One of the most common questions that couples have when planning their wedding is: When should we send out our invitations? The answer depends on several factors, such as the date and location of your wedding, whether you sent out save-the-dates, and how much notice your guests need to make travel arrangements. In this blog post, we will give you some general guidelines and tips on how to time your wedding invitations for optimal results.
The General Rule
According to most wedding etiquette experts, the ideal time to send out wedding invitations is six to eight weeks before the wedding . This gives your guests enough time to clear their schedules, RSVP, and plan their travel and accommodation if needed. It also allows you to request your guests’ RSVPs sooner, preferably two to three weeks before the wedding . This way, you can get a final head count and finalize your seating chart and catering order before the week of the wedding.
The Exceptions
Of course, there are some situations where you might want to deviate from the general rule and send out your invitations earlier or later. Here are some common scenarios and how to adjust your timeline accordingly:
- You’re having a destination wedding. If your wedding is taking place in a different country or state, you should give your guests more notice so they can book their flights, hotels, and other travel essentials. In this case, you should send out your invitations three months ahead of the wedding . You should also send out save-the-dates six to eight months before the wedding, or even up to a year in advance if you have your details finalized.
- You’re getting married during a busy season. If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, a peak travel season, or a popular date (such as 10/10/2020), you should also send out your invitations earlier than usual. This will help your guests secure their travel plans and avoid conflicts with other events. In this case, you should send out your invitations 10 to 12 weeks before the wedding , and your save-the-dates eight to 10 months before the wedding.
- You’re having a small or local wedding. If your guest list is small or most of your guests live nearby, you might be able to get away with sending out your invitations later than usual. This is especially true if you have already communicated with your guests informally or through word-of-mouth. In this case, you can send out your invitations four to six weeks before the wedding, and skip the save-the-dates altogether.
The Bottom Line
The best way to time your wedding invitations is to consider your specific situation and the needs of your guests. You want to give them enough time to plan ahead, but not so much time that they forget about your big day. You also want to avoid sending them too close to the wedding date, as this might cause stress and confusion for both you and your guests. Ultimately, the goal is to make sure that everyone receives their invitation in a timely manner and responds accordingly.
We hope this blog post has helped you figure out when to send out your wedding invitations. If you need more help with choosing or designing your invitations, check out The Knot Invitations for over 400 customizable designs that suit any style or theme.
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