Wedding invitation timelines are an important planning tool that can help make the whole process go more smoothly.
Your invitations are one of the most important elements in your day because they provide guests with crucial information such as date, location and attire. Some wedding details don’t follow a strict set of rules, but your invitations and stationery products for the most part do, so that information is consistent and reaches your guests properly. Below is a wedding invitation timeline to help you make the perfect day.
- When should we send out our wedding invitations?
Traditionally, invitations go out six to eight weeks before the wedding. I personally tell most of my brides to send them 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding, as it will give guests a little more notice and give the bride more time to collect RSVP’s and final numbers. This gives guests plenty of time to plan their schedules and to make travel arrangements if they don’t live in town. If it is a destination wedding, you can send them at 8 to 12 weeks or even a little bit earlier.
2. Save the Dates
Most couples also send out Save-the-Date cards. They go out 6 to 8 months before your wedding. Sending a Save the Date is important, especially if you are having a destination wedding because it will let your guests know that your wedding is coming so they can mark their calendars. That way, when your guests eventually receive your invitation in the mail with all of your crucial wedding information, it is not a surprise.
3. When should we make the deadline for RSVPs?
Make your RSVP date three to four weeks before your wedding date to allow enough time for you to get a final headcount to your Caterer, Stationer, and Planner for table seating. Having final numbers when you start to get close to your wedding is crucial because most arrangements and vendors need your final numbers to lock in your wedding details. If some guests still haven’t responded by your deadline, give them a quick call and ask for their RSVPs (still via mail) so you have all their information.
4.Where do we include information about our wedding website?
Your wedding website should be included in your save-the-date. A simple URL of your wedding website is all you really need. If you did not have a Save the Date, or if they are already in the mail with no wedding website, you can include the web address in the formal invitations with an insert, which is a small card that informs guests they can find more details online. An Accommodation Card is a small insert card that can include any details that are not on your invitation, such as hotels, wedding registry, or reception site if it is different than the ceremony location.
5. Can we include our registry info on our Invitations or Save-the-Dates?
In a word, no. Including registry information on the wedding invitations is still considered impolite because it can come off as though you’re asking or expecting gifts. It comes off as informal to invite your guests to a wedding with your gift requests on the same paper element, It can take away from the special announcement of your wedding to your guests. Instead, place your registry information directly on your wedding website.
