Timing of the STDs and Invitations...Advice

[sjmacphe]

Hi Ladies,

I am looking for some input, I am getting married in early June 2010. I have not decided on a resort yet as the pricing I am getting is still very preliminary and I want to wait a little longer to see if prices are more competitive. With this in mind, I am just not sure how to word the STD if I don't know the location of the wedding, should I just wait longer? And with the STD do you ask for an RSVP to email or phone so you can get an idea of numbers?

 

Then, how close to the wedding do you send the actual invite with all the info about how to book and the resort/area etc?

 

Thanks for any help or insight -Stephanie

[Jess]

Hi Stephanie, I still think you have time before you need to send out the STD. I would probably wait until you pick the location at least (even if you don't have the resort). I know we waited - I just sent mine out at the end of January, so 9-10 months before my wedding, and people ended up booking flights right away. A lot of girls like to send their STD's out a year before though...its your preference.

[big3n09]

I am still also confused about the timing on sending out the STD's and invitations but I think it's all up to what you prefer. I have now decided on sending my website out to everyone possible by May this year, then have an engagement party in June this year and pass the STD's out at the party, and then invitations will go out to those who have booked by next March. I am doing my RSVP's by my website, specifically asking guest not to RSVP until they have booked, then confirming all booked guest with the hotel. But whatever makes you comfortable and you know your guest and what they may need as far as being notified.

[sofylina]

This is what we are doing:

Nov 08 to Jan 09 --> verbal, we told people we are hoping will join us about our general plans

Feb 09 --> confirmed and booked DW

March 09 --> sending out invites asking people to book their cruise ASAP, including a STD post card from Grand Cayman so they can have it in clear view on their fridge

 

Wedding is April 2010, ample time, this is how we wanted to do it.

We have a website and the address is on the std. We will be sending out travel brochures a few months before sailing.

Hope this helps

[sofylina]

sorry double post,

glitch on my end I think

[JCrosby]

Hi Stephanie,

We're getting married in the Mayan Riviera in Feb 2010 but like you we don't have the resort nailed down as we're waiting on pricing. We also don't have the exact date chosen because of this. So....we're sending our STDs out this month with February 2010 & Mayan Riviera and a URL to our website. Our website will then explain that we don't have our exact date and location chosen but to keep checking back for updates. We asked people to RSVP if they can and we'll email as many people as we can to let them know about website updates. Our STDs are also magnets so that ideally they'll put them on their fridge, be excited about the trip and check the website often if they're planning on joining us. Once we have our date booked at a particular resort - probably this summer - we'll send out a more formal invitation with these details. For me, it's important to get the best deal for my guests so I want to wait for good pricing to come out before I pick the date & location but I also wanted people to start thinking about coming 11 mths out as I know they'll need to start planning & saving now. Hope this helps, Jennie

[~Stephanie~]

I am also getting married early June 2010 and we sent our STD's out yesterday. I was actually trying to get them out sooner. I wanted to do it this early because I want people to have as much time as possible to save money. Now I do have my resort picked out but it doesn't say it on my invite, I only put the location like "Playa del Carmen, Mexico" So if you know where you are going but not the resort you could do that. For the formal invites I am sending mine sooner then the norm too, probably right after January 1st 2010 so people get a "reminder" and it will come right before tax return time in case anyone spaces it off and wants to use that money to go...

[sjmacphe]

Thanks for the insight ladies, I think people will want to book as soon as I have my resort picked and pricing figured out...I will probably aim for the early this summer, I have told pretty much everyone (with the help of my parents who keep inviting their friends lol) that we are going to have a wedding somewhere south and the general timing within one/two weeks...I agree I should probably wait until I at least know which country/location I want...sigh, too many choices!

[VegasWedlockInvitations]

As a professional in the invitation industry I can tell you I've seen it a hundred different ways. However, I do suggest sending out your STDs as soon as you are firm on the date and location of your wedding.

 

If you still want to send them out now and don't know the location simply state on your STDs that "invitations and traveling information will follow." That way they know they'll be traveling and they know to leave those days available.

 

Traditionally, rsvp information is sent with the invitation. If guests are traveling, you'll want to send all the invitations with the travel and rsvp info. about three to four months in advance. That's plenty of time for people to book and rsvp.

 

If you're worried about numbers then you can ask for a "soft commitment" on your Web site to get a pretty good idea.

[VegasWedlockInvitations]

If you have anxieties about your guests not having enough time to book, go ahead and send them out. It's always better to send them out early if it helps relieve stress. You've got enough going on, you shouldn't have to worry about this.