Wedding Invites Sent: A Milestone Moment For Couples

Mailing off your wedding invitations is an exciting step in your wedding planning journey. It's the first physical glimpse of your big day, and it's a chance for your guests to share in your excitement. But before you head to the post office, there are a few things you should know. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process smoothly:

- Timing is crucial: Send your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. For destination weddings, send invitations 4-6 months in advance.

- Prepare your stationery: Assemble your invitations and address the envelopes before heading to the post office.

- Determine postage: Wedding invitations are often heavier than average letters, so take one fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed. Then you'll know how much postage you need.

- Hand-cancelling: Request this service at the post office to avoid your invitations being damaged by sorting machines. It's especially important if your invitations are bulky or have embellishments like ribbon or wax seals.

- Allow ample mailing time: Give yourself at least two weeks' leeway in case of any snags. With chronic mail delays, it's best not to leave it until the last minute.

- Proofread: Double-check all the details and proofread addresses before sending out your invitations.

Timing is everything: send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is crucial. Etiquette dictates that sending invites too early or too late can be inconsiderate and may hurt your guest attendance. So, when is the best time to send out those carefully chosen invitations?

Save the Dates

It is advisable to send out "Save the Date" cards 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to plan and make any necessary travel arrangements, especially if your wedding is a destination wedding or during a holiday period. Sending out "Save the Dates" earlier than this is also acceptable, especially if your wedding falls into the categories mentioned.

The Wedding Invitations

The general rule of thumb is to send out wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This is enough time for your guests to reply and make travel plans if they haven't already. It also allows them to purchase a gift from your wedding registry. Sending the invites within this timeframe ensures your guests have all the necessary information to plan for and attend your big day.

RSVPs

Asking for RSVPs no later than 1 month before the wedding is advisable. This gives you and your vendors ample time to make the necessary preparations for your wedding day. It also allows for a window to chase up any stragglers who haven't replied yet.

International Guests

If you have a large number of international guests, it is best to add a few weeks to the timeline. Aim to send out invites 12 weeks before the wedding. It is also a good idea to give these guests a heads-up via email or phone call so they can start making their travel arrangements.

Postage

It is important to consider the cost of postage when sending out wedding invitations. Take one fully assembled invitation to the post office to be weighed, and then buy the correct amount of postage. It is also a good idea to hand-deliver your invitations to the post office to ensure they are handled with care.

Timing is everything when it comes to sending out wedding invitations. Sending them 6-8 weeks before your wedding will give your guests plenty of time to plan and reply.

Save-the-dates: notify guests 4-6 months in advance

Save-the-date cards are a fun way to get your guests excited about your wedding and are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if there are limited accommodations near the wedding venue. They are typically sent out 4-6 months before the wedding, but for destination weddings, it is recommended to send them out 6-12 months in advance to allow guests ample time for travel preparations.

Save-the-date cards should include your wedding website, venue details, and any information on guest accommodations. It is also a good idea to include your wedding registry on your wedding website rather than on the save-the-date cards. This way, your guests will have a more formal way of finding out about your expectations in terms of gifts.

It is important to note that save-the-date cards are not required, and some couples may choose to skip them altogether. However, they are a great way to give your guests a timely heads-up, making it easier for them to plan their attendance.

After sending out your save-the-date cards, the next step is to send out your official wedding invitations. This is typically done about 6-8 weeks before the wedding, giving your guests plenty of time to respond and make any necessary arrangements.

RSVPs: request responses one month before the big day

Mailing out wedding invitations is a big moment—it's when you and your partner formally declare that you're getting married and invite your loved ones to celebrate with you. It's also the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding aesthetic and style.

But the job isn't done once the invitations are in the mail. You'll want to start getting RSVPs about a month before the wedding to finalise numbers for your venue and caterers. Here are some tips to ensure you get those responses rolling in:

Set a deadline and be clear about it

Make sure your guests know when you need to hear from them by. Be explicit about the deadline by which they should respond. A simple "please respond by [date]" will do the trick. You could also include an end time, such as "please respond by 5 pm on [date]". This ensures there's no ambiguity, and guests won't be left wondering when they need to make a decision by.

Provide multiple response options

Make it as easy as possible for your guests to respond. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your invitations to make it convenient for guests to pop their response in the mail. You could also include an email address or phone number as additional ways to respond. Some couples choose to set up an email address specifically for wedding correspondence, which can be a nice way to keep everything wedding-related in one place.

Keep track of responses

Create a system to record responses as they come in. A simple spreadsheet can be an easy way to keep track of who's coming, who's not, and any additional information like dietary requirements. This will be especially helpful when it comes to finalising numbers with your caterers and venue.

Follow up with guests

Even with the clearest of instructions, there will likely be some guests who forget to respond or miss the deadline. Don't be afraid to gently remind them. You could send a friendly text or email along the lines of, "Hi [guest name], just wanted to check if you're planning to join us for the wedding. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!"

Confirm with your caterers and venue

Once you've tallied up your RSVPs, it's time to finalise numbers with your venue and caterers. This is usually done about a month before the wedding, so it's helpful to have a good idea of numbers by then. It's a good idea to anticipate some last-minute changes, so try to get a final headcount a few days before the deadline.

Remember, the RSVP process is all about ensuring you can plan your big day with as much accuracy as possible. By setting clear deadlines, providing easy response options, and following up with guests, you'll be well on your way to a stress-free celebration.

International guests: send invites 8-12 weeks early

Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting step in the planning journey. It's important to send them at the right time so that your guests can plan their schedules and make travel arrangements.

If you're inviting international guests to your wedding, it's a good idea to send their invitations 8-12 weeks in advance. This will give them ample time to prepare for their trip and make any necessary bookings. It's also a good idea to let them know about the wedding details ahead of time, either through a quick call, text, or email. This way, they can start making travel arrangements and booking accommodations.

When sending international invitations, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, double-check the postage requirements and restrictions for the specific country you're mailing to. The cost of mailing wedding invitations internationally is typically higher than domestic rates, so be sure to factor that into your budget. It's also wise to use a reliable international courier service to ensure timely delivery.

Additionally, allow extra time for your invitations to reach their destination. Sending them 8-10 weeks in advance should account for any potential delays during shipping or customs clearance. Providing a digital RSVP option for international guests is also recommended, as it will be faster and more convenient for them than mailing their responses.

To make things easier for your international guests, consider including helpful information in your invitation suite. This could include travel tips, accommodation suggestions, and local attractions they can visit during their stay. You can also provide information about the expected weather conditions to help them pack appropriate attire for your wedding day.

By sending your invitations early and providing useful information, you can ensure that your international guests have a smooth and enjoyable experience attending your wedding.

Postage: weigh invites at the post office to ensure correct postage

Postage can be a tricky aspect of mailing wedding invitations. To ensure you've affixed the correct amount of postage to your invites, take a fully assembled invitation to the post office and have it weighed by a postal clerk. The cost of mailing an invitation will depend on its weight, and whether it can be sent via machine or requires hand-cancelling.

Forever stamps will always cover up to 1 oz, but with wedding invitations, you may go over this easily. A wax seal, thick ribbon, or square envelope may not fit through the machines and will require what's called a "nonmachinable surcharge". This currently costs $0.20 extra. If your invitation weighs over 1 oz, you will need to add an additional $0.21 for a second ounce.

Each post office branch may have slightly different regulations or ways of enforcing them, so always check with them before making any final postage decisions.

Frequently asked questions