Wedding Invitation Etiquette For Irish Couples: When To Send Them

Wedding planning is an exciting time, and sending out invitations is one of the most important steps in the process. It can be tricky to know when to send them out, though—send them too early and your wedding might slip your guests' minds; send them too late and your guests might already have plans. So, when is the best time to send out wedding invitations in Ireland?

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

Save-the-date cards are a crucial part of wedding planning, giving your guests a heads-up about your big day and allowing you to start refining your guest list. Here are some tips and advice for sending out your save-the-date cards, approximately 4-6 months before your wedding:

Timing is Key

It is generally recommended that save-the-date cards are sent out about 9 months to a year before the wedding, especially if you're planning a destination wedding or have guests travelling from abroad. This gives your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodations. However, if your wedding is taking place in your home country and most guests are local, you can send out your save-the-dates closer to the 4-6-month mark.

Information to Include

Your save-the-date cards should include the essential details that will help your guests with their planning. This includes the date of the wedding (of course!), the location, and the closest airport if it's a destination wedding. You can also include the time of the ceremony if it's already finalised, but this is not necessary at this stage.

Design and Format

Save-the-date cards can be simple or elaborate, depending on your personal style and the theme of your wedding. They can be paper cards, magnets, or even digital formats. If you're going the traditional paper route, consider including envelopes, and possibly even matching envelopes and stamps to excite your guests as soon as they see the invitation in their mailbox. You can also include a photo or two to make it more personalised.

Refining Your Guest List

One of the benefits of sending out save-the-date cards early is that you'll start to get responses from guests who know they can't attend. This allows you to refine your guest list and even start inviting people on your B-list, so they don't feel like a last-minute addition. It's a good idea to group guests into cohorts of 10-12, as this will come in handy later when you're creating your table plan.

Practical Considerations

If you're sending out physical save-the-date cards, remember to give yourself enough time to write, pack, and send them. You may also want to consider hiring a calligraphist to write the invitations, which will add extra time. Additionally, keep in mind the time it takes for postal delivery, especially if you're sending invitations internationally.

Sending out save-the-date cards is an exciting step in your wedding planning journey, and it will help your guests feel included and excited about your upcoming nuptials!

Wedding invitation timeline: 6-8 weeks before the wedding

The ideal time to send out your wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before your wedding. This is the perfect window as it gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as travel and accommodation bookings. Sending your invitations within this timeframe also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to finalise your head count, seating charts, and other details before the week of your wedding.

If you are sending out physical invitations, you will need to receive them at least one to two weeks in advance so that you can write, pack, and send them out. This timing ensures they arrive promptly and your guests have ample time to respond.

For digital invitations, set aside a couple of evenings to fill in the template and input all the email addresses. It's a good idea to have a friend with lovely handwriting help with addressing the envelopes if you opt for physical invitations.

If you are using a professional calligrapher, be mindful of their timeline and work backward from there. Calligraphers may require three to four weeks, and if your invitations are a bespoke design, you will need to add a few weeks to a few months to this timeline.

It is essential to give your guests enough notice, especially those travelling from overseas or abroad. Sending your invitations within the recommended timeframe of six to eight weeks ensures your guests have the information they need to plan their attendance at your wedding.

RSVP deadline: 1 month before the wedding

Setting an RSVP deadline of one month before the wedding is a common practice. This allows you to confirm numbers with your caterer and venue, as well as giving you time to chase up any late responses. It is also a good idea to send out Save the Date cards a year in advance, especially if you are planning to get married abroad, so that guests can keep that date free.

In general, it is recommended that wedding invitations are sent out two to three months before the wedding, with an RSVP deadline of two to four weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It is important to send out invitations early enough that your wedding is at the forefront of your guests' minds, but not so early that they forget about it.

If you are sending paper invitations, it is important to include a stamped envelope if you are asking guests to send an RSVP by mail. Digital invitations are becoming increasingly popular and can make it easier to track RSVPs and send updates and reminders to guests.

When creating your invitations, consider including questions to collect information such as allergy information, dietary restrictions, and email and phone numbers. This will help you finalise details with your venue and caterers.

If you are inviting guests from overseas, it is recommended to send out invitations three months in advance and set the RSVP deadline to six weeks before the wedding. This will give your international guests enough time to make travel arrangements and sort out visas if necessary.

Confirm numbers with the venue: 1 month before the wedding

Confirming numbers with your wedding venue is an important step in the planning process. It is recommended that you do this one month before your wedding, as it allows you to finalise key details and ensure your big day runs smoothly. Here are some tips and considerations to help you confirm numbers with your venue:

• Finalise your guest list: Before confirming numbers, ensure you have a finalised list of guests who have RSVP'd. This will help you provide an accurate headcount to your venue. It's a good idea to group guests into cohorts of 10-12, as this will come in handy when creating your table plan.
• Communicate special requirements: When confirming numbers, be sure to provide the venue with any special requirements, such as dietary restrictions, accessibility needs, or any other specific requests. This will allow the venue to make the necessary arrangements and ensure your guests are accommodated for.
• Be mindful of venue policies or restrictions: Keep in mind any venue policies or restrictions, such as curfews, outside catering rules, or noise restrictions. These factors may impact your plans, so it's important to be aware of them and communicate them to your guests if needed.
• Provide a final headcount: Give the venue an accurate final headcount, including any vendors or suppliers who will be present. This will help the venue with setup, seating arrangements, and catering.
• Confirm setup details: Discuss the setup details for the ceremony and reception with the venue. Confirm the number and layout of tables, chairs, and any other necessary equipment. Ensure that the venue has your finalised timeline for the day so that they can facilitate your plans.
• Finalise catering details: Work with the venue or caterer to finalise the dining order and any special dietary requirements. Provide them with the final numbers for each meal option to ensure there are no issues on the day.
• Address last-minute changes: If there are any last-minute changes to your guest list or seating plan, communicate these to the venue as soon as possible. It's important to stay organised and keep the venue informed to avoid confusion or mishaps.
• Attend final meetings: Schedule and attend any final meetings with the venue coordinator to finalise all the details. Having all the necessary information ready for these meetings will make the process more efficient and help you feel confident that everything is under control.

By confirming numbers and finalising details with your venue one month before your wedding, you can ensure that your special day goes according to plan and that your guests have a memorable experience.

Final numbers: 2 weeks to 48 hours before the wedding

Final numbers are due between two weeks and 48 hours before the wedding. This is the last chance to finalise your guest list and make sure you have all the details you need from your invitees.

It's important to get your final numbers in before your final details meeting with your venue, which usually takes place about a month before the wedding. This is when you'll discuss table plans, numbers and any special requirements. You'll also need to confirm your dining order at this point, especially if you have any dietary requirements to consider.

If you're sending out physical invitations, you'll need to have them with you one to two weeks in advance so that you can write, pack and send them. If you're sending digital invites, you'll need an evening or two to fill in the template and load in all the email addresses.

If you're using a professional calligraphist, check their timelines and work back from that. Some calligraphists are currently quoting three to four weeks, so you'll need to give yourself plenty of time.

If you're getting married abroad, it's a good idea to give your guests as much notice as possible. This will allow them to book flights and accommodation, and sort out childcare if necessary.

Frequently asked questions