How Far In Advance Should You Send Wedding Invitations?

Hello, lovebirds! Gearing up for your big day can feel like you’re trying to master a high-wire act with all those dates, tasks, and deadlines. One question we always hear is: how far in advance should you be sending wedding invitations? Let’s grab a cup of coffee, figuratively speaking, and navigate through the crazy world of wedding planning timelines together.

When is the best time to be sending wedding invitations?

Invitations aren’t just a pretty piece of paper—they’re your official call to action for your favorite people to join you in celebrating love. According to wedding planning experts at The Knot, sending wedding invitations should be done about 6 to 8 weeks before the big day. This gives your guests a good chunk of time to arrange for leave, travel, and accommodation and to send back their RSVPs.

Are you planning to say ‘I do’ on a sandy beach in the Bahamas or in a quaint chapel in the French countryside? For a destination wedding, you’ll want to give your guests more heads-up. In this case, aim to be sending wedding invitations around three months before your wedding, as recommended by Brides Magazine.

Save-the-Dates? What’s that About?

Before you can even think about invitations, you’ve got save-the-dates on your plate. These casual notes are usually sent out 6 to 8 months before the wedding, per Martha Stewart Weddings. If it’s a destination wedding, send them out even earlier. They’re like a friendly nudge to your guests to mark their calendars with your special date. This will also give them more time to take a leave from work if they will need to fly out to where you will be getting married.

What About The Dreaded RSVP Date?

Ah, the infamous RSVP date. According to WeddingWire’s 2019 Newlywed Report, about 40% of couples found the guest list to be one of the most challenging tasks of wedding planning. The report suggests having the RSVP date be 3 to 4 weeks before the big day. This gives you your final guest count, which is crucial for your caterer, venue, and sanity. So make sure your RSVP deadline is at least 2 to 3 weeks before your wedding. This way, you’ll have time to chase down anyone who ‘forgot’ to respond and handle last-minute guest list changes without losing your cool.

The Other Wedding Countdown Milestones

Aside from the invitations, there are other key milestones to keep an eye on:

Booking Your Venue and Vendors:

Get this nailed at least a year in advance, especially if your date falls during peak wedding season or you’re planning a destination wedding. Not only will this give enough time for you to make preparations, you can also save money when you book well in advance of your wedding date.

Outfitting Your Bridal Party:

Order bridesmaids’ dresses 6 to 8 months before the big day, as recommended by WeddingWire. And don’t forget about the guys—tux rentals should happen about three months out.

Finding ‘The’ Dress:

Order your dream wedding dress 9 to 12 months in advance, as advised by Brides Magazine. Trust us; you’ll need the extra time for fittings and adjustments.

Registry and Wedding Website:

Create your wedding registry, and website before the save-the-dates fly out. This way, your guests will have all the info they need right from the get-go, as suggested by Zola’s Wedding Planning Timeline.

Planning a wedding can feel a bit like learning to juggle, but with a good timeline, you’ll have it down in no time. And remember, these timelines are flexible, so at the end of the day, follow the ones that works best for you. So, take a deep breath and just enjoy the ride to the next phase of your wedding journey.

Reference Links:

How Far In Advance Should You Send Wedding Invitations?

When is the best time to be sending wedding invitations?

Save-the-Dates? What’s that About?

What About The Dreaded RSVP Date?