When should I send Invitations?

I have done a lot of research on this whole destination wedding thing and this is what I have found to be across the board in every book and magazine that I read. The STD's go out as soon as possible usually not long after the date has been secured and not more than a year in advance. The STD's should include the website and TA info for people that would like to book early and secure the group rate. Approximately 3-4 months before the wedding the invitations should be sent out. Just sharing what I have come across.

Thanks for all the advice gals!!!

Great :..( My wedding is May12th 2010... I am sending the STDs out next week and now unsure how long I should wait to send out my formal invitations.. PLeasE HeLP!!!!! My travel contract says that I will need to have the rooms (20 people) full filled by Dec. 31st without any penalty- and I have to have the contract paid in full by March 11th 2010... Although i am not too worried that 20 people will book- but still, I dont want that over my shoulders that I will be $1100 in the hole per person if they dont show.

So my questions are: So when should I send out the formal invites and when should the response date be? Thanks!!!!

Since you just sent the STD's, I would see how many people book after seeing those. I have no idea how many people you invited, but we had about 20 people book in the first few months. This allowed us to send our formal invites a little later....I sent mine in August and the response date is October, my wedding is in november. Some girls send theirs out like 6 months early, other girls wait. You can do pretty much whatever you feel comfortable with, so I'd see how many book after the STDs!

good luck!

So after asking around...we are leaning towards November and if we can't get them done, then we'll send them after the new year inthe first week in January.

UGH!!! this is frustrating...especially since my sister is the TA and trying to get a handle on this....

Thanks for the insight on time lines and protocol here... we haven't finalized our date, and part of the problem is that we are probably not going to have the year in advance heads up for people... guess we better get organized!

Hi Ladies!

I just found this thread so I apologize that I am a bit late to the party My fiance and I are getting married on April 17th, 2010 at the Iberostar Paraiso Beach in Playa del Carmen and I'm super excited! The only problem is that no one has booked the trip yet! I send out STD post cards with the travel agent name and our website (which as a TON of info about travel arrangements) as well as a date that I requested guests contact the agent by. That date was yesterday...there have been several inquiries but no booking.

That being said, I am contemplating one of the below timelines for invites in hopes of getting people moving!

STD cards sent at the end of June.

Send formal invites as soon as possible requesting RSVP's by mid-November (before the holidays begin).

OR

STD cards sent end of June

Send out a letter or email to all guests with all travel information and TA contact info to reiterate the details.

Send formal invites in November with an RSVP date in January

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks Ladies!!

Thank for all the time lines.

I don't have to send my STDs out for quite a while, but you ladies have given some great advice regarding the time lines. Thank you!!

mmshaughness~~~

I hear ya on the booking part. I thought more people would have booked based on the STDs in May and the website, but alas the FI and I think we are the only hits on the website =)

We aren't going to get the invites done before November I think, but we are looking to send the first week in January with an RSVP on Feb. 28. It's still 8 weeks with the invite. I think the letter is great to get the ball rolling again. Then hopefully it will be the topic of conversation for Thanksgiving and Christmas =)