When it comes to planning a wedding, there are countless decisions to be made and timing is everything. One of the first and most important decisions you’ll make is choosing a wedding date. Once you’ve picked a date and locked down your venue, it’s time to start thinking about sending out save the dates.
Save the dates are used to inform your guests of your wedding date so that they can make travel and accommodation arrangements in advance. Traditionally, save the dates are sent out six to eight months before the wedding date. But what if you’re planning a wedding two years in advance? Can you send save the dates this far in advance?
The short answer is yes, you can. In fact, sending save the dates two years in advance can be a great idea for several reasons. However, there are also some considerations to keep in mind before you decide to send your save the dates so early.
Why Send Save The Dates Two Years In Advance?
There are several good reasons why you might want to consider sending your save the dates two years in advance:
1. Destination Weddings
If you’re planning a destination wedding or one that will require your guests to travel a great distance, sending save the dates two years in advance can be essential. This allows your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements, save up for the trip, and request time off from work if necessary. It also gives your guests the opportunity to book their accommodation before the prices skyrocket.
2. Large Guest List
If you’re planning on inviting a large number of guests, sending save the dates two years in advance can help ensure as many people as possible can attend your wedding. By giving your guests ample notice, they can book time off from work, plan their travel arrangements and start saving up for the occasion.
3. Expensive Weddings
For couples planning an elaborate and expensive wedding, sending save the dates two years in advance might not only be a good idea, but it could also be the responsible thing to do. Planning a budget-friendly wedding might not always be possible, however, giving your guests plenty of notice and time to prepare for such an occasion will reduce their financial burden and stress.
Considerations Before Sending Save The Dates Two Years In Advance
While sending save the dates two years in advance can be a good idea in certain situations, there are some considerations to keep in mind before you decide to send your save the dates that early:
1. Venue Availability
Before you send out your save the dates, you need to make sure that your venue is confirmed for your wedding date two years in advance. It’s almost impossible to book a venue so far in advance. Therefore, it’s advisable to wait until the venues start booking a date for your preferred month, then send out the save the date.
2. Guest List Changes
Sending save the dates two years in advance can be risky if you’re still figuring out your guest list. People’s situations can change over time, and the guest list that you have two years in advance may not be the same one you have when it comes time to send out the official invitations. To avoid confusion and logistical nightmares, wait until you have confirmed your guest list before sending out anything.
3. Confusing Guests
Sending save the dates two years in advance can be somewhat confusing for guests. It’s so far in advance that some guests may assume it’s an invitation and start making plans accordingly. To avoid any confusion, it’s essential to make it clear that the save the date is only a heads-up and that a formal invitation will follow.
Conclusion
Sending save the dates two years in advance might not be standard practice, but it can be a wise decision in certain situations. If you’re planning a destination wedding, inviting a large number of guests, or planning an expensive wedding, sending save the dates far in advance can be a smart move. However, it’s essential to be mindful of guest list changes, venue availability and making sure your guests understand the save the date is only for them to “save the date”. Finally, make sure to follow up with the proper wedding invitations six to eight months before your big day.
FAQ
Is 2 years too early to send out save the dates?
The timing and etiquette of sending out Save the Dates can often be confusing for engaged couples. As a general rule, it’s best to send Save the Dates 8 to 12 months prior to your wedding. However, in certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to send them out earlier.
If you are planning a destination wedding or a wedding that falls on a holiday weekend, it’s recommended to send out Save the Dates at least 12 to 18 months before the wedding date. This gives your guests ample time to make travel arrangements, take time off work, and budget accordingly.
On the other hand, sending out Save the Dates too far in advance isn’t typically necessary or advisable. Sending them out two years ahead of your wedding date may be premature and cause confusion for your guests. It’s also more difficult to guarantee that guests will be able to commit to attending your wedding that far in advance. Many people’s schedules and circumstances may change over the course of two years, making it difficult for them to commit to attending your wedding.
The best timing for sending out Save the Dates depends on your individual circumstances. It’s important to consider the location and date of your wedding, and the travel and scheduling needs of your guests. By sending out Save the Dates at an appropriate time, you can give your guests ample time to plan and ensure that your special day is well-attended by those most important to you.
How far in advance should a save the date be sent for an event?
If you’re planning an event, whether it’s a wedding, a birthday party, or a corporate event, one of the most important things to consider is the timing of your save the date. The save the date is the first official communication that your guests will receive about your event, and it’s important to make sure that it’s sent out in a timely and effective manner. While the timing of your save the date will depend on a variety of factors, there are some basic rules of thumb to keep in mind.
The basic rule for sending out save the dates is to plan to send them out around 6 months before the event. This gives your guests plenty of time to mark their calendars and make travel plans if needed. However, if you’re planning a destination wedding or event, it’s important to send out your save the dates earlier, ideally 8-12 months before the event. This gives your guests ample time to book flights and accommodations and ensure that they can attend your event.
Another factor to consider when determining the timing of your save the dates is the time of year of your event. If you’re planning an event during a busy time of year, such as the summer or around the holidays, it’s a good idea to send out your save the dates a bit earlier than you might otherwise. This ensures that your guests don’t make other plans and can make arrangements to attend your event.
Finally, it’s worth noting that it’s better to send out save the dates a bit earlier than to wait too long. If you wait too long to send out your save the dates, your guests may already have made other plans and won’t be able to attend. Additionally, sending out your save the dates early gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and plan accordingly.
When planning an event, it’s important to carefully consider the timing of your save the date. While the basic rule is to send them out around 6 months before the event, there are a variety of factors to keep in mind, including the time of year of your event and whether it’s a destination event or not. By sending out your save the dates early and giving your guests plenty of time to plan, you can ensure a successful and well-attended event.
How in advance do you send save the dates?
Sending out save the dates in advance is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. It allows your guests to mark the date on their calendars and start making arrangements to attend your special day. So, the big question is, how far in advance should you send out your save the dates?
While friends and family might have different opinions, the wedding industry has aligned on a general rule of thumb. Typically, it is recommended to send out wedding save the dates four to six months before the ceremony. This provides your guests with enough time to make travel plans if necessary and save the date for your wedding.
Sending save the dates earlier than six months may not be necessary unless you’re having a destination wedding or a wedding during a busy time of year. In these circumstances, it is recommended to send out save the dates at least 9-12 months in advance, depending on how complex the travel arrangements will be for the guests. This gives them ample time to plan and make necessary arrangements such as booking flights, accommodations, obtaining necessary documents (such as visas if required), and taking time off work.
On the other hand, sending save the dates later than four months can lead to a decrease in attendance as your guests may have already made other plans. If it’s too late for save the dates, it’s best to skip them altogether and go straight to invitations. With invitations, it’s appropriate to send them out six to eight weeks before the wedding date.
It is ideal to send your save the dates four to six months in advance. However, if you’re having a destination wedding or a wedding during a busy time of year, then it’s best to send them out at least 9-12 months before the wedding date. Remember that sending save the dates too early or too late could affect your guests’ attendance on your special day, so it’s essential to plan and time them correctly.