To think 4 months isn't too early for wedding invites?

[thiddlinggubbins]

Friend is getting married at the end of October and by the sounds of things is keeping it quite small (less than 50 people). DH and I have known for a couple of months and have just received the invite. A mutual friend is also going to the wedding and over coffee today mentioned it's "far too early to send out invites". Is it? I don't suppose it matters does it? I thought 4 months was pretty standard?

I think 3-4 months is pretty standard, people book holidays way in advance and people like notice for things like weddings.

I'd have said it's fairly late, ones I have recently have been in 6 months min

For a save the date, maybe. For the full on invitation I'd say it's quite early.

I'd also say I don't really care all that much

It's not too early.

Technically it's 6 weeks isn't it? Except that's for a world we don't live in anymore.

I really don't understand why it can't be a year or do in advance.... Its just old fashioned traditions that really make no difference

I'm sending out my save the dates now for my December wedding.

Only because it's December and it's a busy period for people.

Invites will go out in September so about 3-4 months before, which I don't think is too early either. :)

It’s fairly late. 8-12 weeks is the norm where I am from with save the dates being sent a year in advance

I'd day it was on the late side. More like 6 months is standard.

8-12 months not weeks!

The more notice the better but I think 4 months is good. It seems customary now to get a save the date around 12 months before then the invitations 2-4 months before the date which gives people plenty of time to plan.

The Emily Post school of old school etiquette would be pearl clutching if they’re sent more than 6 weeks in advance, maybe your friend is one of those types?! In the real world, I think it’s handy to have as much notice as possible. Especially if a lot of the guests will be travelling or it’s during school holiday e.g. Oct half term, I think it’s pretty sensible to send them early. We sent ours about 3 months in advance but we knew about 50% of guests would have to book flights- we had a good turnout and I’m sure that was in part due to giving people a lot of notice.

Late if anything. I usually get invites about six months in advance.

We sent ours 7 months before so we didn't need to also do save the dates.

Most of our vendors need final notice of numbers by 6 weeks so we definitely couldn't leave it that late to actually send them out! I think 6 months standard in the recent wedding invites I've had.

I'm getting married end of June next year and I plan to send mine out just after Christmas. I think 6 mo ths is about standard nowadays

We sent ours approx 5 months before the wedding. Life is busy and stressful and it's far easier to organise a wedding knowing how many people are actually coming.

I thought more like a year, 8 months min tbh. I mean... people make plans!!! Holidays etc

I’d say 4 months is cutting it fine. My Oct half term and my autumn work schedule is all planned out.

Surely 6 weeks isn’t much notice?

The more notice the better.

There's no way in hell DP and I would be able to attend a wedding with 6 weeks notice. We both have kids to sort childcare for, I work weekends, he works shifts. 4 months sounds perfect in my opinion

It's on the late side to be honest.
Generally speaking you're advised to send 'save the dates' 10-12 months beforehand and then follow up with invites 4 months before.

If not sending save the dates then I would have thought 6-7 months would be better as people book holidays / work trips / etc a fair way in advance.

I think it's fine. Any later and id probably not be able to book the time off.

3-6 months completely normal. I also really don't like 'save the date' cards. It's fine if not everyone comes to your wedding. They shouldn't be expected to plan their whole life around you.