Timing Your Wedding Invites: The Perfect Send-Out Window

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of wedding planning. The general rule of thumb is to send out invitations six to eight weeks in advance, giving guests ample time to respond and make travel arrangements. However, some circumstances may require sending invitations earlier, especially for destination weddings or weddings around major holidays. In these cases, sending invitations three to six months in advance is recommended. This article will provide insight into the timing and etiquette of sending out wedding invitations, ensuring a smooth planning process for your big day.

Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invites six to eight weeks in advance of your wedding date is considered standard etiquette. This is enough time for your guests to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, create seating charts, and invite guests on your B list if needed.

If you send your invites too early, there is a risk of them getting lost or your guests forgetting the date. Sending them too late may not give your loved ones enough time to take time off work, book accommodations, or make travel plans.

Six to eight weeks is also enough time for you to chase down late responses without being too early that guests forget to respond. This timing ensures you give everyone plenty of time to make plans without giving them too much time that the wedding isn't at the top of their minds as the day draws closer.

If you are inviting international guests, it is recommended to send their invitations at least nine to ten weeks in advance to allow for extended shipping and delivery times. It is also a good idea to give them a heads-up via email or phone call.

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before

Sending out save-the-date cards is an exciting part of wedding planning. They are not required, but they are a fun way to inform your guests about your upcoming nuptials and ask them to mark their calendars. Save-the-dates are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited.

• Timing: It is recommended to send save-the-dates 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to make arrangements and ensures that they don't book other holidays or accept invitations to other events on the same date. If you're planning a destination wedding that requires more extensive travel arrangements, you may send them even earlier, up to a year in advance.
• Who to Send: Only send save-the-dates to those who you plan on inviting to the wedding. There's no need to send them to your entire guest list, just the people you definitely want to attend.
• Information to Include: Save-the-dates don't need to include all the details of the wedding. Simply include the date, venue, and wedding website if you have one. This gives your guests the key information they need to start making their plans.
• Design and Format: Save-the-dates can be designed to match your wedding theme and colours. They can be as formal or casual as you like, reflecting the style of your wedding. You can send them digitally or as physical cards in the mail, whichever you prefer.
• RSVP and Follow-up: Save-the-dates don't usually include an RSVP option, but they can be helpful in giving you an early idea of how many guests will be able to attend, especially for destination weddings. You can follow up with a phone call or email to those who don't respond to get a rough headcount for your venue and vendors.

Remember, save-the-dates are just the first step in the wedding invitation process. Formal invitations should typically be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding, giving your guests enough time to respond and make travel arrangements without being too early that they might forget.

Send invites for destination weddings 3 months before

Planning a destination wedding is an exciting but challenging task. It's important to give your guests ample time to prepare for their trip, so it's recommended that you send out your invitations at least 3 months or 12 weeks before the wedding. This is to ensure your guests have enough time to make the necessary arrangements such as booking flights and accommodation, and requesting time off work.

Sending your invitations 3 months in advance will also give you a clearer picture of who is likely to attend, which is crucial for organising group transport and accommodations. It's also beneficial if you need to provide your venue with an estimated headcount.

If you're sending out save-the-date notices, these should be distributed at least 12 months in advance, or as soon as you have the details finalised. This will give your guests even more time to plan their trip and ensure they can attend your special day.

It's worth noting that some sources suggest sending invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding is also acceptable, especially if your guests have already received save-the-date notices. However, the extra time provided by sending invitations 3 months in advance can be beneficial for a destination wedding, where guests may need to plan further in advance.

When sending out your invitations, be sure to include all the necessary information, such as the date, timeline of events, and any transport or accommodation details. You may also want to consider creating a wedding website to provide your guests with easy access to all the relevant information.

Send invites 2 months before the wedding at the earliest

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of wedding planning. It is ideal to send out your wedding invitations at least two months before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements, and RSVP. Here are some tips and considerations to keep in mind:

Timing is crucial

It is important to send out your invitations at the right time. While you want to give your guests enough notice, sending the invitations too early may result in them forgetting about the event. On the other hand, sending them too late may not give your guests sufficient time to plan and respond. The sweet spot is typically around two months, but it can be extended to three months if you have many out-of-town guests or if your wedding falls around a major holiday.

Save-the-Dates

If you choose to send Save-the-Dates, these should go out four to six months before the wedding, or even earlier if it is a destination wedding. Save-the-Dates are especially helpful when guests need to make travel arrangements or if accommodations are limited. However, they are not a requirement, and you can choose to send them only if you wish to do so.

RSVP deadline

When sending out your invitations, include an RSVP deadline that is roughly four weeks before your wedding. This will give you enough time to chase down late responses and finalize details with your vendors. You can request RSVPs through the mail or digitally via your wedding website.

International guests

If you have international guests, it is advisable to give them a heads-up by calling or sending them an email with the wedding details. Send their invitations along with those of your other guests but consider bumping up the timeline to at least 12 weeks in advance for everyone if a significant portion of your guest list is from abroad.

Invitation design

The design of your invitations can be tailored to reflect the style and theme of your wedding. You can choose from ready-made or custom-designed invitations, each with different lead times. Ready-made invitations are typically available in standard sizes and can be ordered last minute, up to three months before the wedding. Custom-designed invitations, on the other hand, require more time for communication and design revisions, so it is recommended to start the process at least seven to eight months before your wedding.

Ordering extra invitations

It is a good idea to order some extra invitations, typically around 5-10% more than your guest list. This will allow for last-minute guest additions or lost invitations.

Remember, while there are general guidelines, the timing of sending out your wedding invitations ultimately depends on your personal circumstances and what works best for your special day.

Send invites 9-10 weeks before if most guests are from out of town

If most of your wedding guests are from out of town, it's a good idea to send out your wedding invitations around nine to ten weeks before the big day. This will give your guests ample time to make the necessary travel arrangements and accommodations.

While the general rule of thumb is to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance, this timeframe may not be sufficient for those travelling from out of town. By allowing a little extra time, you can ensure that your guests have the opportunity to plan their trip and make any necessary bookings.

It's worth noting that sending out invitations too early can also have its drawbacks. People's plans may change, and they may end up forgetting about the wedding if it's too far in the future. Therefore, it's important to find a balance and send out the invitations at the right time.

In addition to the timing of the invitations, it's also a good idea to send out save-the-date cards or emails, especially for destination weddings. These can be sent out six to twelve months in advance, giving your guests a heads-up about the date and location. This will allow them to start making travel plans and booking accommodations if needed.

When it comes to the RSVP deadline, aim for about one month before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise numbers with your venue and vendors, and it's also a standard timeframe that won't cause any inconvenience to your guests.

For international guests, consider giving them a call or sending an email with the wedding details. This way, you can ensure they have all the information they need to arrange their travel plans with plenty of time to spare.

Finally, don't forget to include all the essential information in your invitations, such as the full names of the couple, the date, time, and address of the wedding, as well as an RSVP card and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for their response.

Frequently asked questions