way to get your guests excited about your wedding and to ensure they mark their calendars. They are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited.

Save-the-dates should be sent out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if you're planning a destination wedding that may require more extensive travel arrangements. This gives your guests enough time to make all the necessary plans to attend. It is also considerate for guests who need to book travel or accommodations. If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, it is highly advisable to send your save-the-dates even earlier (six to twelve months before your wedding date).

Save-the-dates should only be sent to guests who are invited to the whole wedding day. Do not send them to guests who are only invited for the evening reception, as this can be misleading and awkward.

The design opportunities for your save-the-date cards are infinite, but it is recommended to tie them into your wedding theme through colours or design embellishments. You can choose the same design as your future wedding invitations to give guests a taste of what to expect.

International guests: Send invites 9-10 weeks in advance

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. It's also a chance for your guests to share in your excitement and start to make their own plans to attend.

If you're inviting international guests to your wedding, it's a good idea to send their invitations 9-10 weeks in advance. This is because they will need extra time to make travel arrangements, book accommodation, and request time off work. Sending your invitations in good time will also allow for extended shipping and delivery times, ensuring that your invite arrives safely.

While it's customary to send all your invitations at the same time, regardless of how many guests live out of town, you may want to consider giving your international guests a heads-up by calling, emailing, or messaging them with the wedding details. This will give them a chance to start making travel plans before they receive the formal invitation.

If a large percentage of your guest list lives abroad, or if you are having a destination wedding, it's a good idea to add a few weeks to the timeline. Aim to send your invites around 12 weeks in advance.

You may also want to give your international guests the option to RSVP digitally, so you're not waiting for their responses to arrive by post.

The timing of your wedding invitations is crucial to ensure your guests have enough time to plan their attendance, especially if they live abroad. Sending your invitations 9-10 weeks in advance will help make your special day a memorable one for both you and your guests.

Invitation design: Tie it into your wedding theme with colours or design embellishments

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are endless options to choose from, and you can easily tie them into your wedding theme with colours or design embellishments. Whether you're having a rustic wedding or a modern celebration, there are plenty of ways to get creative and craft invitations that reflect your unique style.

If you're going for a rustic theme, consider printing your invitations on recycled brown paper. This simple and earthy approach will set the tone for your special day. On the other hand, if you're leaning towards a fun and modern aesthetic, minimalist designs are a great choice. Play with different fonts, colours, and paper types to find a look that suits your vision.

Colour is another powerful way to tie your invitations into your wedding theme. You can opt for a tonal colour palette, using different shades of the same colour, or go bold with vibrant hues. If you're having a destination wedding, take inspiration from your surroundings, such as the ocean or a vibrant garden, and incorporate those colours into your invitations.

Don't be afraid to mix and match colours to create a unique combination that represents you and your partner. You can also add embellishments like ribbons, wax seals, or pressed flowers to give your invitations a luxurious and elegant feel.

If you're crafty, DIY wedding invitations are a fun project, and there are plenty of templates available online to help you get started. Whether you choose a ready-made template or design your own from scratch, remember to include all the essential information, such as the date, time, and location of your wedding, as well as RSVP details.

• Pretty pastels like blush, blue, and cream for a romantic and soft vibe.
• City-chic colours like black, gold, hunter green, cream, and rust for an elegant and upscale atmosphere.
• Sage, French blue, pale pink, gold, and cream for a romantic and classic combination with a hint of contrast.
• Mauve, navy, maroon, tan, and cream for a late summer or fall celebration, adding warmth to your special day.

Frequently asked questions