When should invitations be sent for a party?

[melaniehay22]

Hey!
I had a question or two about sending invitations for your hosts. I don't mind doing it at all, but what's the latest you should send them out? I try to have at least 4 weeks before the show, but I wanted to check and see what kind of time frame everyone else used. Thanks!!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I send out invitations 7-10 days before the show. Any sooner than that, and people forget, and don't RSVP because they think they have plenty of time.

A PC party is not a wedding. To paraphrase Tammy Stanley - Either they have the night free and they want to come, or they don't. It's not going to matter when they get the invitation - if they have a child's recital, or ball game, or it's their regular book club night, they aren't going to come, whether they get the invitation 2 days before the show, or 4 weeks before the show.

I have found that when they get the invitation a week before the show, they know right away what their schedule is, and can RSVP immediately yes or no. I have great show attendance doing it this way...but I also have my hosts use many types of inviting, not just rely on the invitations I send. I encourage them to pass out post cards, put up a flyer or notice at work, do a Facebook Event Page, invite by word of mouth, and use they email invitation from my website.

 

[melaniehay22]

Excellent, thanks for the tips! I picked up sending them "four weeks" before hand from some host coaching training I listened to. I feel relieved thinking about it like "if they can't come, they already know they can't come." Thanks!!

 

[wadesgirl]

I sent them out about 2 weeks before the party but have sent them as soon as 1 week before.Keep in mind now that the PO doesn't guarantee one day first class mail any more (to the same area at least). It can take up to 2-5 days depending on where the people live.

 

[cookingwithlove]

I send the host a "save the date" email that she can send out right away. I mail/email invites 2 weeks before and I have the host start making reminder calls 1 week before the party.

 

[wcsis]

I will be mailing invites for two of my February hosts so far, I mentioned that I could so if they needed some assistance due to time constraints, these two jumped all over the offer. Least I know it will more difficult for them to cancel if I am doing the invites. I am hoping to see a difference in attendance and show avg. I recently left my part time job to do PC full time so I have a bit more time available to do extra to help boost sales.