Imagine discovering the ideal wedding destination, but it’s in a different country! Destination weddings are truly special – they offer excitement, exotic settings, and a wonderful opportunity for guests to plan a getaway. While planning a destination wedding requires more effort than a local one, the results are absolutely worth it. The key to a successful overseas wedding lies in organisation. In this article, we aim to provide you with valuable tips and insights on the perfect timing for sending out your destination wedding save the dates and invitations. Let’s dive in and ensure your guests have ample time to prepare for this unforgettable adventure!
Contents & Shortcuts
- Save the Date vs Invitation for a Destination Wedding
- Destination Wedding Invitations Timeline
- What else should you organise after invitations have been sent?
Save the Date vs Invitation for a Destination Wedding
In the world of wedding stationery, there has always been a debate about whether or not Save the Dates are worth sending out. Are Save the Dates truly essential? Here’s our take: When it comes to local guests who live just around the corner from your wedding venue, Save the Dates are not necessary. But hold on tight! If you have guests who will be travelling or need to book accommodations to attend your wedding, Save the Dates become non-negotiables.
And guess what? For those of you planning a destination wedding, these little reminders take on an even greater significance. They give your guests the precious gift of time – time to research, time to make travel arrangements, and time to take leave from work. It would be devastating if your favourite person couldn’t attend your wedding because they didn’t have enough time to book plane tickets or take annual leave.
Over the past few years, we have worked with several couples of whom were at various stages of planning their destination wedding. Some couples already had the venue, dates and general order of events locked in and others had just started the organising. No matter what stage you are at in your planning, it is crucial that you send out a Save the Date notice to your guests as soon as possible.
Destination Wedding Invitations Timeline
From our past experience working on destination wedding invitations, this is our recommended strategy to approach the task.
1. Date and Country
When it comes to planning your dream destination wedding, there are two key elements you need to tackle: the dates and the country. While you may not have a specific venue locked in just yet, establishing a date range and choosing a general location should be your top priorities. Setting the dates allows you to work within a timeframe and start making the necessary arrangements. Picking the country sets the stage for your grand celebration and opens up a world of possibilities.
2. Send Save the Dates or Wedding Notices
Congratulations on narrowing down your venue options and establishing a date range for your wedding! Now it’s time to spread the exciting news to your guests by sending out those all-important save the date notices.
The good news? It doesn’t have to break the bank! Many couples we’ve worked with opt for digital notices, allowing them to allocate their budget towards the main wedding invitations.
Whether you choose digital or physical format, the key is to give your guests ample time to prepare. We recommend sending out save the date notices at least 12 months in advance, or as soon as you have the details finalised.
3. Collect RSVPs
Planning a destination wedding comes with additional considerations, especially when it comes to overseas venues. Some venues may require an estimated head count before confirming your booking.
To stay ahead of the game, it’s advisable to gather RSVPs from your guests within 1-2 months of sending out the Save the Date notices. Not only will this give you a clearer picture of who is likely to attend, but it will also greatly assist with organising any necessary group transport or accommodations.
So, don’t forget to keep track of those RSVPs and ensure a seamless and delightful experience for both you and your guests.
4. Send out Wedding Invitations
Once you have all the main details of your destination wedding confirmed, it’s time to take the next exciting step: sending out formal invitations. This usually takes place around 6 months ahead of the wedding date.
By this time, you would ideally have received RSVPs from most of your guests. However, if there are still some undecided guests, it’s important to follow up with them promptly. Reach out and kindly request their response as soon as possible, ensuring you have an accurate head count for planning purposes.
Sending out formal invitations marks a significant milestone in wedding planning. With the invitations sent, you can take a well-deserved break from the nitty-gritty tasks and shift your focus towards other aspects of your wedding preparations. So sit back, enjoy the moment, and let the anticipation build as you eagerly await the joyous celebration that awaits you.
What else should you organise after invitations have been sent?
Wedding Website
Having a wedding website is generally a good idea for destination weddings. That way, you can also add any information about accommodation, transport, activities, attractions and general housekeeping information. We recommend wedding website builder WedSites for an easy and no-fuss way to build your wedding website.
Facebook Group or Event
If you want to keep it social, a private Facebook group or event page may also be helpful in keeping your guests up-to-date with any news or changes.
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