Introducing Wedding Planning 101! A new mini-series where I’d like to talk about everything wedding! As a certified wedding coordinator, I have seen the stress involved in planning a wedding. That’s why I thought this would be a helpful way to help alleviate the stress couples can feel and offer some helpful tips I have learned as a wedding coordinator.
Today, I would like to begin by talking about wedding invitations and guest lists, so let’s jump right in!
Let’s talk about wedding invitations.
Whether you’re creating your own or having them done professionally, it’s important to make sure all information on the invitation is correct. Make sure to specify the date, time, and location, and whether the reception is taking place at the same location as your ceremony. A well-informed guest is a happy guest, so make sure they know the important details.
As for sending out wedding invitations, you can generally follow this rule of thumb:
- Out-of-town guest invitations should be sent out 12 weeks prior to the wedding.
- The remaining invitations should be sent out approximately 6-8 weeks before the wedding day,
- The RSVP date should be about three weeks before the wedding day. This ensures the caterer will have enough time to make any necessary adjustments.
If you’re planning to go the more traditional route of wedding invitations, make sure the following is included with your invitation:
- Reception card (which tells where, and when the reception will be held),
- RSVP card (which allows the guest to inform you if they will be able to attend),
- Return envelope (which should already be stamped and addressed to the couple)
- The envelope that holds all the contents of the entire invitation.
Planning to go the greener route with your wedding invitations? Make sure the invitation includes your wedding website link for attendees to properly RSVP to your wedding.
This brings us to the guest list.
Guest lists can be a tricky situation for some couples. In more cases than not, couples often must limit the number of guests they invite to their wedding. It could be a matter of budget, how many people the venue can accommodate, or some couples just want to keep it small and intimate. When I took my WPIC Certification course, we were introduced to the “A & B List”. This list can be convenient for couples who are having a hard time deciding who to invite to their wedding. What is an “A & B List” you might ask? Let me explain…
The Wedding Institute of Canada says “The “A-List” is a list of the people you MUST invite, and the “B List” is everyone you’d like to invite.”
The important thing to remember with an “A & B List” is the “A” list invites should be sent out 10-12 weeks before the wedding. This guarantees that you will receive RSVPs back with people who are unable to attend. As each “No” comes in, send out a “B-List” invitation. And the great thing about having an “A & B List” is people on the “B-List” don’t know they’re on the “B-List”.
One thing I like to tell the couples I work with is to make sure you’re inviting people who are genuinely going to make the day better by them being there. There is nothing worse than inviting people who complain, make a scene, or are just in it for the free food and drinks.
One last thing to note, wedding invitations and your guest list go hand in hand. It’s important to have a clear guest list ready prior to sending out your wedding invitations; so when the time comes to send out your wedding invitations it can be done so effortlessly!
Have a question or comment about wedding invitations or guest lists? Let me know in the comment section below! Comment and let me know what I should cover next in Wedding Planning 101. In the meantime, you can check out my post on Why You Should Hire A Wedding Planner. Until next time! 🤗
