Wedding Invitation Etiquette For Australian Couples

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. It is important to send out invitations at the right time – not too early, and not too late. So, when is the right time?

For local weddings, it is recommended to send out invitations 4 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to plan and respond, without being too far in advance that they might forget or lose the invitation. For destination weddings, it is best to send out invitations 3 months or even earlier, to give guests ample time to make travel arrangements.

If you are sending out 'Save the Date' cards, these should be sent out 4 to 10 months in advance. This ensures your guests are aware of the date and can make a note of it in their calendar.

Save-the-date cards

Timing is Key

As a general rule, it's best to send save-the-date cards about 8 to 12 months before your wedding. This is especially important if you're having a destination wedding or your wedding falls on a holiday weekend. Sending them early gives your guests enough time to plan their vacations, request time off from work, and make travel and accommodation arrangements. For local weddings, you can send them out 4 to 6 months in advance.

Provide Essential Information

Keep the content of your save-the-date cards short and informative. Include your and your partner's names, the wedding date(s), and the location (city and state). You may also want to mention that a formal invitation will follow. Including your wedding website is a nice touch but not necessary. Avoid including registry information, as it may be seen as a blatant request for cash.

Be Clear About Who is Invited

Be as clear as possible about who is invited to the wedding, even at this early stage. Include the names of all intended guests on the envelope to avoid any confusion. If you know that you want one of your guests to bring a plus one, add this to the card as it will help with their travel and accommodation arrangements.

Don't Send Save-the-Dates to Everyone

Remember, save-the-date cards are only for those guests you definitely want to be present on your wedding day. These cards are typically followed by formal invitations, so only send them to people you intend to invite to the wedding itself.

Order Samples and Plan Ahead

If you're ordering stationery sample packs, it's recommended to do so 9 to 12 months before the wedding. This allows time for shipping and gives you a variety of options to choose from. Planning ahead ensures you can create your dream design and have a stress-free experience.

Wedding invitation timing

The timing of your wedding invitations is crucial. Send them too early, and your guests may forget or lose track of the date. Too late, and they may not be able to commit or make the necessary arrangements. The ideal timeline for sending out wedding invitations is between six and eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements if necessary, and respond with their RSVPs.

If you're having a destination wedding, it's recommended to send out invitations three months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to organise flights and accommodation. For destination weddings, it's also a good idea to send out "save the date" cards about six months ahead of time. This gives your guests extra time to save money and make travel plans.

If you're not sending "save the date" cards, the recommended time to send out wedding invitations is six to eight months before the wedding. This is especially important if your wedding is around school holidays or a major holiday, such as Christmas, as people often have prior commitments during these times.

It's also important to consider your guests' locations. For international guests, it's recommended to allow four months for potential postal delays. For guests outside the US, nine to ten weeks is a good timeframe.

The timing of your wedding invitations is crucial in ensuring your guests have enough time to plan and respond, so be sure to give them the courtesy of timely notice.

RSVP deadlines

Setting an RSVP deadline is an important part of the wedding planning process. Here are some tips to help you choose the right deadline:

It is recommended that you set the RSVP deadline for your wedding at least two weeks before the big day. This will give you enough time to finalise the details, create a seating chart, and provide your caterers with the final headcount. It is also a good idea to give your guests a convenient way to contact you, such as an email or postal address, and to follow up with any guests who have not responded by the deadline.

The recommended timeline for sending out wedding invitations is 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 inviting a large number of international guests, it is advisable to send out the invitations even earlier, around 12 weeks in advance. This will allow your guests enough time to plan their trips and apply for any necessary visas or passports.

If you have chosen not to send out save-the-date cards, it is recommended that you send out the invitations earlier, around six to eight months before the wedding. This will give your guests enough time to plan and ensure that they do not make other commitments on your wedding date.

The ideal time to request RSVPs is about one month before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to receive and respond to the invitation, while also providing your vendors with enough advance notice to prepare. It is important to give international guests the option to RSVP digitally, as postal mail may take longer to reach them.

International guests

If you are inviting international guests to your wedding, it is important to give them ample notice. While you don't want to send out your invitations too early, you also need to ensure that your guests have enough time to make travel arrangements.

It is recommended that you send out invitations to international guests around four months before the wedding. This allows for any potential postal delays and gives your guests time to get organised. Sending out invitations earlier, such as six to twelve months in advance, is especially important if your wedding is a destination wedding or if your guests will need visas or other travel documents.

If you are only inviting a small number of international guests, it is still advisable to send their invitations at the same time as the other guests. However, you may want to give them a quick call, text, or email beforehand to let them know about the wedding details so that they can start making travel plans.

For all international guests, it is a good idea to give them the option to RSVP digitally, as this will speed up the response time and make it easier for them to confirm their attendance.

Save the Dates

If you are sending out "Save the Dates", these should be sent to international guests around eight to twelve months in advance. This will give your guests plenty of time to plan their vacations, request time off work, and make any necessary arrangements. Sending out "Save the Dates" early is especially important if your wedding is around a major holiday, as your guests will need to plan their time off in advance.

Pre-Wedding Events

If you are hosting any pre-wedding events, such as bachelor or bachelorette parties, it is a good idea to send out invitations at least a month in advance. Sending out invitations around the same time as your main invites will help your international guests plan their trip and know how long they should plan to be in town for.

RSVP Date

It is recommended to set an RSVP date for around two to three weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise the details and get a final headcount. Make sure to provide your international guests with a convenient way to contact you, such as an email address. If any guests fail to RSVP, you can always send them a message or give them a call to confirm their attendance.

Invitation Contents

Your wedding invitations should include all the relevant details to ensure your international guests have the information they need. This includes:

• Who the invitation is for, including whether plus ones are welcome
• The date and timeline of the wedding
• The address of the ceremony and reception venues
• When and how to RSVP
• Dress code or theme
• Parking and transport details
• Accommodation options, especially for destination weddings
• Details of any surrounding events, such as brunches or dinners
• Your wedding website, if you have one

Pre-wedding events

The Bridal Shower

The bridal shower is usually the first pre-wedding event and can be held up to four months before the wedding. It is typically hosted by the maid of honour or the bridal team and is sometimes a surprise for the bride. The bride's close friends and female relatives from both sides of the family are invited to attend. Invitations for the bridal shower should be sent out at least one month in advance, and it is acceptable to have multiple bridal showers to include everyone.

The Bridesmaids' Luncheon

The bridesmaids' luncheon is hosted by the bride to thank her bridesmaids for their participation and help during the wedding preparations. This event can be a chance for the bride to give gifts to her attendants. The invitations for the luncheon should be sent out at least one month in advance, and it is a good opportunity for the bride to de-stress and spend quality time with her bridal party.

The Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

The bachelor and bachelorette parties are iconic pre-wedding events traditionally meant to be the "last night of freedom" for the bride and groom. Nowadays, some couples choose to have a combined party. These events are usually held about two weeks before the wedding to avoid clashing with other pre-wedding celebrations. Invitations should be sent out at least one month in advance, and it is important to consider the budgets of the bridal party, who traditionally organise these events.

The Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

The wedding rehearsal dinner is a chance for all the wedding guests to get acquainted in a relaxed environment. It is often hosted by the groom's parents, relieving the pressure on the bride's family. Rehearsal dinners are usually a close family affair with toasts and speeches honouring the couple. Invitations for the rehearsal dinner should be sent out about one to two weeks after the wedding invitations, giving guests enough time to reschedule their trip if needed.

Other Pre-Wedding Events

There are also other pre-wedding events that you may want to consider, such as engagement parties, welcome parties (especially for destination weddings), and groomsmen luncheons. These events can be a great way to celebrate with your loved ones and should be planned according to your budget and preferences. Invitations for these events should also be sent out at least one month in advance to give your guests enough time to prepare.

Frequently asked questions