When to Say Yes: The Ultimate Guide to Sending Save-the-Dates

12/30/2024

When to send wedding invitations


The timing of sending out wedding invitations is an important detail to consider. Here are some general guidelines:

**When to Send Wedding Invitations:**

* For a summer or early fall wedding, send out invitations 8-10 weeks before the big day.
* For a spring or late fall wedding, send out invitations 6-8 weeks in advance.
* For a winter or holiday-season wedding, send out invitations 4-6 weeks ahead of time.

**Exceptions:**

* If you're having a destination wedding or a weekend-long celebration, consider sending out invitations 12-16 weeks in advance to give guests ample time to plan their travel and accommodations.
* If you're having a small, intimate gathering (less than 50 guests), you may be able to get away with sending out invitations 4-6 weeks before the wedding.

**When Not to Send Invitations:**

* Avoid sending out invitations too far in advance, as this can lead to confusion and guests RSVPing "yes" without actually intending to attend.
* Don't send out invitations too close to the wedding date, either. You want guests to have enough time to make travel arrangements, if necessary.

**Additional Tips:**

* Make sure to include a reply deadline on your invitation, so you can get an accurate headcount for catering and other logistics.
* Consider sending out "save-the-date" cards or digital invitations several months in advance to give guests a heads-up about the wedding date. This is especially important if you're having a destination wedding or a popular weekend in a small town.
* Keep your invitation design and wording consistent with your overall wedding style and theme.

Remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution when sending out wedding invitations. You want to give guests enough time to plan their attendance, but not so much time that they forget about the big day!


When to send save the dates and invitations reddit


When it comes to sending out save the dates and invitations, timing is everything. Here are some general guidelines and popular opinions from the Reddit community:

**Save the Dates:**

* Typically sent 6-12 months before the wedding date
* Purpose: Give guests a heads up on the wedding date and let them start making travel arrangements (if needed)
* Can be sent via email, text message, or physical mail
* Some popular options:
+ Digital save the dates: "Hey friends! We're getting married on [date] and can't wait to celebrate with you!"
+ Physical save the dates: A cute card or magnet with the wedding date and a brief message

**Wedding Invitations:**

* Typically sent 2-3 months before the wedding date (or earlier if your guest list is large)
* Purpose: Provide formal notice of the wedding and request RSVPs
* Can be sent via physical mail, email, or online invitation platforms
* Some popular options:
+ Traditional paper invitations with envelopes and stamps
+ Digital invitations like Evite or Greenvelope
+ Online invitation platforms like Zola or Smilebox

**When to Send Invitations:**

* For local weddings (same city/state), send invites 2-3 months before the wedding date
* For destination weddings, send invites 4-6 months in advance (guests may need more time to plan travel and accommodations)
* If you're having a weekday or evening wedding, consider sending invitations 3-4 months in advance

**Additional Tips:**

* Make sure your save the dates and invitations align with your wedding's tone and style
* Keep your guest list updated and accurate when sending out invites
* Consider including important details like accommodation information for out-of-town guests
* Don't forget to include a reply deadline (e.g., RSVP by [date])!

Some popular Reddit threads on this topic:

* "When do you send save the dates vs. invitations?" - r/WeddingPlanning
* "How far in advance should I send wedding invitations?" - r/WeddingEtiquette
* "What's the etiquette on sending digital save the dates vs. physical ones?" - r/WeddingTips

Remember, the key is to plan ahead and communicate clearly with your guests!


When do you send out wedding invitations with RSVP


The timing of sending out wedding invitations and setting an RSVP deadline is a crucial part of the planning process. Here are some general guidelines to consider:

**When to Send Out Wedding Invitations:**

* For local weddings (within 2 hours or less from the venue): Send out invites 4-6 weeks before the wedding date.
* For destination weddings: Send out invites 6-8 weeks before the wedding date, as guests may need more time to plan their travel and accommodations.
* For weekend weddings: Send out invites 5-7 weeks before the wedding date.

**When to Set an RSVP Deadline:**

* Typically, you'll want to set an RSVP deadline that's about 2-3 weeks before the wedding date. This allows enough time for guests to respond and for you to finalize your headcount with vendors.
* For larger weddings (50+ guests), consider setting a slightly earlier RSVP deadline (e.g., 4-5 weeks before the wedding) to ensure you have an accurate count.

**Tips:**

1. Make sure to include all relevant details on the invitation, such as dress code, accommodations information, and parking instructions.
2. Consider adding a note or a separate insert with more detailed RSVP information, including online RSVP links, phone numbers, or email addresses.
3. Don't forget to send out reminders closer to the wedding date (e.g., 1-2 weeks before) to encourage stragglers to respond.

Remember that these are general guidelines, and you should adjust the timing based on your specific wedding plans and guest demographics. For example, if you're having a small, intimate gathering, you may be able to get away with a shorter RSVP window.


When do you send out save the dates for a birthday party


Save-the-dates are typically used for weddings, not birthdays. The purpose of a save-the-date is to give your guests an early heads-up on the date and time of the wedding, so they can clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if needed.

For a birthday party, you would usually send out invitations or evite notifications 2-4 weeks before the event. This gives your guests plenty of time to RSVP and make any necessary arrangements.

However, if you're planning a larger or more formal birthday celebration, such as a milestone birthday (e.g., 30th, 40th, 50th) or a themed party with specific activities or dress codes, you might consider sending out "save-the-date" style notifications 6-8 weeks in advance. This would give your guests more time to plan and prepare for the event.

Here are some general guidelines for birthday party invitations:

* For small, informal gatherings (e.g., a dinner party or casual celebration), send out invitations 2-4 weeks before the event.
* For larger, more formal celebrations (e.g., milestone birthdays or themed parties), consider sending out save-the-date style notifications 6-8 weeks in advance.

Remember to include all the important details in your invitation, such as:

* Date and time of the party
* Location and address
* Dress code or theme information
* RSVP deadline and contact information

I hope that helps!


When to send save the dates for destination wedding


When to send out "Save the Dates" for a destination wedding depends on several factors, including the location of the wedding, the time of year, and the preferences of your guests. Here are some general guidelines:

1. **Destination weddings**: For destination weddings, it's recommended to send out "Save the Dates" 6-12 months in advance. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan their travel and accommodations.
2. **Peak season**: If you're having a destination wedding during peak season (June to September), it's best to send out "Save the Dates" even earlier, ideally 9-18 months in advance. This is because popular destinations are often booked solid during this time, and your guests may need extra time to make arrangements.
3. **Shoulder season**: If you're having a destination wedding during shoulder season (April-May or September-October), you can send out "Save the Dates" 6-12 months in advance. These periods tend to be less busy than peak season, but still require some planning from your guests.
4. **Off-season**: For off-season weddings (November-March), you can send out "Save the Dates" 3-6 months in advance. This is because fewer people are traveling during this time, and accommodations may be more readily available.

Additional tips:

* Make sure to include essential details on your "Save the Date," such as the destination, wedding date, and a brief description of the event.
* Consider sending out a formal invitation (with all the details) 3-6 months before the wedding, once you've finalized the plans.
* If you're having a small, intimate gathering or a weekday wedding, you may be able to get away with shorter notice. However, it's still important to give your guests enough time to make travel arrangements.

Remember that "Save the Dates" are meant to alert your guests of the upcoming celebration and give them a heads-up on the destination. They should not include all the details, as this will come later in a formal invitation.


When to send wedding invitations without save the dates


When deciding when to send wedding invitations without Save the Dates, consider the following general guidelines:

**For a formal or traditional wedding:**

* Send invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding date.
* If you're having a morning or afternoon ceremony, you might want to send invites even earlier, around 8-10 weeks out.

**For an informal or casual wedding:**

* Send invitations 4-6 weeks before the wedding date.
* For smaller, more low-key events, you can get away with sending invites just 2-3 weeks in advance.

**When planning a destination wedding:**

* Send invitations 8-12 weeks before the wedding date to give guests ample time to plan their travel and accommodations.
* Consider sending a "save the dates" notice earlier (6-9 months) to alert guests that they should save the date, even if you don't have all the details finalized.

**When planning an intimate or small wedding:**

* Send invitations 2-4 weeks before the wedding date, as there will be fewer guests to keep track of.
* You might even consider a "paperless" invitation approach, like sending digital invites via email or social media.

Remember that these are general guidelines. Ultimately, the timing of your wedding invitation depends on the tone and style of your wedding, as well as the preferences of you and your partner.

**Additional tips:**

1. Make sure to include all the necessary details in your invitation, such as date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP information.
2. Consider sending a "response requested" or "RSVP by [date]" to ensure guests respond promptly.
3. If you're hosting a brunch, dinner, or evening reception, you may want to send invitations slightly earlier (4-6 weeks) to give guests time to adjust their schedules.
4. Don't forget to include an envelope with a return address and postage for easy RSVP-ing!

Hope this helps!


Is 2 years too early to send save the dates


The age-old question of when to send out save-the-date notifications!

While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, here are some general guidelines to consider:

**For a traditional wedding (6-12 months):**

* If you're planning a large or destination wedding, 2 years might be too early. You want to give your guests ample time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements.
* For a smaller, local wedding, 1 year might be sufficient.

**For an elopement or intimate gathering (less than 50 guests):**

* If you're having a small, low-key celebration, you can send out save-the-dates 6-9 months in advance. This gives your closest friends and family enough notice to adjust their schedules.

**Consider the following factors:**

1. **Wedding theme:** If your wedding has a specific theme or is taking place during peak season (summer or holiday weekends), you might want to send out save-the-dates earlier to give guests time to prepare.
2. **Travel requirements:** If your wedding requires travel, such as a destination wedding, it's best to send out save-the-dates 12-18 months in advance to allow guests sufficient time for planning and arrangements.
3. **Guest list size:** For larger guest lists (100+), it's generally recommended to send out save-the-dates 6-12 months in advance.

**Ultimately, the decision is yours:**

If you're unsure, consider your wedding's unique circumstances and adjust accordingly. You can always err on the side of caution and wait a few extra months before sending out save-the-dates.

Remember, it's not about being too early or too late; it's about giving your guests enough notice to plan and prepare for your special day.


Save the date vs invitation


Save-the-date cards and invitations are both important components of wedding planning, but they serve different purposes. Here's a breakdown:

**Save-the-Date Card:**

* A save-the-date card is typically sent out 6-12 months before the wedding date to give guests an early heads-up about the upcoming celebration.
* Its primary purpose is to:
+ Give guests ample time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements, if necessary.
+ Allow guests to plan ahead and avoid conflicts with other events or vacations.
+ Create excitement and anticipation for the big day!
* Save-the-date cards usually include the couple's names, wedding date, and a brief message.

**Wedding Invitation:**

* A wedding invitation is sent out 2-3 months before the wedding date to formally invite guests to the ceremony and reception.
* Its primary purpose is to:
+ Provide detailed information about the wedding, such as location, time, dress code, and RSVP details.
+ Formalize the invitation, making it clear that you're extending an actual invitation to attend (as opposed to just a heads-up).
+ Set the tone for the wedding celebration and give guests a sense of what to expect.

Key differences:

* Timing: Save-the-date cards are sent out much earlier than invitations.
* Purpose: Save-the-date cards aim to generate excitement and allow guests to plan ahead, while invitations formally invite guests to attend.
* Content: Save-the-date cards typically include fewer details than invitations, which provide more specifics about the wedding.

In summary:

1. Send save-the-date cards 6-12 months before the wedding date to give guests an early heads-up.
2. Follow up with formal wedding invitations 2-3 months before the wedding date, providing detailed information and a clear invitation to attend.

Remember to tailor your save-the-date cards and invitations to fit your personal style, wedding theme, and guest preferences!