Destination STD and Invite

mrsbanany

I still have over a year until my wedding so we aren't sending out STD's or invites anytime soon but I was just wondering when I would send them out for a destination wedding.  It is not so far that our guests will need to fly but it is a two hour plus drive for 90% of the guests so they would need to get a hotel. Our wedding is in a popular tourist town so I am afraid that the standard 2 months would not be enough time. Would it be appropriate to send STDs at 9 months and invites at 6 months?

manateehugger

Send the STD's at around 12 months and include the hotel info in them (which means go block some rooms if you haven't already). 

But PLEASE do not send your invites at 6 months; that's way too early. People don't know their plans that far out, or will forget about the wedding, or will constantly change their RSVP. 

I would never send an invitation earlier than 10 weeks, destination or not. 

Maggie0829

mrsbanany said:

I still have over a year until my wedding so we aren't sending out STD's or invites anytime soon but I was just wondering when I would send them out for a destination wedding.  It is not so far that our guests will need to fly but it is a two hour plus drive for 90% of the guests so they would need to get a hotel. Our wedding is in a popular tourist town so I am afraid that the standard 2 months would not be enough time. Would it be appropriate to send STDs at 9 months and invites at 6 months?

The point of the STD is to give your guests a heads up as to when you wedding is.  Most will make note of the date and probably keep the date in the back of their mind when they start to make plans and such around your wedding time.

Sending invites 6 months prior is way too early.  That is the reason why you sent your STD so that people know the date and can start to make arrangements if they want.

CMGragain

You may send your STDs at 9 months, but send your formal invitations at the standard 8 weeks.

AmJam04

Our wedding was a similar situation, on top of it also being on a holiday weekend/busy tourist weekend. 

We sent our STDs at the 9 month mark (early October for an early July wedding) and the invitations 9 weeks before the date, and did not experience any issues. 

Another note to mention (though you may already know this) is to attempt to block a hotel or two for your guests in the area. You may be able to negotiate a discounted group rate -- just be sure you won't be held accountable for unsold rooms. If you expect that the town will be busy during the time of your wedding, try to reserve the rooms at 6-11 months in advance. 

Edit: I think we actually sent the invites @ 9 weeks, not 10. 

mrsbanany

We are getting a room block this summer so we will have them by the time the STD goes out. But another question, how would we convey this info to guests? We aren't having a wedding website (for multiple reasons. Really long story) and with 200 guests it's kind of hard to rely on word of mouth. Could we include an accommodation card with the STD? I'm thinking like a single card with it either printed on the back or with a pocket & separate card on the back. Is that ok?

MyNameIsNot

Send your STDs 6-9 months before the wedding. Be sure to include travel information like hotels. Your invitations go out 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

CMGragain

mrsbanany said:

We are getting a room block this summer so we will have them by the time the STD goes out. But another question, how would we convey this info to guests? We aren't having a wedding website (for multiple reasons. Really long story) and with 200 guests it's kind of hard to rely on word of mouth. Could we include an accommodation card with the STD? I'm thinking like a single card with it either printed on the back or with a pocket & separate card on the back. Is that ok?

This is OK.