Since we’d like to have a basic idea about our guest count when we meet with vendors in California this April – and because doing things last-minute and long-distance is not high on my list of desires – we’re sending our invites out this month and requesting responses by the end of March. While some of you might be gasping and thinking we’re inconveniencing our guests, we feel perfectly comfortable doing it this way.
Why? Well, first, since we’re limiting our list to just 100 close family members and friends, the majority of those invited already know, even at this point, whether they'll be at our early June wedding. So, really, the invitation is just a formality that will give them more details about our day. In that case, why not take the route that makes things easier for us, too? Plus, because many of our guests are from out-of-town, the early heads up will hopefully help them get a discount by booking a room through the hotel block we’ve reserved.
What about you? Have you strayed from traditional “rules” or accepted etiquette in any aspects of your wedding planning? How early did you or will you send out your invitations?
I say sooner is better than later. I plan to send ours our mid March for our May 22 wedding.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good idea - early is always better, in my opinion. We are sending ours out about three months early. We aren't sending save-the-dates to the fiance's family members, so we want to give them enough notice. But like you said, most of them know about it and will definitely attend, so the invitation is more of a formality.
ReplyDeleteBottom line: Rules are what works for you and your guests so I say you are good to go with sending them early so you can plan! I just sent out the "first round" of Save the Dates to our out of town guests for our early October wedding despite the traditional suggestion of 4-6 months, I'm doing it at 8 months. DC is expensive and kids are in school, so I want my family and friends to have time to budget and plan should they choose to come.
ReplyDeleteI like breaking the rules. I think its great that you are doing it this way. Whatever works for you!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be sending ours out earlier too. I think do whatever works!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea because 1 week before our wedding we were still getting RSVPs back (annoying!). Good for you get it over with!
ReplyDeleteEarly is fine and e-mail is a useful and easy follow-up. I still have some of the invites because we only had 3 months to plan and everyone saw our wedding website! We ended up mailing invites maybe 2 months before the wedding?
ReplyDeleteOur online RSVP was non-traditional and EXTREMELY helpful!
Better to be early than late. And people always RSVP late like Jenn said.
ReplyDeleteWow! You guys are a lovely couple. I'm looking at the photo and it's like I'm looking at a celebrity couple. Seriously. Anyway, I think that you guys had a wonderful idea. It's just a once in a lifetime experience so take the time to plan anything you want for your wedding even if it's a little unorthodox. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteI noticed on the Weddzilla blog post that one of the commenters said they thought it was way too early and people won't be able to know if they can get the time off of work that early. That's sort of true. But you are having a somewhat intimate wedding at only 100...I know it sounds like a lot but it's not really. And as you said, most already know they are coming probably.
ReplyDeleteWe sent our invites out on Feb 1st for our April 16th wedding...so it was a couple weeks earlier than what etiquette typically suggests. We also asked for the RSVPs back about 5 weeks before the wedding (Mar 5th). Yes, it is very early before the big day, but we also have a B list of guests that we wanted to be able to send invites to if possible and still give them plenty of time before the wedding. Plus, our caterer wants our head count about 3 weeks before the wedding (earlier than usual). We still have 9 days before our 'first' RSVP date and we've already received just over half the responses back :)
I think you can do what works for you and your guests.