When to Send out your Wedding Invitations
Planning a wedding involves a lot of details, and getting your invitations out on time is crucial to ensuring that your guests can plan accordingly. Here’s a friendly and informative guide to help you navigate the timeline for sending out your wedding invitations, save-the-dates, and what to do if you're planning a destination wedding.
Save-the-Dates
Save-the-dates are the first official notice your guests will receive about your wedding, so it’s important to get these out at the right time.
When to Send:
Destination Weddings: 8–12 months before the wedding.
Local Weddings: 6–8 months before the wedding.
Why: Save-the-dates give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location, allowing them to mark their calendars, book time off work, and start making travel plans if necessary.
What to Include:
Your names
Wedding date
General location (city and state/country)
A note that a formal invitation will follow
Optional: Wedding website for additional details.
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Wedding Invitations
The wedding invitation is the formal announcement and includes all the details your guests need to know.
When to Send:
Destination Weddings: 3–4 months before the wedding.
Local Weddings: 6–8 weeks before the wedding.
Why: Sending out invitations well in advance ensures that guests have time to RSVP and make necessary arrangements, especially if travel is involved.
What to Include:
Full names of the couple
Date and time of the ceremony
Ceremony and reception location(s)
Dress code (if any)
RSVP instructions
Any additional information (e.g., accommodations, transportation, wedding website).
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RSVP Deadline
Setting an RSVP deadline is essential to finalising your guest count, which impacts catering, seating, and other logistics.
When to Set the Deadline:
Destination Weddings: 2 months before the wedding.
Local Weddings: 3–4 weeks before the wedding.
Why: This gives you enough time to follow up with guests who haven’t responded and finalise details with your vendors.
Destination Weddings: Special Considerations
Destination weddings require a bit more planning, and your timeline should reflect that to give your guests ample time to prepare.
Accommodations and Travel Info: Include details about accommodations, group rates, and travel options in your save-the-dates or on your wedding website. This helps guests plan their trip early.
Welcome/Itinerary Cards: If you’re hosting multiple events over several days, consider sending a welcome card or itinerary with the invitation or shortly before the wedding. This should include a schedule of events, transportation details, and any other important information.
Additional Tips
Early Communication: Even before save-the-dates, it’s helpful to inform close family and friends of your wedding date so they can plan accordingly.
Online RSVP: Consider using an online RSVP system to make it easier for guests to respond and for you to track responses. We offer wedding websites and digital announcements to sit seamlessly with our paper goods
Reminder: Send a gentle reminder as the RSVP deadline approaches for those who haven’t responded.
By following this guide, you’ll ensure that your guests have all the information they need and enough time to plan, making your wedding day as stress-free and enjoyable as possible for everyone involved!
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