Wedding invitations are a crucial component of any wedding. Invitations are the first impression that your guests will have of your wedding, and will set the tone for your special day. As such, it is important to know the proper etiquette of sending out wedding invitations. In this post, we will discuss the rule for sending out wedding invitations.
When to Send Out Wedding Invitations?
The general rule of thumb is that invitations should be sent to your guests six to eight weeks in advance of your wedding. This will give your guests enough time to prepare, make travel arrangements, and plan for their attendance to your wedding. It will also give you enough time to coordinate with your vendors and seating arrangements.
For destination weddings, invitations should be sent to your guests three months in advance of your wedding. This will give your guests enough time to make travel arrangements, book accommodations, and take time off from work.
What to Include in Wedding Invitations?
The basic information that should be included in your wedding invitation are the names of the couple, date and time of the wedding, location and address of the ceremony and reception, and the RSVP deadline. You may also include additional information such as dress code, gift registry, and any other special requests.
It’s important to note that if you’re inviting guests with children, you should indicate if the children are invited as well. You can do this by writing “and family” or by specifically naming the children on the invitation.
Where to Order Wedding Invitations?
There are many options for ordering wedding invitations. Online retailers such as Minted and Shutterfly offer customizable wedding invites that can be tailored to fit your wedding theme and style. You can also order from traditional wedding invitation vendors like David’s Bridal or Wedding Paper Divas.
If you prefer to make your own invitations, there are plenty of DIY invitation kits available at craft stores. You can design and print your invitations at home with these kits, giving you complete control over the design and wording.
Conclusion
Sending out wedding invitations can be an exciting and enjoyable part of planning your big day. Remember to follow the proper etiquette guidelines for sending out invitations and make sure you include all the necessary information your guests need to attend. With a little effort, your wedding invitations will set the tone for a beautiful and memorable wedding.
FAQ
How long do you have to give guests to RSVP for wedding?
When planning a wedding, setting a deadline for guests to RSVP is an important task that cannot be overlooked. It’s crucial to give your guests enough time to respond and plan accordingly, while also ensuring that you have enough time to finalize your own plans based on the number of attendees.
The general rule of thumb is to provide four to five weeks for guests to RSVP. Before sending out invitations, make sure that they are mailed out at least six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This allows sufficient time for guests to receive the invitation, review their schedules, and decide if they can attend. Setting a deadline of four weeks before the wedding day allows you enough time to confirm the guest counts with your vendors and adjust your arrangements if needed.
It’s essential to communicate the RSVP deadline clearly on the invitation. If possible, include an RSVP card or a link to an online RSVP form to make it easier for guests to respond. If you don’t receive a response from someone by the deadline, you may need to follow up with them to ensure that you have an accurate head count. You can do this through a phone call, email, or even a text message.
On the other hand, it’s important to remember that sending out invitations too early can also be a problem. Guests may forget about your wedding or may be unsure about their plans so far in advance, which may lead to a lower response rate. It’s best to stick to the recommended timeline of mailing invitations six to eight weeks prior to the wedding day and setting an RSVP deadline of four to five weeks before the event.
By giving your guests ample time to RSVP, you’ll be able to confirm the correct number of attendees with your vendors, reduce stress, and focus on other important details leading up to your special day.
Is it rude to RSVP to a wedding and then not go?
When someone receives an invitation to a wedding, they are asked to RSVP to indicate whether or not they will attend. The RSVP serves as a valuable tool for the bride and groom or their wedding planner to plan the event, order the correct amount of food and drink, and formulate the seating arrangements accordingly.
While it is not illegal to RSVP and then fail to show, it is certainly considered impolite and disrespectful to the couple, their families, and the wedding planner. It can lead to a significant amount of waste, inefficiencies, and financial losses. The fact that you have RSVP’d means that the couple is counting on you to attend. Partial attendance or complete no-shows can be complicated for other guests, food preparation and sitting arrangements.
Furthermore, there are also emotions involved. The bride and groom may have been looking forward to your presence, and if you fail to show up, it may create a sense of disappointment. They may also feel hurt or neglected, as they may have gone out of their way to ensure that you felt included and welcomed. After all, it is a significant milestone in their lives, and having all their friends and family share in that moment is essential for them.
Failing to attend a wedding after RSVPing is not just bad wedding etiquette, but it’s also rude, inconsiderate and can be downright irresponsible. So, if something unexpected occurs, it’s best to keep the couple notified to allow them to make any necessary adjustments. In some cases, you may even volunteer to pay for your skipped-out meal. The bottom line is that you should only RSVP if you are sure that you can attend.
How many days should you give for RSVP?
Deciding how many days to give for RSVP can be a tricky task, especially when you want to make sure you receive responses from all of your invited guests. Generally, it’s recommended that the RSVP deadline should fall two to four weeks before your wedding. This will give guests ample time to make arrangements and provide you with a final headcount for your big day. However, keep in mind that if your event is a destination wedding or requires extensive travel, you may want to allow a bit more time for your guests to plan accordingly.
It’s also important to note that you shouldn’t set your RSVP deadline too early, or too close to your wedding day. If you set the deadline too early, you may miss out on responses from guests who need more time to confirm their attendance. On the other hand, if you set the deadline too close to your wedding day, you may find it difficult to finalize your headcount and make necessary adjustments to your wedding plans.
The most important thing is to ensure that your RSVP deadline gives your guests enough time to make arrangements and for you to finalize your headcount and wedding day logistics. With that being said, aim for a deadline that falls two to four weeks before your wedding day – and absolutely no later than two weeks before your wedding day. This should give you and your guests plenty of time to prepare for your special day and make it an event to remember.
