Wedding Invite Etiquette: Timing Is Everything

Sending out wedding invites at the right time is crucial to ensure your loved ones can join you on your big day. The general rule of thumb is to send out invites six to eight weeks before the wedding, with RSVPs requested a month before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. However, some sources suggest sending invites out three to four months in advance, especially if a large number of guests are travelling or if the wedding is during a busy holiday period.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending your wedding invites 6-8 weeks in advance is considered standard etiquette and gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, invite any guests on your B list, and complete your seating plan before the last-minute crunch.

If you're worried that 6-8 weeks doesn't give your guests enough time to plan, you could lengthen it to up to 12 weeks in advance, especially if you have a lot of international guests or your wedding falls on a busy holiday period. However, it's not advisable to send your invites any earlier than this, as your wedding might slip your guests' minds as the day draws closer.

If you're concerned about giving your guests enough notice, it's a good idea to send out Save the Dates 4-6 months, or even 6-12 months, before your wedding date. This gives your guests a timely heads-up, allowing them to plan any travel or accommodation without having to commit to attending.

Once you've sent your invites, you can expect to start receiving RSVPs almost right away. It's good practice to ask for RSVPs no later than 1 month from your wedding date, giving you and your vendors ample time to make the necessary preparations.

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before the wedding

Sending save-the-date cards is a great way to let your guests know about your wedding date in advance so they can plan their attendance. Save-the-date cards are usually sent 4-6 months before the wedding, which gives guests enough time to make any necessary arrangements, such as booking travel and accommodations. This is especially important for guests who are travelling from out of town or out of state.

The save-the-date cards should include the date of the wedding, the city where the wedding will take place, and the names of the couple. It is also helpful to include a formal invitation to follow and your wedding website, if you have one.

It is important to be clear about who is invited to the wedding when sending save-the-date cards. Include the names of every intended guest on the envelope to avoid any confusion. If you plan to invite any guests to bring a plus one, add this information to the card as well.

Save-the-date cards are typically followed by the official wedding invitations, which are usually sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to reply and make any necessary travel arrangements.

It is also important to consider any cultural or religious traditions that may impact the timing of your save-the-date cards and invitations. For example, if your wedding falls on a major holiday, it is advisable to send invitations earlier to give guests more time to plan.

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 allow your guests to receive the invitation and consider their 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 chart, final menu selections, and cake size. It also gives you a window to chase up any late responses.

One source suggests that you could lengthen the deadline to up to three months in advance, especially if you have already sent out Save the Dates, but no later. This is to ensure that your guests have enough time to respond and make any necessary travel arrangements.

If you are inviting international guests, it is advisable to give them a heads-up via a quick call, text, or email, so that they have enough time to prepare their travel arrangements.

Send invites earlier if many guests are travelling

If many of your guests are travelling to your wedding, it's a good idea to send out your invitations earlier than you might otherwise. This will give your guests plenty of time to request time off work, secure accommodation, and make the necessary travel arrangements.

If you're inviting lots of out-of-town or out-of-state guests, it's customary to send out wedding invitations around eight weeks before the big day. However, if a large percentage of your guest list lives abroad, or if you're planning a destination wedding, it's best to add a few weeks to this timeline. Aim to send your invites around 12 weeks before your wedding date.

If you've sent out Save the Dates, you can afford to send your invitations a little closer to the wedding. However, if you haven't sent Save the Dates, wedding invitations should be sent out four to six months before your wedding date.

If you're concerned about the timing of your wedding invitations, it's worth noting that the timing of your Save the Dates is also important. Save the Dates should be sent four to six months before your wedding, or even earlier if you're planning a destination wedding. This will give your guests plenty of time to prepare and change their plans if necessary.

Remember, it's important to send your invitations at the right time. Send them too late, and you run the risk of not giving your guests enough notice. Send them too early, and your wedding might not be at the top of their minds as the day draws closer.

Send digital invites to international guests

Sending digital invites to international guests is a great way to save time and money, and it's environmentally friendly too. Here are some tips to consider when sending digital invites to international guests:

Timing

It is recommended to send out digital invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking flights and accommodation. However, if a large percentage of your guest list is international, it is advisable to add a few weeks to this timeline and send out the invites 12 weeks in advance. This will allow your international guests ample time to prepare their travel plans.

Save-the-Dates

Before sending out the official invites, it is a good idea to send Save-the-Dates to your international guests 4-6 months before the wedding date. This will give them a heads-up to start planning their travel arrangements and ensure they have enough time to block off the dates on their calendars. Sending Save-the-Dates early is especially important if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding.

RSVP deadline

When sending digital invites, it is recommended to set an RSVP deadline of about 1 month from the wedding date. This will give you enough time to finalise your wedding planning details, such as the seating chart, menu selections, and cake size. It is also a good idea to give international guests the option to RSVP digitally, as this will be faster and more convenient for them than sending their responses through the mail.

Information to include

Digital invites can be less formal than traditional paper invites, but it is still important to include all the essential details. Be sure to include the date, time, and location of the wedding, as well as any other relevant information such as dress code, travel or accommodation recommendations, and your wedding website. You can also include a personal note or message to your international guests, letting them know you would love for them to be there and giving them a point of contact if they have any questions about the wedding or their travel plans.

Accessibility

Keep in mind that digital invites may not be accessible to all your guests, especially older guests or those who are less tech-savvy. In such cases, you may want to consider sending paper invitations or providing alternative options for receiving the invitation, such as through email or text message. Additionally, there is a risk of digital invites ending up in your guests' spam folders, so be sure to follow up with them to confirm receipt.

Frequently asked questions