When Should I Send Out My Wedding Invitations?

When is the Perfect Time to Send Your Wedding Invitations?

How far in advance should you send out wedding invitations? Ideally, send your wedding invitations around 6 to 8 weeks before your big day. This gives your guests enough time to mark their calendars, plan their outfits, and make other preparations. 

Additionally, this period lets you request your guests’ RSVP sooner. This means you can get the final head count efficiently. Then, you can complete the seating charts a week before your wedding.

Your guests must receive formal wedding invitations six weeks in advance. And they should give responses two weeks before your much-awaited day.

Why Not Send Wedding Invitations Early?

To show consideration for your guests, sending out your wedding invitations no later than six weeks before the event is important. This will allow them ample time to make necessary arrangements and RSVP.

How Late Is Too Late to Send Wedding Invitations?

If you send those invitations too late, your loved ones will not have enough time to make travel arrangements, book accommodations, or take a leave from work. 

The key to sending wedding invitations is hitting the sweet spot. This gives everyone a lot of time to make plans.

• Sending Invites for Out of Town Guests: If you have friends and families from other towns, extending the time to around eight weeks before the wedding day is wise.
• Sending Wedding Invitations to International Guests: If you invite guests scattered across the globe, send the invitations about 9 to 10 weeks in advance. You want everyone to have ample time to prepare everything, from passports and outfits to sunscreen and dance moves.
• Sending Invites for Destination Weddings: Your destination wedding invites should be sent 6 to 10 months before travel dates. Guests might need extra time gathering travel documents, passports, or visas, depending on where your wedding venue is.

6 Quick Tips on Wedding Invitation Etiquette 

When you follow the proper wedding invitation etiquette, you can confidently send your invites. And you and your guests will find the following best practices helpful. 

1. Send Out Invites Early Enough 

Give your guests enough time to plan for your wedding day. You can send your invites anywhere from six to eight weeks before your wedding date. For a destination wedding, send the invitations at least 24 weeks prior.

2. Include Clean and Concise Information 

State all necessary information, such as the couple’s name, the wedding time and date, the attire requested, and ceremony and reception location (s). Also, include RSVP information and other additional information, such as accommodations, parking, or directions. 

3. Use Proper Addressing and Formal Language 

Observe formal language when writing wedding invitations. Another critical part of invitation etiquette is addressing the names or titles of the recipients properly. For example, “Ms. Sarah Johnson” to a single woman over 21, “Mr. and Mrs. Doug Walters” to a married couple, or Mrs. Emily Thomas and Doctor James Smith” to a married couple when one is a doctor. 

4. Ask for RSVP Response 

You can include an RSVP card and an addressed and stamped envelope for a print invitation. But for an online wedding RSVP, you can have a URL, email, or phone number where the guests can respond.

5. Be Clear About Who Are Invited 

If the guest can bring their family, state the term family, like “Jones Family. When inviting a couple, mention their names to specify those two people are invited. If you want to exclude children, use the phrase “Adults-only reception.”

6. Reach Out to the Guest 

If your wedding day is getting close and you have not yet received an RSVP, you can send a follow-up to the guests to inquire about their attendance. This helps finalize your guest count or make some adjustments. 

There is a general etiquette for sending wedding invites, but you can also personalize wedding invitations to reflect your unique style and preferences.

Reference Links:

• https://www.shineweddinginvitations.com/blog/introduction-a-brief-history-of-wedding-invitations
• https://www.brides.com/story/when-to-send-every-wedding-related-card-and-invitation#
• https://peppermintpress.com.au/blogs/loveandpaperblog/when-to-send-out-wedding-invites-and-save-the-dates
• https://www.theknot.com/content/when-to-send-wedding-invitations
• https://www.bellacollina.com/blog/8-tips-about-wedding-invitation-etiquette#