Timing Of Wedding Invites: When To Expect Yours

Wedding invitations are typically sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, allowing guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. However, save-the-date cards are usually sent out much earlier, around six to twelve months in advance, especially for destination weddings. This gives guests a timely heads-up, making it easier for them to plan their attendance and boosting the number of positive RSVPs.

Invites for international guests

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and sending out invites is a big part of that! If you're inviting international guests, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they have enough time to plan their travels.

Firstly, it's a good idea to give your international guests a heads-up about the wedding date and details as early as possible. A quick call, text, or email will do the trick, and it will allow them to start making travel arrangements. This is especially important if you're having a destination wedding or if most of your guest list is international.

The general rule of thumb is to send out wedding invitations around six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, for international guests, it's recommended to add a few extra weeks to this timeline. Aim to send their invites around nine to ten weeks in advance, or even earlier if possible. This will give them ample time to book flights and accommodation.

If half of your guest list is international, you may want to consider sending out all the invites, including those for local guests, at the earlier timeframe. This means designing your invitations and getting them ready a few weeks earlier. It's a bit more work for you, but it will ensure that everyone has enough time to plan and that you're not keeping track of multiple timelines.

It's also a good idea to have all the wedding information available on your wedding website as soon as you send out those save-the-dates. This means you'll need to start figuring out hotel room blocks and transportation options for your guests sooner rather than later. It's more work upfront, but it will pay off in the long run, and your international guests will have all the information they need at their fingertips.

Don't forget to follow up with your international guests if you haven't heard from them. This will ensure that they have received the invitation and are able to book their travel plans on time.

So, to summarise: give international guests a heads-up as early as possible, send their invites around nine to ten weeks in advance (or earlier), and have all the details available on your wedding website. Happy planning!

Invites for local guests

For local guests, it is recommended to send out wedding invitations around six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This is considered the "sweet spot" as it gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary, while also allowing the couple to request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount. Sending the invites too early may cause the wedding to slip guests' minds, while sending them too late may not give guests enough time to plan and could result in a lower attendance rate.

If you are only inviting a few local guests, it is acceptable to send their invitations at the same time as those for international guests. However, it is advisable to notify them of the wedding details in advance via phone, text, or email so that they can plan their travel arrangements.

Save-the-date cards should be sent out earlier, usually four to six months before the wedding, to allow guests to block off the date on their calendars. This is especially important for local weddings with local guests, as it gives them enough time to plan. It is also a good idea to include your wedding website, venue details, and any guest accommodation information on the save-the-date cards.

In terms of RSVPs, it is recommended to set the deadline about one month before the wedding date. This provides a brief window for guests to receive the invitation and make their decision, while also giving your vendors enough advance notice to prepare.

Save-the-date cards

It is important to note that save-the-date cards are typically only sent to those whom you definitely plan to invite to your wedding. This helps to avoid any confusion or hurt feelings.

After sending save-the-date cards, the next step is to send out the official wedding invitations. These should be sent out about 6-8 weeks before the wedding, giving your guests enough time to reply and make any necessary travel arrangements. If a large percentage of your guest list is international, or if you are having a destination wedding, it is recommended that you send invitations out about 12 weeks in advance.

Finally, be sure to give your guests a deadline for RSVPs. This is typically about one month before the wedding, giving you enough time to finalise your wedding planning details, such as the seating chart and menu selections.

RSVP deadline

The RSVP deadline is an important aspect of wedding planning, as it helps the couple finalise the guest list and make necessary arrangements. Here are some tips and guidelines regarding the RSVP deadline:

Recommended Timeline for RSVPs

The recommended timeline for wedding RSVPs varies slightly between sources. Some suggest that the deadline should be around three to four weeks before the wedding, while others recommend a deadline of at least four weeks before, and ideally no later than two weeks prior to the big day. This gives the couple enough time to organise the final guest list and identify any outstanding responses. Sending invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding is a common practice, allowing guests about a month to respond.

Factors Affecting the Timeline

There are a few factors that can influence the RSVP deadline:

• Destination Weddings: For weddings requiring travel and accommodation arrangements, it is recommended to set the RSVP deadline about two months in advance. This provides guests with ample time to make their plans.
• Final Numbers for Vendors: The couple will need to provide final numbers to certain vendors, such as the caterer, venue, and transportation company. These vendors typically require the final guest count at least a week or two before the wedding, so the RSVP deadline should allow for some buffer time to chase any late responses.
• Seating Chart and Other Details: Creating a seating chart and finalising other details, such as the number of rentals, can be time-consuming. Therefore, an earlier RSVP deadline of about four weeks gives the couple more time to organise these aspects.

Tips for a Smooth RSVP Process

To ensure a smooth and timely RSVP process, consider the following:

• Clear Deadline: Ensure the RSVP deadline is clearly indicated on the invitations and wedding website.
• Provide Response Options: Offer multiple response options, such as mail-in cards and digital submissions through the wedding website, to accommodate different preferences.
• Choose Clear Wording: Use explicit wording to indicate the need for a response, as some guests may not understand the meaning of "RSVP."
• Include Pre-Addressed Envelopes: Make it convenient for guests to respond by including pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelopes with the invitations.
• Send Reminders: Send friendly reminders to guests a week or so before the deadline, especially to those who have not yet responded.

Cultural and Regional Differences

It is worth noting that wedding invitation and RSVP timelines can vary based on cultural and regional norms. For example, in the US, RSVP deadlines are typically closer to the wedding date (around two to three weeks beforehand), while in the UK, a longer lead time of about two months in advance is more common.

In summary, the RSVP deadline is an important aspect of wedding planning, and a well-planned timeline and clear communication will help ensure a smooth process for both the couple and their guests.

Rehearsal dinner invites

The rehearsal dinner is a chance for the couple and their loved ones to celebrate before the wedding. It is also an opportunity for the families of the couple to spend quality time together. The guest list for this event can be tricky, but there are some people who are definitely invited.

The immediate families, the bridal party (including the parents of the flower girl and ring bearer), any ceremony readers, and the officiant (plus their spouse, if married) should always be invited to the rehearsal dinner. Anyone who will be at the wedding rehearsal should also be included in the celebration held after. Any married members of your bridal party should also be given the option of attending with their spouse or significant other.

If space and budget allow, it is nice to give your entire bridal party the option of bringing a plus-one, even if they are not married or in a serious relationship. This ensures that everyone who is at the rehearsal dinner knows someone, and that any plus-ones who are travelling to attend the wedding have something to do the evening before.

If you are tying the knot in your hometown and only have a handful of out-of-town guests travelling for the big day, it is a thoughtful gesture to include them at this pre-wedding event. However, if you are hosting a destination wedding, or the majority of your guest list is travelling, you don't have to invite everyone to the rehearsal dinner. Instead, consider organising a welcome celebration, such as a sit-down dinner or cocktails at a nearby bar.

It is customary for the host of the event to give a welcome speech to guests, and it is also common for the couple to thank everyone for coming and share a few words. The parents of the couple may also give a toast, as may the maid of honour or best man.

Frequently asked questions