Wedding Invitations: Timing For Sending And Response Management

Wedding planning is an exciting time, and one of the most important tasks is sending out invitations. It's crucial to give guests enough notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. So, when is the best time to send out wedding invitations and request responses?

In the US and UK, it's typical to send invitations two to three months before the wedding. Sending them six to eight weeks in advance is ideal as it gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make any necessary arrangements. This timeline also allows couples to request RSVPs sooner, making it easier to finalise details like seating charts.

For destination weddings or weddings with many international guests, it's considerate to send invitations earlier, around three months in advance. This gives overseas guests sufficient time to plan their travels and make accommodations.

Save-the-date cards are also a fun way to give guests a heads-up, especially for destination weddings. These are usually sent four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if extensive travel is involved.

So, to ensure a smooth process and boost the number of positive RSVPs, give your guests ample notice and send out those invitations with plenty of time to spare!

Send save-the-date cards 4-6 months in advance

Save-the-date cards are an exciting part of wedding planning, and they serve a practical purpose, too. They are the first step in letting your guests know about your wedding, and they help ensure your guests can make it to your big day.

The general rule of thumb is to send save-the-date cards 4-6 months before your wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan, especially if they need to book travel or accommodation. It's also a good idea if you're getting married during a busy time of year, like a holiday weekend, or if your wedding is in a far-flung location.

If your wedding is a destination wedding, or if it falls on a major holiday, it's a good idea to send your save-the-dates even earlier—9 months to a year in advance. This gives your guests ample time to book flights and reserve a hotel room. It's also a good idea to get your wedding website up and running before sending out save-the-dates, so your guests can access all the information they need in one place.

Your save-the-date cards should include the date of your wedding (or the weekend of your wedding celebration if it spans multiple days), the city of the event, and the names of the couple. You can also include a line that a formal invitation will follow, your wedding website, and hotel information.

It's important to only send save-the-dates to those you're planning on inviting to the wedding. Once your save-the-dates are in the mail, there's no going back!

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invitations around six to eight weeks before the wedding is considered the best practice in wedding etiquette. This timeline is considered ideal as it gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if they need to. It also allows you to receive responses and get a final headcount for your caterers and seating chart.

If you are planning a destination wedding or your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, it is advisable to send out your invitations earlier, giving your guests more time to prepare. In such cases, sending out invitations 10-12 weeks in advance is a good idea. This also applies if you have a large number of international guests or if a large percentage of your guest list lives abroad.

On the other hand, if most of your guests live locally and your event has a casual dress code, you can send out invitations a little later, around four weeks before the wedding.

It is also important to consider other factors such as whether your venue or caterer requires a headcount several weeks in advance, and whether your invitation includes a gift registry. These factors may influence your decision on when to send out the invitations.

To ensure your guests have all the information they need, it is recommended to include an RSVP deadline on your invitation. This is usually set for one month before the wedding, giving your guests a brief window to consider their decision and respond.

Additionally, it is common to send out "Save the Date" cards in advance of the official invitations. These are typically sent out 4-6 months before the wedding, giving your guests enough time to make a note of the date and start making travel arrangements if necessary.

Request RSVPs one month before the wedding

Requesting RSVPs a month before your wedding is a great way to ensure you have enough time to finalise the details of your big day. Here are some tips to keep in mind when requesting RSVPs:

Timing is Key

It is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to plan their attendance, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. Sending out your invitations early also allows your guests to purchase gifts from your registry if they wish to do so. By requesting RSVPs a month before your wedding, you are giving your guests a reasonable deadline to respond and this will help you finalise the details with your vendors.

Make it Easy for Your Guests

To ensure your guests send their RSVPs on time, make the process as easy as possible for them. Include a pre-addressed and pre-stamped return envelope with your invitations. You could also give your guests the option to RSVP digitally through your wedding website, which may be more convenient for some.

Be Clear with Your Wording

Make sure your guests understand what RSVP means and that a response is needed, even if they are declining the invitation. You could use wording such as, "The favour of your reply is requested by [date]". This makes it clear that you are expecting a response by a certain date.

Include a Call to Action

You could include an engaging call to action or participation factor on the response card. For example, "RSVP with a song that will keep you on the dance floor" or "RSVP with your favourite memory of the bride and groom". This will make the process more fun for your guests and may encourage a quicker response.

Follow Up with Guests

Even with a clear deadline, you may still need to follow up with some guests who haven't responded. It is recommended that you wait about a week after the deadline before sending friendly reminders to those who haven't responded. You could also send a reminder to all guests a week before the deadline to encourage a timely response.

By requesting RSVPs a month before your wedding and following these tips, you'll be well on your way to finalising the details and ensuring your big day runs smoothly!

Send invites to international guests 9-10 weeks in advance

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is an important part of wedding planning. It's crucial to get this right to ensure your guests have all the information they need to plan for and attend your big day.

If you're planning a destination wedding, it's advisable to send out your save-the-dates nine to twelve months in advance. This gives your international guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodation plans. It's also a good idea to include travel details in your save-the-dates.

When it comes to the formal invitations, it's recommended to send them out nine to ten weeks in advance, or twelve weeks if most of your guest list is international. This timeline ensures that your guests have enough time to prepare for their travel and accommodation bookings. It's also a good idea to follow up with your international guests to make sure they have received the invitation and have enough time to plan their trip.

To make things easier for your international guests, consider including additional information in your invitations or on a separate information card. This could include tips on places to visit, eat, and local weather predictions to help them plan their attire. You can also include this information on your wedding website, which you should set up as early as possible.

Remember, giving your international guests a heads-up about the wedding details through a quick call, text, or email before they receive the formal invitation is always a thoughtful gesture. This way, they can start making their travel arrangements well in advance.

Send digital invites 6-8 weeks in advance

Sending digital invites 6-8 weeks in advance of your wedding date is a great way to ensure your guests have all the information they need to plan for and attend your big day. Here are some tips and things to consider when sending digital invites:

Timing is Everything

It is recommended that digital wedding invitations be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This timeline allows your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements, especially if they are coming from abroad. Sending your invites within this timeframe also gives your guests ample time to respond and purchase a gift if they wish.

Save the Dates

If you are planning a destination wedding or expect that many of your guests will need to travel, it is a good idea to send out "Save the Date" notifications. These are typically sent out four to six months before the wedding date, or even earlier for destination weddings, to ensure your guests have ample time to prepare.

RSVP Timeline

When sending digital invites, be sure to indicate an RSVP deadline. It is recommended that the deadline be set for one month before the wedding date. This provides a brief window for guests to receive the invitation and make their decision, while also giving your vendors enough time to prepare.

International Guests

If you have guests coming from overseas, it is considerate to give them a heads-up before sending the official invitation. Contact them via email or phone to provide them with the wedding details and information about booking accommodations. This will allow them to start making their travel arrangements with plenty of time.

Digital Etiquette

While digital invitations may not align with traditional wedding invitation etiquette, they can be a good option for couples planning an eco-friendly wedding. If you choose to send digital invites, keep in mind that some of your guests may be less tech-savvy. In these cases, it is a good idea to have a few physical invitations as a backup.

Tracking Responses

One advantage of digital invites is the ability to track responses. Services like RSVPify allow you to see who has opened and responded to your invitation, so you can easily follow up with guests who may have missed it.

Remember, when sending digital wedding invitations, it is important to consider the needs and preferences of your guests. By sending them out within the recommended timeframe and providing clear information, you can ensure that your guests have everything they need to celebrate your special day with you.

Frequently asked questions