The Perfect Timing For Sending Out Wedding Invites

Wedding planning involves taking care of a lot of details, and one of the most important is the wedding invitation. It is crucial to send out wedding invitations at the right time – not too early, and not too late. The ideal timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. It also means that you can request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount to finalise seating charts and other details. If you are having a destination wedding, it is recommended to send out invitations three to four months in advance to allow guests ample time for travel preparations.

Save-the-date cards: 4-6 months before the wedding

Save-the-date cards are a fun and simple way to let your guests know about your upcoming nuptials and ensure they mark their calendars. They are not a requirement, but they are a helpful way to give your guests a heads-up, especially if many of them have to make travel arrangements or if your wedding is a destination wedding.

The general rule of wedding etiquette is to send save-the-date cards to your guest list around four to six months before your wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to plan and block off the date on their calendars, and it allows them to make any necessary travel or accommodation arrangements.

However, if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, it is highly advisable to send your save-the-dates even earlier, around six to twelve months in advance. This is to ensure that your guests have ample time to make the necessary plans and arrangements to attend your wedding.

Save-the-date cards should include the names of the couple, the city and state where the ceremony will take place, and, of course, the date. Many couples also include an engagement photo, a fun message, or a design that matches their wedding theme.

It is important to note that save-the-date cards are not the same as wedding invitations. Wedding invitations are sent after save-the-dates and contain all the important details about the wedding, including the time, date, and address of the ceremony and reception.

Invitations: 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invites is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. It's also a critical step that requires precision and timely execution.

The ideal time to send out your wedding invitations is 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 travel and accommodation bookings. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to finalise your head count, invite guests on your B list if needed, and complete your seating chart before the last-minute crunch.

If your wedding falls on a major holiday, such as Christmas, it's advisable to send out invitations earlier—around three months in advance. This is because people tend to have busier schedules and may need more time to plan.

For destination weddings, it is recommended to send invitations three to four months in advance to allow guests ample time for travel preparations.

The invitation suite can include other important details such as the appropriate attire, a map to the location, accommodation suggestions, and information about any wedding-related activities.

It's also important to include an RSVP card with a deadline of approximately four weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to confirm numbers with your vendors and finalise any last-minute details.

So, while there is some flexibility, sticking to the six-to-eight-week timeline is generally considered proper wedding invitation etiquette.

RSVPs: 1 month before the wedding

So, you're planning your wedding—congratulations! One of the most important elements of your big day is the wedding invitation. It carries crucial information and sets the tone for the entire event. Here are some tips to ensure you give your guests enough notice.

It is recommended that you ask for RSVPs no later than 1 month before your wedding date. This gives you and your vendors ample time to make the necessary preparations. It also allows for a brief window for guests to receive the invitation and consider their decision. This timeline is also helpful if you need to invite guests on your B list and complete your seating chart.

If you are waiting on a few stragglers, give them a call or send an email a few days after the deadline to get their response. It is good practice to include an RSVP deadline on your invitations, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for guests to return their response cards.

When to Send Out Invitations

Ideally, you should send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. If your wedding is a destination wedding, or if many of your guests are international, it is considerate to send out invitations three months or even earlier in advance.

Save the Dates

Save the Dates should be sent four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if it is a destination wedding. This gives your guests enough time to plan and make travel arrangements.

What to Include

Your wedding invitations should include the full names of you and your partner, the hosts (if using formal phrasing), the time, date, month, year, and the full address of the venue. It is also helpful to include a map to the venue, accommodation details, and information about any wedding-related activities.

Invitation Design

The design of your invitations is infinite! However, it is recommended to tie the design into your wedding theme through colours or embellishments.

Destination weddings: 4-6 months before the wedding

Planning a destination wedding comes with its own set of considerations, and timing is crucial to ensure that your guests can join you on your special day. While the traditional timeline for sending out wedding invitations is 6-8 weeks before the wedding, destination weddings often require a longer lead time. Here's a guide to help you navigate the process:

Save-the-Dates:

It is recommended to send out save-the-dates for a destination wedding 9-12 months in advance. This extended timeframe is crucial as it gives your guests ample time to make travel arrangements, book accommodations, and request time off from work. Sending out save-the-dates early also allows you to include travel details and accommodation suggestions, ensuring your guests have the information they need to start planning their trip.

Invitations:

For destination weddings, it is advisable to send out formal invitations 3-4 months before the wedding. This timing serves as a reminder for your guests, encouraging them to finalise their travel plans and providing them with the necessary details about the wedding itself. By this time, your guests would have already known about the destination through your save-the-date or wedding website.

RSVP deadline:

When it comes to setting an RSVP deadline for a destination wedding, consider requesting a response from your guests at least one month before the wedding. This timeline is essential to ensure that you and your vendors have enough time to make the necessary preparations. It is also beneficial to have an accurate headcount for seating arrangements, catering, and other wedding logistics.

Additional Considerations:

When planning a destination wedding, it is essential to recognise that your guests will be investing more time and resources to attend your special day. To ease their journey, consider including helpful information in your save-the-dates or invitations, such as travel tips, local attractions, and weather forecasts. Additionally, creating a wedding website can be a great way to centralise all the necessary information and keep your guests updated.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your guests have ample time to prepare for your destination wedding, making it a memorable celebration for everyone involved.

Rehearsal dinner: 3-6 weeks before the wedding

Planning a wedding rehearsal dinner is no small task. It's an exciting part of the wedding weekend and a perfect opportunity to get hyped up for the main event the next day. Here is a guide on when to send out your rehearsal dinner invitations and some tips on planning an event that both hosts and guests will enjoy.

When to Send Out Invitations

Rehearsal dinner invitations should typically be sent out four to six weeks before the wedding, after the main wedding invitations have been mailed. This means that you should order your invitations about three weeks before you plan to send them out, to allow time for any guest list finalisation and any email proofing with a designer.

Who to Invite

The guest list for the rehearsal dinner is usually smaller and more exclusive than the wedding guest list. The key members to include are:

• Immediate family: Mother, father, siblings, their spouses/dates, and children.
• Wedding party: Bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, and ring bearer (including their parents).
• Officiant and ceremony readers: Invite their spouses/dates, too.
• Out-of-town guests: If you're not having a destination wedding, it's a nice gesture to invite guests who are travelling for your big day.

What to Include in the Invitation

A basic wedding rehearsal dinner invitation includes:

• Host's name(s). Traditionally, the groom's parents host the rehearsal dinner, but this is not mandatory.
• The names of the couple.
• The date, time, and location.
• The RSVP deadline and method.
• Any additional information: Wedding website information, dress code, etc.

Other Tips

• It's best to choose a venue close to where most guests are staying or the ceremony venue.
• The rehearsal dinner doesn't have to be as formal as the wedding and can be decorated with a different aesthetic to create variety.
• The rehearsal dinner is a great time for speeches, which are usually less formal than those at the wedding.
• Rehearsal dinner favours and gifts are not required, but some couples use this event to give gifts to close loved ones and members of the wedding party.

Frequently asked questions