When to Send?

Good Morning!  I can't believe it's already the first day of March!! 2010 is flying by.  This morning and Wednesday I will be posting on the It's Better Together blog.  It's Better Together is a group of creative professionals and entrepreneurs that meets periodically in the central Florida area.  I love being a part of this group and I'm thrilled they've asked me to post on the blog.

While thumbing through my Emily Post's Etiquette the other day I came across a list that I thought was particularly helpful.  When sending invitations, sometimes it's hard to know when to send which type of invitation.  So direct from from Ms. Post, here is the run-down on invitation mailings.

Wedding Invitations: 6-8 weeks

Anniversary Party: 3-6 weeks

Bar or Bat Mitzvah: 1 month

Bon Voyage: Last minute to 3 weeks

Charity Ball: 6 weeks to 3 months

Christmas Party: 1 month

Cocktail Party: 1-4 weeks

Debutante Ball: 6 weeks to 3 months

Formal Dinner: 3-6 weeks

Graduation Party: 3 weeks

Housewarming Party: Few days to 3 weeks

Lunch or Tea: Few days to 2 weeks

Thanksgiving Dinner: 2 weeks to 2 months


Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.

Mailing out Invitations: Time line

Mail “Save the Date” cards to out-of-town guests as soon as your wedding date and location are set. Including information about hotels now, instead of sending it with your invitations. This will save you money on postage later, and give your guests time to arrange for a trip to attend your big event! Mail invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding date. If you have a large number of out-of-town guests, eight weeks will give them time to complete reservations and secure travel arrangements more economically.

Date your response cards to be returned to you at least two weeks before your big day.

It is a good idea to have a return address on the back flap of your mailing envelope. The return address should be that of the person whom you’ve designated to receive response cards—be it the bride’s mother, the groom’s mother, or the couple themselves. The response card envelope should be printed with the same address.

There is nothing more frustrating than having a beautifully addressed invitation returned to sender with postage markings all over it because of an incorrect address. Please be sure to double- check your addresses and zip codes.

Assemble one complete invitation, including any additional insertions, maps, and the stamp on the return response envelope and take it to your local post office for weight and measurement. Sometimes it is the size of the envelope and not the weight that determines the amount of postage, so we encourage you to take it to the window and have a postal worker weigh and measure it for you.

Request that the post office hand cancel your invitations. This will eliminate any smeared or heavy ink marks that automated canceling could cause.

article via Wilton.com