When to send wedding invites?

[2angelsinheaven]

DFiance' and I are planning on getting married on 10/31/2006, yes Halloween, when should we send out invites?

We are going to be married out of town, about 2 hours from our home and about four hours for some guests. It will be on a cruise ship and we'll also be inviting those who'd like to stay aboard to cruise with us. So here is my delimia. I can't give prices yet for the cruise since if I booked it today, they'd only have 30 days to put down a full $250 deposit per person, and the balance due in September of next year. So, here is my idea, tell you what you think.

Invites to wedding will go out this October, hopefully mid month. Invite to the wedding and rsvp's. Also will invite the attendees on our cruise, and will have a seperate rsvp/interest card for that. Saying that pricing will follow around Jan/Feb. This will give them till Feb to save up a deposit as it would be due then (if I book in Jan/Feb).

Like this:
Wedding Invite/RSVP Card

and something like "the couple will be sailing following the wedding on board the Legend to the Exotic Western Caribbean, Wedding guests are invited to stay along with us and information and pricing will be availble XXX"? What do you think.

All of our imediate family is going already and has said yes. Help! Thanks!

 

[Lisa F]

Send out a save the date card with info about your plans. A year in advance is WAY WAY WAY too far in advance for an actual invite. I think it's generally 6-8 weeks in advance.

 

[agotta]

I agree. Even if it is a destination wedding. Go ahead and send your save-the-date card with the important info, but wait on the invitations. If I got a wedding invitation a year in advance, who knows where it would end up.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Invitation should not be going out a year in advance - that's what a save the date is for. Include all that info in the save the date and promise to send out more information later.

Invitation should be 6-8 weeks out.

 

[ahutton]

For some great Save the Date information you might check on the Wedding Board - most are Disney brides but we share info!

For our destination wedding I sent out letters that announced our engagement and outlined our plans right about a year ahead. I provided information on when to expect more information, including the Save the Date (about 8 months out) which was where we got into deposits and reservations. Actual invitations went out about 10 weeks ahead with an RSVP date of 40 days prior, as we had to give a count 30 days prior.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Can I point something out?

Halloween is a fun holiday for a lot of people. Don't be shocked if you get quite a few (esp. those with kids of trick or treat age) who don't attend.

My cousin is getting married on Halloween weekend this year and only just a few weeks ago not only told us about this but also asked me to be a bridesmaid. I said no to both. I have tickets to a fund raiser Halloween party that I had for months and I won't be skipping that to attend. She was annoyed but oh well. It's wedding # 3 in 3 years anyway...

If you are planning a wedding on a holiday the more advanced notice you give the better, and even then, don't be hurt or upset when people don't attend.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Well I know all the people I want most to be there are commited to coming already. Since Halloween falls on a Tuesday this year it's better than if it were a Sat/Sun, etc. It also worked well for us since DFiance's brother is getting married only an hour away about 3 days before us, so everyone from out of town will already be here. I didn't know it was Halloween when I picked, just knew I wanted to go on that cruise and it happened to leave on 10/31...lol!

Thanks for the info, forgot about save the dates... I guess that's what I'll send out in October. Much less expensive too then 100+ real invites. Thanks!

Ok, any cool ideas for save the date cards??? One Idea we had was to use a halloween theme, another was to take a photo on our December cruise and it would be us holding up a sign saying "Save the Date, 10/31/2006" or something similar, maybe on our shirts at the beach of one of the ports we stop in (that will also be a stop on the wedding cruise.). I want something different.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Another ?, we'd have to book the guests cabins atleast 3-4 months out to be able to secure enough rooms (since it's a cruise). So when would you send invites in this case.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree 6-8 weeks...you can do 3 months ONLY if an extensive number of people would have to make serious travel arrangements.

The save the date card is nice...but even then--I think now is a bit too early..perhaps at the start of the new year...or maybe even as a part of a holiday letter/card to those people whom you would be inviting.

ETA: Just read the follow up---you can still follow a schedule with save the date cards and perhaps do a wedding newsletter.....

You can do the invites--if you still might need them...either just as tradition....or about 1 month prior to when you need your final headcounts and things like deposits.

Traditionally--you do not include ANYTHING in your invite that is in regards to gifts and money. An info card with where to find accomodations is fine..but dependign on how you are setting up this trip--either as a group leader or with everyone making their own reservations..you might coordinate with a travel agent and she/he can handle that part for you.

(In other words--sending an invitation and then saying "send me a check for $200 to hold your cabin"--would not be very etiquette-like....I think it warrants a separate mailing).

 

[ducklite]

I think you are going about this wrong. I'd send a "save the date" note with the info about the cruise. I would not send the formal invitations and RSVP cards until about six weeks before hand.

Anne

 

[EthansMom]

I agree that you should send out "save the date" cards.

Also, since you are expecting that anyone who wants to go on the cruise with you would pay for themselves, you aren't technically "inviting" the guests on the cruise. I think I would send out a flyer as soon as you have the price and travel agent information, something along the lines of: "If you are attending our wedding and would be interested in sharing our honeymoon cruise, please feel free to contact (Travel Agent's name) at (Travel Agent's number)."

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Agree with EthansMom. More along the lines of "Share Our Wedding" or something since the people have to pay for themselves.

A formal invite is when you are paying there way, imo.

 

[Disney Doll]

If people need to make travel plans to attend your wedding, it is generally nice to send the invites out 2-3 months in advance, so they have time to do so.

 

[WDWLVR]

If you are getting married on the cruise I'm sure there is some type of coordinator you are working with. Ask them if they have something that can be sent out that talks about saving the date but also info on booking the cruise for those who are interested.

 

[antmaril]

Definitely send "Save the Date" cards with all the important information. The invitations to the wedding should not go out a year in advance.

 

[twojo21]

send save the dates cards &/or magnets out now/october with wedding plans & cruise info for guests wont want to book a trip, also try creating a wedding website with wedding info & a place to keep guests posted, our site has been invaluable with our guests & plans for our dw at wdw this march. try theknot or weddingchannel they have set forms you fill out & are free or if youre technology savvy create your own wedding website. dont send invites now its way too soon, some guests wont even be able to rsvp until january when they know their work schedules, etc. my advise would be to send the save the dates now & invitations next summer like june/july with an rsvp due in august. that will still give you ample time for your final numbers, room reservations, etc.

congratulations & best of luck!