Too early for invitations?

LaceyS25

Is it too early to send invitations for a September wedding? My fiance and I live in NJ and are planning things ourselves for our NOLA wedding without the help of a planner. We want to send invitations out now and ask that people RSVP back by the beginning of May. We have an appointment with our caterer and feel that if we have an idea of how many guests we are having we can be better equipped to make decisions about what food we choose and stay within our budget. 
I have gotten remarks about it being too early and even tacky, but I don't think people quite understand that it is not a typical wedding that we are having down the street and in which we can wait. Besides budget is very important to us since we are paying for everything ourselves. Help!!

louisianablue

Honestly, I just don't think people will respond, so you'll be chasing them down.  It's hard for people to make a decision that far in advance.  My wedding is in less than two months and only 30 rooms have been booked.  I'm sure I will get a rush in a couple of weeks when the room block is about to close.

Are all of your guests coming from out of town?

LaceyS25

Yes all guests will be coming from out of town. We figured that since everyone has to book flights and hotels they may know if they are able to come by then. We sent save the dates early on to let people plan since a lot of people have kids and kids are not allowed at our wedding, so we have already gotten some absolute yes and no answers so far.

MarcusandMelissa

We sent out only one mailing about 10 months prior to our wedding and we asked people to RSVP via our website.  Our wedding is in about 3 months and so far we have heard from about 75% of our guests on whether they will be able to make it or not. 

We have some locals invited to the wedding but the majority are all over the country.  That being said, we have sent out a reminder or two (via our website) that has been emailed to those that have yet to RSVP.  We've found that helpful.  I am going to start making phone calls/sending individual emails in about a month or so.  I figure by March most if not all guests will know if they will be flying to New Orleans in May.  I'd say go with your gut but just be prepared to have to make some phone calls if people don't RSVP by the date you ask them to.  Overall we've definitely leaned on the non-traditional side with a lot of our wedding planning and it's been nice to sort of make up our own rules.  Good luck!

segelpi

I would send a Save the Date that directs them to your wedding website with information on hotels & flights. Then, 2-3 months before the wedding send formal invites. 7 months is def. too early to send out invites, even for a destination wedding. But that's just my opinion.

Jennifer102011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_too-early-for-invitations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:84Discussion:0c654d8b-bdec-4c19-943d-8f1947bcfddaPost:d4316832-0ae1-4be9-b586-4854b7173d88">Re: Too early for invitations?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would send a Save the Date that directs them to your wedding website with information on hotels & flights. Then, 2-3 months before the wedding send formal invites. 7 months is def. too early to send out invites, even for a destination wedding. But that's just my opinion.
Posted by segelpi[/QUOTE]

<div>This. I'd send out save the dates so that people can start making plans to attend your wedding.</div>

NO2012

OP says she already sent out STD's. In my opinion, since you already sent out STDs, it seems pushy to send out invites this early. I'm also getting married in September and 100% of my guests are from OOT. I sent out my STDs exactly a month ago and I already have a fairly good estimate about who will travel to NO for the wedding based on verbal indications made to us and based on those who have already booked their hotel rooms in our block. I would assume you are getting a similar estimate based on feedback from your STD. I have been hesitant to follow up with people to let them know how quickly the rooms are booking up because I don't want to appear like I am pressuring people to come or to make a decision now when the wedding is still 7 months away. I would be put off by receiving an invite with an RSVP deadline more than a couple of months out. I totally understand your budget concerns, but I think this goes back to the old rule of don't invite more people than you can afford (or you will have to budget food as if everyone you invited is coming). I would also be concerned with making budget decisions tied to people's attendance that far in advance since it is very possible people's plans or ability to travel could change in either direction. Just my thoughts since I am in a similar situation.

Queen Jane

Do not send invitations now. We had DW also with every guest from OOT. It's not uncommon and doesn't mean you get to do things differently. In our case, we sent STDs 8 months out and invitations at 10 weeks. A lot of people didn't even know if they could make the trip til the last minute. People are dealing with work and school schedules and those Are sometimes unpredictable. Provide them with the date, flight and hotel info now and if they want they will make accommodations. If you send them now it's likely people will RSVP yes with every intent of coming but later realize they can't swing it, and no show or cancel.