How to handle invitations/save the dates

[Mookiie21]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonNMel I say skip the STD and just send the formal invitation really early. yes, some people might put it aside and forget about it, but most people who want to be there will appreciate having more time to book their trip. Then they might put the actual invitation aside, but they will have a full trip book, they wouldn't forget that! And you can always call or email the others as a gently reminder to give a response when it's been a few months. What a lot of us are doing is sending/giving a little something (like a welcome letter, or "get ready for..." booklet) much closer to the wedding date to get everyone excited about the vacation again.

Great! Thanks for the advice!

[courtney_b00]

I sent out STD magnets about a year in advance along with a letter explaining why we chose to do a DW and with our wedding website, which gives travel info., etc. I sent STD's to all of our immediate family and then to a few friends. I know most of the people won't be able to attend, but I knew some family members would cause a big stink if they didn't get a STD and someone else did. As for the invitations, I plan to do the same. Send them out to the same people who got the STD's. I am also having an AHR and I plan to invite a ton more people like family friends, friends not invited to the wedding. I will probably do simpler invitations for this. Good luck figuring it out.

[StephyD]

Hi!!

 

We got engaged on Dec 28, 2009 and just recently decided on a destination wedding. We know it's probably going to be in the Riviera Maya somewhere... haven't decided on a resort yet.

 

We know it'll be at the end of April 2011.

 

Now... I want to send out invitations to everyone we would have invited if the wedding would have been in town (about 200 guests).

 

I want to send a STD also.

 

Now... how long in advance should I send the STD? Do you include any info about the destination wedding on it? Just the date and that's it

 

How long before the actual wedding do you send the invitation? How long do you give guests to RSVP

 

I was thinking about sendind the STD 1 year in advance, and the invitation 8 months in advance with a RSVP of 6-8 weeks. What do you think?? That way, it leaves us plenty of time to make arrangements with the travel agency and book the trip for everyone who wants to come.

[ktchi]

Here's what I did and what happened to me.

 

We sent out Save the Dates 8 months prior to the wedding with the hotel and travel agent information on it so that people could begin booking whenever they wanted.

 

Then we sent out formal invitations 5ish months prior to the wedding with a RSVP date of 3 months prior. We have passed the RSVP due date and are still waiting on about 20 people to respond.

 

We didn't have anyone book more than 6 months in advance (even our parents). I can't imagine having to commit to coming 8-9 months in advance. Many people needed to find out if they can get off work or can afford it (and knowing a year in advance did not cause anyone I know to start saving).

 

We sent Save the Dates and Invites to everyone we would have invited if we were having a wedding in the states (about 145 people) and so far we have 37 coming.

[Nicolem82580]

So when does everyone suggest sending out the formal invitation? We sent out save the date magnets the beginning of february. Our wedding is in december, and our AHR will be in january. How many months in advance is good for a destination wedding? Thankssss

[Angel-in-Law]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephyD Hi!! We got engaged on Dec 28, 2009 and just recently decided on a destination wedding. We know it's probably going to be in the Riviera Maya somewhere... haven't decided on a resort yet. We know it'll be at the end of April 2011. Now... I want to send out invitations to everyone we would have invited if the wedding would have been in town (about 200 guests). I want to send a STD also. Now... how long in advance should I send the STD? Do you include any info about the destination wedding on it? Just the date and that's it How long before the actual wedding do you send the invitation? How long do you give guests to RSVP I was thinking about sendind the STD 1 year in advance, and the invitation 8 months in advance with a RSVP of 6-8 weeks. What do you think?? That way, it leaves us plenty of time to make arrangements with the travel agency and book the trip for everyone who wants to come.

I would recommend sending your STDs 1 year - 8 months in advance. I used the one year mark as I work in the legal field and trials and other matters get booked a year or more out. So I wanted to ensure my co-workers and bosses had adequate notice. I also wanted to give guests plenty of time to get the proper documentation together (many of my family members don't have passports!)

I also made a wedding website. I think a wedding website a necessity with a Destination Wedding to keep everyone informed. My Save-the-Date mailing consisted of a "Passport" STD and a "Travel Visa" Magnet - both contained the date, the location, and the website. That way guests can see all of the travel information and wedding details. Everyone raved about the STD and seemed excited about the wedding.

I will likely send out formal invites 3 months prior. Once guests RSVP or about 1 month before the wedding, I will send guests a "Wedding Travel Guide."

[L&A2010]

We didn't send out STD cards. We emailed only family to be sure they could start planning. We will send out an invite to everyone that we really want to be there (whether we already know they can't come or not). However, we are only inviting our closest family and friends to the DW and will invite more people to an AHR.

[nadennec]

When you send out std's, is there supposed to be a reply card for people to respond? I have seen some comments people have made, that they have done so.

[jenngene2011]

We are getting married May 7th 2011 our STD were sent in May no RSVP just an magnet and a letter letting them know what we were planning for the wedding and we are just starting to send our formal invites with RSVP of 12 weeks.  (since it will be the around the holidays I wanted to give some extended time)

 

[clgriffi7]

I plan on sending out STD's about 1 year in advance (including website info) with no RSVPs.  That far out, there is no way guests will know whether they are going to be able to make it, so I don't feel like RSVPs will be accurate.  I plan on sending out the formal invite 6 months in advance - still no RSVP.  We will consider a room and/or flight booking as the only RSVP that counts!  At about 1 or 2 months, we will send out a postcard invite for the AHR (actually just a party) that will serve as an RSVP.  (the AHR date will be listed on the STD and the wedding invite)