Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting part of the planning process. But when is the best time to send them? The general consensus is that 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. If you're inviting a lot of out-of-town guests or planning a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send invitations a little earlier – around three months in advance. This will give your guests more time to plan their travel and accommodation. If you're sending save-the-date cards, these should go out about six to eight months before the wedding, or earlier if it's a destination wedding.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How early to send invitations | 6-8 weeks before the wedding |
Latest time to send invitations | 1.5 months before the wedding |
RSVP deadline | 1 month before the wedding |
How early to send save-the-date cards | 4-6 months before the wedding |
How early to send save-the-date cards for destination weddings | 9-12 months before the wedding |
What You'll Learn
Send save-the-date cards 4-6 months before
Sending save-the-date cards in advance of your wedding invitations is a great way to give your guests an early heads-up about your wedding date. This is especially helpful if you're planning a destination wedding or if many of your guests will be travelling from out of town. While they are not essential, they are a fun way to get your guests excited about your upcoming nuptials and give them time to plan.
The ideal time to send out save-the-date cards is around four to six months before your wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to reserve the date in their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements. If you're planning a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send them even earlier, around nine to twelve months in advance.
When creating your save-the-date cards, consider incorporating elements of your wedding theme, such as colours or design embellishments. This will help to set the tone for your wedding and give your guests a sneak peek of what to expect. Be sure to include the full names of you and your fiancé, the date, and location of the wedding.
It's also important to start the process of designing and preparing your save-the-date cards early. Give yourself at least a month to address envelopes and allow for any unexpected delays. This will ensure that you stay on track and don't feel rushed.
Remember, while sending save-the-date cards is a helpful step in the wedding planning process, it's not mandatory. If you prefer, you can choose to send out your wedding invitations earlier, around four to eight months before your wedding, and include all the necessary details for your guests.
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Send invites 6-8 weeks before
Sending your wedding invitations around six to eight weeks before the wedding is considered the best practice. This timeline is supported by wedding experts and is in line with traditional wedding etiquette. Here are some reasons why sending your invitations 6-8 weeks in advance is a good idea:
Guest Convenience and Memory
Sending your invitations within this timeframe strikes a balance between giving guests enough notice and not overwhelming them with information too early. If you send invitations earlier, guests may lose or forget the details.
RSVP Management
The 6-8 week timeline also allows your guests ample time to respond. You can expect to start receiving RSVPs sooner, enabling you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B-list if needed, and complete your seating charts well before the wedding.
Proper Etiquette
Sending invitations within this timeframe is considered proper wedding invitation etiquette. While modern times may allow for some flexibility, adhering to this timeline ensures you follow traditional norms.
Destination Weddings and Holidays
If your wedding is during a busy holiday season or is a destination wedding, you may consider sending invitations a little earlier, around 10-12 weeks in advance. This courtesy gives your guests more time to plan their travel and accommodations.
Save-the-Dates
It's worth noting that the 6-8 week timeline typically applies when you've already sent out save-the-date cards. Save-the-dates are a great way to give guests an early heads-up, especially if many of them need to make travel arrangements. If you haven't sent save-the-dates, you may want to send invitations a little earlier, around 4-8 months in advance.
In conclusion, sending your wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the big day strikes a balance between giving your guests enough notice and maintaining their excitement for your upcoming celebration. It's a sweet spot that allows for proper planning and adherence to traditional etiquette.
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Send invites 10-12 weeks before for a destination wedding
Planning a destination wedding for June? It's important to send out your invitations with enough time to allow your guests to make the necessary travel arrangements.
As a general rule, invitations should be sent out 10-12 weeks before the wedding. This is especially important if your wedding is during a busy holiday season, as guests will need to plan their time off work and book their travel and accommodation. Sending your invitations with plenty of time will also give you a better chance of getting an accurate headcount for your big day.
It's also a good idea to send out save-the-date cards about nine to twelve months before a destination wedding. This will ensure your guests have the date marked in their calendars and give them a heads-up that they'll need to plan travel and accommodation.
When sending out your invitations, be sure to include all the necessary details such as the date, time, venue, and any other important information your guests will need to know. It's also a good idea to include an RSVP card with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to make it easy for your guests to respond.
Remember, every wedding is different, so send out your invitations when it feels right for you and your partner. But don't leave it too late, or your guests may not be able to make it!
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Send invites 2-3 months before if you've been engaged a few months
If you've been engaged for a few months, it's best to send out your wedding invitations 2-3 months before the big day. This is especially important if you're planning a June wedding, which falls within the traditional wedding season of May to September. Sending your invitations out early is a good idea, as it gives your guests plenty of notice and ensures they don't get double-booked. It's also a good idea if you have a large guest list, as it may be harder to communicate with everyone via word of mouth.
Sending your invitations out 2-3 months in advance also gives your guests enough time to plan any necessary travel or accommodation arrangements, especially if they need to take time off work. It's a good idea to include a map and accommodation details with your invitations to help your guests with their plans.
You'll also want to consider when your venue and caterers need final numbers. Typically, venues require final numbers around 8 weeks before the wedding, so sending your invitations out 2-3 months in advance gives your guests plenty of time to RSVP and gives you time to chase up any stragglers.
While sending your invitations out early is a good idea, you don't want to send them too early, as your wedding might not be at the top of your guests' minds as the day draws closer. Aim for that sweet spot that gives everyone plenty of time to plan but not so much time that they lose track of the date.
So, if you've been engaged for a few months and are planning a June wedding, sending your invitations out 2-3 months in advance is a great option. This will ensure your guests have all the information they need and give you time to finalise the details with your venue and caterers.
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Include RSVP deadline of 4 weeks before the wedding
When planning a wedding, there are many factors to consider when it comes to sending out invitations. The timing of sending out invitations is crucial, as it impacts not just the schedule of the couple but also that of the guests.
One important aspect to consider is the RSVP deadline. It is recommended that the RSVP deadline be set for four weeks before the wedding. This allows enough time for the couple to finalise the headcount and make any necessary arrangements, such as completing the seating chart and confirming numbers with the caterer. Setting the RSVP deadline at four weeks provides a buffer to track down any guests who have not yet responded.
For a June wedding, the invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks in advance, which means the ideal time to send them out is in April. This timing ensures that guests have ample time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also allows the couple to receive RSVPs sooner, making it easier to invite guests from their B list if needed.
If the June wedding is a destination wedding or falls during a busy holiday season, it is recommended to send out invitations 10 to 12 weeks in advance, which would be in March or early April. This earlier timeline is considerate to guests, giving them more time to plan their travel, accommodation, and time off work.
To ensure a smooth process, it is essential to include an RSVP deadline of four weeks before the wedding on the invitations. This deadline should be clearly stated in the lower left corner of the invitation or on an RSVP card within the invitation suite. Providing a self-addressed, stamped envelope or a virtual RSVP option on the wedding website can also facilitate prompt responses from guests.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. If you are having a destination wedding or getting married during a busy holiday season, it is considerate to send out invitations 10-12 weeks in advance.
The latest you should send out your wedding invitations is one and a half months in advance. This will give your guests enough time to RSVP before the wedding.
Sending out wedding invitations early ensures your guests can make the necessary arrangements. It is a considerate gesture, especially if your guests need to plan travel or accommodations.