Choosing your wedding date is a tough decision, we know. Just as it's tricky to pinpoint the right moment to start the honeymoon or surprise your family with the good news. When to send your wedding invitations is almost as important as knowing what you want to say in them, or choosing your wedding date itself. This decision will determine whether everyone you want at your celebration can arrange their schedules, and above all, whether you can head off those typical last-minute panics as the big day approaches.
Of course, every couple is different, and your wedding invitation should be too — a reflection of who you are and what your celebration will be like. But broadly speaking, it's best to start sending out your wedding invitations two to three months in advance. This way, if the wedding doesn't involve too many logistical complications, there should be enough time for everyone to arrange accommodation and organise themselves comfortably. It also gives guests enough weeks to confirm their attendance, think about what to wear and, why not, choose a gift.
When to send wedding invitations | The exceptions
That said, while a two- or three-month window is usually more than enough for weddings held in the same city as most of the guests, there are other factors to bear in mind.
If your wedding is taking place in summer, keep in mind that many of your closest friends and family are likely to already have plans for that time of year, so it's best to add an extra month.
When to send wedding invitations | Long-distance weddings
Sometimes, especially when the couple isn't from the same place, plenty of guests will need to travel. Guests from different countries, friends and family you rarely get to see... For this type of wedding, with almost as many origins as guests, it's best to start sending invitations earlier — around three or four months before the celebration.
That said, don't overdo it, since you also don't want your guests to receive the invitation and then completely forget about the event.
It's also a good idea to spread this out in stages: first, share the news out loud so people can start thinking about the event. Then, once everything is more settled, make it official with the invitation, which will act as the wedding's official announcement and reminder.
When to send wedding invitations | In person
Whichever invitation you choose, it's best to hand them out in person, especially to your closest friends and family. Trust us, you won't want to miss their surprised faces! If, for whatever reason, meeting up isn't possible, go for regular post instead. That said, keep in mind that around dates like Christmas or summer, your guests may spend less time at home, so add a couple of extra weeks in these cases.
To be more practical, and of course to enjoy a special moment, it's best to take advantage of an important event or create one to hand out invitations. If, in the months leading up to the wedding, an important date coincides on the calendar, make the most of it. For example, you could use the Christmas period to give the invitation to those you only see at that time of year. You could also use this as an excuse to organise a get-together with friends you haven't seen in a while.
When to send wedding invitations | The timeline
If you want designs that make your invitation the perfect calling card, you'll need to factor in enough time for them to be ready to send. Bear in mind that once you've chosen the sketches and text, the bulk of the invitations will usually be ready within two or three weeks.
And, above all, whichever option you choose, remember it's the very first detail of your wedding that your loved ones will see. So make it as personal and unique as possible. Just as you want your big day to be.
Love, Marmarina
