There is so much information out there on when to start planning, mailing, and requesting replies for your event, but sometimes it’s hard to find the real answers. Often, clients come to us thinking they need to begin the invitation process way in advance, but the truth is, the turn around may be faster than you think.
SAVE THE DATES
Lead time: We recommend reaching out to our team 2-3 months before you would like to mail your save the dates. Ideally, as soon as you finalize the location and date of your event, you should begin the design process so that guests can reserve that date in their calendars as soon as possible.
Mail Time: For save the dates, plan to mail at least 6 months prior to your event. However, we recommend sending out your save the dates once your venue and date is booked to allow guests to plan and book flights, especially for a destination event.
INVITATIONS
Lead Time: In order to uphold our high level of design and quality, we ask that clients connect with our team at least 2-3 months before their wedding for our collection invitation suites, and 4-6 months before their wedding for a couture invitation suite. Remember that 5-6 weeks of this time frame is used for production alone, so these windows are created to ensure we aren’t rushing to deliver. That being said, we are flexible and can turn things around as quickly as possible in short time frames on a case by case basis!
Mail Time: When mailing invitations, allow for 6-8 weeks from the wedding date for domestic events and 8-12 weeks for destination events.
RSVPs
We recommend that brides request their RSVP by 4-6 weeks of their wedding date for domestic locations, or 6-8 weeks for destination weddings. Always check with your venue and caterer for when your final numbers are due to them. This will determine if you need the extra time of 6 weeks leading up to the event, or if it's safe to go with the most common window of 4 weeks.
*For social events, a shorter window of time to turn around RSVP’s is appropriate. Don't forget to factor in some cushion time for follow ups with guests who take their time mailing back and lean toward the end of the time window you’ve given for RSVP’s.
