When should you send out wedding cards? A handy guide for brides-to-be

Planning a wedding brings many questions, and one of the most frequently asked questions is: when should the wedding cards be sent out? To ensure your guests have enough time to clear their schedule, plan and respond, the timing of the invitations is crucial. In this blog, we discuss the best times to send out your wedding invitations and what to consider. 

Save-the-Date Cards: 6-12 months in advance

Although it is not compulsory, more and more couples are choosing to save-the-date cards te versturen. Dit is vooral handig als jullie een bestemmingstrouwfeest plannen of als veel van je gasten van ver moeten komen. De save-the-date kaart is simpelweg een aankondiging van de trouwdatum, zonder veel details. Dit geeft je gasten ruim de tijd om de datum in hun agenda te markeren. 

When to send? 

For a wedding close to home: 6 months in advance. 
For a destination wedding: 8 to 12 months in advance. 

The Wedding Card: 6-8 weeks before the wedding

The actual wedding cards you should usually send out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to respond and possibly arrange their homes without forgetting. This is also the time when you give them all the necessary details: the venue(s), the programme, any dress code and whether an RSVP is needed. 

Tip: keep in mind the guest list and make sure you have a system to track responses, especially if you have a caterer who needs to know the final number of guests in time. 

When to send?

Between 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date. For a destination wedding or if you have a lot of international guests, you can send them earlier, around 10 to 12 weeks in advance. 

RSVP Deadline: 3-4 weeks before the wedding

It is important to have a clear RSVP deadline to send along with the wedding cards. Usually 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding day is a good time, so you have enough time to make final preparations, such as giving the final number to the caterer or finalising the seating chart. 

Digital wedding cards: an alternative

With the rise of digital wedding planning, many couples now send digital wedding cards. This offers a bit more flexibility in timing, but again, keep in mind the usual guidelines of 6-8 weeks before the wedding date. Make sure your digital card still looks festive and special. 

Other cards: thank you cards and any remembrance cards

Don't forget that you can also send thank-you cards to your guests after the wedding. Ideally, you should do this within 2 months of the wedding day. Some couples additionally send a reminder card if guests have not responded to the RSVP in time, especially if it is a large wedding. 

Conclusion

Sending wedding cards is an important moment in your wedding planning. By sticking to these timelines, you will ensure that your guests have enough time to prepare and respond in time. Remember to state everything clearly on your cards and, above all, enjoy the anticipation of your big day!