When should you send out your wedding invitations?

One of the most important parts of planning your wedding is sending out the invitations. Not only does this let your guests know what’s happening on the day, and details like the venue for your wedding, but the RSVPs let you know how many people will be attending.

But when should you send out your invites?

Save the date cards

Some people choose to send out save the date cards prior to their wedding invitations. This is a good idea if you’ve got people coming from further afield or if your date falls in holiday season. Most couples send this between 8-18 months before their wedding depending on when you booked and how much notice you want to give people.

These are entirely optional. So if you’re worried about the cost of sending them out, in addition to your other invitations, don’t worry. Sometimes, a save the date can be as simple as a message to friends and family on social media, or maybe a website you’ve created with the initial location details.

Invitations

People tend to send out their wedding invitations well in advance. This gives attendees time to arrange time off work, childcare, and clear space in their diary for the day.

Depending on the sort of wedding you’re having, the amount of time between your big day and when you send out your invitations can vary. For example, if you’re having a wedding that involves people who have to travel one end of the country to the other, you should send out your invitations even earlier to give them more time to prepare.

As a general rule aim to send your invites out a minimum of four months before the wedding but think about whether any of your guests need to arrange travel and accommodation. If this is the case give them more notice so they can book a hotel or travel in advance when it might be less expensive.

Your invitations can take many forms. They can be something you have professionally designed, printed and sent out, or they could be a handwritten letter that you post to your guests. They could even be something more creative, like a website that you direct your guests to, which provides them with information and updates on your wedding.

When should people RSVP by?

You need your guests to respond to your invitations, so you have a clear idea of who is coming to the wedding. This also allows you to let the people at your venue know how many guests are attending, so you can get a final cost for your day.

Ask your venue team when they need to know final guest numbers (usually about 3 months prior) by and set your RSVP date before that. This way you can give yourself time to get all the responses and chase down anyone who hasn’t responded.

Your RSVP is also a chance for your guests to let you know about any special requirements they might have – from needing disabled access, to requiring vegetarian meal options or allergy-free foods. This allows you to plan your day more effectively and make sure everyone enjoys themselves as much as they can.

Helping you organise the rest of your wedding

Your invitations, and sending them out to your guests, is one of the first big milestones in planning your wedding. They help you to get a clearer idea of how big your wedding is going to be and how many guests you need to provide food and seating for.

At Mitton Hall, we have a dedicated team of wedding planners that can help you organise your perfect wedding, big or small – from helping design the seating plan, to helping with timings to make sure your day flows properly.

To find out more about holding your wedding with the Dream Venues Collection by James’ Places, get in touch to arrange a show around.