Invitation Advice

[letluva5412]

Does anyone know when the proper time to send out an official wedding invitation when planning a destination wedding?  I already sent out our STD 2 months ago, but some people haven't gotten back to us.  We want to send out a 4 page passport invitation and include activities and resort information, but do we send it out now?  Generally you send out and invitation 2 months prior to the event..... Any suggestions on what past or current brides have done will be so helpful 

[jmastr05]

I'm not sure what the "proper" time frame is, but here's what I did.

• Save the Dates: I sent these a year in advance. 3 sets of my cousins have time shares in Aruba, where my DW was, and they can reserve the week that they want 1 calendar year in advance. They were HARASSING me to get them a date in time for that 1 year mark.
• Invitations: I sent these 5 months in advance. My reasoning was that I wanted the invitation to jog the memories of people who were planning on booking their travel arrangement, but just hadn't gotten around to it yet. I would say that I should have actually sent the invitations 6 months in advance if my intention was to send my guests a reminder. Almost everyone who came was booked by the 5 month mark. However there was a lot of booking activity between 6-5 months out.

[JPenny]

I really think it depends on where your destination wedding is and what time of year. For example, my wedding is in March in the Dominican Republic. This is peak season therefore sending out invites 2 months prior is not enough time for all of our guests to book as it is likely the resort will sell out. I sent out my invitations 8 months in advance, which is a lot but we were trying to get an early booking bonus. I see your wedding is in May so this may be something you want to consider as well. 

 

I found that people were constantly asking us about the wedding and wanting more information so getting out the invites sooner than later was easier.

[letluva5412]

Thanks ladies!  I wasn't sure if I was being practical sending them out so early because we know many people forget.  At least I know my head is in the right direction =) Thanks for your help!  Where is your wedding JPenny? I'm getting married at Dreams Palm Beach

[letluva5412]

Have any of you heard of the stylish scribe?  I was thinking of ordering passport invitations from her.  What type did you send out? 

[Sharon99]

I am getting married May 3rd. Right before ya! 

There really isn't a right or wrong I dont think. Its kind of what do you want to do really.

Most of my guests think since its a DW that I need to know everything way ahead of time.

What I did was I sent my STDs out in April(13 months). I have a room block good until November so I wanted to give my guest at least 3 months to book. I actually sent my invitations out on the Aug 5th(2 weeks ago) with an RSVP date of Nov 1.  As it gets closer to Nov and depending on how many rsvps i get back I will probably send out a reminder post card(made from VP) or something. Somehow will word it with guest still can book after the Nov mark but I need to know if your coming...not sure, that will be a headache!

I honestly feel that if you dont know if you are going by November then chances are you are not going. Even for the late bookers you pretty much know if you are going or not months before hand. Thats just my opinion though!

 

I have not heard of  stylish scribe but I did do passport invites too. I had them done through http://www.allurementsbyrebecca.com/

Rebecca is amazing & does awesome work!!  She actually did my STDs and bridesmaid cards.

If you want to see any pics let me know!

 

[jmastr05]

I agree wit the other girls that guests are going to want information. When I sent my STDs a year in advance, I included the URL to my wedding website, which was chock full of information (how to book the hotel, things to do, travel information, what the weather will be like, what the dress code is... you name it). Despite this, I got tons of questions anyway. So don't get frustrated when people don't know something that you included in your passport invitation. It's bound to happen!

[JayKay]

We send out our STDs about a year in advance.  We were really lucky because pretty much everyone RSVPd (even thought we didnt ask for one) so we have decided to forgot formal invitations.  However, we were going to send them out about 6 months in advance.  That way they have the information and all the necessary information to make their decision and book.  I dont think there is a right or wrong time, it depends on the time of year you are getting married and your destination.

[cbandemer]

This is very helpful. I just sent out my STD's today which is basically a year in advance. I figured I would send out the invites in Feb/Mar which is 6 months. How long do i give them for responses?? 2 months?? Or is there a proper time frame??

[jmastr05]

I asked for RSVPs 2 months in advance. You should factor in that some guests may not RSVP on time, and you'll most likely have to chase down people's responses.