Unlike most things, weddings can only evolve and change so much. This is especially true of your wedding invitations. Whether it is the 1900’s or the early 2000’s, there has always been (and will always be) a specific etiquette associated with how and when to send wedding invites. If you are as clueless as I was during my wedding preparations, then this guide is for you. Here is a how-to guide of when to send wedding invites and what to include in them.
Timing Is Everything
Everything wedding requires a great amount of time. The same goes for your wedding invites. When it comes time to figuring out when to send wedding invites, you want your timing to be on point. If you send out the wedding invitations too early, then you risk your guests losing or even forgetting the date. If you send out the wedding invitations too late, then you risk your guests not being prepared to join you on your big day.
You have to consider that your guests need to plan for time off work, getting arrangement such as babysitting squared away, as well as any accommodations that your wedding date will require of them.
If you are having a destination wedding, then it is even more imperative that you consider your timing. You want your guests to be able to have enough time to find the right prices for plane and hotel accommodations. Two months is what we recommend for when to send wedding invites out. You can stretch this to two and a half months if you need to, but no longer than that. For all other weddings, we recommend that you send out your wedding invites in about a month or a month and a half before the big day.
What To Include
So you have figured out when to send wedding invites, and now the time has come actually to send them. Before you do anything, be sure that you follow the “save the date” rules listed here. While it might sound silly, there are some very black and white do’s and do nots when you are sending out your wedding invitations. Here are some of the top things to keep in mind.
E-vites Have No Place In Your Wedding Invitations
When the first e-vites came out in the early 2000’s, they took the internet by storm. Now, it is acceptable to get and receive e-vites to birthday parties, baby showers, and even formal events like company gatherings. While all these may be ok, it is absolutely abominable and downright tacky to send your wedding invitations via e-vites.
Weddings are classy traditional events that have a certain elegance to them that should not be stripped away. To avoid this crucial mistake, be sure that after you have decided when to send wedding invites, you send them through the good old postal mail.
Spend Money On Decent Invites
It’s inevitable; you are going to be spending some cash on your wedding preparations. Unfortunately, this goes for your wedding invites as well. Having your invites printed off professionally is the way to go.
Fortunately, there is some good news. With the increasing access to professionally printing from home, you can get great looking wedding invitations that won’t break the bank. Some great sites that we love include Shutterfly, Walmart, and Vista Print. They offer wedding invitation printing that is both affordable and great looking.
Quick tip:
If you are thinking of placing wedding invitation orders through a company online, be sure to steer clear of the wedding invitation templates. Rather, look through other templates that are not categorized as wedding templates. Anything that is labeled for sale under the theme of “wedding” is usually price hiked.
You can avoid this price hike by shopping instead under templates that are not targeted for brides. Don’t worry; you can still get some beautiful wedding invites even if they are not marketed as wedding products.
What To Include On Your Wedding Invitations
You know when to send wedding invites, but do you know what to include on them? It sounds a little counterintuitive, but there are actually key things you need to be sure to include on your invitations to make them as effective as possible. Here are the musts that should be on your wedding invitations once you are ready to send them out.
Font And Color
The most important thing about your wedding invitations is the look. Although it may sound obvious to some, it is important that your wedding invites are written in a legible font. Not only that, but you want them to stand out in a way that is unique to you and your wedding. Be sure to keep appearance in mind when you are creating them. It helps if you settle on fonts and colors that are easy on the eyes and can be read without difficulty.
RSVP
Include an “RSVP” line. Have your guests RSVP via a phone number, email address, or postal mail. You can also provide a link that will allow your guests to RSVP. You may want to give your guests two different ways of RSVPing. Some may be able to RSVP via email while others may not. You can choose to send out RSVP cards along with your invitation. If you do, do not forget to attach the postage stamp for your guest’s return envelope on your RSVP card
Location
Include the address of the venue. If your location is more complicated than most, it is acceptable to include additional directions. For example, it can be helpful to give a written instruction such as “turn left at the red barn.” If you do not have a venue picked out yet, then you need to hold off on sending your invites until you do.
Reception Card
You will need to include a reception card if your reception will be held in a different venue than the wedding ceremony. A reception card is an ideal place to include additional information. Such additional information can include the address of the reception as well as the dress code.
Itinerary
It is not unusual to have guests that are flying in from out of town and who are going to be staying longer than the day of your wedding. If this is the case, then it is appropriate to include an itinerary card. An itinerary card includes additional information about the location of your wedding and the different activities that are available in the area. For example horseback riding, wine tasting, or golfing.
If you have a guest that will be doing a fair amount of traveling to attend your wedding, then it may be a good idea to include this. It is not uncommon for traveling guests to stay a little longer and turn the wedding visit into a mini vacation as well.
Seal It With A Kiss
Depending on your wedding, your wedding invites may be one envelope or a series of cards and envelopes. Whatever you end up with, you will need to appropriately seal everything in the wedding envelope once you have figured out when to send the wedding invites. You can seal your invitation envelope with wax and stamp, a customized sticker, or a ribbon. Once you have sealed your wedding invitation envelope, you can then stuff it into the final envelope that it will go out in.
Pro Tip:
It’s a good idea to send a sample of the wedding invites to yourself so that you can get a sense of how it will arrive in the mail for your guests. This will allow you to make any necessary changes before the final mail out.
Final Thoughts
Your guests will experience the magic of your wedding long before the actual event starts. Your wedding invitations will be the first exposure your guests will have of your wedding. Be sure to appropriately capture the image of yourself as the bride and the image of your wedding once you have decided when to send out your wedding invites. Good luck!
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