When should you send out wedding invitations? And how far in advance should you have guest RSVP?

Question

If my wedding is June, when should the invitations be sent out and how many weeks or days should I have my guest RSVP. I know that RSVP's don't always work but I would like to have an idea before the wedding.

Answer 1

Ideas we found good:

1) For the busy months (May-August) and Holidays, send them out 3 months in advance. We had ours on a bank holiday and sent out invites 3 months early, and we still had people say that already had plans (and they just weren't saying that).

2) Put a date on the RSVP, but allow for some change. We put "please respond in a timely manner" and asked them to include their phone number and email address so that we could email/call them to tell them we were delighted to have their rsvp. We're 3 weeks from the wedding, and we still have to ask people. No biggie though.

3) You could send a "save the date" 4 months early and send out in the invites 2 months early. Of course, it's extra printing.

Good luck and congrats!

We also had 90% of our guests flying in from around the globe. It wouldn't be fair to send them an invite that will leave them 5-3 weeks to get everything prepared. Saying "6-8 weeks" is such a stock answers. The situation of everyone is going to be different.

Answer 2

You should send your invitations at least 6 months before the wedding, so send them out in January.

Also, check with your caterer, event planner, flower arranger, etc. Ask each person when the deadline for arrangements are, when deposits must be made, etc. This will give you some idea of the final deadline for the RSVP. I would allow at least 2 weeks before this final deadline for the RSVP. This way, if some people mail their responses late or forget, there is more than enough time for you to phone the people who have not replied and doublecheck if they are coming. Some people, such as really close family or friends, may just assume that you know they are coming and not bother to send the RSVP. So if you give an extra 2 weeks, you will have more than enough time to call the no-replies and have a final head count in time for the wedding. You will probably need the RSVP to received at least one month before the wedding.

Answer 3

I'd say 6 weeks prior...that gives the people time to plan if they are out of town and that gives them a date where they don't plan something else on that day. I just received an invitation to where they said to RSVP by a certain date and that date is about 2 weeks before the wedding.

Answer 4

Congratulations! I am going with aloneinga. Usually, invitations are sent out 8 weeks before the wedding to give guests enough time to plan their trip and make any requests for time off. I do suggest sending out save-the-date notices that include just your wedding date and location immediately; then send the accommodations and travel information in a separate mailing about four months before the wedding. Also, since your wedding is during a major holiday, I would also try calling up some hotels in the area to see if you can book rooms and lock in a discounted rate. Also, be sure to let guests know they should mention your wedding when booking a room at the hotel.

Answer 5

you send out the invitations 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding and the rsvp's should be a month before the wedding.

Answer 6

You send invitations out 6-8 weeks before the wedding, although if you have many people travelling from afar then you can push it back to 8-10 weeks.

You should have the RSVP date approx 1 week before your hall and caterer need their final headcounts. That gives you a week to phone all the rude people who don't know how to RSVP properly.

Answer 7

The invitations go out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding and date them a week before the wedding to make sure you get them all back in time

Answer 8

6 weeks or 6 months are both true.

why?

You really have to look at people's life outside your own. Plus, where they live.

I had a friend who has family from Italy, France and her now husband's family in Germany, Alaska and part of Spain.

Do you really believe they will recieve a RSVP and return in 6 weeks? Most likely, no. Some can, but that sure is close to the wedding date that make the bride have a little more stress to take care of arranging and keeping track of all that.

Plus, her caterer (very high dollar class though) wanted a count a month in advance since they get booked extremly easily and needed to know how many workers etc. So, it is sometimes a very good thing to do it in advance! Even for the less expensive companies want to reserve it a month in advance.

My brother is a Chef and he said very common.

Have to set up travel arrangements from flight to stay. If all can go on same flight, can get discounts for it.

So the whole rule of 6 weeks period is extremly rude in my case. Especially since I have to book things 5 months in advance for my wedding due to travel, beach house rentle on the Island, plus plane tickets and all that.

If your guest return the RSVP, make sure they read on it that if they do not attend due to last min emergancy, to give you a call to let you know prior to turning the information in for caterering and seats etc.

Set a date of when you would like them back, but to ease stress, make sure not close to the wedding date. A girl a few pages is having that problem by 1/2 her RSVP isn't there and has to be turned in a few days.

So, if you are getting married in June. I would send them out in the end of Feb, begin of March and would like them RSVP around May 15th.

To which it gives a few months for family/friends to look at their schedule, get time off work in advance, make sure there is babysitters or home sitters if have pets, adjust their schedule to make sure no one else is getting married or doctor appt etc. Plus, gives them time to return it and you to know.

During that time, can do follow up calls to remind them it was sent and remind them they still have one.

Answer 9

LoL @ 3 days after! You should send the invitations out at LEAST 6 months before the wedding. The RSVP date should be selected according to your catering hall's policy. If they need a head count 1 month before the wedding. Have everyone RSVP 2 months ahead or so.

Good luck and have fun planning the wedding!

Answer 10

Why are you even thinking about this now? Rhetorical. Anyway, you would send out the invitations about six weeks BEFORE the wedding. You should then give people a month in which to RSVP (stating the date you expect them to do this on your return card). And to you young niinnies who are telling this girl to send out invitations SIX MONTHS prior, that is so totally WRONG you must have your heads up your butts! It's six WEEKS NOT six MONTHS! Wake up out there, you twits!