When to Send Out Wedding Invitations

As a professional wedding stationery designer, I find that questions about the optimal timing for sending save-the-dates, wedding invitations, and collecting RSVPs are always present. In this blog, I’ll share the intricacies, covering when to approach a stationer, when to dispatch invitations, and when to set your RSVP deadlines.

Here are a few reasons for sending invitations earlier:

• Consider possible delays in postal services.
• Allow room for a second wave after receiving initial RSVPs, accommodating overlooked guests or late additions.
• Finalize the head count promptly and order day-of stationery.
• Provide guests with time to book hotels and flights, especially if traveling from out of town.
• Have extra time to follow up with those who may have forgotten to RSVP.

Sending invitations months before the wedding, instead of weeks, streamlines planning and alleviates pre-wedding stress.

Is 3 Months Too Early to Send Invitations? Not at All!

Sending invitations 3 months before the wedding is an ideal timeframe. This provides an optimum window for out-of-town guests to finalize travel plans and grants you, as a couple, the advantage of obtaining final head counts earlier for planning purposes.

Why 3 months in advance is perfect:

• Facilitating Out-of-Town Guests: Guests from out of town will appreciate the additional details provided closer to the wedding, aiding in travel arrangements and reducing queries.
• Planning Advantage: Couples gain the advantage of finalizing head counts earlier, allowing for adjustments and additional invitations if needed.

While early is better, there is such a thing as sending invitations too early, and 3 months strikes the perfect balance.

What is The Earliest Timing for Wedding Invitations?

The earliest recommended time to send out wedding invitations is 6 months before the wedding. Sending invitations earlier poses challenges, including fluctuating guest attendance, incomplete details, and the need for reissuing invitations. Risks of Sending Invitations Too Early:

• Changing RSVPs: Guests might change their attendance status closer to the wedding, causing logistical challenges for the couple.
• Incomplete Details: Couples may not finish critical details such as ceremony times and other wedding events, leading to confusion.
• Need for Reissuing Invitations: Changes in details might necessitate sending out new invitations, causing stress for both the couple and guests.

Requiring an RSVP too far in advance, despite the Save the Date serving its purpose for early notice, can lead to changes and additional stress.

Why Too Early Can Be a Problem

Guests might not be able to commit to a response if you send out invitations too early. Life circumstances can change within months, leading to altered RSVPs. For example, consider friends who, excited in January, RSVP to attend an October wedding. In February, they learn of an upcoming addition to their family, prompting a change in plans. If invitations were sent out in July instead, the guests could have declined from the beginning, streamlining the RSVP process. While such scenarios might not be common, life changes for everyone in six months, and early RSVPs can lead to more changes or indecision.

How Many Months in Advance Should You RSVP for a Wedding?

With invitations sent 3 months in advance, asking for RSVPs 1-2 months before the wedding strikes the right balance. This timeline allows a buffer for follow-ups and gives guests enough time to respond without procrastinating, so:

• Follow-Up Buffer: A 1-2 week buffer between the RSVP deadline and the final headcount due date allows for polite follow-ups with tardy responders.
• Guest Response Time: Allowing guests 4 weeks to respond strikes a balance between receiving invitations and responding promptly.

Excessive lead time for RSVPs can result in procrastination and forgetfulness, leading to a more streamlined process with the 1-2 month window.

Semi-Custom vs. Custom Invitations Timeline

The timeline varies for semi-custom and custom invitations, and whether you’re purchasing from a website like Minted or a stationery designer like Romantik Type.

Engaging a stationery designer should start early, ideally three months before the desired mailing date for digitally printed invitations. For a thorough process, reaching out six to nine months in advance allows time for designer interviews and production.

In conclusion, a well-planned timeline for wedding invitations centers around sending them out three months before the wedding. Ordering semi-custom invitations should be done at least a month before mailing, while custom invitations with a designer three to six months in advance. RSVPs should be requested 1-2 months before the wedding, ensuring a smooth and stress-free planning process.