Wedding invitations are one of the most important aspects of your wedding planning. They provide your potential guests with the vital information for your wedding day.  Your wedding invitation timing is also very important and should not be ignored in communicating that vital information to your wedding guests.   

Here are some wedding invitation etiquette and the timing you need to know.

1. When should Save-the-Date cards be sent out?

This pre-invitation mailing officially announces your wedding date and lets guests know that they will, in fact, be invited to the celebration.  Save the dates are a great way of letting friends and family know to keep a particular date free or organize any travel plans that may need to be made.  These should be sent out six to nine months before the wedding day, especially if you are planning a summer wedding.  Save-the-dates are usually just a single card or postcard containing very basic information (couple’s names, wedding date, and sometimes the location). I would recommend adding your hotel block information, too, which will be need for those out-of-town guests.  

2.  When should I start looking for wedding invitation designs?

Whether you are going to purchase a pre-designed invitation or design one yourself, you should start shopping or designing about 6 months before your wedding day.

3.  When should I order my wedding stationery and how many?

Ideally order your invitations as soon as you have your wedding day schedule finalized.  A good amount of time would be four to six months before your wedding.  Each family/couple/guest will need their own invite.  Order a few extras in case of inevitable mistakes.

4.  When should I start to address my invitations?

Start addressing the invitations 3 months before the wedding.  If using a calligrapher, they might need 4 months prior.

5.  When should I send out my wedding invitations?

Wedding invites should be sent out no later than eight weeks before the wedding.  I like to plan for 10 weeks especially if you have a large amount of family and friends traveling for the wedding.  It gives them time to make travel arrangements.  I, also, like to schedule the RSVP deadline to be two weeks before the wedding.  This ensures that you have time before your guest count numbers have to be to the caterer.  Inevitably you will need to give a few guests a call or email that have not RSVP’ed.

6.  When should I expect my RSVP’s to be back?

Ideally, all RSVPs should be back two to three weeks before the wedding.  It is appropriate to follow-up with any RSVPs not back before then with a phone call or email.

Most of all, give yourself plenty of time and plan ahead!  You do not want to rush through this part.  So…get some help.  If you would like some help, please give us a call.  We can come alongside you and assist you with this stage of your wedding planning and much, much more.  Or ask others to give you a hand and make it fun!