Invites Due Date: When To Send Out Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are one of the most important elements of your big day. They carry crucial information that your guests need to know before the wedding day. But when is the best time to send them out?

As a general rule of thumb, wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means that you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B-list if needed, and complete your seating chart before the last-minute crunch.

However, there are a few exceptions to this timeline. If you're having a destination wedding or if a large percentage of your guest list lives abroad, it's recommended to send out invitations three to six months in advance. This gives guests ample time to plan their travel and accommodation. On the other hand, if you're having a local wedding with mostly local guests, you can send out invitations as late as one month before the wedding.

So, to ensure your guests have all the information they need and to give them time to plan, it's best to send out your wedding invitations at least six to eight weeks in advance.

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

Save-the-date cards are an exciting part of wedding planning. They are the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding style and theme, and they serve a crucial purpose in making sure your guests can attend.

Save-the-date cards are typically sent out 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan and make travel arrangements if they need to. It's also a good idea to include your wedding website, venue details, and any information on accommodation on the save-the-date cards. That way, your guests can start to plan and you can get an idea of how many people will be able to make it. This is especially important if you're planning a destination wedding or getting married abroad.

If you're planning a destination wedding or your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, it's a good idea to send out your save-the-dates even earlier—6 to 12 months before the wedding. This will give your guests ample time to book travel and accommodations.

While save-the-date cards are not required, they are a fun and practical way to get your guests excited about your upcoming nuptials and ensure they can be there to celebrate with you.

Once you've sent out your save-the-date cards, you can start planning the design of your official wedding invitations, which are typically sent out about 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invitations at the right time is a critical step in the wedding planning process. It is important to send out your invitations early enough to give your guests ample time to plan their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. However, you don't want to send them out too early, as this may cause your wedding to slip your guests' minds as the date approaches.

So, when is the best time to send out your wedding invitations? Etiquette expert Elaine Swann, as well as several online sources, recommend sending out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding date. This timeframe strikes a balance between giving your guests enough notice and not overwhelming them with information too far in advance. It also allows you to request RSVPs sooner, which is crucial for finalizing your headcount, seating arrangements, and other last-minute preparations.

If you're planning a destination wedding or have a large number of international guests, it's advisable to send out invitations a little earlier, around 12 weeks in advance. This will give your guests ample time to book travel and accommodations. Similarly, if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, sending invitations earlier will help ensure your guests have enough time to plan their attendance.

On the other hand, if you're having a local wedding with mostly local guests, you can send out your invitations a bit later. Two months is generally considered the minimum amount of time to give your guests a heads-up.

To ensure your guests have all the information they need, it's a good idea to include specific details about the wedding venue and the expected dress code on the invitation. You may also want to include a separate details card with additional information.

Remember, while the six-to-eight-week timeline is a widely accepted guideline, the timing of sending out wedding invitations ultimately depends on your specific circumstances and the needs of your guest list.

Request RSVPs 2-3 weeks before the wedding

It's important to get your wedding invitation timeline right. You want to give your guests enough notice to be able to attend, but you also don't want to send your invites so early that they get lost or your guests forget about the date.

As a general rule, it's good to request RSVPs around 2-3 weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to get a final headcount for your caterer and finalise your seating chart. It's also a good idea to give yourself some wiggle room by requesting RSVPs 3-6 weeks in advance, in case some guests don't respond by your deadline.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's recommended that you send your invitations 4-6 months in advance to allow guests enough time to make travel plans. In this case, you should request RSVPs a little earlier, around a month before the wedding.

For local weddings, it's common to send out invitations 2-3 months before the wedding, and request RSVPs 2-3 weeks later. This gives guests enough time to arrange time off work and sort out any travel or accommodation.

It's also worth noting that some guests may need a gentle reminder to send their RSVPs in on time. It's a good idea to follow up with anyone you haven't heard from, to ensure they have enough time to book any necessary travel.

Send rehearsal dinner invites 3-6 weeks in advance

Sending rehearsal dinner invites 3-6 weeks in advance is a great way to ensure that your guests have enough time to plan their trip. This is especially important if you have a lot of guests who are travelling from out of town or out of state. Giving them a heads-up about the rehearsal dinner plans will allow them to make the necessary travel arrangements without feeling rushed.

When it comes to the rehearsal dinner, it's usually held the night before the wedding. It's an opportunity for the wedding party to come together and celebrate the couple. Close family members and anyone participating in the ceremony, such as the officiant, are typically invited, along with their spouses or dates. Some couples also choose to invite out-of-town guests as a thoughtful gesture of appreciation for their travels.

The rehearsal dinner is an important part of the wedding festivities, and sending invitations in advance is a considerate way to ensure your guests can attend. It's also a good idea to include the invitation in the wedding invitation suite, so guests receive all the information they need at once. This can include details about the wedding venue, dress code, travel, and accommodations.

Additionally, if you're sending paper invitations, it's essential to include a return address and postage on the response cards. This ensures that guests can easily respond and that you receive their responses promptly.

By sending rehearsal dinner invitations 3-6 weeks in advance, you're giving your guests the time they need to plan their attendance and ensuring that they feel valued and included in the celebration.

Send invites to international guests 9-10 weeks in advance

Planning a wedding can be a busy and stressful time, and knowing when to send out your wedding invitations is a critical step in the wedding planning process. Here are some tips to help you navigate the timing of sending invitations to your international guests:

Save the Dates:

It is recommended to send out Save the Dates for your international guests as early as possible, especially if you are planning a destination wedding. Ideally, these should go out 9-12 months before the wedding date to give your guests ample time to plan their travel arrangements. This is also a good opportunity to include details such as your wedding website, registry, and venue information.

Wedding Invitations:

For international guests, it is generally advised to send out the official wedding invitations 9-10 weeks in advance, or even earlier if possible. This extended timeline takes into account the shipping and delivery time needed to ensure that your overseas guests receive their invitations. It also allows them sufficient time to make the necessary travel plans, such as booking flights and accommodations.

RSVP Deadline:

When sending out your wedding invitations, be sure to include an RSVP deadline. For international guests, it is recommended to provide a digital RSVP option to expedite the response process and avoid potential delays in mail delivery. A reasonable deadline for RSVPs would be 2-3 weeks before the wedding, giving you enough time to finalise the guest list and make any necessary arrangements.

Communication:

If you have a large number of international guests, it is a good idea to give them a heads-up about the wedding details in advance. Consider sending an email or giving them a quick call to share the wedding date, venue, and any other important information. This ensures that they have the time to prepare for their travel and can also provide you with an initial indication of their attendance.

Flexibility:

Remember that the timing of sending out wedding invitations is flexible and should be tailored to your specific circumstances. If you have a mix of local and international guests, it is advisable to send all the invitations at the same time to maintain simplicity. However, if you are primarily inviting international guests, you may want to consider sending the invitations a little earlier to accommodate their travel needs.

Destination Weddings:

If you are planning a destination wedding, the suggested timeline for sending invitations is 4-6 months in advance. This applies to weddings held in a far-off location where most of the guests will need to travel, regardless of their country of residence.

In summary, sending invitations to your international guests 9-10 weeks in advance is a thoughtful gesture that recognises their additional travel requirements. This timeline ensures that your overseas guests have the necessary information and time to plan their attendance at your special day.

Frequently asked questions