When To Send The Invitation

[JJCB0418]

Hi Everyone!

 

I don't know anyone personally who had a destination wedding so I figured to ask this question here. 

 

I really don't know when the best time would be to send out my invites.  My wedding is in mid-April, but deposits to be on the room block are due in the beginning of December (people get a discount if they book the first week of November).  I sent our STD back in May but nobody has booked their room yet. 

 

If I send invites in the next couple of weeks when do I ask for people to RSVP by?  I suspect that if people book a room they won't forget they planned a vacation, but not sure what the proper etiquette is here.

 

Thanks!

[calgarybride2015]

Hello and congrats.

 

I didn't do STD.  I booked my resort in May and deposits to hold their spots were due in July.

What I did was send out my invites mid May, then sent reminder emails/texts/calls about 1 and 2 weeks prior to the deadline.

What I did for my RSVP date is made it the deposit deadline date.  So the travel agent told my guests that deposits were due July 17 so that was also my RSVP date. Sneaky her, the true deadline was Aug 1, so if anyone had troubles, etc.  they had a saving grace. We didn't tell anyone that though!

 

So personally, I would probably send your invites out ASAP and make the deadline whatever the date is (early November?) to get the better price.   Or if you don't feel you want to push them, make it the absolute deadline in December. I feel people need to feel a push/feel a crunch on time to get them to move, so I would probably make it November.  Truth be told, most people needed multiple reminders, and we had the most people book in the last 1-2 days!

 

I have a few guests that are not sure re fiances, so they were given an extension on RSVP (will have to book alone as missed travel agent deadlines) but we only opened this up to people who expressed interest but had concern.  We only have 1 couple who spoke to us, so I have some extra stuff for them if they do end up coming, but it will probably be last minute. I wouldn't do this for A LOT of people because your resort needs numbers, your budget needs numbers, and you will need to order gifts, etc. 

 

Hope that helps!

Edited September 24, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[MrandMrsBonitto2016]

Another bride posted this. Hope it helps!

 

So for our 6/22/13 wedding we did:

STD:8/2012 (10 mths in advance)

Formal Invitations:1/2013 (5 and a half months in advance)

RSVP Date 3/01/2013 (3 and a half months in advance) But, our room block will only be held until 3/22/2013 and I want people to have time to save and book

Edited September 24, 2014 by MrandMrsBonitto2016

[kmk2016]

Our RSVP date and booking deadline were the same day to avoid confusion. We have 78 people booked and allowing people 1 year to pay off vacation.

 

 

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[JJCB0418]

Thanks everyone!  I just wanted to make sure it wasn't out of the ordinary to send out the invitations so far ahead. 

[nadiakat17]

In my experience with talking to other destination brides that I know, it seems like it is the norm to send out the STDs about a year in advance and the invites like 5-6 months in advance, with RSVPs due at 3, 3 1/2 months out. This is what I've noticed for the US though (and what I am planning on), I feel like the Canadian brides from what I've seen here get good deals and have people RSVP and book a lot earlier. Also, since I am doing this through my time share, we had to get the full amount of room money basically as soon as we set the wedding date (this was to ensure the best rooms, but we could get them more standard rooms at a later date), which was stressful. So I have a decent idea of who is coming (although they can cancel a month before and get all their $ back minus 50 bucks). Haha, I had to put down a few of my friends'  money, and I need to work on collecting that back, that was a ton of money! 

 

The problem with my timeline is that a. still working on solidifying the place, so I can't make invites yet, and b, I guess by due date would be right around Christmas. So I am hoping everything gets worked out the next few weeks, I will make and send invites and get them out by Nov, with the RSVP date being Dec 15- giving me just over 3 mo to start on all the details. Ugh I have lost motivation, work has been so busy. I am actually leaving Sat though for a destination wedding in Aruba, I should post my opinions when I get back, I am sure I will learn a lot of what I want to do/not do

[Mangosong]

@@MrandMrsBonitto2016 They sent the formal invites 5 1/2 months in advance? I feel that's a bit far in advance, no?

[MrandMrsBonitto2016]

@@Mangosong I don't think it's far. Only because your guest will need to save for travel, accommodations and misc expenses.... I'm sure they will thank you for the advance notice. I plan on sending them around the same time. But, I have some ways to go:) What are you planning to do?

[kmk2016]

@@MrandMrsBonitto2016 They sent the formal invites 5 1/2 months in advance? I feel that's a bit far in advance, no?

Lol I didn't do std and invites... Just one set,,, and did them 18 months in advance! Hahaha! Wasn't too early for my guests! I have 80 booked and they appreciated the time to save!

 

 

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[Mangosong]

@@MrandMrsBonitto2016 I was planning on sending a STD a year in advance - which would include the website. Then six months out, newsletter type of thing, and then formal invite about 3 months out.