With so many things to consider when planning your wedding, it’s easy to panic about the little things when you suddenly remember them at 3am. But when it comes to your wedding invitations, we’ve got you covered.
Here is everything you need to know about when to send your invitations, as well as who needs which type and ways to reduce the cost of sending hundreds of physical invitations in the post.
Save the dates
Naturally, one of the first things on your wedding checklist should be finding a venue. Traditionally, couples will release ‘save the dates’ after they have secured their venue and confirmed the date of the wedding. These are to simply notify your nearest and dearest of the day your wedding will be, rather than to share specific details. These give the people closest to you the best chance of attending, and should be sent six months to a year in advance. However, be sure to only send ‘save the dates’ to those who are invited to the entire day, and not to anyone who is solely an evening guest.
To save on paper and costs, you could always do this via text message,email or customised electronic invites. Whilst it may not be quite as glamorous, if you plan to send physical invitations this is a great way to reduce your expenses.
Invitations
When you send your wedding invitations depends largely on whether or not you decided to send ‘save the dates’. If you decide not to, send your invites around four to six months in advance to give those who live far away or abroad plenty of time to organise travel and get good deals on accommodation.
If you have sent save the dates, around three months is usually enough time to send your physical invitations. Of course, you should be mindful of the location of your wedding as well as where your guests live, as those who are further afield or will struggle to arrange accommodation or childcare may need more notice. If you are planning to get hitched abroad, be sure to give all of your guests enough time to arrange travel plans.
In any case, never send your wedding invitations with less than six weeks notice – it’s simply not enough time for people to arrange travel and accommodation.
Paper vs digital
There are many creative ways to invite friends and family to your wedding, so don’t feel restricted to the classic paper invite. Although there is a certain traditional elegance to physical invitations, most people will put them in the bin eventually and they can cut considerably into your wedding budget. Opting for digital invitations is also a great way to set the tone for a sustainable wedding, by reducing your wedding’s carbon footprint from the offset. Some couples even create a wedding website, where guests can update their attendance and view all the venue details, search for nearby accommodation and plan their travel routes.
If you do decide to send paper invites, avoid wax seals, as although they look very impressive they can often get broken in the post. Perhaps you could send a physical invitation to the most special people who you know will appreciate the gesture, and use a digital means for your other guests.
Don’t forget the RSVP details
As you get closer to the big day, you’ll need to confirm numbers with your venue and catering companies, so be sure to let your guests know when they need to RSVP by. Don’t forget to include a mobile number as well as your address, so they can text you to confirm as well as replying in the post, just in case.
Guest article by thesixthdegreemedia.com Photos courtesy of Unsplash
