Shower Or Wedding: Mailing Order For Invites

When it comes to wedding planning, there are a lot of invitations to send out, from save-the-dates to engagement party invites, and of course, bridal shower and wedding invites. But which should be mailed out first? While there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer, with some people doing it one way and others doing it another, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to ensure that everyone invited to the bridal shower is also invited to the wedding. This means that the wedding guest list must be decided before the bridal shower invitations are sent. It's also a good idea to give guests enough notice, especially if they are travelling from out of town. Bridal shower invitations are typically sent out four to eight weeks in advance, while wedding invitations are usually sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. So, if you have a lot of out-of-town guests, you may want to send the bridal shower invites first to give them more time to plan their travels. On the other hand, if you're concerned about guests having to travel twice, you may want to send the wedding invites first so that guests can plan their travels for both events at the same time. Ultimately, the decision of which invites to send out first may depend on the specific circumstances and what works best for the couple and the guests.

Timing of invites: 4-8 weeks for bridal showers, 6-8 weeks for weddings

The timing of sending out invites for bridal showers and weddings is an important aspect of wedding planning. Here are some guidelines to ensure that your guests have ample time to prepare and that your special events are well-attended:

Timing of Bridal Shower Invites:

It is generally recommended that bridal shower invitations be mailed out four to eight weeks in advance. This timeframe is considered bridal shower invitation etiquette and gives guests enough notice to plan their attendance. Sending invites earlier, around the six-week mark, is often viewed as the sweet spot, allowing guests to book their calendars and find gifts. It also provides the host with sufficient time to prepare for the final headcount.

If your guest list includes out-of-town guests or individuals who need to travel, it is advisable to send the invitations even earlier. Mailing the bridal shower invites at least two months in advance gives these guests enough time to organise travel arrangements and accommodations. This is especially important if your bridal shower is taking place during busy seasons or holidays, as guests may have pre-existing plans.

Timing of Wedding Invites:

For wedding invitations, the recommended timeframe is slightly different. It is customary to send out wedding invites six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This timing ensures that your guests have sufficient notice while also not being too early, which could cause them to forget or double-book.

If you have a significant number of international guests or guests who need to travel from far away, it is a thoughtful gesture to give them a heads-up before sending out the official invitations. You can do this by sending a simple email or giving them a quick call to let them know the details and encourage them to start making travel arrangements.

Additionally, if more than half of your guest list is coming from abroad, you may want to consider sending out your wedding invitations a little earlier, around the 12-week mark. This will give your international guests more time to book their flights and accommodations.

In conclusion, by following these timing guidelines for sending out invites, you can ensure that your guests have enough notice and that your bridal shower and wedding celebrations are well-attended.

Inviting out-of-towners: Give them more notice

If you're inviting guests from out of town, it's a good idea to give them a little extra notice so they can plan their travel and accommodation. For bridal showers, invitations should be sent out around four to six weeks in advance. However, if you're inviting out-of-town guests, it's considerate to send the invitations at least two months in advance. This gives them enough time to organise travel and accommodation, decide what to wear, and purchase gifts.

For weddings, the general advice is to send out invitations six to eight weeks in advance. Again, if you're inviting guests from out of town, it's a good idea to give them a little more notice. You may also want to consider sending save the date notices to out-of-town guests, especially if your wedding is taking place during a busy holiday period. This will allow them to plan their travel and ensure they can attend.

It's important to remember that inviting out-of-town guests can be tricky, and you may need to be flexible. If some guests need to bring children or additional family members, for example, it's worth considering whether you can accommodate them. It's also a good idea to check with your vendors about their preferred timelines and final numbers. This will help you finalise the details and ensure that everyone has a great time.

Who to invite: All bridal shower guests should be invited to the wedding

When it comes to bridal shower guest lists, tradition dictates that the bride's closest female friends and family members are included, such as her bridesmaids, mother, sisters, and future in-laws. However, modern bridal showers can also include close male friends or relatives if the bride wishes. The key consideration is inviting people who share a meaningful connection with the bride.

It is important to remember that everyone invited to the bridal shower should definitely be invited to the wedding as well. This is proper etiquette and ensures that guests do not feel offended or like their presence at the shower was solely for gift-giving purposes.

The number of guests invited to the bridal shower is typically decided by the host, often the maid of honour and/or bridal party, in consultation with the bride. Bridal showers are usually more intimate and smaller-scale than weddings, so it is acceptable to keep the guest list tight and focused on the bride's closest connections.

When creating the guest list, it is advisable to include individuals from different social circles of the bride, such as family members, childhood and college friends, and coworkers. This well-rounded approach ensures that all aspects of the bride's life are represented and helps guarantee the happiness and comfort of the guests on the day of the bridal shower.

In conclusion, when deciding who to invite to the bridal shower, ensure that all guests are also invited to the wedding and that the guest list reflects the bride's closest connections and diverse social circles. This will create an intimate and celebratory gathering that honours the bride and her relationships.

Sending invites: Hosts send bridal shower invites, couples send wedding invites

Sending invites can be a tricky part of planning a wedding and shower. Here is a detailed and direct guide to ensure you follow the correct etiquette.

Bridal Shower Invites

Bridal showers are usually hosted by an older woman in the bride's life, such as the mother, or the maid of honour. The host is responsible for sending out the bridal shower invites. It is considered good etiquette to send invites four to eight weeks in advance, with six weeks being the sweet spot, and the RSVP deadline at least two to three weeks before the event. This gives guests enough time to organise travel and accommodation, and the host time to prepare. It is also important to remember that everyone who attends the shower should be invited to the wedding.

Wedding Invites

The couple getting married are responsible for sending out the wedding invites. Wedding invites are typically sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, and the RSVP deadline should be one month before the wedding. It is important to ensure that all guests receiving bridal shower invites are also on the wedding guest list.

Timing

There is no strict rule on whether the bridal shower invites or wedding invites should be sent out first. Some people prefer to send out the wedding invites first, especially if the bridal shower is only a few weeks before the wedding. However, others opt to send out the bridal shower invites first, particularly if the shower is the first event. As long as everyone invited to the shower is also invited to the wedding, the order does not matter too much.

RSVP deadlines: 2-3 weeks for bridal showers, 1 month for weddings

When it comes to bridal showers, it's important to give your guests enough notice. Invitations should be mailed four to eight weeks in advance, with an RSVP deadline of at least two to three weeks before the event. This gives guests ample time to prepare and purchase gifts, while also allowing the host time to plan and finalise numbers for the event.

If your guest list includes out-of-towners, it's a good idea to give them even more notice. Sending bridal shower invitations at least two months in advance will give these guests enough time to organise travel and accommodation.

For weddings, it's standard to set an RSVP deadline of about one month in advance. This gives you, as the host, enough time to finalise all the details, from catering numbers to last-minute adjustments with other vendors.

It's worth noting that the RSVP deadline for a bridal shower is typically earlier than for a wedding. This is because the bridal shower is usually a more intimate gathering with a smaller guest list, and often requires more planning and preparation from the guests themselves.

When setting RSVP deadlines, consider the needs of your guests and the logistics of your event. If you're serving catered food, check with your caterers when they'll need final numbers. It's also a good idea to build in some wiggle room by setting the RSVP deadline a week or two before you actually need the final headcount. This will give you time to chase up any late responses and make any necessary adjustments.

Frequently asked questions