Save The Date: Timing For A November Wedding

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and timing is crucial. Sending out save-the-dates early is essential to ensure your guests can make the necessary arrangements and reflects your consideration and etiquette. As a rule of thumb, send save-the-dates for a November wedding about six to eight months before, and the invitations eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to plan, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. For a destination wedding, it is courteous to send save-the-dates nine to twelve months in advance.

Send save-the-dates 8-12 months before the wedding

Sending out save-the-dates for your wedding 8-12 months in advance is a great idea, especially if your wedding is in a popular month like November. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan, and you can be sure that your big day is the first in their diaries.

Save-the-dates are a fun and creative way to give your guests a glimpse of your wedding style and set the tone for the event. They are also a practical way to ensure your guests can make the necessary arrangements, especially if they need to travel or book time off work.

When sending out save-the-dates 8-12 months in advance, it's a good idea to have your wedding website up and running, with accommodation options and other important details. This is also a good time to start assembling your wedding registry.

If you are planning a destination wedding or getting married on a major holiday, it is best to send out your save-the-dates 9-12 months in advance. This gives your guests extra time to book flights and accommodation, which is essential if your wedding is abroad or during a busy travel period.

It's important to only send save-the-dates to guests you are sure will be invited to the whole wedding. This avoids any confusion or awkwardness later on.

Save-the-dates are an exciting part of the wedding planning process and a great way to get your guests excited about your big day. Sending them out 8-12 months in advance is a thoughtful way to ensure your guests have plenty of time to prepare and gives you a head start on your guest list.

Send invitations 8-12 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invitations is an essential part of the planning process. It's important to get the timing right to ensure your guests can make the necessary arrangements and to reflect your consideration and etiquette.

As a general rule, wedding invitations should be sent out eight to twelve weeks before the wedding. This is the traditional timeline and will give your guests ample time to RSVP, plan their outfits, organise travel and accommodation, and prepare any gifts. Sending out your invitations within this timeframe also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to finalise your headcount, invite any guests on your B-list, and complete your seating chart before the last-minute crunch.

However, it's worth noting that this timeline can be adjusted depending on the circumstances of your wedding. For instance, if your wedding is during a busy holiday season or if most of your guests are travelling, you may want to send out invitations closer to twelve weeks in advance. On the other hand, if you're having a shorter engagement, you might send out invitations slightly later—around two to three months before the wedding.

Additionally, the timing may vary if you're inviting international guests. In this case, it's recommended to send their invitations twelve weeks in advance to account for extended shipping and delivery times. Giving them a heads-up via email or phone call is also a good idea, so they can start making travel arrangements as early as possible.

When deciding on the timing for sending out your wedding invitations, remember that the key is to give your guests enough notice to plan and ensure that your special day is secure on their calendars.

Include accommodation details with save-the-dates

Save-the-dates are an important part of wedding planning. They are preliminary notifications sent out to your guests to inform them about your wedding plans and ensure they reserve your wedding day on their calendars. As a general rule of thumb, it's best to send them out about six to eight months before a wedding, and nine to twelve months before a destination wedding.

Now, let's focus on including accommodation details with your save-the-dates.

It is absolutely acceptable and even encouraged to mention booking accommodations on your save-the-date cards, especially for destination weddings. This makes practical sense and spares your guests the potential stress of securing accommodations as your wedding date draws near. It also allows them to plan and book their stay accordingly, especially if they are travelling from out of town.

• A warm and inviting message expressing your enthusiasm for your guests' presence on your special day.
• A concise yet compelling message encouraging early booking, highlighting the advantages of doing so, such as discounted rates, a wider range of lodging options, or securing rooms close to the wedding venue.
• If you have secured a block of rooms at a hotel, mention this and provide the hotel's name and location. Also, provide a link to your wedding website for more information on booking these rooms and additional accommodation options.
• If accommodation is up to your guests to book, provide a list of recommended hotels and lodges on your wedding website, and encourage them to book early to secure the perfect place to stay.
• If you are organising group accommodation and simply need guests to pay you, include the total cost and the payment deadline date. Mention that their booking is only confirmed upon payment receipt by the deadline.

Examples of Wording:

If you have secured a block of rooms at a hotel:

> "Mark your calendars! We're thrilled to announce our wedding date and we'd be overjoyed to have you join us in celebration. As our special day falls during the very busy spring carnival season, we suggest booking accommodations early. For your convenience, we've secured a block of rooms at [Hotel Name], which is near our venue. Visit our wedding website for booking details and additional options."

If accommodation is up to your guests:

> "We're excited to invite you to our wedding day! We're celebrating at [Location], and we recommend you secure accommodations early as it's a popular destination. To assist you, we've listed recommended options on our wedding website. Booking in advance ensures a great stay so you can fully enjoy the festivities."

If you're organising group accommodation:

> "We're delighted you'll be celebrating with us! We've arranged accommodations for our guests to ensure a comfortable stay. To secure your room, please pay [Total Cost] by [Deadline]. This covers your stay for our specified dates. Your booking is only confirmed upon payment receipt by the deadline. We look forward to creating lasting memories with you!"

By including accommodation details in your save-the-dates, you're giving your guests a head start on planning their trip and ensuring they have a seamless experience.

Send save-the-dates to all guests attending the whole day

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and sending out save-the-dates is one of the first steps to sharing your joy with your loved ones. Here's a guide to help you navigate the process of sending save-the-dates to all your guests attending the whole day of your November wedding:

Timing is Everything:

Send out your save-the-dates around six to eight months before your wedding. This is the standard timeline for local weddings. However, if your wedding is in November, you might want to send them out earlier, ideally by February or even earlier in the year. This is especially important if you have many out-of-town guests or if your wedding coincides with busy holiday seasons. Giving your guests ample notice allows them to make travel arrangements, plan their schedules, and ensure they don't miss your special day.

Who to Send Them To:

Send save-the-dates to all your "A-list" guests, the ones you're absolutely certain you want to be there. This includes immediate family members, the wedding party, key participants, and close friends and family. Even if you've received a verbal confirmation, it's still a good idea to send them a save-the-date to excite them about your upcoming nuptials.

What to Include:

Keep the content of your save-the-dates simple and concise. Here are the key details to include:

• Your names: Ensure your names stand out and are visible. You may even want to use a different font to make them pop.
• The date of your wedding: Clearly state the date and day of the week to help guests mark their calendars.
• Location: Include the city and state, and if you have it, the venue. This is crucial information for guests, especially those travelling.
• Wedding website: Share the link to your wedding website, where guests can find more detailed information about your wedding, including the type of celebration, registry info, and dress code.
• A note about the formal invite: Let guests know that a formal invitation will follow. You can also add "and guest" if a guest is allowed to bring a plus-one.

What Not to Include:

While it's tempting to include all the exciting details, save some for the official invitation and wedding website. Here's what you can leave out:

• Hotel information: It's too early for guests to book accommodations, and they may not be sure of their attendance at this stage.
• Exact times: A general timeline is sufficient; you don't need to include specific timings yet.
• Attire specifics: Guests can refer to your wedding website or wait for the formal invitation for dress code details.
• Registry information: It's considered inappropriate to include registry details on save-the-dates. Guests can enquire about this information from you, your family, or your wedding website.

Remember, your save-the-dates set the tone for your wedding, so have fun with the design and make it reflect your style as a couple. Happy planning!

Include names of intended guests on the envelope

When planning a wedding, one of the first tasks you'll face is sending out save-the-dates. Save-the-dates are preliminary notifications sent to your guests to inform them of your wedding plans and ensure they reserve your wedding date in their calendars. As such, it's important to include the names of intended guests on the envelope. This helps to ensure there's less confusion when it comes to RSVPs and prevents any assumed invitees.

The general rule of thumb is to send out save-the-dates about six to eight months before the wedding. If it's a destination wedding, it's best to give guests more notice, usually nine to twelve months in advance. This allows guests to plan their travel and accommodations. When addressing the envelopes, be sure to include the names of all intended guests, whether they are single, married, dating, or part of a family.

For single guests, include their first and last name, and if offering a plus-one, add "and guest". For married couples, you can include both names, with or without titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs.". If one person in the couple has a distinguished title, such as "Dr." or is in the military, you may list them first. For dating or married couples with different last names, include both names on the envelope to ensure clarity.

When addressing families, you can list each child's name or simply put the family name, such as "The Smiths". If children are invited, be sure to list their names to ensure there is no confusion. While save-the-dates are less formal than wedding invitations, it's essential to be clear and concise when addressing the envelopes to ensure your guests are well-informed and prepared for your big day.

Frequently asked questions