Don't Send Wedding Invites Too Early: It's Tacky!

why is it tacky to send wedding invitations too early

Sending out wedding invitations too early can be considered tacky because it may cause guests to forget about the event or change their RSVP. The general consensus is that wedding invitations should be sent out between six and eight weeks before the wedding, giving guests ample time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements without being too early. Sending invitations too early can also lead to guests putting off responding, resulting in the host having to chase down responses. However, there is no definitive answer, and the timing may depend on factors such as the size of the guest list and whether it is a destination wedding.

Characteristics Values
Time before wedding 6-8 weeks before the wedding is ideal, 3 months is not too early, 12 weeks is too early
Guests' plans Guests may have not made their plans yet, and may forget to RSVP or need to change their RSVP later
Chasing RSVPs Hosts may need to chase down a bunch of people to get their response
Guest perception Guests may perceive early invitations as the hosts only wanting seat fillers
Commitments No one can commit to anything earlier than 4 weeks in advance

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Sending invites too early may result in guests forgetting to RSVP

Sending wedding invitations too early can result in guests forgetting to RSVP for several reasons. Firstly, guests may not know their plans for the date of the wedding yet, especially if it is far in the future. This can lead to uncertainty about their attendance, and they may need to change their RSVP later if their plans change. Secondly, sending invitations too early can cause the wedding to slip guests' minds as the date approaches. This is particularly true if the invitation was sent more than a year in advance, as the event may not be at the forefront of guests' minds for such an extended period.

Additionally, sending invitations too early can create a sense of pressure for guests to respond immediately, which may lead to hesitation or procrastination. Guests may feel that they need more time to consider their plans and commitments before confirming their attendance. This could result in them putting off responding and eventually forgetting to RSVP altogether.

Furthermore, early invitations can lead to disorganization and confusion, especially if guests are expecting to receive them closer to the wedding date. This can cause guests to misplace or overlook the invitation, making it challenging for them to respond promptly.

To avoid these issues, it is generally recommended to send wedding invitations around six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeframe strikes a balance between providing sufficient notice and maintaining the urgency for guests to respond. It also aligns with proper wedding invitation etiquette and allows for a more accurate final headcount.

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Sending invites too early may cause guests to change their RSVP

Sending wedding invitations too early can cause guests to change their RSVPs for several reasons. Firstly, it can lead to guests forgetting to respond as they see the date far in advance and may procrastinate, assuming they have ample time to reply. Secondly, sending invites too early can result in guests needing to change their responses due to unforeseen circumstances that may arise closer to the wedding date. This creates an unnecessary hassle for both the hosts and the guests.

The ideal timeline for sending wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeframe strikes a balance between giving guests enough notice to clear their schedules and make necessary arrangements, while also ensuring that the wedding remains at the forefront of their minds. Sending invitations within this timeframe also allows the hosts to receive RSVPs sooner, facilitating the final headcount, seating arrangements, and other logistics.

However, there are certain circumstances where sending invitations earlier may be appropriate. For instance, if the wedding falls during a busy holiday season, such as Christmas, sending invitations around three months in advance is acceptable to account for guests' holiday plans. Similarly, for destination weddings or weddings where a significant proportion of guests are travelling from out of town, sending invitations around two to three months in advance is advisable to provide guests with sufficient time to plan their travel and accommodation.

In summary, while there is no definitive rule, sending wedding invitations too early can increase the likelihood of guests changing their RSVPs due to forgetfulness or unforeseen circumstances. To mitigate this, it is generally recommended to adhere to the standard timeline of six to eight weeks, unless there are extenuating circumstances that warrant sending invitations slightly earlier.

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Sending invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding is ideal

Sending out wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. But how early is too early?

If you've sent save-the-date cards, you can afford to wait a little longer to send out invitations, as guests will already have the date marked in their calendars. In this case, sending invites 4-6 months in advance is also acceptable.

For destination weddings or weddings during peak season, it's a good idea to give guests more notice. Sending invites 6-8 months in advance will give your guests ample time to plan their travel and accommodation.

If you haven't sent save-the-date cards and your wedding falls during a major holiday, it's advisable to send invitations earlier. In this case, sending invites 8-10 months in advance will ensure your guests have enough time to plan.

While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, sending wedding invitations 6-8 weeks in advance is generally considered ideal. This timeframe strikes a balance between giving guests enough notice and ensuring the wedding remains fresh in their minds.

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Sending invites 3 months in advance is plenty of time for guests to make travel plans

Sending wedding invitations too early can be considered tacky because guests may see the date as being too far in the future and put off responding, which could result in the host having to chase down responses. It is also generally advised that sending out wedding invitations too early may cause problems with guests forgetting to RSVP or needing to change their RSVP as the event draws closer.

However, sending invites 3 months in advance is plenty of time for guests to make travel plans. This is especially true if you have already sent out save-the-date cards, in which case you can afford to wait a little longer to send the invitations. Sending invitations 3 months in advance also gives guests enough time to let you know if they are attending and to book any necessary travel or accommodations.

If you are planning a destination wedding or have guests travelling from out of town, it is recommended that you send invitations earlier to allow guests to plan and book any necessary travel or accommodations. In this case, sending invitations 3 months in advance would be perfectly acceptable and provide guests with ample time to make the necessary arrangements.

It is worth noting that there is no definitive answer to how early is too early when it comes to sending wedding invitations. The timing depends on various factors, such as the length of the engagement, whether save-the-date cards have been sent, the time of year, and the travel requirements for guests.

Ultimately, the decision of when to send wedding invitations is up to the couple, and sending them 3 months in advance can be a reasonable choice, especially if guests need to travel.

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Sending invites 12 months in advance is too early

Sending invites 12 months in advance is far too early. The general consensus is that wedding invites should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is the perfect amount of time to give your guests a heads-up without them losing track of the date. Sending invites 12 months in advance is not only unnecessary but could also be a nuisance to your guests.

It's important to remember that people's plans can change, and they may not know their availability a year in advance. Sending invites too early might mean that your wedding isn't at the top of your guests' minds as the day draws closer. You want to hit the sweet spot between giving everyone enough time to make plans and not giving them so much time that they forget about the date.

Additionally, sending invites 12 months in advance can create unnecessary pressure on your guests to commit to your wedding, especially if they are unsure about their availability or finances. It's also essential to consider that your guest list may change over time, and you may end up inviting people you wouldn't have initially included.

If you're worried about giving your guests enough notice, consider sending save-the-date cards. These are typically sent out six to eight months before the wedding but can be mailed up to a year in advance. This way, your guests can mark their calendars without the pressure of a formal invitation.

In summary, sending wedding invites 12 months in advance is not only impractical but can also be inconvenient for your guests. It's best to stick to the standard timeline of six to eight weeks before the wedding or, at most, send save-the-date cards up to a year in advance. This will ensure that your guests have enough time to plan without overwhelming them or risking changes in availability.

Frequently asked questions

Sending wedding invitations too early can cause problems as people may forget to RSVP because they don't know their plans yet, or they may need to change their RSVP because something came up. It's best to send out invitations 4 to 8 months before the wedding.

The ideal timeline for sending wedding invitations is around six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and the couple enough time to receive RSVPs and finalize their plans.

Some factors to consider are whether you have sent save-the-date cards, the size of the guest list and how often you are in contact with the guests, whether the wedding is during peak season, and whether guests need to travel or book accommodations.

Sending wedding invitations too early can result in guests putting off responding, causing the couple to have to chase down responses. It may also increase the likelihood of guests changing their RSVP as their plans become clearer closer to the date.

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