You’ve nailed down the guestlist, now it’s time to send invitations! (If you haven’t nailed down your guest list yet, check out THIS BLOG.) There is no HARD RULE of thumb on when to send invites, and we encourage you to do what feels good to you and your family! Here are some general guidelines that might help you navigate.

First things first – you need to decide if you’re sending Digital or Paper invites.

 

Here’s our Pros & Cons list:

Photo from https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/invite-wording-and-etiquette/wedding-e-vites/

Digital Invitations

Pros:
  • Get everyone’s up to date email addresses, which is useful for future communications
  • Cost-Effective: Digital invitations eliminate printing and postage costs, making them budget-friendly.
  • Eco-Friendly: Skip the print and reduce waste! 
  • Convenient for RSVPs: Guests can easily RSVP online, reducing the chance of lost mail and simplifying the process.
  • Customizable and Interactive: Wedding websites allow for video, more photos, and you can make EDITS as things change (because things change!)
  • Quick Delivery: Invitations are sent instantly, making them ideal for last-minute invitations or changes.
Cons:
  • Less Tangible: Digital invites lack the physical keepsake quality of paper invitations, which some guests may value (but honestly, most people throw away)
  • May Be Overlooked: Emails can get lost in spam folders or go unnoticed, leading to lower response rates.
  • Technology Gaps: Older guests or those less tech-savvy may struggle with digital formats.
  • Less Formal Perception: Digital invites can feel less traditional or formal, which may or may not align with your theme.
The How:
  • MANY clients are ditching paper save the dates and opting for digital!
  • Make a free invite on Canva and simply email it out to everyone! Or use something nicer like Paperless Post or Evite to create a more elegant digital invite

Paper Invitations

Photo by Trung life

Pros:
  • Tangible and Memorable: Paper invitations are physical keepsakes that guests can keep as a reminder of the occasion.
  • Adds Formality and Elegance: Printed invitations, especially with luxury details like embossing or letterpress, can convey a sense of importance and tradition.
  • Appeals to All Age Groups: Paper invites are accessible to everyone, including guests who may not use online platforms.
  • Great for folks who love design, a beautiful craft paper, and ways to make the wedding artistic.
Cons:
  • Higher Cost: Printing, postage, and envelope fees add up quickly, especially with custom designs or extra embellishments.
  • Less Environmentally Friendly: Paper invitations contribute to waste, especially if envelopes, inserts, and RSVP cards are used.
  • Longer Lead Time: Printing and mailing take time, which requires planning well in advance and leaves little flexibility for last-minute changes.
  • Complex RSVP Tracking: With paper invitations, tracking responses requires manual effort, and RSVP cards can be lost or delayed in the mail.
The How:
  • A postcard with a fun image of the couple is classic!
  • Use our Minted link for a discount on paper invites.
Our Suggestion: Go with a Paper or Digital Save the Date, paired with a Wedding Website for RSVPs. If you go with a paper invite, simply direct folks to the wedding website to RSVP.
wedding invites

Photo by Gladys Jem

Next Up: WHEN Should I Send Invites?

  1. Save the Dates:
    • When to send:
      • Ideally sent 6 to 12 months in advance for destination weddings, holiday weekends, or if you’re expecting a lot of out-of-town guests.
      • For local weddings, 6 to 8 months is usually enough, but feel free to send as soon as you have your venue nailed down if you want to ensure folks have it available!
    • Save-the-dates help ensure guests can block off the date well in advance.
  2. Invitations:
    • Domestic Weddings: Send invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This allows a 4-week RSVP deadline and gives the couple time to finalize guest numbers.
    • Destination Weddings: For weddings requiring extensive travel, send invitations 3-5 months in advance so guests can make travel and accommodation arrangements.
  3. RSVP Deadline:
    • Set the RSVP deadline to be at least 4 weeks before the wedding date, but for folks who have large guestists (and a large Group B and Group C list), we encourage you to make this deadline 6 weeks before the wedding. 
    • Final guest counts are typically due to your caterer/venue by 2 weeks prior, so 6 weeks give you an extra cushion to invite folks from your Group B and C list if you want to. You also need the time to rearrange your seating chart, if you’re doing formal seating.
  4. Follow-up on Missing RSVPs:
    • 4 weeks before the wedding is a good time to start following up with any guests who haven’t responded! Getting their RSVP in allows you to invite other guests to fill their spot, if you so choose to.
    • NOTE: For my wedding, I invited some guests the WEEK OF the wedding since a few folks got sick. For local friends, they totally understand and are normally so happy to be invited!

💙
Gina Mariko
Founder & Chief Experience Officer
Weddings In Color

SUMMARY

  • Local Weddings: Invitations 6-8 weeks before; RSVP deadline 3-4 weeks before the wedding.
  • Destination Weddings: Invitations 12 weeks before; RSVP deadline 4 weeks before the wedding.
This timeline balances convenience for guests and planning efficiency for the couple.
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