7 Essential Steps to Take Immediately After Receiving a Wedding Invitation (For Guests)

2020.12.02 published

Invited to a Wedding ♡ What Should You Do?

A major life event, a wedding. The bride and groom have certainly spent a long time preparing, but…

As a guest invited to a wedding, preparation is also necessary.

Guest preparation begins as soon as the invitation is received.

Invitations typically reach guests about 2 to 3 months before the wedding.

If you relax until the last minute thinking, "I’m just attending," you might end up in a panic later.

It’s recommended to start preparing as soon as the invitation arrives ♡

In this article, we will share 7 things you should do when invited to a wedding ♩

@ke__wedding

What to Do After Receiving a Wedding Invitation ① Send Back the RSVP Card Immediately

The first thing to do is to send back the RSVP card as soon as possible.

The deadline for the RSVP is set with some leeway, but unless you're truly uncertain about your plans, it’s best to send it back as quickly as possible.

The bride and groom are likely thinking, "Did it arrive properly? Did they see it? Will they really come…?"

Answering early will ease their worries, so it’s advisable to respond quickly.

If you want to delight the bride, try decorating the RSVP card beautifully with some artsy flair.

Receiving a decorated RSVP card will make the inviting side incredibly happy.

Just sticking some stickers can make it stylish, so even if you don’t have artistic skills, please give it a try.

➡ For design inspiration! Check out the article list on RSVP card art here

What to Do After Receiving a Wedding Invitation ② Consider Your Coordination

You need to think about what to wear to the wedding as soon as possible.

Your options are:

☑ Use a dress you already own

☑ Buy a new dress

☑ Rent a dress

If you decide to buy a new dress, starting your search right after receiving the invitation will help you find your favorite one.

(Clothes bought just before the day without comparison often lack sentimental value, right?)

Renting a kimono is also a lovely option.

From the bride’s perspective, it would be quite moving if guests surprised her by showing up in a kimono.

Accessories can be rented for around 7000 yen, so consider participating in a kimono too ♡

➡ 【Rakuten】Check out the list of rental products for visiting kimono here

What to Do After Receiving a Wedding Invitation ➂ Arrange a Hair Salon

Look for a hair salon where you can get your hair styled for the wedding day, and make a reservation.

Especially during the peak seasons of spring and fall, budget-friendly salons near stations often get booked up for early morning appointments.

By securing your reservation early, you can avoid a last-minute rush ♩

It’s also advisable to think about what kind of hairstyle you’d like.

Since you’ll get styled by a professional, enjoy having arrangements and trendy hairstyles that you can’t do yourself ♡

Recently, when I attended a wedding, I had my hair styled with finger waves.

Finger waves refer to the retro hairstyle with waves from the Taisho era.

Thinking about what kind of hairstyle to go for while looking at SNS or online hair catalogs was very enjoyable.

Guests should also enjoy dressing up as much as the bride does ♩

What to Do After Receiving a Wedding Invitation ④ Prepare New Bills

Many people have likely experienced the panic of forgetting to prepare monetary gifts at the last moment!

Particularly troublesome is preparing new bills.

You need to either go to a bank's counter or an ATM that dispenses new bills.

Check your schedule to decide when and which bank to visit to get new bills before the wedding day.

Learn about ATMs that dispense new bills here.

➡ Useful Tip in Case of Emergency * Did You Know There Are ATMs That Dispense New Bills?

If you have no time to get new bills, refer to this article ♩

➡ Don’t worry if the bank is closed! Here’s a trick to turn crumpled bills at home into crisp ones

What to Do After Receiving a Wedding Invitation ⑤ Prepare the Money Gift Envelope

Don’t forget to prepare not only the bills but also the money gift envelope.

Money gift envelopes are available at convenience stores, but being particular about your selection will be appreciated.

In fact, I once heard a bride say, "It was interesting to see their personality reflected in how they chose the money gift envelope."

It’s something that people pay attention to ♡

You can also order money gift envelopes!

For example, for a bride who has danced ballet for a long time, a money gift envelope with ballet shoes decoration would be a delightful surprise that conveys your best wishes! ♡

Once you have the new bills and the money gift envelope, to avoid last-minute rush, write the recipient’s name and amount on the short strips and inner envelope in your best handwriting in advance.

Simply putting them in the cloth pouch and getting ready will give you peace of mind ♡

What to Do After Receiving a Wedding Invitation ⑥ Organize Your Phone's Photo Data

A common trouble that can happen during wedding attendance is, "I can’t take photos because there’s not enough space on my phone!"

There will be plenty of opportunities for great snapshots at a wedding. You’ll want to take photos as well as videos to send over.

It’s recommended to organize your phone's folders or SD card in advance to free up space and prepare thoroughly.

Professional wedding photographers take several months to deliver their photos, so until then, the bride will be reflecting on the guest's photos and videos.

Guests who send lots of photos or videos will be especially appreciated ♡

What to Do After Receiving a Wedding Invitation ⑦ Check the Route and Required Time to the Venue

Lastly.

The number one thing to avoid on the wedding day is being late.

Make sure to check the route from your home (or salon) to the venue to arrive comfortably.

This can prevent last-minute surprises if it turns out to be farther than expected!

Prepare Well and Look Forward to the Day ♡

We have shared the things you should do after receiving a wedding invitation.

Trying to do everything last minute can be overwhelming.

By preparing in advance, you’ll have more time and peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy the wedding even more ♡

The next time you receive an invitation, try to start on the 7 things we've introduced right away ♩