Invitations...how soon to send?

[Tybee]

Here''s the quick and the dirty,
FI and I already sent out electronic save-the-dates for our destination wedding. We''ve picked out simple invitations through mygatsby.com, and feel fairly confident with our choices. How soon before a wedding should we plan on sending out our invites? Since it''s a destination wedding, I feel that we should know the numbers sooner.
FI thinks that we shouldn''t send out invites until late May for our July wedding. Is that too late? I''d rather send them out sooner, not sure why, though, maybe I''m just excited or impatient.
Timelines? When did you all send out invites...how long did you give guests to RSVP?
thanks, this is clearly another example of Tybee being raised in a barn. I have no
concept of this sort of etiquette.
Tybee

 

[ame]

I think that if you send them out exactly 2months before the date you are cutting it close. People are traveling for this. You have to give them more time than a standard wedding RSVP timeline. I suggest you give them 3 months...

We sent mine out first weekend of may for my July2nd wedding. I gave my family a full 3 weeks to rsvp. Then I called the ones who are retarded and can't figure out that concept. If we didn't have a final answer by the 3rd weekend of June, they weren't getting fed. And some showed up and were unfortunately fed (i wanted them to starve!) because we were really far under the minimum.

 

[Kaleigh]

I would send them mid May instead of late May. You need to give people time to make plans especially if they are traveling a good distance to attend your wedding. I say sooner than later is better.

 

[Tybee]

Okay,
ame, you are too funny... sorry that you didn''t let them starve. Do you all think that late April is too early?

 

[MelissaSue]

I would just like to state how much I LOVE AME!!! LOL LOL LOL
Anyway.. I''d say early/mid may. Ideally people should start making plans when you sent out the save the dates.. but most probably won''t until they get the real invite.
I think the 3 weeks RSVP time is good.. but inevitably you will end up having to call people.. but it seems to me with your destination wedding, its not as though people should be indecisive as to whether they are coming or not!

 

[Scintillating]

Date: 10/23/2005 9:30:36 PM
Author: Tybee
Do you all think that late April is too early?

I don''t think that April is too early for a destination wedding.
You have to give them time to book flights, and get hotels, etc.


Scintillating...

 

[Tybee]

Thanks everyone,
You are all ALWAYS such a help

Next question. Have any of you used mygatsby for
your invitations? We found a really pretty/simple design that
we like from them, and lovely paper colors.
I''m excited to get this ball rolling.
(Although we''re still trying to decide on a rehearsall dinner location...)

 

[ame]

Date: 10/23/2005 9:33:19 PM
Author: MelissaSue
Ideally people should start making plans when you sent out the save the dates.. but most probably won''t until they get the real invite.

Unfortunately, if my family is any indication, they will wait till a week before. And then be pissed that there are no available seats left on any flights.

I think early or mid-april is good.

 

[icekid]

Date: 10/23/2005 9:21:29 PM
Author: ame

We sent mine out first weekend of may for my July2nd wedding. I gave my family a full 3 weeks to rsvp. Then I called the ones who are retarded and can''t figure out that concept. If we didn''t have a final answer by the 3rd weekend of June, they weren''t getting fed. And some showed up and were unfortunately fed (i wanted them to starve!) because we were really far under the minimum.

hahaha, I love ame too! I would say the same thing... stupid people who cannot follow directions don''t deserve to eat

 

[FireGoddess]

I haven''t used mygatsby for invites, and I would for SURE send them out in April for your destination wedding. 2 months is a good time frame if most people don''t have to travel, but considering it''s in another locale, more time is better. I also found that a great many people (some of whom were not coming) refuse to RSVP and then I had to start CALLING them. How ridiculous is that? People think they''ll offend you if they say no and instead don''t rsvp at all, but what really offends is not bothering to let the bride know if you''re coming or not!!

 

[pebbles]

I would send them out AT LEAST in April. I work in the healthcare industry and we have to make schedule our vacation weeks for 2006 NOW. I know that is riduculously early, but several industries are like that, so I would give as much notice as possible, especially since it''s a desitnation wedding.

I think we have ALL had trouble with people RSVPing. I had to call some of my good friends and ask "Uh, are you coming to my wedding?" Then of course I had the people who decided it was OK to bring their 6 kids even though the invitation was addressed to Mr and Mrs Jones. Sheeesh!

 

[glaucomflecken]

i agree with everyone else about sending them earlier for a DW so people can get the heads up. its SO true about the healthcare industry...my boss makes up our work schedule like years in advance (then gets mad when we have to change grrr) and its hard to get time off sometimes so early notice is good.

i didnt use mygatsby, so i cant offer help there but i think they are pretty popular on theknot.com, i may be wrong. i loved my invite maker, they were sooo creative and cheap, so if you need an alternative, PM me.

and what is it with people and RSVP? some never even sent it back and acted like it was no big deal! of course we also had the yes''s who no showed, the no''s who showed and the showees who werent even invited! LOL calling and emailing the stragglers was like pulling teeth!! argh!!! i guess its part of the territory.