According to various sources, including wedding etiquette experts and real couples on Reddit, here are some general guidelines on when to send out save-the-dates:
**When to Send Save-the-Dates:**
* 12-18 months in advance for destination weddings or international events
* 6-12 months in advance for non-holiday weekend weddings (e.g., March-November)
* 3-6 months in advance for holiday weekend weddings (e.g., Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving)
* 2-4 weeks in advance for intimate gatherings, elopements, or small, off-season weddings
**Reddit Community Insights:**
* A popular Reddit post on wedding planning asked, "How far in advance do you send out save-the-dates?" Many users responded with a range of 6-12 months, with some mentioning they sent them even earlier (12-18 months) for destination weddings.
* Another user shared that they sent their save-the-dates about 9 months before the wedding and received RSVPs from most guests within 2 weeks.
* Some couples mentioned sending out save-the-dates as soon as possible to give guests plenty of notice, while others waited until after the venue was booked or the guest list was finalized.
**Tips:**
1. **Consider your guest list:** If you have a large, out-of-town guest list or are having a destination wedding, it's best to send save-the-dates earlier.
2. **Keep in mind local events:** If you're getting married during peak season (June-August), you may want to send save-the-dates closer to 6-9 months in advance to avoid conflicting with other local events.
3. **Be mindful of holidays:** Sending save-the-dates too far in advance might make it seem like your wedding is dominating the guest's holiday calendar.
4. **Plan for invitations:** Allow enough time for guests to RSVP and adjust their plans accordingly. You can send formal invitations 2-3 months before the wedding.
Remember, these are general guidelines. Ultimately, the timing of sending save-the-dates depends on your specific situation, wedding style, and guest list.
The age-old question: when to send out those lovely wedding invitations!
Here are some general guidelines to help you decide:
**When to Send Wedding Invitations:**
1. **For a Formal Wedding:** 6-8 weeks before the big day is a good rule of thumb.
2. **For an Informal or Casual Wedding:** 4-6 weeks before the wedding date works well.
3. **If You're Having a Destination Wedding:** 12-16 weeks before the wedding date (as guests will need to plan their travel and accommodations).
4. **If You're Having a Weekday Wedding:** 8-10 weeks before the wedding date is a good amount of time for guests to adjust their schedules.
**When Not to Send Wedding Invitations:**
1. **Don't send them too early:** Avoid sending invites more than 3 months in advance, as you don't want your guests getting tired of hearing about the wedding (and possibly forgetting).
2. **Don't send them too late:** Make sure you give your guests enough time to make travel arrangements and RSVP. Sending invites too close to the wedding date can be stressful for everyone involved.
**Additional Tips:**
1. **Create a Timeline:** Plan out your invitation schedule, including when you'll send out save-the-dates (if applicable), invitations, and any follow-up reminders.
2. **Consider Your Guest List:** If you have a large guest list or many out-of-town guests, you may want to adjust the sending timeline accordingly.
3. **Keep it Consistent:** Make sure your invitation design and wording match the tone and style of your wedding.
Remember, the key is to strike a balance between giving your guests enough time to plan and not overwhelming them with too much information too early (or too late!)
Sending out save-the-dates and invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure your guests can plan accordingly. Here's a general guideline:
**Save-the-Dates:**
* For a traditional wedding, send out save-the-dates 6-12 months in advance.
* For a destination wedding or an international guest list, consider sending them out 12-18 months in advance.
* For a weekend wedding, you may want to send out save-the-dates earlier (9-12 months) since guests will need more notice for travel and accommodations.
**Wedding Invitations:**
* Typically, invitations are sent out 2-3 months prior to the wedding date.
* If your wedding is during peak season (June-August), it's recommended to send out invitations 4-6 weeks earlier to ensure guests can make arrangements in time.
* For destination weddings or international guest lists, consider sending out invitations 8-12 weeks in advance.
**Tips:**
1. **Timing**: Make sure to leave enough time for your guests to RSVP before the deadline. A general rule of thumb is to allow 2-3 weeks for responses.
2. **Guest list**: Keep in mind that some guests, like close friends and family, may need more notice than others. Consider sending out invitations earlier for these special people.
3. **Digital vs. Paper Invitations**: If you're using digital invitations (e.g., Evite), you can send them out slightly earlier since they're quicker to respond to. For paper invitations, 2-3 months is still a good window.
4. **Confirmations**: Consider sending out confirmation emails or texts to your guests 1-2 weeks prior to the wedding date to ensure everyone's on the same page.
Remember, these are general guidelines. Ultimately, the timing of your save-the-dates and invitations will depend on your specific wedding plans, guest list, and preferences.
When to send out save-the-date notifications for a birthday party depends on several factors, including:
1. **Party size**: If it's a small, intimate gathering (less than 10 people), you might not need to send out formal save-the-dates.
2. **Guest list**: If your guest list is extensive or includes people from different parts of the country/world, consider sending out save-the-dates about 3-6 months in advance.
3. **Party date and time**: If your party falls on a weekend or during peak holiday seasons (e.g., summer, holidays), give guests more notice by sending out save-the-dates 2-3 months earlier.
4. **RSVP deadline**: Set an RSVP deadline that allows you to finalize the guest list and preparations about 2 weeks before the party.
Here are some general guidelines:
* For a small gathering (less than 10 people), consider sending out invitations with all the details (date, time, location, dress code) 1-2 weeks in advance.
* For a medium-sized party (10-20 people), send out save-the-dates 3-4 months in advance and follow up with formal invitations about 6-8 weeks before the party.
* For a large gathering (21+ people), send out save-the-dates 4-6 months in advance, followed by formal invitations about 2-3 months before the party.
Remember to include essential details in your save-the-date notifications, such as:
* Party date and time
* Location (if not obvious)
* Contact information for RSVPs or questions
* Any dress code or theme guidance
Example timelines:
* For a small gathering:
+ 1-2 weeks before the party: Send out invitations with all the details.
* For a medium-sized party:
+ 3-4 months in advance: Send out save-the-dates with basic information (date, time, location).
+ 6-8 weeks before the party: Follow up with formal invitations and RSVP details.
* For a large gathering:
+ 4-6 months in advance: Send out save-the-dates with basic information (date, time, location).
+ 2-3 months before the party: Follow up with formal invitations and RSVP details.
Feel free to adjust these guidelines based on your specific situation and preferences.
The timing of sending out wedding invitations and setting an RSVP deadline depends on various factors, including the type of event, guest list size, and personal preference. Here are some general guidelines:
**Timing:**
* For a formal or traditional wedding, it's common to send out invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding date.
* For a more casual or intimate wedding, you might send out invitations 4-6 weeks in advance.
* If you're having a destination wedding or a wedding during peak season (June-August), consider sending out invitations 3-5 months in advance to give guests ample time to plan their travel.
**RSVP deadline:**
* Aim for an RSVP deadline that's 2-4 weeks before the wedding date. This allows you to finalize your headcount and make any necessary arrangements.
* If you're having a buffet-style meal or a brunch, you might consider setting the RSVP deadline slightly earlier (1-2 weeks) since food preparation will be more complex.
* For an evening reception with dinner, 3-4 weeks before the wedding date is usually sufficient.
**Tips:**
* Make sure to include your RSVP deadline clearly on the invitation, along with a contact method (e.g., phone number, email address, or online response system).
* Consider adding a "Please respond by [date]" note to encourage guests to send their RSVPs promptly.
* If you're concerned about last-minute cancellations, consider setting an RSVP deadline 1-2 weeks earlier for out-of-town guests, as they may require more time to make travel arrangements.
**Example:**
* Invitations go out on March 15th for a June 12th wedding (7.5 weeks in advance).
* RSVP deadline is May 20th (4.5 weeks before the wedding date).
Remember that these are general guidelines, and you should adjust the timing based on your specific situation and preferences.
When it comes to sending save-the-dates for a destination wedding, there are a few things to consider:
**Timing:** Typically, you'll want to send out save-the-dates 6-12 months before your destination wedding. This gives guests ample time to plan their travel and make arrangements.
**Important details:** Make sure to include the essential information on your save-the-date:
* Date of the wedding
* Location (city or resort name)
* Destination (if it's not well-known)
* Your names (bride and groom)
* A note about accommodations and travel recommendations
**Format:** You can choose from various formats, such as:
* Postcard-style save-the-dates with a photo of the destination or a romantic scene
* Digital invites sent via email or social media
* Paper invitations with a destination-themed design
**Tips:**
1. **Consider the distance and travel time**: If your guests will need to travel across the country or internationally, give them more notice.
2. **Be mindful of peak travel seasons**: Avoid sending save-the-dates during peak travel times (e.g., summer vacation, holidays) if you don't want to compete with other events.
3. **Include a "save-the-date" message**: Make it clear that this is an early alert and a formal invitation will follow later.
4. **Add a note about accommodations**: If you're recommending specific hotels or resorts for your guests, include that information on the save-the-date.
Here's an example of a destination wedding save-the-date:
"Save the Date!
[Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] request the honor of your presence at their beachside wedding celebration in Cancun, Mexico!
Join us on Saturday, June 15th, 2024, as we exchange vows overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
More details to follow in our formal invitation. For now, mark your calendars and start planning your tropical getaway!"
Remember to have fun with it, and make sure your save-the-date reflects the tone and style of your wedding!
Sending save-the-date cards two years in advance is quite aggressive, even for a wedding planning enthusiast. While it's understandable that you're excited about your big day and want to share the news with loved ones, there are a few things to consider before sending out save-the-dates that far in advance:
1. **Guest list changes**: Two years is a long time, and your guest list may change significantly between now and then. You might need to accommodate new additions (e.g., babies, job promotions) or remove people who can't attend.
2. **Vendors and venues**: Your top choices for vendors and venues might not be available or might have changed their offerings by the time you're getting married. Sending save-the-dates too early may give guests unrealistic expectations about your wedding plans.
3. **Budget and planning**: Two years is a long time to plan a wedding, and things can change financially or logistically. You might need to adjust your budget, guest list, or overall vision for the celebration.
That being said, if you still want to send save-the-dates two years in advance, consider the following:
1. **Make it clear**: When sending out save-the-dates, make sure to include a note that says something like, "We're excited to share our engagement news with you! Please know that we'll be providing more details and an official invitation closer to the date."
2. **Keep it simple**: Use a simple design and wording for your save-the-dates, as they will likely need to be updated or replaced later on.
3. **Be prepared to update**: Be ready to send out updates or new information when you have a more solidified plan in place.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. If you're confident that your plans won't change significantly and you want to share the news with loved ones this early, go for it! Just be aware of the potential drawbacks and be prepared to make adjustments as needed.
When it comes to sending save-the-dates to evening guests, it's generally considered polite and considerate to include them in your guest list, especially if they're important to you or will be traveling from far away. Here are some tips:
**Include them if:**
1. You've had a prior relationship with the guest (e.g., they're close friends or family members).
2. They're significant guests who will be attending other events or celebrations with you (e.g., rehearsal dinner, post-wedding brunch).
**Don't worry about including them if:**
1. They're acquaintances or colleagues whom you don't have a strong connection with.
2. You're not planning any special activities or events specifically for evening guests.
**When to send save-the-dates to evening guests:**
Send save-the-dates to evening guests at the same time as your daytime guests, usually 6-12 months before the wedding date. This gives them ample time to make travel arrangements and adjust their schedules accordingly.
**What to include on a save-the-date for evening guests:**
1. The essential details (date, time, location).
2. A brief mention of any specific events or activities planned for evening guests (e.g., cocktail hour, dinner, dancing).
Remember that evening guests might have different priorities and schedules than your daytime guests. Be considerate of their needs and make sure to communicate clearly about the plans.
Keep in mind that save-the-dates are not formal invitations, but rather a courtesy to give guests an early heads-up about the wedding date. Your formal wedding invitations will still be sent closer to the event, usually 2-3 months prior.