This Is When Send Out Your Wedding Invitations So Your Guests Don't Get Concerned
The wedding-planning process has a lot of moving parts, and one of the most important pieces to keep tabs on is your guest list. Yes, you want to make sure your nearest and dearest are all present and accounted for when you exchange your vows... but the wedding venue and caterers also need to plan for their part as well. This is why it's important to know when to send out your wedding invitations and save-the-dates.
The wedding save-the-dates are sent first to inform your guests of the time and place of the ceremony, and they usually provide the link to your wedding website or registry. The wedding invitation is more formal, supplying more information about the dress code, reception menu, and hotel accommodations (if applicable). Of course, the invitation also requests recipients to RSVP whether they'll be able to attend or have to decline.
Sending out your wedding invitations and save-the-dates on the proper timeline will save you (and everyone else involved in the planning) a lot of stress in the long run. Here's when the experts recommend sending out your wedding invitations and save-the-dates.
When are you supposed to send out wedding invitations?
Everyone's wedding-planning timeline is different, but once you've confirmed a date, it's smart to work backward from here to determine your deadlines.
"I think it is best to send out your wedding invitation 8-10 weeks before the wedding," says wedding planner and designer Jove Meyer. "This gives guests enough time to make preparations, book accommodations, and/or travel, and it also allows the couple enough time to prepare with their vendors for the guests that will be coming."
If you're planning a destination wedding that will require nearly all of your guests to travel and possibly take time off work, you'll want to add even more of a buffer.
"I recommend 3-4 months in advance," says Jes Barkman, wedding planner and owner of Knotted Events. "Most, if not all, of my weddings here in Colorado are destination... so with that, a little more advanced notice is better."
When are you supposed to send out save-the-dates?
You can think of the save-the-dates as the precursor to the formal invitation. And while sending save-the-dates is a common practice, they aren't actually required.
"Sending out save-the-dates is not a necessity. However, it’s recommended if you know that you have guests that will be traveling to your wedding," says Melisa Imberman, owner of wedding-planning company The Event of a Lifetime.
Your save-the-dates timing will depend on how big your wedding is, whether it will require the majority of the guests to travel, and how far in advance you're planning it. If you're having a long engagement (for instance, your wedding date is 2-3 years away), you can probably hold off on sending save-the-dates until you're ready to kick off your wedding festivities.
"Some couples send save-the-dates out a year before their wedding date, but it’s more typical to send them out 6 months before the big day," Imberman adds.
However, not all experts agree with this timeline.
"As soon as a couple selects a venue and date, they should get that save-the-date in the mail! The sooner guests know to clear their schedules, the better," says Barkman.
Meyer also agrees with this timeline if you're planning to get married within a year of your engagement. "In this case, send the save-the-dates out right away. And consider digital [save-the-dates] if your planning time is shorter, as they can be made and sent out much quicker!"
Is it OK to send digital save-the-dates?
As aforementioned, some couples may not feel that mailing save-the-dates is necessary (if they're having a small wedding on a quick timeline, for example). Others may be looking to cut costs, so opting to send the save-the-dates electronically — while still sending paper invites — is an easy way to do just that.
"Digital save-the-dates are wonderful. Not only will they help the couple save money, but they are also much better for the environment," says Meyer. "If you're going digital, you can still personalize it and make it feel in line with the overall vibe and style of your wedding!"
Keep in mind, sending your save-the-dates through email could rub some of your guests the wrong way.
"As a wedding planner, I always recommend avoiding electronic save-the-dates or invites," says Barkman. "You're asking guests to clear their schedules far in advance and spend time and money attending your wedding, among other parties you may throw. The least you can do is send something in the mail."
Ultimately, opting to send physical, electronic, or any save-the-dates for your wedding is your decision. Yes, this happy announcement is important for conveying information to the loved ones who are lucky enough to be invited, but once you've sent them out, your focus will quickly turn to the greater vision of your special day.
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