The 5 Rules to Follow When Sending Out Your Wedding Invitations
Wedding invitation etiquette, although important, is something that is frequently overlooked during the wedding planning process. Lost amongst details like guest lists, place settings, menus and DJs, the invitation process itself can often seem unimportant in the jumble of to-do lists that can come with planning your dream wedding.
Following the right etiquette when sending out your wedding invitations is extremely important and understanding some of the do’s and don’t’s behind the invitation process can save you a lot of headaches in the hustle and bustle of the planning process.
To help you have an easier time with sending out your wedding invitations, we’ve compiled the Top 5 Rules to follow when sending out invites for your dream wedding.
1. Send Out Invites At Least 6 to 8 Weeks Prior to Your Wedding
Traditionally wedding invitations are sent out around 6 to 8 weeks prior to your wedding date. This timeline gives your wedding guests plenty of time to plan ahead in their schedules and get back to you with their availability, allowing you good time to sort through and finalize seating plans and guest lists before the big day. Additionally, it should be noted that if you are planning a destination wedding, giving your guests a little extra time to make plans and preparations is advisable.
2. Set Your RSVP Date to 3 to 4 Weeks Prior to Your Wedding
Setting an RSVP date for your big day for 3 to 4 weeks prior to your wedding is another key consideration to take when sending out your wedding invites. Finalizing RSVP’s 3 to 4 weeks before your wedding date allows you to make any final changes to the seating arrangement and menus without the need to rush and make last minute amendments right before the big event.
3. Don’t Include Your Registry Information in the Invitation
Including information about your wedding registry in your wedding invites is an invitation faux pas. Sharing this information in your invitations can come across tactless and like you are asking for gifts rather than prioritizing your guests presence at the ceremony as the most important part of the invitation. If you feel that you must include this information with your invitation, it is more appropriate to include it on a wedding website, which can be created for free through many large online companies.
4. Indicate Dress Code Directly on the Wedding Invitation
Sharing the dress code for your wedding directly on the invitation is an important element to include when sending out your wedding invites. Whether you’re going with a “black tie”, “semi-formal” or “casual” wedding, letting your guests know what kind of clothing you expect from them can be incredibly helpful for guests as they plan what to wear and help to make sure things run smoothly on the big day.
5. Plan Ahead With Postage
Finally, there are a number of considerations that are important to take when it comes to postage. For instance, postage costs can vary greatly based off of the size, weight and thickness of your invitations. Square invitation envelopes require more postage than a rectangular size. As a result, it's important wait until your invitations are ready to be mailed before investing in postage. Additionally, it is recommended to pre-stamp your RSVP’s for guests making it easier and more efficient for them to send you their response before the big day!
