Part of planning your dream wedding includes sending invites to your guests.
It definitely helps to know when to send your wedding invitations before it is too late for your guests.
Right then, you will be able to settle on planning details having known the number of visitors you are expecting to show up.
Therefore, When Is It Too Late To Send Wedding Invitations?
It is too late to send wedding invitations later than six weeks ahead of the wedding event. At this time, you are likely to cause a lot of stress for your guests attempting to accommodate your plans.
The wedding invitations should be received 6-8 weeks before your wedding ceremony date. If you send them too early, your potential guests may feel unable to commit too early because their preferences will change, or maybe the invitation cards can get lost. Again, sending out invites too late will put your guests in awkward positions. They will scramble to fit your plans, which is not pleasant at all.
When To Send Wedding Invitations for Local Wedding
If you are getting married in your hometown and your guests are coming from within, you should send your wedding invitations 2-4 months beforehand.
Try to give yourself ample time at least 6 weeks before the event so that you get time to make follow-ups on your invitations and reach out to those who have not yet responded.
If you are hosting a local wedding but you are expecting international guests, it is reasonable to send out your wedding invites 3-4 months beforehand.
They will need a lot of time to plan their days off work and to book flights early if necessary.
When To Send Wedding Invitations for Destination Wedding
Your loved ones will do anything to help you achieve your dream wedding but it is still courteous to allow them plenty of time to set up for your destination wedding.
They will have to book their flights, and hotel rooms, and perhaps make arrangements to have extra days off work to explore the surrounding.
Typically, this will include more events than just the wedding ceremony and reception.
Therefore, it is best to send out your wedding invitations at least three months before your wedding day.
This will give them adequate time to make necessary arrangements and meet travel costs at reasonable prices.
When To Send Save-The-Dates
These are helpful to alert the guests of your upcoming wedding festivities when you have settled on a particular date but haven’t set the location yet.
Once you have picked your dream wedding location, you can fill in the venue details on your wedding invitations.
It is convenient to send out save the dates 4-6 months before your wedding.
This will give your guests plenty of time to plan ahead and in case any other event may pop up on the same date, they will have you on their minds.
Eleven Items You Should Include on Your Wedding Invitation
Your wedding invitation card should bear all the important details that your guests need to know about your wedding.
Once you have picked your wedding invitation design, your next step is to wind up on the finer details on the card.
You should list all the necessary information without leaving out the most important details like the wedding date, location, and time.
But there is more to it than the given basics.
Here is some information that you shouldn’t leave out:
1. The Couple’s Names
Naturally, guests are curious to know the names of the people getting married.
You can order your names in the best way that feels right for you. It is your wedding, so do whatever gives you good vibes.
2. Date And Time Of The Wedding Ceremony
This is the most important detail of your wedding invitation.
Of course, your guests need to know when your wedding is taking place. Clearly state the start and end time of your wedding event so that guests know when to arrive.
Also, when you state the time, ensure you include all the details like a.m. or p.m. to avoid any confusion on the exact time. Finally, instead of writing the time in words, use numerical figures.
3. Dress code
Your guest must know the details of the attire. Although this is optional, it would help a lot to squeeze in a few lines stating your expected dress code.
For instance, casual attire, black tie, white tie optional, semi-formal attire, or dressy casual.
4. Wedding Invitation Inserts
There is a lot of information that your wedding invitation card ought to carry. However, not all the information can fit on one piece of paper.
So, if not all the details are accommodated, don’t worry. You can send insert cards along with the wedding invitation cards.
Basically, invitation inserts are separate cards that are sent in the same envelope as your wedding invitation and usually carry other necessary details not captured in the wedding invitation card.
They include the following:
5. RSVP cards
A wedding RSVP card will help you confirm the final number of attendees.
The cards often ask the guests to respond “yes” or “no” or check a box letting the couples know if they will attend the wedding.
6. Wedding Website Address
A wedding website is a resourceful site for your guests to access more details about your wedding.
It is the perfect place to include all the important details about your wedding not relayed in the invitation cards.
Also, note that there are sensitive details that are often avoided on the wedding invite such as your registry information. They are usually captured on the website.
7. Reception cards
Typically, reception cards are sent to inform guests where the reception will take place and to formally invite them to join the newbie couple for a celebration after the ceremony.
8. Wedding program
It is important to let the guests know the cascade of events at your wedding.
Programs often include ceremony information such as the date of the event, the order of activities of the day, theme songs, and the titles of the readings.
9. Menu cards
Menu cards carry information about expected meals to be served, and beverages available. You can use this card to explain to your guests why you choose a particular meal or drink for your wedding.
10. Place cards
Basically, place cards are seating charts that indicate where each guest is supposed to sit.
You can do away with arranged sitting and let your guests choose the table and the seat where they want to settle in.
11. Thank you cards
Thank you cards will help you express your gratitude to your guests for their gifts and for honoring your invitation to grace your event.
Conclusion
It is important to know when to send your wedding invitation.
Sending them too late will cause a lot of inconvenience to your guests who may require time to adequately prepare for your big day.
On the other hand, sending out your wedding invites too early may escape your guests’ minds as they will have a lot on their plate to chew long before your day arrives.
References
https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/when-to-send-wedding-invitations
https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/info-you-must-include-on-your-wedding-invitations