When to Send Wedding Invitations
Planning a wedding involves a lot of details and one of the most important aspects is sending out your various invitations! Knowing the right time to send your wedding invitations ensures that your guests have ample time to make arrangements and that your loved ones are able to attend your wedding without a hitch.
At Kendall Point, we understand the importance in every step of your wedding planning process from choosing the right venue down to planning the exact day you send out your invitations.
Read on for more information about the ideal timelines for all of your invitations such as wedding, save the dates, bridal shower, bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner.
When to Send Wedding Invitations
The timing of your wedding invitations is crucial. Sending them too early might cause guests to forget the date, while sending them too late won’t give them enough time to plan. The general rule of thumb is to mail wedding invitations about six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This allows guests to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements, and gives them ample time to RSVP. Make sure you request RSVPs 3-4 weeks before your wedding date, so you can give your vendors a final count.
For destination weddings, it’s customary to send invitations three months in advance. This extended timeline allows your guests enough time to book flight, accommodations, and plan their trip without feeling overwhelmed. For any international friends and family you may be inviting, you can send their invites at the same time as everyone else, but you should give them an informal heads up as soon as possible, so they have more time to plan.
Timely wedding invitations ensure your guests have all the necessary details well in advance. This includes the date, venue, dress code, and RSVP instructions. Clear communication from the couple helps prevent confusion and ensures that your guests can plan accordingly.
How to Say “No Kids” At Wedding
Finding the proper wording and placement for this announcement on your wedding invitations is tricky. First, you should consider what ages you determine to be children and why you’re opting not to invite them. Don’t forget to consider which of your close friends and family might be affected by this decision and how you want to handle it.
When it comes to your invitations, here are some acceptable phrases to use to make clear that you’ll be having a child-free wedding:
- Adults only affair
- We kindly request no children under the age of 18 (or younger if you decide)
- We love your little ones but kindly request a child-free wedding!
- Adults only reception to follow
- Please note, this is an adults only celebration
- Children of immediate family and wedding party only (if you decide)
You can also be direct with your invitations by specifically mentioning the adults only on the envelopes, and on the RSVP cards, leaving a space for the guest to mark how many “adults” will be attending.
When To Send Engagement Party Invitations
You’re engaged! Hurray! Now it’s time to celebrate. Engagement party invitations should be sent out around four to six weeks before the party or as soon as possible after your engagement. Your guests may include close friends and family or anyone that you think would be excited about your betrothal.
Since an engagement is the beginning of your nuptials planning journey, digital invites for this event are perfectly acceptable.
When to Send Save the Dates
Save the dates are a wonderful way to give your guests a heads-up about your upcoming big day, especially if you’re planning a destination wedding or wedding during a busy season for flights and hotels.
The save the date cards should be sent out six to twelve months before the wedding. For destination weddings aim for that twelve month mark.
Save the date cards set the tone for your wedding and allow guests to mark their calendars well in advance. Your guests can plan their time off of work, arrange for childcare, and book accommodations if needed.
Save the dates should be sent to anyone who will be invited to the whole wedding weekend, not only the reception.
When to Send Bridal Shower Invitations
The bridal shower is a fun pre-wedding celebration that typically takes place one to three months before the wedding. Invitations for the bridal shower should be sent out six to eight weeks before the event. This timeline makes sure guests have plenty of time to plan and RSVP while giving the host ample time to organize the party based on the number of attendees.
Bridal shower invitations play an important role in ramping up the excitement and anticipation of your upcoming wedding. It also gives your guests a sneak peek into your registry and can help them choose the perfect gift that fits their budget.
When to Send Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Invitations
The bachelor and bachelorette parties are an informal event meant to be held one to two months before the wedding. Invitations should be sent out four to six weeks in advance as it gives the bride’s closest friends and family members enough time to plan their schedules especially if it involves travel.
These parties set the stage for a memorable and fun-filled celebration. Whether the couples choose a night out on the town, a weekend getaway, or an adventurous outing, timely invitations ensure that all the closest friends and family can make it.
When to Send Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
The rehearsal dinner is typically the night before the wedding and is a wind down function that sets the stage for the upcoming big day. It typically involves close family members, the wedding party, and sometimes out-of-town guests.
Invitations should be sent three to six weeks before the dinner and should follow your wedding rehearsal.
Timely Wedding Invitations Make Your Day Special
Sending out invitations at the right time is crucial for a successful and meaningful wedding day. By following these guidelines for when to send wedding invitations and other important wedding events, you can ensure that your guests have plenty of notice and each event of your wedding is well-organized, stress-free, and enjoyable.
At Kendall Point we are happy to guide you on the proper timelines so your day is the best it can be! Give us a call for all your wedding needs.
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