Summer Wedding Invites: Timing And Tips For Sending Yours Out

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and there are a lot of details to consider. Sending out your wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure your loved ones can share your special day with you. So, when is the best time to send out wedding invites for a summer wedding?

There are a few factors to consider when deciding on a timeline for sending out wedding invitations. Firstly, it is important to send out save the date cards, especially if your wedding is during a busy time of year like summer. These should be sent out six to twelve months before the wedding, giving your guests ample time to prepare and make any necessary travel arrangements.

If you have sent save the date cards, it is generally recommended that formal wedding invitations be sent out eight weeks before the wedding. However, if you have a large number of international guests or are planning a destination wedding, it is advisable to send invitations twelve weeks in advance to allow guests enough time to plan their trip.

It is also important to consider when your venue needs final numbers and to factor in enough time to receive responses from your guests. Therefore, sending out invitations four to eight months before the wedding is a good rule of thumb, especially if your wedding is during the peak season.

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before

Save-the-date cards are a fun and functional way to give your guests a heads-up about your upcoming wedding. They are especially helpful if you have many guests who need to make travel arrangements or if your wedding is during a busy time of year, like the summer peak season. While they are not required, they are a considerate way to ensure your guests have ample time to prepare and change their plans if needed.

The ideal time to send out save-the-dates is four to six months before your wedding. This gives your guests enough time to block off the date on their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements. It's also a good idea to have your wedding website ready by the time you send out your save-the-dates so that guests can easily access all the information they need, such as accommodation options and travel details.

If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, it is advisable to send out your save-the-dates even earlier, around six to twelve months in advance. This will give your guests ample time to plan their trip, especially if they are discussing it with their families. Sending out save-the-dates early is also a good strategy if you're getting married during wedding season, typically from May to September, when your guests are likely to be busy with other weddings or holidays.

Save-the-dates should only be sent to guests who are invited to the whole wedding day. It is misleading and awkward to send them to guests who are only invited to the evening reception. If you have a smaller guest list and are confident that your closest friends and family already know about the wedding, you may choose to send save-the-dates only to those who need the extra notice.

When budgeting for save-the-dates, consider sending digital invitations through sites like Paperless Post or designing your own on a free platform like Canva. This is a more affordable and eco-conscious option, and it ensures that your guests don't lose the save-the-date. However, if you want to set the tone for your wedding and give guests a taste of what to expect, a physical save-the-date card is a great option.

Invites: 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invites on time is crucial to ensure that your loved ones can share your special day with you. The ideal time to send out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make any necessary travel arrangements. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to finalise the headcount, invite guests on your B list, and complete your seating plan before the last-minute crunch.

If you're inviting guests from outside the country, it's a good idea to give them a heads-up via email or phone call before sending out the formal invitations. This ensures they have enough time to plan their trip. Aim to send their invitations around nine to ten weeks in advance, though some sources suggest sending them up to a year in advance.

For destination weddings, it is recommended to send invitations as early as possible, ideally 12 weeks in advance. This gives guests ample time to plan their trip and make necessary arrangements.

If your wedding falls during a busy holiday season, it is wise to give your guests extra notice. Sending out invitations three months in advance can be a good option in such cases.

The timing of your wedding invitations is crucial to ensure your guests have enough time to plan and attend. Sending them too early may cause your wedding to slip your guests' minds, while sending them too late may not give them enough time to prepare. Therefore, sticking to the six-to-eight-week timeline is generally the best course of action.

RSVPs: 1 month before the wedding

RSVPs should be due about a month before the wedding. This is a key deadline that gives you and your vendors enough time to make the necessary preparations for your big day. It also allows you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B list if needed, and complete your seating plan.

It's important to give your guests enough time to let you know if they're attending. If you're collecting RSVPs by mail, you'll need to factor in the time it takes for their responses to arrive by post. In this case, it's a good idea to include an RSVP card with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to encourage a prompt response.

You can also ask your guests to RSVP online via your wedding website. This saves time and gives international guests the opportunity to respond without having to worry about postal delays. Creating a wedding website can help you easily collect and track RSVPs, and it's a great way to provide guests with additional information about your wedding, such as travel and accommodation details, a virtual guestbook, and a link to your gift registry.

If you haven't received responses from all your guests by the deadline, it's a good idea to follow up with them promptly to ensure you have enough time to plan and prepare.

Destination weddings: send invites 3 months before

Planning a destination wedding? It's a good idea to send out your invitations as early as possible—ideally, 3 months or 12 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to plan their trip, make travel arrangements, and request time off work. It's also a good idea to set up a wedding website where guests can easily access all the important details and updates about your wedding.

When it comes to destination weddings, the timeline for sending out invitations is significantly earlier than for local weddings. While local weddings typically require invitations to be sent out eight weeks before the big day, destination weddings demand more advance notice.

By sending out your invitations three months in advance, you allow your guests enough time to make the necessary arrangements, such as booking flights and accommodation. This is especially important if your wedding falls during peak holiday season, as your guests may need to plan and save up for their trip.

To make the most of this early notice, consider including important details in your invitation suite, such as:

• Attire suggestions for the event
• A map or directions to the event location
• Accommodation options or recommendations
• Information about any wedding-related activities or events

Additionally, you may want to include an RSVP card with a deadline of around four weeks before the wedding, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for your guests' convenience.

Remember, while it's essential to give your guests enough time to plan, you also want to avoid sending out your invitations too early. Finding the right balance will ensure that your wedding remains at the top of your guests' minds as the day draws closer.

Include accommodation details

If you have guests coming from out of town, it is a thoughtful gesture to include accommodation details in your wedding invitation. This will help them plan their trip and make any necessary arrangements. Here are some tips on how to include accommodation details in your wedding invitations:

Timing

It is recommended to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, if you have many guests coming from out of town or from overseas, it is advisable to send the invitations earlier, ideally eight to twelve weeks in advance. This will give your guests enough time to request time off work, secure accommodation, and make travel arrangements.

Separate Accommodation Card

Consider including a separate insert or card dedicated to accommodation details. This will give the information the attention it deserves and ensure that your guests don't miss it. The card should match the motif of your invitations and include a clear header such as "Accommodations" or "Where to Stay."

Hotel Room Blocks

If most of your guests are travelling, consider reserving a hotel room block as soon as possible after booking your wedding venue. Include this information on your save-the-dates or wedding invitations, along with instructions on how to book. Here is an example of what to include:

> For your convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at [name of hotel] in [city]. When calling to make your reservation, please mention the [your last names] wedding to receive a discounted rate. Please call [hotel phone number] to book your room.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Be sure to include any important dates or deadlines for booking accommodations. For example:

> To receive the discounted rate, please book your room by [date].

Wedding Website

Create a wedding website to provide more detailed information about travel and accommodations. Include the website link on your accommodation card or a separate insert along with your invitation. Keep your website updated with any changes or deadlines to prevent guests from calling you with questions.

Additional Accommodation Options

If there is accommodation available at your venue, provide guests with the details, including any special rates and booking instructions. You can also suggest nearby alternatives, considering different price points. For example:

> Accommodation is available at [venue name]. Please book directly with them, quoting [your names] wedding for a preferential rate. Other nearby options include [hotel names] and [hotel name], with rates starting at [price].

Transportation and Parking

Include information about transportation options from the hotel to the wedding venue, as well as parking arrangements at the venue. This will help your guests plan their travel accordingly. For example:

> Parking around the venue is limited. We recommend parking in [suggested parking area].

By including these accommodation details in your wedding invitations, you will make it easier for your guests to plan their trip and ensure they have a comfortable stay during your special day.

Frequently asked questions