Save the date/Invitations for Destination Wedding?

Question

We're having a wedding in Jamaica in August 2007. Last week we sent out engagement announcements with a letter saying that we're doing a destination wedding and there is a choice between 3 nights and 7 nights. We asked that they let us know whether they THINK they'd like to go. I was going to send out save the date magnets and a letter with all of the travel info as soon as I have it (next few weeks)...then actual invitations closer to the wedding. Now that seems pointless to me...should I skip the save the date magnets (even though I love them!) and just send invitations with the travel info in a couple of weeks? Something with all info has to be sent soon, because anyone going needs to book and pay a deposit. I don't know what order or timeline to do all of this in...help!

The point in the letters we sent last week was so that we could get an idea of the # of people going for group rate purposes. We want to basically know what the total cost will be before we send out anything official.

Honestly, kitty...don't be such a b*tch. 3/4 of the people we've talked to said they'd probably go. We're being considerate and letting them know this far in advance so they have time to make plans for it and save their money if they do want to go. No one is making them go. We let them know we're having a reception back home for anyone that doesn't want to or can't go to the wedding, and that we understand if they can't come.

Answer 1

I suggest sending the save the dates as well. It's an added expense, but you really do need to get all of the details to the people that might be interested ASAP. The official invitations should not go out until you are closer to the wedding date.

Perhaps when/if you send out the Save the Dates you could take that opportunity to get everyone's email address as well. This would be a great way to stay in touch, provide regular updates, and be a constant means of contact for all of your guests. Destination weddings are beautiful but a lot of work!

So to re-cap, here is what I would do:

ASAP: Save the Dates along with ALL of the travel info you can possibly put together. Also, request that all guests provide their email address (and explain why)

Over the next 9 months: Provide as much info about the lodging, travel, etc. that you can to guests. Updates, info on things to do at the resort or on the island, any special promotions available, etc. Keep everyone informed.

In 10 months (June): Send out invitations. By this time everyone should have all of the information that they need regarding travel and so forth. It should make for much easier planning for everyone involved (including you!)


And to the KittyRogers jerk of a poster... you really need to get over yourself. She is trying NOT to make it a big deal and make things easier for her guests! If I was invited to a destination wedding I would *NOT* want to find out 2 months before that I need to cough up the dough if I wanted to go! Knowing all of the details well in advance will help EVERYONE. If you are independantly wealthy then good for you! But most of us *PLAN* our vacations a bit in advance!

Answer 2

Send out the save the date cards after the first of the year. You can choose to include the hotel information if you want, but there is no need to. People don't need to book hotels and flights that far in advance.
The actual invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks before the actual wedding so that there is a reminder close to the date. Include an insert card that gives the name of the hotel, and that a block of rooms has been reserved for the 3 nights, but also a smaller block of rooms for the 7 nights. Include the discount code, you should be getting a discount at any hotel for booking a block of rooms. Some will even throw in the bridal suite for free if enough rooms get booked because of your wedding. The hotels won't charge a deposit on your credit card just for the block booking. When your guests book their own rooms, they pay for it, not you. Then a week or so before the wedding (when you've gotten all of your RSVPs) call and cancel any additional rooms. There is no need for any costs to be paid just yet. If the hotel is charging you, then you need to find a better hotel. Most just hold a credit card number until the actual night(s).

Answer 3

Honey, I think you are on the right track. And Kitty is a b*tch. My gosh, I don't think you said anything to imply that you were the center of the universe. I agree with you that you should send several reminders. I think a magnet would be a good idea. I think it's a good idea to send the magnet along with the travel info. You should do the magnets and send another invite when the wedding gets closer. It is a little different having a destination wedding because people need more time to plan, so getting the travel info to them now is important. But at the same time it would be nice to get an official invite closer to the big day.
I think what your doing is just fine!

Answer 4

I would send the save the date magnets along with the travel info as soon as you have it. Unless you are going to make everyone's arrangements for them (and don't you have enough to do?), they need all important info as soon as possible. The actual invitations should go out about 8 weeks prior to the wedding with a RSVP date about 2 weeks before the wedding.
P.S. WOW, did someone get up on the wrong side of the broom today, or what? Letting people know ahead of time for a trip like that is NOT being self-centered. Plane tickets, vacation time from work, these things just don't happen in a couple of weeks. Your guests will APPRECIATE the advance notice. I had a couple of friends that LOVED the save the date magnets, and my wedding was not even a destination wedding. Don't let one sour puss rain on your Jamaican parade!

Answer 5

One of my best friends got married in Cozumel, and did what you are doing just now.

She told us at the engagement party that she would probably do a destination wedding and that if so it would be in Cozumel.

Six months before the wedding she sent a booklet with information about Cozumel, where to stay, room rates and where to go if you where going to be there for more than four days, where to rent a car, nightlife, and how much you would be spending, etc.

Then, about a month before the wedding she sent the invitations.

That gave us all enough time to make a deposit on the rooms and save for the rest of the vacation, and it was all so well planned that no one complained, we really all did enjoy it and loved her for being so considerate about the whole planning the vacation thing.

I suggest you go through with the magnets and then the invitations, and besides, it is you wedding! Enjoy every second of it and do whatever you want! Have as much fun as possible.

Good Luck and Congrats!

Answer 6

I think that the message you sent them all already counts as a save-the-date type of message, already, if you mentioned the wedding date in them. If you did NOT already mention a specific date and it was a more "general" letter than that, then I think you should go ahead and send the actual save the dates NOW, along with the additional info that the people need.

Don't send actual invitations this early-- they should go out 6-10 weeks in advance-- this is too early. (And don't forget that even if people tell you, upon receiving your save the date, that they can't make it, that etiquette says that you STILL should send them a formal invitation when the time comes.)

Answer 7

I don't think that the magnets are necesary. Even though they would add a touch I think that the info packets will be enough information for them. I think that is a great idea for your wedding! I know it will be expensive for them (and you) but it will be worth it! I would just send out your invitations with your info packets when you need to and send them updates along the way. Like if you have an agenda closer to the date ect. Also, if you want to do the magnets instead of save the date magnets do magnets for like reminders. Like in March or something so they don't forget about it. Maybe not a reminder for your wedding, but maybe a reminder for money. Like don't forget your final payment is due on the cute magnet!!!

Answer 8

It'd be nice to let them know, but you don't have to go through that trouble and expense. I'd send an evite to give them a chance to save the date and plan, and then send out official invites later.
The great thing about an evite format is that you can put as much info as possible, even links to travel websites, make it all as detailed as possible.
With something like this, it's always better to send too much info than not enough.
And congratulations! Remember, this is your special day, you and your fiance should enjoy your wedding and do what you want. Send everyone else the info and then let them take care of their own stuff!
(For non-internet people, they might just appreciate you printing out the pertinent evite info and mailing it to them).

Answer 9

My experience has been that the people who are going to go will commit as soon as they get the information - so it is good to send out all of the reminders, but more than likely, the ones that say they can go now will be the only ones going then.

Answer 10

Wow! I think people got nerve (kitty). u do what u and your future hubby want. i personally like save the date reminders they are cute and do serve as a reminder. i recently had a family member get married at a different location and many shared in that day. so enjoy your time before the wedding and good luck!