These days, many couples begin their wedding plans a year or more before the big day. Because the guest list will have a huge impact on your wedding plans, it will probably be one of the first things decided. When you start planning so early, at what point in the process is it appropriate to order and send your wedding invitations?
You should start thinking about wedding invitations as soon as you have all of the details, such as place and time of the ceremony and reception, as well as your guest list. It's never too early to start shopping around for wedding invitations. Make sure that you order your invitations well in advance of the time you'd like to send them. Give yourself as much time as possible, or at least twelve to sixteen weeks, between the day you order invitations and your planned wedding day. Not only will you have plenty of time to receive the invites, but you'll also have the time to address them at a relaxed pace. It's no fun having to fill out a hundred invitations the night before they need to get mailed, so don't put yourself in that situation.
Now that you've ordered and received your invitations, when should you plan to mail them? For most weddings, eight to twelve weeks before the big day will be enough time. There are some situations, wherever, when it would be appropriate to give the guests several extra weeks. For example, if your wedding falls on or near a holiday, the extra time ensures that guests haven't made holiday plans before your invitation arrives. Destination weddings and theme weddings also call for invitations to be sent well in advance to give guests time to prepare.
If you know that your guests will need to make travel arrangements to attend you wedding, send your invitations as early as possible. It may also be a good idea to consider "Save the Date" cards, which can be sent up to a full year before your wedding. This is a classy way to ensure that your guests have time to make travel plans, especially if they will be traveling a great distance to attend your wedding.
Sending invitations well in advance of your wedding date also allows you to adjust your wedding plans along the way. As RSVPs are received, you can notify the caterer of an accurate head count, or adjust the guest list to include guests who were originally not on the list.
Wedding planner Amanda Halm knows all of the wedding etiquette rules, especially when it comes to wedding invitations and other wedding stationery for any wedding ceremony.
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