Planning a destination wedding means getting the timing of your invitations just right.

To ensure your guests have enough time to make arrangements, send out “save the dates” at least 12 months in advance, giving everyone ample time to book flights and accommodations.

Then, follow up with formal invitations 6 to 8 months before your wedding. This timeline helps avoid last-minute stress and ensures a smooth planning process for both you and your guests.

Timing Is Everything

Imagine this: You’ve chosen a beautiful beach in Mexico for your wedding. You can picture yourself walking down the aisle with the ocean as your backdrop.

But now, think about only telling your guests a few months before the big day.

Flights might be expensive, hotels could be booked, and suddenly, your perfect wedding is causing stress for your guests.

This is why timing is so important when it comes to sending out wedding invitations for destination weddings.

The sooner your guests know, the easier it will be for them to plan, and the more likely they will be there.

Save the Dates: Send Them 12 Months Before

The first step in your wedding timeline is sending out “save the dates.”

These are a quick way to say, “Hey, we’re getting married somewhere special!”

You should send them out at least 12 months in advance. Yes, a whole year before your wedding.

It might sound early, but here’s why it’s necessary: Your guests need plenty of time to get ready.

They might need to take time off work, especially if your wedding is during a busy time of year. Plus, the sooner they know, the better deals they can get on flights and hotels.

If your wedding is in a popular location, this early notice is even more crucial.

No one wants to scramble for a last-minute flight or room only to find everything is too expensive or sold out.

Formal Invitations: Send Them 6 to 8 Months Before

After you’ve sent out “save the dates”, the next step is sending your “formal invitations.” So, when do you send out wedding invitations for destination weddings after the “save the dates”?

The best time is 6 to 8 months before the wedding. By now, your guests should know about your wedding and have started planning. The formal invitation is when they finalize those plans. It’s also your chance to give them all the details, like the venue, time, and any other important info.

Sending invitations 6 to 8 months ahead gives your guests enough time to make final arrangements without feeling rushed.

Avoiding Last-Minute Stress

Let’s face it. Weddings can be stressful enough without adding last-minute worries.

That’s why it’s highly recommended to stick to the timeline: 12 months for “save the dates” and 6 to 8 months for formal invitations. This gives your guests and you peace of mind.

They’ll have time to plan, save money, and be fully prepared to enjoy your wedding. And you? You’ll be able to focus on what really matters: Having fun and making memories with the people you love.

What If Plans Change?

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Maybe you have to change your wedding date or location.

If that happens, don’t worry.

If it’s still within the 12-month window, you can send an updated “save the date.” And if it’s closer to the wedding, consider sending a quick update via email or your wedding website.

Just keep your guests informed, and everything will stay on track.

Ready to Plan Your Dream Destination Wedding?

Planning a destination wedding is a big adventure. But you don’t have to do it alone.

At Destination Days, we’re here to help you every step of the way. From finding the perfect location to making sure your invitations go out on, we’ve got you covered. Let’s start planning the wedding of your dreams today.

Contact us to make sure your special day is everything you’ve ever imagined!