The wedding plans begin: invitations
It’s a question that pops up not too long after the ring does – when do I send out my wedding invitations and save the dates?
After an engagement, a shiny new rock posted to your Instagram account will help to spread the word of your upcoming nuptials. However, when it comes to formally getting the word out, there is a typical wedding invitation protocol to follow. Getting your invites out - both in style and on time - is absolutely key.
Sending invites out too early can reduce urgency to RSVP, meanwhile, leave it a little too late and you risk unnecessary stress leading up to your big day.
Your wedding stationery and invites might be considered only a small part of your event plans, but they set the tone for your wedding, present you and your partner as a couple and represent the first step in your marriage arrangements.
Before we cover the basics regarding when to send out wedding invites, it is important to understand the differences between save the dates and wedding invitations.
Save the dates vs wedding invitations
Traditionally, both save the dates and wedding invitations are sent out to guests in the months before a wedding. Engaged couples typically send out both because they do serve different purposes.
Save the dates
A save the date tells your guests to do exactly that; to mark on their calendars that they shouldn’t make plans for your wedding date. Offering a little information about the location and timings of your wedding, your save the date cards help you ensure that your guests will all be there to celebrate with you.
Browse save the dates here.
Wedding invitations
Your wedding invitations are sent to guests to offer more detail about your event. Formally inviting your friends and family to celebrate your marriage, your wedding invitations provide concise information about your venues and timings, RSVP, accommodation, maps, directions and anything else you’d like to say to help guests be a part of your big day.
Browse wedding invitations here.
Do I need to send out both save the dates and wedding invites?
It is a good idea to send out both save the dates and wedding invites. If your wedding won’t be held locally or will take place overseas, it is even more important to send both.
However, whilst planning your wedding you might decide not to send save the dates. Reasons for this could include; having a short engagement, sending wedding invites out far in advance or only holding a small wedding.
When to send wedding save the dates
A save the date card should be sent 8 to 10 months in advance. This is true for local weddings or for a location which is easily reached by most guests. An 8 to 10 month save the date warning allows guests enough time to mark a spot on their calendars and make them aware that a formal invitation is on its way.
For destination weddings, you could consider sending a save the date 12 months in advance. This allows your family and friends to plan their vacations, request time off from work or school and ask questions ahead of formalising their plans. Requiring more planning for guests, destination weddings require more notice.
When to send out wedding invitations
It’s best to send your wedding invitations 4 to 5 months before your big day. This ample amount of notice provides out of town guests enough time to plan their trips, whilst allowing for some late RSVPs. Around 4 to 5 months of notice also sets aside enough time for a stress-free planning process once your guest list is finalised.
Sending out your wedding invites earlier than this may cause guests to misplace your invite or simply reduce a sense of urgency to RSVP.
For out of town guests
When planning your invitations, you should consider out of town guests. Allow enough leeway to mail out their invites and enough time for them to send back their RSVP cards.
For destination weddings
For destination weddings, it’s not uncommon for couples to send e-invites, but whether you do it online or the traditional way, destination wedding invitations should be sent 6 -10 months ahead of your travel dates. Depending on where you’re getting married, guests (and even you and your partner) may require extra time to gather visas, passports or other travel documents.
When to create your wedding invites and save the dates
Knowing when to send out wedding invites is one thing, but knowing when to start creating them is another. Considering your save the dates and wedding invites should be sent out at particular time frames, it is key to time the creation of your invites accordingly.
How long does the process take?
At Peppermint Press, the wedding invitation process takes about 10 - 15 days. This includes a number of phases.
Following your selection of your favourite design on the Peppermint Press website, we will personally be in touch with you for your design consultation. Unlike other companies whereby your order ends at checkout, we work with you to personalise your wedding stationery. The final stage in the design process involves you approving your idea wedding invites.
Depending on how your invites are printed, the design and printing process can take 10 to 15 days. Allow a few extra days for shipping, depending on where you’re located in Australia (and more if located internationally). No need to worry about this though; we can provide a shipping estimate at any time before purchase or during your design consultation.
Peppermint Press also offers envelope and return addressing to save you time on hand printing or writing each envelope or return card yourself. If you decide to order elsewhere, be sure to check whether this detail is included in your order. Otherwise, if you are doing it yourself, give yourself plenty of extra time and order extra stationery to cover for any errors you might make.
Save the dates and wedding invitations by Peppermint Press
Kept as memorabilia by loving guests for years to come, your invites should be special and the process - stress-free. Leave your wedding stationery needs in the hands of Peppermint Press, and rest assured that your invitations will created with the latest industry standards in mind and in impeccable style.
Knowing when to send out wedding invites is a topic that can cause extra stress during the wedding planning process. Do you have any wedding invitation or save the date questions?
Send us a message. We will be happy to assist you.
