Regardless of whether you decided to send out save-the-dates or not, there are a number of essential pieces of information ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My beloved and I are planning a small, intimate wedding. Rather than engage a printer, I am planning to ...

after all, especially with a few fun party tricks up your sleeve! The general rule for the timing, according to Emily Post, is to send out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding date.