You’ll need to start on a guest list as soon as possible and begin thinking about invitations.

 

 

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED...

 

Ideally, invitations should be mailed out 6-8 weeks before the big day to give guests time to make arrangements to attend and RSVP back to you.

 

The first step is to get organized.  Remember when we suggested a folder earlier?  This is where it comes in especially handy!  Begin by making a list of the people you just can’t stand to get married without them there.  This will probably be mostly relatives and close friends.  Ask your parents and the groom’s parents to provide you with a list of who they would like to invite.  Make sure you have accurate addresses for your guests.

 

One caution here:  don’t think you HAVE to invite everyone you know.  If you haven’t talked to your high school lab partner since graduation, he or she probably doesn’t need to be invited.  And don’t get all caught up in possibly offending someone by not inviting them to your wedding. 

 

Often, people get sick of attending weddings for people they barely know.  Unless you talk to them every day, chances are pretty good that they won’t give it a second thought when your invitation doesn’t arrive.  Remember, you’re trying to save some money on your big day.  Extra people means extra expense – cut corners here.

 

Once you have your guest list, you’ll have an idea of how many invitations you’ll need.  Next, you’ll need to pick a design.