In the age of technology, how fun is it to open your mailbox and see that the mailman delivered you something the good-old snail mail way that isn’t a bill? With your wedding – engagement announcements, save-the-dates, and invitations give your guests a little taste of what’s to come. Each thoughtfully put together with vintage stamps & a handwritten calligraphy address.

But how do you know when the right time is to send all of these out? I had this same question and more cross my mind as well, especially since we’re having two weddings. But, worry not, here’s a timeline from the experts of when to mail things out and notify your guests.

Traditional Wedding and Save-the-Dates Timeline

Two years out + — Engagement Announcements

Engagement Announcements are a wonderful way to let everyone know your big news, especially if you’re not planning on getting married for 2+ years. The nice thing about these is that you don’t need to have any decisions made yet – no venue, no date needed – just a picture of you and your fiancé sharing your love (and new bling 💍 ).

8-10 months out — Save-the-Dates

With these unprecedented times, the sooner you lock in your date with your guests the better! Save-the-Dates make your wedding date official and are a great reminder on the fridge to friends & family that they are already booked your weekend and can make travel plans other decisions around it.

4-6 months out — Destination Wedding Invitations

As a courtesy, destination wedding invitations should be mailed out earlier than your typical invitations. Guests need to book international flights, hotels, and make arrangements for babysitters – so notice is very important.

2-3 months out — Local Wedding Invitations

Why so close to the wedding?! This gives me so much anxiety, but apparently it is the etiquette to mail invitations out 8 weeks before your wedding so guests have a better idea if they are a definite – yes or no. It does make sense in the grand scheme of things because making a commitment two months out means guests are less likely to waver & your numbers will be more exact.

Your Wedding Day!

Remember a card box on your big day & to catalog any gifts received, this will be helpful later.

1-3 months after the wedding — Thank You Cards

Last but not least, a handwritten thank you to all of the guests in attendance – whether they gave a gift or not – is the appropriate etiquette. In addition, any guest who could not make it but sent a gift, your wedding planner and all vendors, and anyone who was not invited but gave a gift it is also necessary to send a thank you.

SAVE-THE-DATES

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The Minted Story

Nick and I used Minted to design our announcements and are so happy with how they turned out! Minted makes what could be an overwhelming task simple and stress-free. They have a huge variety of templates, fonts, and colors to make sure you end up with a card you can’t wait to send out to family and friends.

Minted was founded in 2008 by the powerful Mariam Naficy, an early trailblazer of the e-commerce. I like using Minted because of its variety of products but even more so, I love supporting strong women-led companies and the independent artists whose designs are sold on the website.

ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Our Engagement Announcements

There really are no set rules when it comes to your wedding! Since Nick & I are planning two weddings we didn’t feel it was appropriate to send traditional Save-the-Dates. With two wedding dates and most guests planning on attending only our local Ohio ceremony, we didn’t want anyone to feel left out if the Save-the-Date had our Lake Como, Italy details.

So what did we mail out instead of Save-the-Dates?

We mailed out Engagement Announcements from Minted to all of our loved ones and I’m so happy with how they turned out. Choosing Engagement Announcements feels like we are making a declaration and stating facts like in a newspaper for all to read, instead of Save-the-Dates which felt like we might be excluding people who might be attending one ceremony and not the other. If you are having two weddings as well, here is what we wrote on our Announcements if you need a little inspiration:

“Fulfilling their dreams as a couple, Nick & Caila will have an intimate ceremony in Lake Como, Italy on May 29,2021 as well as a local ceremony & reception in Chagrin Falls, Ohio on July 17, 2021. Invitations to follow.”

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I can’t tell you how big of a relief it was to put those last few stamps on our finished Minted announcements. So much love goes into these that it felt like I was protecting a baby while carrying them to the post office. No matter how yours turn out, your family and friends are going to light up knowing they’re a part of your special day. So, even if you don’t follow the perfect timeline, it’s okay! Take a deep breath and remember that what really matters is that you’re marrying that love of your life✨

 

Love reading wedding content? Check out these other blog posts below:

6 Tips for Picture Perfect Engagement Photos

How I asked my Bridesmaids 💍 Wedding Bridal Party Proposal Boxes

Engagement Dos & Don’ts – The 10 things I wish I knew after he put a ring on it! 💍