When To Request The Return Of Rsvp Cards
Last but not least, you should set a requested date for the return of RSVPs. This date should give you enough time to get the final headcount for your big day, which can then be communicated to the caterer and other wedding vendors. Typically, RSVP response cards are requested two weeks before the wedding date.
Most wedding invitation suites come complete with an RSVP card attached. This way, your wedding guests can tell you whether or not theyll attend, the name of their plus one, and their desired meal preference .
At Greenvelope, your guests RSVP can be submitted automatically. In fact, you can track all RSVPs in one place, collect survey responses , or even see when they opened your invitation. Theres no texting guests for updates or tallying up responses on a Post-It instead, we do all the guest tracking for you.
When To Send Save
A save-the-date is different from a proper wedding invitation. They typically stand as a placeholder for the real invitation to ensure that guests know to clear their schedules on that day, or avoid committing to any other events.
Save-the-dates are sent out before wedding invitations, and the general rule of thumb is to send them between 6 and 12 months before the wedding. If your engagement is on the longer side, its common to send the save-the-date 12 months out.
In light of COVID-19, couples across the globe have had to reschedule their weddings. Right now, many brides and grooms are grappling with rescheduling venues, vendors, and alerting their guests.
If you are scheduling your wedding in the aftermath of the global pandemic, it may be wise to send out your save-the-dates slightly earlier. With so many couples rescheduling at once, dates are being scooped up quickly, and it may be necessary to let loved ones know your date earlier so that they can save it and avoid missing your special day.
When To Send Invitations For Out
You may be wondering when to send out wedding invitations for out-of-town guests.
If you have out-of-town guests, this 6 to 8-week timeline still works perfectly. What youll want to do, though, is make sure you send save the date cards well ahead of time. This is really the best way to let guests know youre planning a destination wedding.
This brings us to our last question:
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When Should You Send Out Bridal Shower Invitations
Overall, the best time to send out wedding shower invitations is anywhere between four and eight weeks before the event. That said, the six-week mark is a widely accepted sweet spot, with an RSVP deadline at least two to three weeks before the event. This time frame gives guests ample time to book their calendars and find a gift, but still affords the host time to prepare for the final headcount.
Wed’s Expert Advice Onwedding Stationery
From save the dates to RSVPs, the etiquette of invitations can be complicated. With the help of stationery experts, here’s how to tackle the task
Words Lucy HigginsImage Laura LikesYour invitation will be the first taster of your wedding for your guests, and can set the entire tone of your day. It can be an overwhelming task, as you choose the design, the lettering, the wording – not to mention those tricky decisions such as how to say children aren’t invited, or you’d like money as a wedding gift. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite stationers from across the region to help you out with the big questions…I have no idea where to start! Any tips?Anon Design Studio:Knots & Kisses:ER Stationery: Laura Likes:Polly Crossman:Watercolour Woodshed:Should I send save the dates? When should I send these out?ADS: PCLL:What do you think should be included on the invitation? When do you recommend these are sent out?ER:LL:PC:WW:How do you word any tricky parts ?ADS: ER:KK:LL:PC:What about RSVP cards?ADS:PC:WW: What are the new trends in wedding stationery?ADS: ER:KK: LL: PC: WW: Can you help me with a personalised design for my invitation?ADS:ER:KK:LL: PC:WW:
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When To Send Your Wedding Invitations
Now you know what your wedding invitations should say and how they should say it. So when should you mail your wedding invitations? Sending them too early or too late can likewise be impolite, so here are basic wedding invite timeline rules:
- Save the date cards can be sent out as early as a year from your wedding date
- Invitations should be sent to your guests six to eight weeks in advance of your wedding.
- Invitations for destination weddings should be sent to your guests three months in advance of your wedding.
Designing your wedding invitations and sending them out can be a wonderfully exciting part of wedding planning. If you follow the basic rules of wedding invitation etiquette, they will succeed in fostering your guests excitement in anticipation of your special day.
Want more advice about your wedding stationery? Check out our post on wedding thank you etiquette!
Burning Wedding Invitation Etiquette Questions Answered
So you and your partner have decided to get the ball rolling on your wedding plans. Youve visited reception venues, found one you like, and you booked it. Then you spent hours agonizing over your guest list. Now its time to get those invitations in the mail! As youre picking out different stationery elements and trying to figure out when to send them out, you may have a few questions. Dont worry, were here to help. We went to wedding planner Crystal Adair-Benning of Distinct Occasions with all of your most burning wedding invitation etiquette questions. These five tips will help you to ensure that everyone you know and love will show up for your special day.
1. When do I send my save-the-dates and what should I include on them?Save-the-dates are especially important for destination weddings or if you have many out-of-town guests. You should generally send out your save-the-dates nine to 12 months before your wedding, but for destination weddings, or if you have a lot of guests who are coming from out of town, you want to send your save-the-dates closer to 12 months in advance. If the people youre inviting will need to request time off for work, you want to give them ample time to do that, Adair-Benning explains.
Also Check: Short Notice Wedding Planning Checklist
What To Expect When Mailing Your Wedding Invitations Through Usps
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This blog post is meant to serve as a quick guide for USPS related policies surrounding wedding invitations and save the dates, or really any piece of mail for that matter. However, I am not an employee of USPS, so for all your official questions please refer to USPS.com or visit your local USPS location.
The US Postal Service has a mind of its own. Actually, it has several minds of its own because every branch and physical location of the USPS just so happens to operate a little differently. Really convenient, right? This means that what one USPS location might tell you, might differ at the location thats just 2 miles down the street. This makes mailing your wedding invitations feel like winning the lottery.
The general pricing guide for mailing a wedding invitation looks something like this:
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A7, 1oz envelope: 50 cents
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A7, 1oz envelope w/ a wax seal: 71 cents
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5×5 1oz envelope: 71 cents
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1oz non-machinable envelope: 71 cents
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For more details on non-machinable mail, visit USPS.com
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A7, 2oz envelope: 71 cents
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A7, 2oz envelope w/ a wax seal: 92 cents
If your envelope is 1oz and MORE than ¼ of an inch thick you will also be required to add an additional 21 cents in that instance.
Below are some things to consider and understand when you are mailing your wedding invitations through the US Postal Service.
Do Your Guests Need To Travel Or Book Accommodation
If you are planning a destination wedding then you might want to send your wedding invitations earlier. Particularly if your guests need to plan flights, accommodation and time off work. This also applies to UK weddings if your family and friends are scattered across the country and need to travel. Top tip for city weddings: always check for sports, music or other big events that fall on the same day as your wedding. It can drastically affect the availability of local accommodation for your guests. Again, a scenario where sending wedding invitations earlier would be helpful.
Also Check: Wedding Spreadsheet
When Should You Send Out Wedding Invitations
If you are wondering when you should send out wedding invitations, there are many factors to consider.
Traditionally wedding invitations are sent 6 to 12 weeks before the wedding day. But if many of your friends and family have far to travel, you might like to give them more time, especially if they are coming from overseas.
If you are having a destination wedding, it is normal to give 9 to 12 months notice, so guests have time to save for the trip and get time off work. Also, if you have an out-of-season wedding, a winter wedding, for example, ample notice lets people plan their time off. Most of us like to take annual leave during summer to soak up the sun.
In general, the more time you give guests, the better. These days people have super busy lifestyles, so they appreciate knowing far in advance what dates they need to block out on their calendars.
The more notice you give guests leading up to your big day, the more likely they will be able to attend. That is why you should only invite the guests you want there . Many couples feel pressure to invite every family member and their partners, but you also need to keep to a budget. So when you send out your invitations, keep in mind that everyone will probably say yes, especially when you give them plenty of time to plan on being there.
Another option is to go digital and forgo the need to use the postal system altogether.
When To Send Wedding Invitations: Everything You Need To Know
02/28/21 | How To, Stationery Etiquette & FAQs, Wedding invitation
One of the biggest questions Im asked by wedding planning couples is when to send wedding invitations to ensure we dont insult anyone?
It definitely helps to know when to send your invites so youre not leaving it too late for guests. But, also, knowing when to mail your wedding invites helps you to plan when to order them
So, Ive rounded up all your burning questions about the best time to send wedding invites
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Include More Details In Your Invitation Suite
The design of the invitation itself is truly up to you to choose, though professional wedding planners often recommend that you tie it into your wedding theme in some waythrough colors or design embellishments.
Wedding etiquette demands that the invitation only contains the above key details of the event. However, the invitation suite can include other important details:
- the appropriate attire for guests at the event
- a map to the event location
- accommodation details
- information about any wedding-related activities.
It can also include an RSVP card, with a please respond by date that is roughly four weeks prior to your event. Dont forget a self-addressed, stamped envelope!
Wedding etiquette also demands that you leave gift or registry information out of your invitation suite. If you have prepared a wedding registry for your guests convenience, family members can help to spread this information. Additionally, you can include registry information on your wedding website, with easy links to follow.
Another important detail is the wedding invitation envelope, which should always be hand addressed in beautiful handwriting. Your guests names should be written out in full, preceded by social titles like Mr. and Ms.
All the words in the address should be written out in full, with house numbers under twenty spelled out. The return address should be written on the back flap.
How Early Is Too Early For Wedding Invitations In 2021
And last, but by no means least, whats happening in the world? As we slowly emerge from lockdowns and the restrictions associated with the Coronavirus pandemic its becoming clear that the next year or two are going to be extremely busy ones for weddings. After all, there are nearly 18 months worth of celebrations to catch up on! Im advising all the couples I talk to at the moment to factor this in when and consider sending their invitations a little earlier.
Recommended Reading: How To Address A Card To A Couple
What Should I Include In My Wedding Invitations
A wedding invitation seldom is just a single printed item, usually there are several inserts along with the main invitation. The main invitation typically includes the couples names as well as the names of those hosting the wedding , the weddings date, time, and location. If your reception is in a different location from your ceremony, you may need to include a card with the reception details printed on it. Youll also want to include a response card and pre-addressed and stamped envelope, so that your guests can send them back to you. Directions cards, accommodations cards, wedding website cards, and other inserts may be needed as well, depending on your event.
When Should You Send Save The Dates
Save the dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before your wedding day. The top end of this is preferable as it gives your guests the most time to prepare and change their plans if necessary. Once your venue and wedding date are confirmed, there’s no reason to delay sending out save the dates. Anytime from eight months to a year before your wedding is ideal.
It can feel sneaky, but if you’re at the age where there are lots of weddings each summer, you want to get yours in the diary first. This means if another wedding comes up on that day, your friends are committed to yours first.
Also Check: Mills Fleet Farm Bridal Registry
When To Send Your Personal Website
Personal websites are becoming increasingly popular and common, especially for destination weddings. Its a great probably the best way to communicate all the details.
You should aim to have your personal website set up as soon as you get engaged and have confirmed your venue and date. Even if you dont have all the details yet, the date and location are enough to get started. You can always update the site on a regular basis once you start confirming additional details.
I wrote a post reviewing the best personal websites for destination weddings and I also give some tips for the information you should include on it.
