Wedding Invitations: To Send Or Not To Send?

Wedding invitations are a crucial part of wedding planning. They set the tone for the event and provide guests with essential information. Traditionally, wedding invitations were formal, but today they can reflect the style of the wedding, whether casual or formal. The invitation suite may include details such as attire, a map, accommodation information, and wedding-related activities. It is recommended that save-the-date cards be sent out 4-6 months before the wedding, with formal invitations following 6-8 weeks before. This timeline allows guests to make travel arrangements and gives the couple an early estimate of attendance.

Timing: Send invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding, 4-6 months for save-the-dates

When it comes to wedding planning, timing is everything. Sending out your wedding invitations at the right time is crucial for ensuring your guests have all the information they need and giving them enough time to plan their attendance. So, when is the best time to send out those all-important invites?

Save-the-Dates

Save-the-date cards are a fun and helpful way to give your guests a heads-up about your upcoming nuptials. These are typically sent out 4-6 months before the wedding, giving your guests ample time to block off the date on their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements, especially if your wedding is a destination wedding. Sending save-the-dates earlier, around 6-12 months in advance, is advisable if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is taking place at a far-off location. This early notice ensures your guests have plenty of time to plan and book their travels.

Wedding Invitations

The general rule of thumb for sending out wedding invitations is 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This timeline is considered the sweet spot as it gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel plans if needed, without being too early that they might forget or change their plans later on. It also allows you to receive RSVPs sooner, helping you finalise the headcount and complete your seating charts before the big day.

For destination weddings or weddings with a large number of international guests, it is recommended to send out invitations a bit earlier, around 9-10 weeks or 12 weeks in advance. This accounts for extended shipping times and gives your overseas guests more time to plan their travels.

It's important not to send out your invitations too early or too late. Sending them too early may result in your wedding not being a priority for guests as the date approaches, and sending them too late may not give your guests enough time to make necessary arrangements.

So, to ensure a smooth planning process and excited guests, stick to the recommended timelines for sending out your save-the-dates and wedding invitations.

RSVPs: Request these no later than 1 month before the wedding

When it comes to wedding planning, there are many things to consider, and timing is crucial. Here are some instructive tips for requesting RSVPs no later than one month before your wedding:

Timing is Everything

It is customary to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to plan and make travel arrangements if needed. Sending your invitations within this timeframe also allows your guests to respond promptly without feeling rushed. It is important to strike a balance, as sending invitations too early may result in guests putting them aside and forgetting to RSVP.

The RSVP Deadline

Request that your guests RSVP no later than one month before your wedding. This deadline gives you ample time to finalise your guest list, make necessary preparations, and follow up on any stragglers. It is beneficial to have a buffer of a week or two between the RSVP deadline and your final headcount submission to vendors. This buffer allows you to chase down any late responses or no-shows.

Communication is Key

Be sure to clearly communicate the RSVP deadline on your invitations and wedding website. You can also send friendly reminders via email, text, or phone call to those who have not yet responded as the deadline approaches. It is important to give your guests multiple ways to respond, such as a paper RSVP card, online RSVP through your wedding website, or even a quick phone call.

Plan for the Unforeseen

Even with the best planning, there may be last-minute cancellations or unexpected guests. It is a good idea to give yourself some leeway in your planning to accommodate any changes. Additionally, be prepared to be flexible with your seating chart and final menu selections, as these details are often dependent on the final guest count.

Early RSVPs

While it is generally advised to request RSVPs no earlier than one month before the wedding, there may be exceptions. For example, if you have a large number of international guests or a destination wedding, it is advisable to give your guests more time to plan their travel arrangements. In such cases, you may want to send invitations and request RSVPs earlier, such as three months in advance.

Final Thoughts

Requesting RSVPs no later than one month before your wedding allows you to finalise the necessary details and ensure a smooth and well-organised event. Clear communication, timely reminders, and flexibility are key to a successful response rate. Remember to give your guests enough time to plan and respond, and don't be afraid to follow up when needed.

International guests: Send invites 9-10 weeks in advance

Planning a wedding is a complex task, and sending out invitations is a crucial step in the process. While the traditional timeline for sending out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding, this timeline may need to be adjusted when it comes to international guests.

When it comes to international guests, it is recommended to send out invitations nine to ten weeks in advance, or even earlier if possible. This extended timeline is important for several reasons. Firstly, it allows international guests sufficient time to make travel arrangements and accommodations. Planning a trip abroad can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially if your guests need to apply for visas or sort out other travel documents. Secondly, sending the invitations earlier shows consideration for your guests' planning needs. They will likely need to request time off from work, arrange for pet or house sitting, and manage other commitments. By giving them more time, you make their attendance more feasible.

In addition to sending out invitations earlier, there are a few other steps you can take to accommodate your international guests. Consider including a separate information card with travel and accommodation details, as well as suggestions for places to visit and eat in the area. This will not only make their trip more enjoyable but also alleviate some of the planning pressures on you as the host. Moreover, be mindful of the additional costs your international guests will incur by travelling to your wedding. It is considerate to let them know that their presence is your gift, and you don't expect an additional wedding gift from them.

Lastly, remember to give your international guests the option to RSVP digitally. This will ensure that you receive their responses promptly and won't have to wait for their replies to arrive by mail.

Format: Paperless invites are possible but not traditional

While paperless wedding invites are possible, they are not traditional. If you're looking to stick to tradition, it's best to send out physical invitations.

A traditional wedding invitation suite includes the main invitation, a response card, and any other enclosure cards containing helpful information for your guests, such as reception details, travel and accommodation cards, attire suggestions, and your wedding website.

The design opportunities for your wedding invitation are infinite, but it's recommended to tie the design into your wedding theme through colours or embellishments. You and your partner may also choose to use formal phrasing on your invitations, especially if you're having a traditional wedding ceremony followed by a formal reception. This can give your guests a friendly heads-up that your wedding will be upscale and elegant.

However, if you're hosting a more casual wedding, the phrasing on your invitations can be more relaxed. Regardless of the tone, there are some basics that you'll want to include: the full names of you, your partner, and the hosts (if you're using formal phrasing), the time, date, month, and year of the wedding, and the full address of the venue.

It's also important to consider when to send out your invitations. The general rule of thumb is to mail them six to eight weeks before your wedding date. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed. Most couples also send out save-the-date cards six to eight months in advance so that guests can hold the date in their calendar.

Wording: Include who, when, and where, and consider formality

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few key elements that you'll want to include to ensure your guests have all the information they need. Here are some tips for wording your wedding invitations, including who, when, and where, while also considering formality:

Who

• Include the full names of you and your fiancé(e), with the traditional order being the bride's name followed by the groom's name. However, for same-sex couples, you can choose the order that sounds better or go in alphabetical order.
• If your parents are hosting, their names should be at the top of the invitation, even for very formal affairs. Including the names of both sets of parents is a gracious option, especially if multiple parties are contributing financially.
• If you have divorced parents and want to include them all, list each parent on a separate line. If you're including a stepparent, keep them on the same line as their partner.

When

• Clearly list the time, date, month, and year of the wedding. For formal weddings, write out everything in full (e.g., "two thousand twenty-two" instead of "2022").
• If your wedding has multiple events, such as the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, you don't need to include separate start times unless they are on different days or venues. Simply stating “reception to follow” is usually sufficient.
• Consider putting an earlier time on the invitation than the actual start time to account for guests arriving early. A good rule of thumb is to call the wedding for 30 minutes to 45 minutes before the desired start time.

Where

• Include the full address of the venue, including the street address if omitting it may cause confusion or if the wedding is at a private residence.
• For formal invitations, write out the city and state in full. For casual weddings, using numerals is fine.
• If the reception is at a different location, include it on a separate line or note "reception immediately following" if it's at the same venue.

Formality

• The formality of your invitation wording and design can match the style of your wedding, whether it's traditional and elegant or casual and relaxed.
• The invitation itself will often indicate the dress code. For example, a very fancy invitation may suggest a black-tie affair, while a simpler invitation indicates a more casual dress code.
• If you want to be explicit about the dress code, include it in the lower right corner of the invitation or on a separate details card.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can always add your own creative touches to make your invitations unique and representative of you and your fiancé(e). Happy planning!

Frequently asked questions