The Perfect Timing For Sending Out Wedding Invitations

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure that your loved ones can join you on your big day. The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This gives guests enough time to plan and make travel arrangements if necessary. However, some sources suggest that sending invitations out three months in advance is also acceptable, especially if a large number of guests are travelling from abroad. It is also common to send out save the date cards four to six months before the wedding, to give guests a heads-up and allow them to plan ahead.

Invites should be sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure that your loved ones can join you on your big day. The general consensus is that invites should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is considered the "sweet spot" as it gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary plans, such as travel and accommodation arrangements. It also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to finalise your seating chart and share the final headcount with your vendors before the week of your wedding.

Sending invites within this timeframe ensures that your wedding is at the top of your guests' minds, reducing the chances of last-minute changes to their plans. It also gives you a more accurate idea of the final guest count, which is essential for providing numbers to your venue and vendors. While it may be tempting to send out invites earlier, especially if you're excited or have a lot of guests who need to travel, doing so may result in a higher number of changes to RSVPs as people's plans can change.

However, it's important to note that this timeline may vary depending on certain factors. For instance, if your wedding falls on a major holiday or if a large percentage of your guest list is international, you may need to send out invites earlier, typically around nine to twelve weeks in advance. This gives your guests ample time to plan their trips and make the necessary arrangements.

On the other hand, if you haven't sent out Save the Dates, it's recommended to send invitations four to six months before the wedding. Save the Dates are typically sent six to twelve months before the wedding, giving guests a heads-up to mark their calendars. This is especially important if your wedding is during a busy time of year or if there are multiple weddings in the summer.

In conclusion, while there may be some flexibility depending on the specifics of your wedding, sending out invitations six to eight weeks in advance is generally considered the best practice. This timeframe strikes a balance between giving your guests enough notice and reducing the chances of last-minute changes, helping to ensure a smooth and well-organised celebration.

Send save-the-date cards 4-6 months before the wedding

Save-the-date cards are an important part of your wedding planning. They give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and venue, allowing them to plan their attendance, especially if they need to book travel or accommodation. Sending these out 4-6 months before your wedding is considered good etiquette and gives your guests plenty of time to prepare.

If you haven't already, now is the time to finalise your guest list. Save-the-date cards should only be sent to those who are invited to the whole wedding day, not just the evening reception. This avoids any potential confusion or awkwardness.

Save-the-date cards are also a great opportunity to share your wedding website, where guests can find additional information. This might include travel and accommodation details, a map to the venue, the dress code, and even a virtual RSVP option.

If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, it's advisable to send your save-the-date cards even earlier—6 to 12 months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to plan their trip, especially if they're travelling from out of town or out of state.

While some consider save-the-date cards an unnecessary expense, they serve a significant purpose by providing early notification. You can send affordable e-vites through sites like Paperless Post or create your own using a free design site like Canva. However, physical save-the-date cards are a more traditional option and can be a lovely way to set the tone for your wedding, especially if you choose a design that matches your future invitations.

Remember, the purpose of save-the-date cards is to ensure your guests mark their calendars and plan their schedules to be a part of your special day.

Send destination wedding invites 3 months in advance

Planning a wedding can be a tricky affair, and even more so when it's a destination wedding. Sending out invitations in time is crucial, as it gives your guests enough time to plan their travel and accommodation. Here are some tips to help you with the timing of your destination wedding invites:

Send Save-the-Dates Early

It is recommended to send out save-the-dates for your destination wedding nine to twelve months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to make the necessary arrangements, such as booking travel and accommodation. Sending out save-the-dates early is especially important if you're asking your guests to travel for your wedding. It's also a good idea to include travel details and suggestions for places to stay in your save-the-date cards, so your guests can start planning their trip.

Send Invitations Three Months in Advance

As the big day approaches, it's time to send out the formal invitations. For a destination wedding, it is suggested that you send out the invitations two to four months before the wedding. This timing serves as a reminder for your guests and gives them a sense of urgency to finalise their travel plans. By this time, your guests would have already known about the destination through your save-the-dates or wedding website.

Benefits of Sending Invites Three Months in Advance

Sending the invites three months ahead strikes a balance between giving your guests enough time to plan and creating a sense of immediacy. This timing also allows for any changes that might occur. For instance, you might decide to change the ceremony location slightly or adjust other details. Sending the invites at this time gives you some flexibility while ensuring your guests have sufficient time to prepare.

Additional Tips

• Set up a personal wedding website as soon as you have confirmed the date and venue. This website can be regularly updated and serve as a central source of information for your guests.
• Include RSVP cards with your invitations and set the deadline about two to three weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise the details with your vendors.
• If you're having an at-home reception after the destination wedding, send separate save-the-dates for each, but at the same time. This avoids any confusion and ensures that your guests know they are invited to both events.
• For the invitation wording, be clear about who is invited, especially if you're having an adults-only wedding. Address the invitations to each guest by name, rather than adding "and guest" to avoid unexpected plus-ones.

By following these guidelines, you'll be able to navigate the logistics of your destination wedding with ease and ensure that your guests have a smooth planning experience.

Request RSVPs no later than 1 month from the wedding date

It is recommended that you request RSVPs no later than one month from your wedding date. This is the perfect amount of time to give your guests a brief window to receive the invitation and make a decision, while also providing your wedding vendors with enough advance notice to order and prepare supplies.

The sooner you get an accurate guest count, the sooner you can finalise your wedding planning details, such as the seating plan, final menu selections, and cake size. It also gives you a chance to invite any guests on your B-list.

A one-month deadline also allows some wiggle room for any stragglers who won't get their RSVP in on time. It's worth remembering that people's plans can change, and the closer you get to your wedding date, the more likely it is that any last-minute changes will impact your guest count.

If you are inviting international guests, it is a good idea to give them the option to RSVP digitally, so you are not waiting for their responses to arrive by mail.

Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for RSVPs

Wedding planning can be a stressful process, but there are ways to make it easier. One of the most important steps is sending out your wedding invitations at the right time. This will ensure that you give your guests enough notice and can plan accordingly.

It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is the perfect amount of time for your guests to clear their schedules and for you to request RSVPs. Sending your invitations within this timeframe will also allow you to finalise your seating chart and make any necessary adjustments before the big day.

Now, let's focus on the topic of including a self-addressed, stamped envelope for RSVPs. This is a crucial aspect of the invitation process as it ensures a smooth and organised response system. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure this part of the process goes without a hitch:

Firstly, it is important to include a self-addressed envelope with your wedding invitations. This will ensure that your guests know where to send their responses. The return address can be that of the bride, the parents of the bride, or the wedding planner/organiser, depending on your preference. Traditionally, the return address does not include the couple's names, but if you wish to include them, it is proper etiquette to present their names on separate lines or use a hyphenated title such as "The Smith-Edwards Wedding".

Secondly, be sure to stamp the response envelopes. Including the correct postage will make it convenient for your guests to send their responses, and it is considered rude to make them pay for their own stamp. It is a small cost that will make a big difference in the number of responses you receive.

Thirdly, print the address on the envelope. Don't leave it blank and expect your guests to fill it in. Make it as easy as possible for them to respond by providing a pre-printed envelope with your address clearly displayed. This will also ensure that you receive the responses in a timely manner and reduce the risk of them getting lost in the mail.

Finally, consider including a numbered RSVP system. To keep track of responses, especially if guests forget to write their names, you can lightly number each RSVP card and assign a number to each guest on your list. This way, you can easily identify who is attending and manage your guest list effectively.

By following these instructions, you will be well on your way to a stress-free wedding invitation process and will be more likely to receive timely and organised responses from your guests.

Frequently asked questions