When to Send Wedding Invitations

Sending wedding invitations is an essential part of the planning process, and knowing when to send them is crucial. You want to give your guests enough time to make arrangements while also ensuring that you receive RSVPs in a timely manner.

Whether you’re planning a traditional or non-traditional wedding, this guide will help you determine when to send wedding invitations, taking into account different scenarios such as destination weddings, short engagements, international guests, and more. So let’s dive in!

Standard Timeline

The standard timeline for sending wedding invitations is typically 6-8 weeks before the wedding date. However, there are a few factors to consider when determining the exact timing of your invitations.

Save-The-Dates

If you’re planning a wedding during peak wedding season or if a significant number of guests are traveling from out of town, it’s recommended that you send save-the-date cards 6-8 months in advance. This gives your guests plenty of time to make arrangements and avoid scheduling conflicts.

Formal Invitations

Once you’ve sent out save-the-date cards, it’s time to send out formal invitations. Typically, this happens around 6-8 weeks before the wedding day. This allows enough time for guests to receive the invitation, RSVP, and make necessary travel arrangements.

RSVP Deadline

It’s important to include an RSVP deadline in your invitation. The deadline should be set about 2-3 weeks before the wedding date to give yourself enough time to finalize headcounts and seating arrangements. Make sure that the RSVP instructions are clear and easy to follow so that you can get accurate responses from your guests.

By following this standard timeline for sending wedding invitations, you’ll have plenty of time to receive RSVPs from your guests while also giving them enough notice to make necessary travel arrangements.

Destination Weddings

Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular, but they require a bit more planning when it comes to sending invitations. Here are some things to consider when planning the timing of your destination wedding invitations.

Additional Considerations

When planning a destination wedding, there are some additional considerations to keep in mind. For example, you’ll want to make sure that your guests have enough time to make travel arrangements and take time off work. Additionally, if you’re getting married in a foreign country, you may need to provide your guests with additional information like visa requirements and local customs.

Sending Invitations Earlier

To accommodate these extra considerations, it’s recommended that you send out save-the-date cards for a destination wedding 8-12 months in advance. This gives your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements and plan accordingly. Then, follow up with formal invitations 3-4 months before the wedding day.

Including Additional Information

Because destination weddings can be more complex than traditional weddings, it’s important to include additional information in your invitation suite. This may include details about transportation, accommodations, and activities surrounding the wedding weekend.

By following these guidelines for sending invitations for a destination wedding, you’ll ensure that your guests have all the information they need and plenty of time to plan accordingly.

Holiday Weddings

Getting married during a holiday season can add an extra layer of excitement to your wedding, but it also requires some additional planning when it comes to sending invitations. Here are some tips for timing your holiday wedding invitations.

Challenges of Holiday Weddings

One challenge of having a holiday wedding is that many people have already made travel plans or may have other commitments. This means that you’ll need to give your guests ample notice if you want them to attend. Additionally, shipping and delivery times may be delayed during the busy holiday season.

Recommendations for Sending Invitations

To ensure that your guests have plenty of time to plan, it’s recommended that you send save-the-date cards 8-10 months in advance of the wedding date. This will give your guests enough time to make travel plans and adjust their schedules accordingly. Then, follow up with formal invitations around 10-12 weeks before the wedding day.

Consider Alternative Dates

If you’re set on having a holiday wedding, but worried about attendance, consider alternative dates. For example, consider getting married on the weekend after Thanksgiving instead of during Thanksgiving weekend itself. This will give your guests more flexibility with their travel plans and may increase attendance.

By following these recommendations for sending invitations for a holiday wedding, you’ll give your guests plenty of notice while also ensuring timely RSVPs so that you can finalize headcounts and seating arrangements in a timely manner.

Short Engagement

If you’re planning a wedding with a short engagement period, you may be wondering how to get your invitations out in time. Here are some tips for sending invitations with a short engagement.

Sending Invitations Sooner

When you have a shorter engagement period, it’s important to send your invitations out as soon as possible. This will give your guests enough notice and allow them to make arrangements accordingly. Try to send save-the-date cards 4-6 months before the wedding date and follow up with formal invitations around 6-8 weeks before the wedding day.

Getting RSVPs Quickly

When you have a shorter engagement period, it’s important to get RSVPs quickly so that you can finalize headcounts and seating arrangements. Consider including an RSVP deadline that is earlier than usual (around 2-3 weeks before the wedding day) to ensure that you have enough time to gather responses.

Simplify Your Invitation Suite

When planning a wedding on a tight timeline, it’s important to simplify wherever possible – this includes your invitation suite. Consider using pre-made templates or working with a stationery designer who can turn around designs quickly. Additionally, consider limiting the number of inserts and information cards included in your invitation suite.

By following these tips for sending invitations with a short engagement period, you’ll give your guests plenty of notice while also ensuring timely RSVPs so that you can finalize headcounts and seating arrangements in a timely manner.

DIY Invitations

If you’re planning to make your own wedding invitations, there are some factors to consider when it comes to timing. Here are some tips for sending DIY wedding invitations.

Factors to Consider

When making your own invitations, it’s important to consider the amount of time it will take to design and assemble them. Additionally, you’ll need to factor in the time it will take for printing and shipping materials if you’re ordering them online.

Timeline for Sending DIY Invitations

Once you have a better understanding of how long it will take to create your invitations, you can plan the timeline for sending them. It’s recommended that you send save-the-date cards 8-12 months before the wedding date and follow up with formal invitations around 10-12 weeks before the wedding day.

Get Help from Friends and Family

To speed up the process of creating your wedding invitations, consider getting help from friends and family members. Plan a crafting party where everyone can come together and work on assembling the invitations.

Test Your Designs

Before finalizing your invitation suite, make sure to test out your designs by printing a few samples. This will allow you to catch any errors or design issues before printing all of your invites.

By following these tips for sending DIY wedding invitations, you’ll give yourself enough time to create beautiful, personalized invites while also ensuring timely RSVPs so that you can finalize headcounts and seating arrangements in a timely manner.

International Guests

If you have guests traveling from other countries to attend your wedding, it’s important to give them as much notice as possible. Here are some tips for timing invitations for international guests.

Additional Considerations

When inviting international guests, you’ll need to consider factors such as visa requirements and travel time. It’s recommended that you send save-the-date cards at least 10-12 months before the wedding date to allow your international guests enough time to make travel arrangements and obtain any necessary visas.

Sending Invitations Earlier

To ensure that your international guests have plenty of time to plan, it’s recommended that you send formal invitations earlier than usual – around 12-16 weeks before the wedding day. This will give them enough time to book flights and accommodations, adjust their schedules accordingly, and obtain any necessary documents.

Provide Extra Information

When inviting international guests, it’s important to provide extra information such as local customs, currency exchange rates, and transportation options. Make sure to include this information in your invitation suite or on your wedding website so that your international guests feel welcome and prepared.

Follow Up With Guests

After sending invitations to your international guests, follow up with them via email or phone call to ensure that they received the invitation and have all the necessary information. This will also give you an opportunity to answer any questions they may have.

By following these tips for timing invitations for international guests, you’ll ensure that they have plenty of notice while also ensuring timely RSVPs so that you can finalize headcounts and seating arrangements in a timely manner.

Second Weddings

If you’re planning a second wedding, you may be wondering how to approach invitations. Here are some tips for timing invitations for second weddings.

Etiquette for Second Weddings

While the etiquette surrounding second weddings has become more relaxed in recent years, there are still some general guidelines to follow. It’s acceptable to have a smaller, more intimate wedding and to skip some of the traditional elements such as a bridal shower or engagement party.

Recommendations for Sending Invitations

When sending invitations for a second wedding, it’s recommended that you send save-the-date cards around 6-8 months before the wedding date. This will give your guests enough notice while also allowing you to finalize details such as venue and guest list.

For formal invitations, it’s recommended that you send them around 8-10 weeks before the wedding day. This timeline is similar to that of a first wedding and allows your guests enough time to plan accordingly.

Considerations for Blended Families

If you or your partner have children from previous relationships, it’s important to consider their feelings when planning invitations and other wedding details. It may be helpful to involve them in the process and make them feel included in the celebration.

Be Mindful of Guests’ Feelings

When planning a second wedding, it’s important to be mindful of your guests’ feelings. Some may feel hesitant or unsure about attending another wedding, so make sure to communicate with them openly and honestly.

By following these tips for timing invitations for second weddings, you’ll give your guests plenty of notice while also ensuring timely RSVPs so that you can finalize headcounts and seating arrangements in a timely manner.

Digital Invitations

With the rise of technology, digital invitations have become a popular alternative to traditional paper invitations. Here are some things to consider when sending digital wedding invitations.

Pros and Cons

There are several pros and cons to using digital invitations for your wedding. On one hand, they are more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and convenient. They also allow for more creativity in terms of design. However, they may not be as formal or elegant as traditional paper invitations, and there is a chance that they may get lost in spam folders or overlooked by guests.

Timeline for Sending Digital Invitations

When sending digital wedding invitations, it’s recommended that you send save-the-date cards around 6-8 months before the wedding date. This will give your guests enough notice while also allowing you to finalize details such as venue and guest list.

For formal invitations, it’s recommended that you send them around 8-10 weeks before the wedding day. This timeline is similar to that of a first wedding and allows your guests enough time to plan accordingly.

Design Considerations

When designing your digital invites, it’s important to consider factors such as file size and format. Make sure that your invitation is easy to download and open on a variety of devices.

It’s also important to ensure that the invitation includes all necessary information such as date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP instructions.

Follow Up with Guests

After sending out digital invitations, it’s important to follow up with guests who have not responded. You can do this via email or phone call to ensure that you have an accurate headcount for the wedding day.

By following these tips for timing digital wedding invitations, you’ll give your guests plenty of notice while also ensuring timely RSVPs so that you can finalize headcounts and seating arrangements in a timely manner.

Read more: Should You Buy or DIY Wedding Invitations?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about sending wedding invitations.

What if I have a lot of out-of-town guests?

If you have a lot of out-of-town guests, it’s important to give them plenty of notice so that they can make travel arrangements. Consider sending save-the-date cards at least 10-12 months before the wedding date, and include information about local accommodations and transportation options.

Can I send invitations too early?

While it’s important to give your guests enough notice, it is possible to send invitations too early. Sending invitations more than 6 months in advance can lead to guests forgetting or losing the invitation. Stick to the recommended timeline of 6-8 months for save-the-dates and 8-10 weeks for formal invitations.

What if I have to change the date or venue after sending invitations?

If you have to change the date or venue after sending invitations, it’s important to notify your guests as soon as possible. You can do this via email, phone call, or by sending updated invitation cards. Make sure to explain the reason for the change and provide all necessary details so that your guests can plan accordingly.

By addressing these common questions about sending wedding invitations, you’ll be able to handle any concerns that may arise from your guests and ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to timing and details.

Read more: Making And Using Personalized Rubber Stamps For Your Wedding

Conclusion

Sending wedding invitations is an important part of the wedding planning process, and it’s crucial to get the timing right. By following the recommended timelines for sending save-the-date cards and formal invitations, you’ll give your guests plenty of notice while also ensuring timely RSVPs so that you can finalize headcounts and seating arrangements in a timely manner.

Whether you choose to go with traditional paper invitations or digital ones, make sure that you include all necessary information such as date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP instructions. And don’t forget to follow up with guests who have not responded to ensure that you have an accurate headcount.

By keeping these considerations in mind when planning your wedding invitations, you’ll be able to create a beautiful and memorable event that your guests will cherish for years to come.