Wedding invitations are one of the most exciting aspects of your wedding planning process. Sending out these formal invitations to friends, family and loved ones can be a fun part of the wedding planning process. However, there are rules and etiquette when it comes to sending out wedding invitations that you must adhere to at all times. Here’s what you need to know about sending out your wedding invites and related cards:
Wedding Invitations
The wedding invitation suite normally includes the main invite, a response card, and any other enclosure card with helpful information for your guests (reception card, travel and accommodations card, attire card, wedding website card, online group cards, etc.).
Why It’s Important to Send Your Invitations at the Right Time
It’s important to send your invitations at the right time. It’s also important to send them on time. And it’s just as crucial not to wait too long before sending out your invitations—because if you do, people might forget about them and assume that you’re not doing anything…or worse yet, they’ll book their summer vacation around their wedding date and then have a hard time cancelling.
But how do you know when is the right time?
The answer is this: You need to send out your invitations at least six weeks before the wedding—and preferably eight weeks ahead of time. This gives people plenty of time to arrange their schedules, book flights or train tickets and make other arrangements for their trip.
Who Should Receive A Wedding Invitation
Everyone on your guest list.
When to Send Your Wedding Invitations
- If you’re having a three-month engagement, you should send out your wedding invitations at least three months before the big day. This gives guests time to plan their travel and accommodation for the event, as well as purchase a gift if they want to. Since it’s only a short period between when people receive their invitation and when the event will be taking place (and because of the high price tags associated with weddings), giving yourself enough time is crucial if you want everyone who receives an invitation to actually attend.
- How many guests should I invite? If possible, try to find out what other couples in similar situations have done in order to get an idea of how many people they invited; this may help guide your decision on how many invites you should send out. The average number of guests at American weddings is 135—if this sounds too high or low for what you’re looking for, consider factoring in things like seasonal weather conditions (it might not be feasible during winter months) or cultural norms (if most weddings in your area tend toward smaller receptions). You’ll also want to consider whether or not children will be attending; if so then keep in mind that there may be fewer adults present than otherwise expected!
How Far Before the Wedding Should the RSVP Date Be
RSVPs should be due one month before the wedding.
When to Send Wedding Invitations Without Save-the-Dates
Generally, it’s a good idea to send save-the-dates about six months out from the wedding. This gives guests a timely heads-up that’ll make planning to attend a smooth process (and ultimately boost the number of positive RSVPs you get later). That said, while sending save-the-dates is advised, they technically aren’t a requirement. In particular, it may not make sense for couples who are only engaged for a few months before tying the knot to send them. In that case, how soon you should send your wedding invitations changes slightly: Aim for two to three months before the wedding.
If you and your S.O. are closer to the average length of an engagement (that’s 16 months , according to our data), we recommend sticking to the typical wedding invitation timeline (including sending save-the-dates).
When to Send Wedding Invitations to Out-of-Town Guests
Wedding invitations should be sent around 8 weeks before the big day to out-of-town or out-state guests. Whatever number of guests you have in town, we recommend sending all of your invites at the same time. Eight weeks before the wedding is still the normal time to send wedding invitations, so it makes sense to keep things simple and send them all at once.
How Long Before A Wedding Should Invitations Be Sent to Guests from Outside the US?
Around 9 to 10 weeks in advance is a good time to mail those particular invitations if possible, while the rest of your stack should still go out 6–8 weeks before the wedding. The extra week or two will allow for extended shipping and delivery time needed in order for those invites safely reach their destination on time. Pro tip: Give international guests an option RSVP digitally via email instead of relying on snail mail only so you’re not waiting for responses from far away lands.
Save The Dates
While save-the-date cards are not required, they are a fun way to get your guests to mark their calendars. Additionally, they’re particularly helpful when many of your guests are traveling or accommodations close to the wedding site are lacking.
Who should get a save-the-date?
Only those who you’re planning on inviting to the wedding.
When to send your save the dates
4 to 6 months before the wedding, or even earlier if you’re planning a destination wedding that may require more extensive travel arrangements.
When you send save the dates is a decision that’s best made after careful consideration of your guests. If they live far away, they may need more time to plan their trips than those who are local. However, if you wait too long and then get into wedding planning mode and start sending out invitations as soon as possible, it could cause problems for some of your guests who have other plans in mind. For example, a friend might be attending an out-of-town wedding around the same time as yours—and will likely want to go so she can see people she hasn’t seen in awhile—so she wouldn’t be able to attend both events without canceling or changing her flight plans for the second one.
Engagement Party Invitations
In many cases, parents or close friends will throw an engagement party where the couple announces the big news. Some keep the reason for the party a secret by giving a toast at the beginning of the evening. Other invitations may be sent with the reason for the celebration detailed on the cards.
Who should get an engagement party invitation?
A guest at your engagement party will probably expect an invitation to your wedding, so plan this first guest list wisely.
When should I send engagement party invitations?
As soon as possible after the engagement, while the news is still fresh. You’ll need a good reason to gather so many friends and relatives together at the party if you’re going to announce your engagement at the event.
Bridal Shower Invitations
The maid of honor or another good friend usually hosts the shower; oftentimes several people, usually bridesmaids, share the responsibility of celebrating the bride-to-be.
Who Should Get A Bridal Shower Invitation?
The only rule you need to know is that everyone invited to the shower should also be invited to the wedding. That being said, you can keep the bridal shower to an intimate group of friends and/or family, or have a blowout with dozens of friends. Talk it over with the bridal shower hostess to find out what they have in mind.
When Should I Send Bridal Shower Invitations?
Bridal shower invitations should go out between six and eight weeks before the event, depending on how many out-of-towners are on the list. Make sure guests RSVP to one person (the maid of honor, for example) to keep numbers organized.
Bachelorette Party Invitations
Whether it’s a trip to Las Vegas or something more low key, the bachelor/bachelorette parties are for the bride’s and groom’s best friends to celebrate their upcoming nuptials.
Who Should Get A Bachelorette Party Invitation?
Everyone you send a bachelorette party invitation to should also be invited to the wedding, just like with the bridal shower. However small or big you want the guest list to be is up to the hostess and the bride.
When Should I Send Bachelorette Party Invitations?
One month before the party date. Emailing and calling is acceptable, too.
Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
The rehearsal dinner usually takes place the night before the wedding, following the actual ceremony rehearsal, and is a time for wedding party members to celebrate and toast the couple.
Who Should Get A Rehearsal Dinner Invitation?
Close family members and anyone participating in the wedding ceremony (including your officiant), plus their spouses or dates. But it is also considerate to invite your out-of-town guests to attend as a kind gesture of thanks for traveling all the way.
When Should I Send Rehearsal Dinner Invitations?
Send invitations three to six weeks in advance.
Wedding Thank You Cards
You should send thank you notes for all the gifts received during the course of planning your wedding.
Who Should Get A Thank You Card?
Everyone who has given you a gift at any of the wedding festivities (the engagement party, bridal shower, wedding).
When Should I Send Thank-you Cards?
For gifts received during the engagement party and shower, send a thank you within two to three weeks of the festivities; for gifts sent before the wedding date, send a card as soon as possible, but definitely before the wedding; for gifts given on the wedding day itself, mail a thank-you note within three months; and for gifts received after your wedding, send one within two to three weeks.
Conclusion
Make sure you send your wedding invitations at the right time to ensure that all of your guests are able to RSVP on time. If you’re having a destination wedding, keep in mind that everyone will need time to book flights and accommodations before receiving an invitation. Once you have all of the details figured out for your big day, don’t forget about save-the-dates! We hope this guide helped answer any questions about when exactly it’s appropriate to drop those little pieces of paper into mailboxes across America (and beyond).
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