When to Send Out Save the Dates and Wedding Invitations!

Timely Mailing of Save The Dates and Invitations

Welcome to your ultimate guide on when to send out save the dates and wedding invitations. At St James 1868, we are excited to share our wealth of experience in crafting the perfect timeline for your big day.

The key to a well-executed wedding lies in the details, and one of the most crucial details is timing. The timing of sending out save the dates and wedding invitations impacts not just your schedule, but also that of your esteemed guests. This article aims to guide you smoothly through this aspect of wedding planning.

Importance of Save the Dates

First things first, what exactly are save the dates? They are preliminary notifications sent out to your guests to inform them about your wedding plans. Their purpose? To ensure that your guests reserve your wedding day on their calendars.

Save the dates are more than just reminders. They set the tone for your wedding. The design, wording, and even the timing of sending them out convey an initial impression of what your guests should expect at your wedding.

Ideal Time to Send Out Save The Dates

You may now be asking yourself, when do save the dates go out? Well, various factors influence this timing.

Firstly, the size and nature of your wedding are essential. A larger, more formal wedding may necessitate more notice. Secondly, destination weddings and weddings involving many out-of-town guests will require sending save the dates earlier to allow guests to plan travel and accommodations.

As a general rule of thumb, it's best to send out save the dates about six to eight months before the wedding. If it's a destination wedding, aim for nine to twelve months prior.

Designing and Preparing Save The Dates

Designing save the dates should be a fun and creative process that reflects your style as a couple. When compiling your guest list, take into account relationships, budget, and venue capacity.

As for preparation, we recommend starting the process at least a month before you plan to send them out. This allows time for addressing envelopes, and unexpected delays.

Understanding Wedding Invitations

The Role of Wedding Invitations

While save the dates are preliminary, wedding invitations serve as the official request for guests to attend your wedding. They provide essential details such as date, time, venue, and sometimes, suggested attire.

Just like save the dates, the timing of sending out wedding invitations is essential. It gives your guests ample time to RSVP, plan their outfits, organize travel arrangements, and prepare any gifts.

When to Mail Wedding Invitations

With a clear understanding of wedding invitations, the question remains, when to send out save the date for wedding invitations?

Traditionally, invitations are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, in modern times, it is not uncommon to send them out a little earlier. This especially applies to destination weddings or weddings held during busy holiday seasons. In such cases, mailing the invitations 10-12 weeks in advance is considered courteous.

Crafting and Ready-Making Wedding Invitations

Creating your wedding invitations should be a process filled with joy and anticipation. Remember to give yourself ample time to choose a design, finalize the wording, address envelopes, and account for potential mishaps.

If you're planning to DIY your invitations, we recommend starting at least four months before your wedding. If you're ordering them, a two-month head start would suffice.

Recap and Additional Tips

In recap, the importance of timely sending out of save the dates and wedding invitations cannot be overstated. It ensures your guests can make necessary arrangements and reflects your consideration and etiquette.

As a rule, send save the dates 6-8 months prior (9-12 months for a destination wedding), and wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding (10-12 weeks for a destination or holiday season wedding).

• What is the best time to send out save the dates?

  For a typical wedding, send out save the dates about six to eight months before the wedding. If it's a destination wedding, aim for nine to twelve months prior.

• How early should I mail my wedding invitations?

  Traditionally, invitations are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, for destination weddings or weddings held during busy holiday seasons, mailing the invitations 10-12 weeks in advance is recommended.

• Can I send out wedding invitations before save the dates?

  No, the etiquette is to send out save the dates first. They provide initial notice of your wedding plans, while the invitations serve as the official request to attend.

• Are there rules for sending save the dates for a destination wedding?

  Yes, for a destination wedding, it is courteous to give your guests more time to make arrangements. Thus, aim to send save the dates nine to twelve months before your big day.

Wrapping it Up!

Finally, while the process may seem daunting, remember that at its heart, it's about sharing your joy and anticipation with the people who matter most to you. Trust your instincts and feel free to set your own timeline that suits your unique wedding.

We hope this guide has provided some clarity in your wedding planning journey. Remember, each wedding is unique, and so is the timeline. Happy planning!