When to Send Wedding Invitations [2023]

There are a lot of decisions to make after you get engaged, and one of the earliest is when to send wedding invitations.

If you wait too long, some guests may have already made other plans, while if you send them too early, they may forget about the event and fail to RSVP.

In this blog post, we discuss the best time to send wedding invitations to ensure that as many people as possible can attend your big day!

When Should You Send Out Wedding Invitations?

Here is a list of the most common times to invite guests to your wedding:

Save the Dates

Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, and there are a lot of details to keep track of. One important detail is when to send out save the date cards.

Save the date cards are a way to give your guests advanced notice of your wedding date, so they can plan accordingly.

The general rule of thumb is to send them out six to eight months before the wedding.

Of course, you’ll also want to take your own schedule into account. If you’re getting married during a busy time of year or you have out-of-town guests, you may want to send the cards out even earlier.

Ultimately, the key is to give your guests as much notice as possible, so they can be there to celebrate your big day with you.

Invitations Without Save-the-Dates

There’s no rule that says you have to send out save the dates before your wedding invitations.

In fact, some couples choose to forego save-the-dates altogether and just send out their invitations 10-12 weeks before the big day.

If you’re thinking about skipping the save-the-dates, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, be prepared for some guests to RSVP no. Sending out invitations without save-the-dates means some guests may have already made other plans for your wedding date.

Second, make sure your invitations are extra special. Since they’ll be the only way your guests learn about your wedding, they need to be clear, concise, and beautiful.

And finally, don’t forget to include an RSVP card so you can get an accurate headcount.

If you’re looking to simplify your wedding planning, skip the save-the-dates so you can focus on sending invitations instead.

Wedding Invitations

While you may be tempted to wait until the last minute to send out your wedding invitations, it’s actually best to give your guests plenty of notice.

Sending invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date ensures that everyone has enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements, if necessary. It also gives you a chance to follow up with any guests who have not yet RSVP’d.

Of course, you’ll want to be sure to send a reminder by text, phone call or email a few weeks before the big day, just in case anyone has forgotten.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that all of your loved ones are able to attend your wedding and celebrate with you on your special day.

Destination Wedding Invitations

If you’ve decided to have a destination wedding, you may be wondering when you should send out your invitations. As a general rule, it’s best to send destination wedding invitations 6 to 8 months in advance.

This will give your guests plenty of time to book their travel arrangements and take care of any other preparations. Of course, if you’re getting married during peak travel season (such as summer or winter break), you may need to send your invitations even earlier.

By giving your guests plenty of notice, you can ensure that everyone has ample time to make the necessary arrangements and enjoy your special day.

RSVPs

When planning a big event like a wedding, it is important to stay organized and keep track of all the moving pieces. One of the most critical aspects of this process is the RSVPs from your guests.

As such, deciding when to send out invitations with RSVP cards can be a tricky business. In general, it is best to send them out at least two or three weeks in advance of the wedding date, giving guests time to prepare for travel and accommodations if needed.

Additionally, you should allow approximately one week or more for responses to come in, giving interested attendees plenty of time to get back to you after making their decisions.

Ultimately, it is up to you as the bride or groom to decide when to send out your RSVPs, but the sooner you do so the better. That way, you can focus on other equally important parts of your big day while having peace of mind knowing that all your guests will be there!

Rehearsal Dinner

It’s always a good idea to send out wedding rehearsal dinner invitations six to eight weeks before the event, even if it’s a small, informal affair.

This way, everyone knows when and where the rehearsal is taking place, and they can plan accordingly. Plus, it’s a nice way to include all of your guests in the wedding festivities.

Not sure who to invite? In addition to immediate family and the wedding party, you may also want to include out-of-town guests, grandparents, and anyone else who has played a role in making your big day possible.

When it comes to wedding rehearsal dinner invitations, the sky is the limit. You can go as formal or informal as you want, and you can choose any style of invitation that matches your overall wedding theme.

Just be sure to include all the pertinent information, such as the date, time, and location of the rehearsal dinner, as well as an RSVP deadline.

And if you’re sending electronic invitations, be sure to include a link to your wedding website or blog so guests can easily find more information.

And don’t forget: although it’s not required, it’s always nice to include a small gift or token of appreciation with each invitation. Thanking your loved ones for their support (and gifts!) is always a good idea.

Things to Consider Before Sending Wedding Invitations

Design

Planning a wedding is a lot of work, and there are a million different details to take care of. One important task is designing the perfect wedding invitations.

This can be a fun and creative process, but it’s important to allow enough time to get the invitations done right. Depending on the complexity of the design, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks to create the perfect wedding invitation.

So if you’re starting to plan your big day, be sure to leave plenty of time for designing the perfect invitation!

Printing

For couples who want a hassle-free process, printing wedding invitations online is a great option.

But how long does it take to get wedding invitations printed online? The answer depends on a few factors, including the company you use and the design of your invitations.

Generally speaking, it takes about 3-5 days to print simple invitation designs. If you choose a more complex design or add-on features like RSVP cards, the printing process may take slightly longer.

However, most online printing companies offer rush shipping options if you need your invitations sooner.

So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to print your wedding invitations, printing them online is a great option. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to receive and send out the invitations before your big day!

Collecting Addresses

Asking for guest addresses can seem like a daunting task when you’re planning a wedding, but it doesn’t have to be.

Start by creating a list of everyone you would like to invite to your wedding. Once you have your list, reach out to family and close friends to see if they have the contact information for any of the people on your list.

You can also check sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to see if you can find contact information there. Many people these days also have their contact information listed on public websites or in online directories.

A quick Google search can often turn up address information for people who are not listed in traditional directories.

Finally, don’t forget to ask your wedding guests to provide their contact information when they RSVP on your wedding website. This will make it easy to get everyone’s address in one place.

With a little bit of effort, you can easily collect all of the guest addresses you need for your wedding invitations.

Addressing Envelopes

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to decide how formal or informal you want the addresses to be.

For a more formal look, use guests' full names and titles (Dr., Mr., Mrs., etc.). For a less formal look, you can use first names or nicknames.

Once you have all of the addresses collected, you can start addressing the envelopes. If you’re doing it yourself, allow for at least several minutes per envelope.

If you’re hiring a calligrapher or other professional, they will likely be able to do it much faster. Envelopes can also be pre-addressed with labels or stickers, which can save a lot of time.

Bottom Line

There is no single right answer to the question of when to send out wedding invitations.

Some people prefer to send them out as soon as they have finalized all the details of their big day, while others like to hold off and only send them out a few weeks before the event.

Ultimately, the best time to send out your wedding invitations will depend on a variety of factors, including your own personal preferences, the size and format of your guest list, and any other special considerations that may apply.

However, the most important thing is to make sure that you are sending them out well in advance of your wedding date so that all your guests have plenty of time to plan for and attend your big day.

So when you’re ready, don’t hesitate to send those much-anticipated invitations!