When should my sister send out her "international wedding" invitations?

Question

My sister lives in Italy and recently became engaged. She is planning for an August 2009 wedding in Italy and has already booked the venue (she will not have a wedding in the states). She is sending out a save-the-date next month and is creating a webpage for her guests. When should she send out the invitations?? Should she follow the 6-8 weeks "rule"? Or since this is an international wedding and many guest need to book flights/hotel/travel arrangements etc., should she send them out months ahead?

Answer 1

well, I live in Belgium and have relatives in Canada. To send some letters we have to consider 3 - 4 weeks until they get there so take 1 month extra to be sure

Answer 2

Her "Save the Dates" should include any information for hotels, airports, rental cars, or other travel arrangements (or a referral to her website which should include this information).  This was the original purpose of save-the-dates.  

Her invitations sent to international guests should be sent out 8 - 10 weeks before the event.  This will give time for delivery and RSVPs for those guests.  

"Local" invitations (say, driving distance but possible over night guests) should be sent out at about 8 weeks.

True local invitations should be sent out the traditional 6 - 8 weeks early.

Answer 3

I would still think that 8 weeks would be enough time, plus if she's sending out save the dates those people will assume their being invited and may call up the bride and grooms parents for more info to get all their flights and hotels booked early

Answer 4

well save the dates with the web page should go out as soon as the locations are booked.

as for invited for an international wedding, 12-15 weeks is best for time to arrive and guests to respond still giving enough time to call guests if needed.  

Answer 5

If she sends out save-the-dates then there is no need to send the invitations out early. Just make sure that the save-the-dates contain enough information for people to book their flights/hotels etc.

Answer 6

I don't think that people will commit themselves to buying flight tickets and booking hotels at the 'save the date' point because the wedding date could be changed or the wedding could even be called off, so I think she ought to send the invitations to the international guests 3 months in advance to give them assurance that the wedding is going ahead on the proposed date and enough time for them to get organised.

Answer 7

I would think she should do it as soon as possible, so people can find good rates. Waiting until too late means that some people might not have the money/vacation time/etc saved up to go.

Since she knows the date and venue etc. now she could send them out soon and do the save the date cards closer to the event as a reminder, just because certain jobs you need to ask months in advance for time off, or check to make sure you have the vacay time available. (government jobs are like this, and some coorporate jobs work the same way.)