Best Time To Advertise Wedding Invitations

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and there are a lot of details to consider. One of the most important details is the wedding invitation, which sets the tone for the entire event. The timing of sending out wedding invitations is crucial to ensure that your guests have all the necessary information to plan for and attend your big day. So, when is the best time to send out wedding invitations?

Save-the-date cards

When to send save-the-date cards

The general rule of thumb is to send save-the-date cards six to eight months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan, especially if they need to book travel or accommodation. If you are planning a destination wedding, or your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, it's a good idea to send them even earlier—up to 12 months in advance. This will ensure your guests have enough time to make the necessary arrangements and will increase the chances of a yes RSVP.

What to include on save-the-date cards

At a minimum, your save-the-date cards should include your names, the wedding date, and the location (city and state). You don't need to include the exact venue, and you don't even need to have this booked yet! It can also be a nice touch to include a link to your wedding website, if you have one, and your wedding registry.

Who to send save-the-date cards to

Invitations for destination weddings

Planning a destination wedding is an exciting endeavour, but it's important to give your guests ample time to plan their travels. So, when is the best time to send out your invitations?

Save the Dates

It's customary to send out save-the-date cards around 6-12 months before the wedding, especially for destination weddings. This gives your guests plenty of time to save money and book their trip. It also ensures that no one accidentally books a holiday or accepts another wedding invitation for the same date.

Invitations

The ideal timeline for sending out wedding invitations is 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount and complete your seating charts before the last-minute crunch.

However, if you're inviting guests from outside the country, it's a good idea to send their invitations a little earlier, around 9 to 10 weeks in advance. This accounts for the extended shipping and delivery time needed to get the invites to your loved ones.

Where to Find Invitations

You can find a variety of wedding invitation options online, from digital providers to designers of premium luxury stationery. Etsy, for example, offers over 5,000 results for "destination wedding invitations," with a range of customisable templates, designs, and styles to choose from.

If you're looking for something truly unique, you may want to consider a bespoke design. Working with a stationer or calligrapher on a custom invitation can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks, so be sure to build in some extra time if you go this route.

The Bottom Line

When planning a destination wedding, it's important to give your guests plenty of notice. Aim to send out your save-the-dates 6-12 months in advance and your invitations at least 3 months before the wedding. This will ensure your guests have enough time to plan their travels and make your special day a priority.

When to send invites for a casual wedding

The timing of sending out wedding invitations is an important part of the planning process. It's essential to give your guests enough notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. While there's no need to stick to a rigid timeline, here are some guidelines to consider for a casual wedding:

Save-the-Dates:

If you're planning to send out Save-the-Date cards, it's customary to do so around 4 to 6 months before the wedding. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, in which case, sending them even earlier (6 to 12 months) is advisable. Save-the-Dates give your guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and make any necessary travel plans.

Sending Official Invitations:

The general recommendation for sending out official wedding invitations is 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This timeline applies whether your wedding is local or you're inviting a mix of local and international guests. Sending invitations within this timeframe allows your guests ample time to respond and make necessary arrangements. It also gives you an early indication of the headcount, helping with seating charts and other preparations.

Invitations for Out-of-Town Guests:

If you have a significant number of guests coming from abroad, it's a good idea to add a few weeks to the timeline. Aim to send their invitations around 9 to 10 weeks in advance, or even earlier if your wedding is in a far-off destination. This accounts for the extended shipping and delivery time, ensuring your invitations reach your loved ones safely.

Requesting RSVPs:

It's recommended to set an RSVP deadline of about one month before the wedding. This gives your guests a brief window to consider their response while also providing enough advance notice for your vendors to make preparations. It's a good idea to create a wedding website to easily collect and track RSVPs, ensuring you reach the final headcount and can send out thank-you notes promptly.

Last-Minute Invitations:

In some cases, you may find yourself sending out invitations at the last minute. If your wedding is fast approaching and you haven't sent out invitations yet, ready-made designs can be a good option. These can be ordered as close as three months before the wedding. However, keep in mind that sending them too early (more than 4-6 months) may cause your guests to forget or misplace the details.

In conclusion, while these guidelines provide a general framework, the specific circumstances of your casual wedding may require adjustments. The key is to give your guests enough notice to plan their attendance while also maintaining the excitement and anticipation for your special day.

How to avoid rush fees and extra charges

To avoid rush fees and extra charges when sending out your wedding invitations, it is important to plan ahead and start the process early. Here are some tips to help you stay organised and on track:

• Save-the-Dates: It is customary to send out save-the-date cards around 6-12 months before the wedding, especially if you're getting married abroad. This will give your guests enough time to save the date and make necessary travel arrangements. Sending save-the-dates early is crucial, especially if you have a destination wedding, as it ensures your guests have enough time to book their trips.
• Start Searching Early: Begin your search for a stationer as early as possible, preferably around 6-9 months ahead of your wedding date. This will give you a wide range of options to choose from and allow you to explore different printing techniques, such as letterpress or foil.
• Finalize Guest List: Finalise your guest list and gather everyone's mailing addresses around 8 months before the wedding. This will give you a clear idea of how many invitations you need to order.
• Order Samples: Order invitation samples from different stationers to get a sense of their quality, pricing, and turnaround times. This will help you make an informed decision and ensure you're happy with the final product.
• Book Your Stationer: Once you've found the right stationer and/or calligrapher, book them around 7 months before the wedding. If you plan to use a specialty print process or hire a calligrapher for envelope addressing, booking early is crucial to securing their services.
• Order Invitations: Order your wedding invitations approximately 6 months before the big day. This timeline is for semi-custom designs that are digitally printed. If you prefer a basic invitation suite without embellishments, you can order as early as 4 months in advance. However, keep in mind that ordering close to the wedding may not allow much time for proofing, editing, or potential shipping delays.
• Finalize Wording: Finalise the wording and details on your invitations, including accommodation information and meal options, if applicable. This ensures that you have all the necessary information ready to include in your invitation suite.
• Allow Time for Assembly: If you plan to assemble your invitations yourself, factor in the time required for assembly. This is especially important if you have chosen custom envelope liners or other embellishments.
• Shipping and Postage: Keep in mind the time and cost involved in shipping and postage. Avoid last-minute rushes by planning ahead and allowing ample time for your invitations to reach your guests.
• International Guests: If you have international guests, send their invitations earlier, around 9-10 weeks in advance. Consider providing a digital RSVP option to expedite their responses and avoid potential delays in mail delivery.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively avoid rush fees and extra charges associated with last-minute orders. Planning ahead ensures you have a wide range of options, secures the services of your preferred stationer, and provides your guests with ample notice to attend your special day.

The best time to order wedding invitations

If you're ordering custom designs or using a specialty print process, such as letterpress, thermography or foil, you should book your stationer and/or calligrapher around 7 months in advance. This will also give you time to determine how the envelopes will be addressed and whether you want to hire a calligrapher or print the envelopes yourself.

If you're ordering ready-made or semi-custom invitations, you can order these as late as 3-4 months before the wedding. However, this doesn't leave much time for proofing, editing or delays, so it's best to order as early as possible.

Once you've received your invitations, you should mail them out to your guests 6-8 weeks in advance of your wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount before the week of the wedding.

Frequently asked questions