The Complete Guide to Destination Wedding Invitations

Destination wedding invitations have an important job to do! When you’re asking guests to travel, it’s not just about sending out the date. It’s also about setting expectations and sharing details from arrival to departure. Not to mention hyping everyone up to pack their bags and celebrate with you!

As a wedding stationery designer, I’ve worked with couples planning events all over the United States and beyond. Today, I’m walking you through the world of destination wedding invitations! Read on to learn when to mail your invitations, when to create a wedding website, and what to include in your suite.

When Should I Send Destination Wedding Invitations?

While it might seem overly cautious, you should send your destination wedding invitations 8-12 months in advance (more if you’re planning a trip to a faraway destination like Europe!). The more time your guests have to make travel arrangements, the more likely they are to celebrate with you! This also gives those attending plenty of time to book their transportation and accommodations. 

[Shop the Samantha Collection]

Do I Need a Website?

Short answer: yes! Your website is where you’ll house booking information for flights and hotels, so the process is straightforward for your guests. It should be live when you send your invitations. At that point, it might only contain travel-related details—that’s okay! You can add more information—like packing essentials, the wedding weekend itinerary, and the particulars of any group activities or excursions—as you go.

What Should My Destination Wedding Invitation Suite Include?

• Wedding Invitation: Your invitation is the design centerpiece of your suite! It’s the first thing your guests see, providing a glimpse into the celebration you’re planning. With its delicately drawn lemon accents, the Elena collection is our pick for a Mediterranean wedding. Samantha and Jane, with their French Country-inspired florals, are also popular choices for weddings in Europe. Keep in mind that you can also mix and match pieces! For example, if your destination doesn’t look like the Details card illustration in your suite, we can swap it out for a different version.

• Itinerary Card: This piece informs your guests of the arrival date. I suggest the following wording: “We recommend you arrive by (arrival date) and plan on staying through at least (departure date) to ensure you don’t miss any events we have planned.” However, it’s best to store most itinerary-related information on your website. Try to provide a rough timeline of events early on (day of the week is fine!) and encourage your guests to visit the site for updated details. That way, if you add a last-minute event or excursion, it’s easy to see!

• Details Card: When it comes to destination wedding invitations, this piece is a must! It should include reception details (time and location) and the wedding dress code. It should also have instructions for visiting the wedding website.

• RSVP Card: This piece ensures your guests are clear on the RSVP deadline (and hopefully adhere to it!). It should include a spot to provide their answer via snail mail or instructions for RSVP-ing online.

• Accommodation Information: You can add this information to your Details card or put it on a separate card. Including it is important if your guests have to stay at a certain hotel. Make sure they also know the deadline for booking their room!

• Packing Essentials: Are you throwing a pool party? A fancy welcome party? Ensure your guests pack the proper attire by providing a list of essentials. While you can include this list in your suite, I recommend putting it on your website. That way, your guests can easily refer back to it as they shop and pack.

[Shop the Jane Collection]

As you can see, sending destination wedding invitations requires some pre-planning, but is relatively straightforward! Start by creating your wedding website to store information on travel details and group activities. Then, move on to shopping our collections to find your favorite.

We would love to answer any questions you may have or advise you on the perfect suite to pair with your destination! We also recommend checking out our Complete Guide to Wedding Stationery for information on when to order all your wedding day paper, from engagement party invites to thank-you cards.