According to various Reddit threads and wedding planning forums, here are some general guidelines on when to send out save-the-dates:
1. **Typically 6-12 months in advance**: Many couples opt for this timeline, as it gives guests ample time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary.
2. **4-6 months in advance**: If you're having a smaller wedding or want to keep things more low-key, sending out save-the-dates earlier can be beneficial. This way, you'll still have plenty of time to finalize details without overwhelming your guests with too many updates.
3. **As soon as possible**: Some couples prefer to send out save-the-dates ASAP, especially if they're having a destination wedding or if their guest list includes people who might need more notice (e.g., family members traveling from far away). Just be sure to include all the essential details and a clear call-to-action for RSVPs.
4. **After engagement photos are taken**: If you want to share your engagement photos with guests, consider sending out save-the-dates shortly after they're taken. This adds an extra layer of excitement and gets everyone looking forward to your big day!
Some Reddit users also mentioned the following:
* **Don't forget about out-of-town guests**: Consider sending out save-the-dates a bit earlier (6-9 months in advance) if you have many out-of-town guests, as they may need more time to plan travel and accommodations.
* **Keep it simple for now**: You don't need to include all the wedding details on your save-the-date. Just keep it brief with the essential information: date, location, and a note saying "More to come!" or "Stay tuned!"
* **Be mindful of holidays and summer weekends**: If you're planning a summer wedding, consider sending out save-the-dates in early spring (around March-April) to give guests ample time to adjust their schedules.
Remember to always check your local customs and traditions regarding wedding invitations and save-the-dates.
When to Send Wedding Invitations:
Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure your guests have ample time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. Here's a general guideline on when to send wedding invitations:
**For a Summer or Early Fall Wedding (May-October):**
* Send out save-the-date cards 6-12 months in advance.
* Send out formal invitations 3-4 months before the wedding date.
Example: If your summer wedding is on August 15th, you can:
* Send save-the-date cards around January 1st
* Send formal invitations around May 1st
**For a Winter or Late Fall Wedding (November-March):**
* Send out save-the-date cards 6-12 months in advance.
* Send out formal invitations 4-5 months before the wedding date.
Example: If your winter wedding is on January 15th, you can:
* Send save-the-date cards around July 1st
* Send formal invitations around November 1st
**For a Spring Wedding (April-May):**
* Send out save-the-date cards 4-6 months in advance.
* Send out formal invitations 2-3 months before the wedding date.
Example: If your spring wedding is on May 15th, you can:
* Send save-the-date cards around January 1st
* Send formal invitations around April 1st
**For a Weekend Wedding:**
* Add an extra month to the timeline above to account for weekend travel and planning.
**For Destination Weddings or Out-of-Town Guests:**
* Allow more time for guests to make travel arrangements.
* Consider sending out invitations even earlier, ideally 4-6 months before the wedding date.
Remember to also consider your guest list size, the complexity of your wedding plans (e.g., destination wedding), and any specific requirements or restrictions when planning your invitation timeline.
Save-the-date cards are traditionally used to announce weddings and other formal events, but they can also be useful for birthday parties, especially if you're planning a larger celebration or want to give guests ample notice.
Here are some general guidelines on when to send out save-the-dates for a birthday party:
1. **If it's an adult birthday party**: If the birthday person is an adult (30+ years old) and the party is a significant milestone (e.g., 40th, 50th, or 60th), you might consider sending out save-the-dates 6-8 weeks in advance. This gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules.
2. **If it's a kid's birthday party**: For children's parties (under 18 years old), you can send out save-the-dates 4-6 weeks in advance. Keep in mind that kids' schedules are often more flexible, so this notice period is sufficient for most families.
3. **If the party has a specific theme or dress code**: If your birthday party has a unique theme or dress code (e.g., a costume party), you might want to send out save-the-dates 8-10 weeks in advance to give guests ample time to plan and prepare.
4. **Consider the complexity of the event**: If your birthday party is more elaborate, such as a weekend-long celebration or a destination trip, it's best to send out save-the-dates 12+ weeks in advance. This ensures that guests have plenty of time to make travel arrangements and adjust their schedules.
Remember, save-the-dates are not required for birthday parties, especially if you're keeping things low-key. However, they can be a thoughtful way to let your loved ones know about the celebration and give them a chance to clear their calendars.
The timing of sending out save-the-dates and formal invitations depends on several factors, including the type of wedding, the size of the guest list, and the preferences of the couple. Here are some general guidelines:
**Save-the-Dates:**
* For a traditional wedding, send save-the-dates 6-12 months in advance.
* For a destination wedding or a larger wedding, consider sending save-the-dates 12-18 months in advance to give guests ample time to plan their travel and accommodations.
* If you're having a morning or brunch wedding, consider sending save-the-dates 3-4 months in advance, as some guests may not be able to adjust their schedules for an early start.
**Formal Invitations:**
* For a traditional wedding, send formal invitations 2-3 months before the date.
* For a destination wedding or a larger wedding, consider sending formal invitations 3-4 months in advance.
* If you're having a small, intimate gathering, you may be able to get away with sending formal invitations only 1-2 months in advance.
**When to Send Both:**
* Typically, send save-the-dates first, followed by formal invitations.
* Save-the-dates should give guests a general idea of the date and location, while formal invitations provide more detailed information about the event.
* Aim to send formal invitations no earlier than 2-3 months before the wedding date, as you don't want to create unnecessary pressure on your guests.
**Timing Tips:**
* Make sure to include all relevant details in both save-the-dates and formal invitations, such as date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP information.
* Consider sending a "response deadline" with your formal invitation to encourage guests to RSVP promptly.
* Don't forget to send thank-you notes after the wedding to express gratitude to your guests for attending!
Remember, the key is to strike a balance between giving your guests enough time to plan and not overwhelming them with too much information or too little notice.
When planning a destination wedding, it's essential to consider the timing of sending out "Save the Dates" (STDs) carefully. Here are some guidelines to help you decide when to send them:
**General Rule:**
For a destination wedding, it's recommended to send out Save the Dates 6-12 months prior to the actual wedding date. This gives your guests ample time to plan and book their travel arrangements.
**Considerations for Destination Weddings:**
1. **Travel Time:** Factor in the travel time to your destination when deciding on the STD timing. If you're having a wedding in a location that requires an international flight, or if your guests will need to take a road trip or train ride, you may want to send out STDs even earlier (12-18 months) to give them plenty of notice.
2. **Accommodation Bookings:** Encourage your guests to book their accommodations early by sending out STDs at least 9-12 months in advance. This will help ensure that there are enough rooms available for everyone.
3. **Honeymoon Phase:** Consider the honeymoon phase of your wedding planning process (the period after you've announced your engagement and before you send out formal invitations). You may want to wait until this phase is complete or mostly wrapped up before sending out STDs to avoid any potential conflicts or mixed signals.
4. **Formal Invitation Timing:** Typically, formal wedding invitations are sent out 2-3 months prior to the wedding date. For a destination wedding, you might consider sending out formal invites even earlier (3-6 months) to give your guests more time to plan and prepare.
**When to Send Out Save the Dates for Your Destination Wedding:**
* If your destination is within driving distance or requires a short flight (< 2 hours), send out STDs 9-12 months in advance.
* For destinations requiring a longer flight (2-4 hours) or international travel, consider sending out STDs 12-18 months in advance.
* If you're having a wedding during peak travel seasons (e.g., summer or holidays), it's recommended to send out STDs even earlier (15-20 months) to ensure guests have enough time to plan and book their travel.
Remember to include essential details on your Save the Dates, such as:
1. The couple's names
2. The wedding date(s)
3. Location(s)
4. A brief message or teaser about the celebration
By considering these factors and sending out Save the Dates at the right time, you'll be well on your way to creating a memorable and stress-free destination wedding experience for yourself and your guests!
The age-old question: when is it okay to send out save-the-dates?
While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, here are some general guidelines to consider:
**Two years might be a bit premature**: Two years is a long time to plan ahead for an event. While you're excited about the future, your guests may not be ready to commit that far in advance.
**Consider these factors before sending save-the-dates:**
1. **Your guest list:** If you have a large number of out-of-town guests or those with busy schedules, they might appreciate more notice than two years.
2. **The importance of the event:** If it's a milestone birthday, graduation, or anniversary, your guests may be more likely to clear their calendars earlier. However, if it's just another celebration (e.g., a casual party), you might want to wait until closer to the date.
3. **Your relationship with guests:** If you have close relationships with many of your guests, they might appreciate an early heads-up. On the other hand, if you don't have as much interaction with some guests, they may not be planning that far ahead.
**When to send save-the-dates:**
1. **For destination weddings or large events:** 12-18 months in advance is a good rule of thumb.
2. **For smaller, more casual gatherings:** 6-12 months before the event is usually sufficient.
3. **For milestone birthdays/anniversaries:** You can send save-the-dates 1-2 years in advance, but make sure to follow up with invitations closer to the date.
**Remember:**
* Save-the-dates are meant to give your guests a general idea of the event and encourage them to mark their calendars.
* Invitations typically go out 6-8 weeks before the event.
* Keep your save-the-date design simple, with only essential details (e.g., date, location, and brief description).
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide when to send save-the-dates. If you do choose to send them two years in advance, make sure to follow up with invitations closer to the date to keep everyone excited!
Save-the-dates!
While not mandatory, sending out save-the-dates is a thoughtful gesture that can help manage your guests' expectations and give them ample time to clear their schedules. Here are some scenarios where sending save-the-dates might be helpful:
1. **Destination wedding**: If you're having a destination wedding or a wedding at an unconventional location, it's a good idea to send out save-the-dates well in advance (6-12 months) to give your guests ample time to book their travel and accommodations.
2. **Large guest list**: If you have a large guest list, sending out save-the-dates can help manage expectations and prevent confusion. This is especially important if you're having a destination wedding or a weekend-long celebration.
3. **Unique or unconventional timing**: If your wedding date falls on an unusual day (e.g., a holiday, a Monday, or a weekday), it's a good idea to send out save-the-dates to ensure guests are aware of the non-traditional timing.
4. **Outdoor or seasonal wedding**: If you're having an outdoor wedding or a seasonal celebration (e.g., winter wonderland or summer bash), sending out save-the-dates can help guests prepare for the weather and plan accordingly.
When to send save-the-dates:
* 6-12 months in advance of your wedding date
* As soon as you've finalized your wedding date and details
What to include on a save-the-date:
1. Your names (bride and groom)
2. Wedding date and location (city or venue name)
3. A brief message indicating that formal invitations will follow later
4. Optional: a hint at the celebration, such as "Join us for a weekend of love and laughter" or "Get ready to dance the night away!"
Remember, save-the-dates are not meant to replace formal invitations. They're an early alert system to give your guests a heads-up on your wedding date and details.
Sending save-the-dates to evening guests is a topic of debate among wedding planners and etiquette experts. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
**Pros:**
1. **Formalities**: If you're having an evening-only reception or a black-tie event, sending save-the-dates to evening guests can add a touch of formality and sophistication.
2. **Clear expectations**: By sending save-the-dates, you can ensure that your evening guests know the importance of attending the wedding at a specific time (e.g., 7:00 PM).
**Cons:**
1. **Overkill**: If you're only having an evening reception or after-party, it might be excessive to send save-the-dates. In this case, a simple invitation with the timing details would suffice.
2. **Added expense**: Sending save-the-dates can add to your overall wedding expenses, especially if you're sending them to a large number of guests.
**When to send save-the-dates to evening guests:**
1. If you're having an evening-only reception or after-party, and the timing is crucial (e.g., a 7:00 PM ceremony followed by a 8:00 PM reception).
2. If your wedding has a formal or black-tie atmosphere, and you want to emphasize the importance of attending at a specific time.
**Alternatives:**
1. **Include timing details**: Instead of sending separate save-the-dates, include the timing information on your main invitation.
2. **Use a hybrid approach**: Send out save-the-dates with a general "evening" RSVP deadline, and then follow up with formal invitations with specific timing details.
Ultimately, whether to send save-the-dates to evening guests depends on your wedding style, guest list, and budget. If you do decide to send them, make sure to include all the necessary details (e.g., date, time, location, dress code) and a clear RSVP deadline.