Here is the latest installment of our series on wedding planning tips, tools and etiquette! Save the date cards, custom wedding invitations and personalized wedding thank you cards all play a crucial role in your wedding correspondence. It's important to understand the etiquette associated with sending each of these items to ensure all guests have ample time to mark their calendars, prepare for your wedding and get excited!
When to Send Save the Dates
Save the dates are a relatively new addition to the wedding correspondence suite. Not only are they the perfect opportunity to showcase your engagement photos, they are a lovely courtesy to guests. These notes share your wedding date well in advance so that friends and family can be sure to make your big day. Send save the dates 4-6 months before your wedding date. If you're hosting a destination wedding or getting married on or near a holiday such as Christmas or New Year's Eve, plan on sending save the date announcements 7-10 months in advance to accommodate guests' travel plans.
When to Send Wedding Invitations
Plan to send your invitations 8 weeks before your wedding and set an RSVP deadline about 2-3 weeks before the big day. At the latest, make sure wedding invitations are mailed 6 weeks before your wedding with an RSVP date of 2 weeks before the wedding date. Guests will already have your wedding date on the calendar, so the key point of a formal invitation is the wedding RSVP—this is vital to have a final head count to give your caterer and other vendors.
When to Send Wedding Thank You Cards
As you plan, you will certainly hear that wedding invitations are super important (they are) as they not only convey all the vital information for your big day (they do), they also set the tone and style for your wedding (they should). However, you may be surprised to find that thank you notes are a bit more involved. Handwritten thank you cards are top of the line when it comes to wedding etiquette. Since you will receive shower gifts and even wedding gifts before the big day, we recommend that you order your thank you cards early on. Many couples order thank you notes with their wedding invitations to ensure they have coordinating stationery on hand.
While handwritten notes take time, the sincerity is well worth it as you thank guests for their love and generosity. The best way to keep up with your thank you notes is to write them as you receive gifts! Bridal shower thank you cards should be sent within 2 weeks of the shower. Wedding thank you cards should be sent no more than 6-8 weeks after the ceremony.
•••
Plan like a pro and use our Essential Wedding Planning Checklist to be sure you don't miss a thing.
Questions, comments or input from your own personal experience? Continue the conversation and comment below!
