Planning A Wedding: Send Out Invites Early

Wedding planning can be a stressful time, and there are many details to consider, from the flowers to the colour palette. One of the most important things to get right is the timing of your wedding invitations. So, when should they go out?

The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements, while also allowing you to request RSVPs and get a final headcount. Sending invitations too early may result in guests forgetting about the event or changing their plans, whereas sending them too late may not give your guests enough notice.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send invitations three months in advance. Save-the-date cards can be sent out earlier, usually four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier for destination weddings.

Save-the-date cards can be sent out 4-6 months before the wedding

Save-the-date cards are an optional but fun way to give your wedding guests a heads-up about your upcoming nuptials. They are especially helpful when your guests need to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. It's important to note that save-the-dates are typically sent only to those who you're planning on inviting to the wedding.

The timing of your save-the-date cards will depend on the location of your wedding. If you're having a destination wedding or a wedding that requires extensive travel arrangements, it's a good idea to send out your save-the-dates early—even up to a year in advance. This will give your guests plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements and ensure they can attend.

For more local weddings, the recommended timeline for sending save-the-dates is four to six months before the wedding. This is considered the "sweet spot" that gives your guests enough time to plan without being too early that they might forget or change their plans.

When it comes to the content of your save-the-date cards, you don't need to include too many details. Simply sharing the date and location of your wedding is enough to mark your guests' calendars. If you have a wedding website, you can include the URL so guests can find more information.

It's also worth noting that while save-the-dates are a nice gesture, they are not required. If you're skipping save-the-dates, it's recommended to send out your wedding invitations six months in advance for a standard engagement length.

Invitations should be sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Wedding planning can be a stressful time, but sending out your invitations doesn't have to be! The general rule of thumb is to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance. This is the perfect amount of time to give your guests a heads-up about your upcoming nuptials without being too early, which could cause them to forget, or too late, which may cause issues with their schedules.

Sending out your invites six to eight weeks in advance is also a great way to ensure you get your RSVPs back with plenty of time to plan. This will allow you to finalise your seating chart and get a headcount for your vendors. It also means you can invite any guests on your B-list if you need to.

If your wedding falls near a major holiday, like Christmas, it's a good idea to give your guests a little more notice. Sending out your invites three months in advance will ensure your guests have time to plan around the busy holiday period.

For destination weddings, it's customary to send out invitations three months in advance. This gives guests enough time to book time off work and sort out travel and accommodation.

If you're sending out save-the-date cards, these should be posted six to 12 months before your wedding. This will give your guests plenty of notice and ensure they don't accept any other wedding invites for the same date.

Invitations for destination weddings should be sent 3 months before

Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, and there are many details to arrange. One of the most important details is the wedding invitation, as it not only announces the upcoming nuptials but also sets the tone for the entire event. While modern invitations can be designed to reflect casual events, basic wedding invitation etiquette should still be followed. This includes what information is listed on the invitation and when it should be sent out.

For destination weddings, it is recommended to send out invitations three months in advance. This is to give guests enough time to save money and book their trip. Planning a trip can be costly and time-consuming, especially if guests are travelling from outside the country. Sending out invitations three months in advance allows guests to conduct their research, compare prices, and make the necessary arrangements for their travel and accommodation.

Additionally, sending out invitations early is beneficial for the couple as well. It gives them a better idea of how many guests will be able to attend, which is crucial for destination weddings as this information is needed to communicate a rough number of guests to the wedding venue. Sending out invitations early also means that the couple will receive RSVPs sooner, allowing them to finalise the headcount, create seating charts, and invite guests on their B list if needed.

Furthermore, sending out invitations three months in advance is a good idea if the wedding is scheduled around a major holiday, such as Christmas. During these times, people tend to be busier and need to plan their schedules in advance. Sending out invitations early ensures that guests can clear their calendars and make the necessary arrangements to attend the wedding.

In conclusion, sending out invitations three months in advance is particularly important for destination weddings as it gives guests enough time to plan their trip and allows the couple to receive RSVPs sooner. It is also beneficial if the wedding falls around a busy holiday season. By following this timeline, couples can ensure that their guests have ample notice and increase the likelihood of their attendance.

Request RSVPs no later than 1 month before the wedding

When it comes to wedding planning, there are many details to consider and tasks to complete. Sending out your wedding invitations is one of the most exciting steps in the process. It's important to get the timing right to ensure your guests have enough time to respond and make necessary arrangements.

Final Guest Count

One of the main reasons to set an RSVP deadline about a month before the wedding is to finalise your guest count. This is crucial because many vendors, such as your caterer, transportation company, and venue, will require a final headcount to plan accordingly. For example, the caterer needs to know how many meals to prepare, and the venue needs to know how many tables and chairs to set up. Having an accurate count will also help you with creating a seating chart and finalising other details like wedding favours and place settings.

Timely Responses

Requesting RSVPs a month in advance gives your guests a reasonable timeframe to respond. If you ask too early, they may forget or change their plans later. On the other hand, if you leave too much time between sending the invitations and the RSVP date, your guests might procrastinate and forget to respond. Setting the deadline about a month before strikes a balance, giving your guests enough time to plan without putting it off for too long.

Travel Arrangements

For destination weddings or weddings where guests are travelling from out of town, an earlier RSVP deadline is beneficial. This allows guests to make travel arrangements, such as booking flights and accommodations, without feeling rushed. It also gives you, as the host, a better idea of when guests will arrive and depart, making it easier to plan pre- and post-wedding events.

Seating Chart and Other Details

Having the final guest count about a month before the wedding gives you time to create a thoughtful seating chart. It allows you to consider the dynamics of your guests and plan seating arrangements that will make everyone comfortable and happy. Additionally, with the guest count finalised, you can focus on other last-minute details, such as confirming the number of rentals, finalising entree selections, and making sure you have enough wedding favours for all your guests.

Follow-up and Confirmation

Setting the RSVP deadline a month before the wedding gives you a buffer to follow up with guests who haven't responded. It's common for some guests to miss the deadline or forget to respond altogether. By allowing yourself a few weeks, you can send friendly reminders and ensure you have everyone's response before finalising details with your vendors.

Include an RSVP deadline so guests know when to respond

When it comes to wedding planning, there are many details to consider, and one of the most important is the wedding invitation. While modern invitations can vary in style and formality, one aspect that remains crucial is the inclusion of an RSVP deadline. This not only helps you organise your big day but also ensures your guests know when to respond. Here are some tips to help you set an appropriate deadline and ensure a smooth planning process:

Timing is Key

It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeline is considered standard and gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as travel and accommodation plans. It also allows you to receive RSVPs sooner, making it easier to finalise your headcount, seating charts, and other details.

Set an RSVP Deadline

When setting the RSVP deadline, aim for approximately one month before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to respond without increasing the likelihood of unexpected changes. While some sources suggest a deadline of four weeks, you can extend it to up to 12 weeks if needed, especially if many of your guests are travelling from out of town.

Save-the-Dates

If you choose to send save-the-date cards, these should be sent out earlier, typically four to six months before the wedding or even earlier for destination weddings. This gives your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements. However, it's important to note that save-the-dates are not a replacement for formal invitations and should be followed up with the official invitation closer to the wedding.

B-List Guest Invitations

In some cases, couples work with an A-list and a B-list of guests, inviting the B-list guests only if they receive declines from the A-list. If you plan to do this, be mindful that sending invitations too early to your B-list guests may increase the chances of them feeling offended or like a second choice. While it's a practical approach, it's important to handle it delicately.

International Guests

If you have international guests, it is considerate to give them a heads-up before sending out the formal invitations. Send them an email or give them a call to let them know the details, including the date and information about booking accommodations. This will allow them to start making travel arrangements early.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, including an RSVP deadline with your wedding invitations is essential for effective planning. Aim to send your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding and set an RSVP deadline of approximately one month before the big day. This will help you stay organised and ensure your guests have enough time to respond without increasing the chances of last-minute changes. Happy planning!

Frequently asked questions