When should we send our invites out?
When you send wedding invitations can have a big impact on attendance, especially for destination weddings and weddings on Whidbey Island. The general rule of thumb is about 8 weeks ahead of your wedding date. If you have sent a save-the-date card, then you can push that deadline back towards 6-8 weeks. If you haven’t, you might want to aim more for 8-12 weeks. The more time you give people to plan, the more likely they are to come, esp. if they need to travel.
Use a save-the-date card
For Whidbey Island weddings, I strongly encourage you to use a save-the-date card or evite, at least for your most important guests. Do this as soon as you confirm the date of your wedding, which is usually when you book your venue. This will give those people most dear to you all the time they need to make their travel plans. One of the most important reasons to give people advance notice is because lodging options on Whidbey Island can be limited during peak wedding season, mid June through September.
I encourage my couples to use a wedding website, which you can get for free through Wedding Wire or The Knot. You can post lots of information about lodging options, guest activities, comfort suggestions (“don’t wear heels – we’re getting married on a beach!”).
Click the links for more information on calculating your guest count, choosing wedding invitations and RSVP trackers, lodging options, and guest activities.