If you are currently in the process of planning your wedding, then chances are you have realized just how important timing can be. We understand that it can be hard knowing when to do something and that this can lead to further problems down the road.
But if you have managed to book a venue and set a date for the ceremony, then the next logical step is to send the wedding invitations.
Now you may be wondering when is the best time to send your invitations? Well, there isn’t necessarily a “best time”, but you need to make sure that you send your invites as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could risk your guests making prior commitments, which will leave you with an empty wedding lacking in friends and family.
So if you are wondering when you should send out your wedding invitations, then we have all the information that you need. Down below, we have outlined the invitation process, as well as the various ways that you can approach it.
By following our handy guide, you will be able to send out your invites in record time, making sure that all your guests are present for your special day.
When Should You Send Save-The-Dates?
When you have finally booked a venue for your wedding, the first thing you need to do is send out save-the-dates to all of your potential guests.
Save-the-dates are not the same thing as normal wedding invites, as they often act as a placeholder that is used to alert guests to your upcoming nuptials. By sending out save-the-dates, you are essentially telling your friends and family to clear their calendars, so that your special day will be available.
Traditionally, save-the-dates are sent out before wedding invitations and will usually be sent 6 months before the actual wedding. If your engagement falls on the longer side, then we recommend sending your save-the-dates 12 months before the wedding, just to make sure that everything is in order.
When Should You Send Wedding Invitations?
The process of sending out your wedding invitations can be a complicated task, as you have to make sure that your guests have enough time to make any necessary changes or arrangements in their schedules.
Traditionally, wedding invitations are sent 8-12 weeks before the date of the actual ceremony, which gives your guests 2-3 months to respond.
If you want to make sure that you have an accurate headcount, then you can also put an RSVP date on your invitations as a deadline for your guests. However, there is no guarantee that your guests will respond by this date, so be prepared for some late responses.
Wedding invitations may seem like bits of pretty paper, but they are very important to the wedding planning process. Not only can they help you to discern the number of guests coming to your venue, but they also alert you to how much food, drink and chairs you will need to supply.
If you think you need more time to sufficiently organize your event, then you can always send the invites 16 weeks before the date.
When Is It Too Early?
Keeping organized is always important when planning your wedding, but sometimes being too organized can also lead to various problems and mistakes – such as sending your invitations way too early.
If you send your invitations years in advance, then your guests may not be able to respond, or you could run the risk of your guests forgetting the ceremony altogether. In some cases, you may even have guests who lose their invites under months of mail, which can sometimes lead to further delays and conflict.
As we previously stated in the section above, it is recommended that you send your invitations 8 to 16 weeks in advance, which should give your guests enough time to respond and make arrangements. We understand that sending out your invites early may seem like a good idea, but we promise it often causes more problems than it solves.
When Should You Send Wedding Invites Without Save-The-Dates?
If you are working with a tight budget, then sending save-the-dates may not be the most viable option for you and your wedding. If this is the case, then we recommend just sending the wedding invitations, as these will have the details and information that your guests will need for the ceremony.
However, if you choose not to send save-the-dates, then it is wise to send your wedding invitations 16 weeks in advance, as this should give your guests enough time to respond and clear their schedules.
When Should You Send Destination Wedding Invitations?
Sometimes having a wedding in your hometown or city may not be exciting enough for you and your party, which means you may choose to get married in another state or country.
If you are planning on having a destination wedding, then you need to make sure that your guests have enough time to figure out accommodation and travel arrangements, which can take a while.
So if your heart is set on a tropical wedding, we recommend sending out the invitations 12 to 16 weeks before the wedding. Some couples even go the extra mile and book a hotel for the guests, or provide them with information about where they can stay in the local area.
How To Time Your Wedding Invitations?
So in conclusion, we recommend sending out your wedding invitations between 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding. Although 16 weeks is also acceptable if you need more time to organize your big day.
Of course, when you choose to send your invitations is completely up to you, but you need to keep in mind that some guests may not respond right away or will simply forget that you were having a wedding, to begin with.
If you are growing more and more concerned about your guests being double booked or their availability, then there are various online platforms you can use to keep everything in check. For example, you can encourage your guests to use their calendar apps, or you can even utilize email updates to keep everyone reminded.
Either way, you need to make sure that your guests know what is going on, or you could risk not having them at your wedding at all.
