Good Questions from the Mailbag: Wedding Dresses for Older Brides and Wedding Invitation Timing
Thursday March 29, 2007
I get far more questions from engaged couples and wedding guests than I can possibly answer. But recently I've had two good questions that I wanted to share -- wedding dresses for an older bride, and confusion on sending the wedding invitations.
Also, I don't think that you'll necessarily get a better response rate, as many will be unable to predict work schedules and other obligations that far in advance.
To get an earlier head count, I suggest that you send a Save-the-date card 4 to 6 months in advance of the wedding. You could even include something like "If you already know if you can or can't attend, please let us know at 212-555-1212. We're hoping you can make it!"
Here are two easy save-the-date options. You may also want to check out other frequently asked questions about wedding invitations or wedding invitation wording.
Hope this advice is helpful!
Hi Nina, I'm enjoying reading your articles. You offer excellent advice! Quick question: I'm 55 and getting married for a second time this June in Vegas. I'm in very good physical shape and I look several years younger than my age. I'd like to wear a long - very simple - ivory wedding dress...no head piece. Do you think that I would look ridiculous in such a dress for my age? By the way, my hubby-to-be will be wearing a tux. Please help. Thank you, CarolCarol - I think that sounds lovely. A big poofy ball gown might be better suited to a younger bride, but a long, simple dress sounds elegant for you, and just right for Vegas. For more advice on second weddings, including what to wear, check out Second Weddings: Getting Remarried in Style. Best of luck!
Hello Nina, I was curious about the timeframe for sending out wedding invitations! I've read that it is best to send them out 8 weeks prior to the date. Why can't they be sent out, say, 3-5 months in advance? Is this breaking some sort of protocol? My fiancé and I have been discussing this and as she would rather send them around the 8 week timeframe as I would rather do it sooner. Can you give me any reasons as to why it would not be a good idea to send invites out 3 to 5 months in advance? It seems getting a head count as soon as possible could only make things easier? Forgive me if I'm out of line here, but I'm a 1st timer ;-) Thank you, ~RickHi Rick - I think you don't want to send them sooner because you wouldn't want your guests to forget about the wedding. You want the invitation relatively fresh in their minds.
Also, I don't think that you'll necessarily get a better response rate, as many will be unable to predict work schedules and other obligations that far in advance.
To get an earlier head count, I suggest that you send a Save-the-date card 4 to 6 months in advance of the wedding. You could even include something like "If you already know if you can or can't attend, please let us know at 212-555-1212. We're hoping you can make it!"
Here are two easy save-the-date options. You may also want to check out other frequently asked questions about wedding invitations or wedding invitation wording.
Hope this advice is helpful!
Comments
I agree with you. If you send out the invitations too far in advance once the guest notices the date they more or less put it aside and forget about it. With people’s busy schedules today they have a hard enough time planning a dinner date the following week let alone know what they are doing 5 or 6 months ahead of time. The save the date notices come in handy for that, but even those tend to get lost and just put aside. People today are just too busy and cant stop to take a minute to reply. Especially if they know they have 6 months to do something. Too much time is not good