When to Send Wedding Invitations

There are many wedding-related festivities that take place during the couple’s engagement period. All of them require a lot of invitations and stationery. Wondering when to send wedding invitations? What about save the date cards? Thank you notes? Here’s a guide to wedding stationery – some helpful tips and the information you should include with your invites.

Wedding invitations

Wedding invitation suite should include invitation, RSVP card and other enclosure cards that contain helpful information for the guests (accommodations, reception, attire, wedding website…).

Who should receive the wedding invite?

Everyone on the guest list should receive the invitation.

When to send wedding invites?

You should send wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding date.

When should the RSVP date be?

RSVP date on your wedding response cards should be 4 weeks before the wedding date.

What time to put on wedding invites?

Call the wedding for at least 30-45 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony and state that time on the invite. Be sure to plan something for your guests to do during that time – you don’t want them to sit in their chairs and think you are running late. Serving spa water or setting up a photo booth is a great way to fill this time.

What about invites for out-of-town and international guests?

If you have just a couple of internatinal guests, send their invites together with the ones for other guests. Give them a phone call or send them an email with wedding details and hotel rooms booking information – so they have enough time to organize their traveling schedules. If half of your friends and family members lives abroad, you might want to send them invitations 12 weeks before the wedding day. You should also have all of the information (hotel room blocks, transportation…) available on your wedding website as soon as save the date cards are mailed.

Save the date cards

Save the dates aren’t required, but they are a great way to get your guests to mark the calendars. They are also very helpful if many of the guests have to make travel arrangements.

Who should receive the save the date card?

Those who you want to invite to your wedding.

When to send save the date cards?

Save the dates should be sent 4-6 months before the big day. If it’s a destination wedding, they should be sent earlier than that, so the guests can schedule their travel arrangements.

Engagement party invitations

Engagement party is held to celebrate a couple’s engagement and to help future wedding guests to get to know each other. Some couples keep the reason for the party a secret and announce the engagement during a toast at the beginning of the event. Others send the invites with the reason for the celebration detailed on the cards.

Who should receive the engagement party invite?

Guests who are invited to your engagement party will also expect an invitation for your wedding – so plan the engagement party guest list wisely.

When to send engagement party invites?

Send the invitations one month in advance (6 weeks if a lot of guests are coming from out-of-town).

Bridal shower invitations

Bridal shower is usually hosted by the maid of honor or another close friend. Sometimes, several friends (usually bridesmaids) are sharing the responsibility of celebrating the bride-to-be.

Who should receive the bridal shower invite?

You can invite an intimate group of family members and friends or you can have a bridal bash with dozens of guests. The only rule is that everyone who is invited to the bridal shower should also be invited to your wedding.

When to send bridal shower invites?

Invitations should be sent between 6-8 weeks before the bridal shower, depending on how many out-of-town guests are on the guest list. Make sure all guests RSVP to one person (for example, maid of honor) to keep the numbers organized.

Bachelorette party invitations

Whether it’s a low key party or a trip to Las Vegas, bachelorette party is a celebration of the upcoming nuptials. Typically, the maid of honor is the one who plans the bachelorette party.

Who should receive the bachelorette party invite?

No matter how big or small you guest list is, keep in mind that everyone who receives a bachelorette party invite should also be invited to your wedding.

When to send bachelorette party invites?

Invitations should be sent one month before the event. Invitations don’t have to be formal – phone call or online invitation (e-vite) are perfectly acceptable.

Rehearsal dinner invitations

Rehearsal dinner takes place the night before the wedding. The most important part of a rehearsal dinner is a chance for both families to spend some time together before the wedding day. 

Who should receive the rehearsal dinner invite?

The immediate family members of both the bride and the groom (parents, grandparents, siblings), members of the bridal party and their significant others or spouses, the officiant, readers or ushers. 

When to send rehearsal dinner invites?

Invitations should be sent 3-6 weeks before the event.

Wedding thank you cards

Thank you cards should be sent for all presents you have received during the course of wedding planning.

Who should receive the thank you card?

Everyone who gave you a present at any of the wedding events (bridal shower, engagement party, wedding).

When to send thank you cards?

For presents received during the bridal shower and engagement party, send a thank you card within 2-3 weeks. If the presents were sent before the wedding day, send a thank you card as soon as possible (but before the wedding). For presents received during the wedding day, send a thank you card within 3 months. If the presents were sent after the wedding, send a thank you card within 2-3 weeks.

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