The NRI Guest Problem
Your maasi is in New Jersey. Your childhood best friend is in London. Your dad's brother's family is in Toronto.
They want to come to your wedding. But:
- They need 2–3 months notice to get leave approved
- They need visa letters if they're Indian passport holders
- They need accommodation sorted
- They need to book flights before prices triple
- They need to know the exact schedule to plan around their return
An invitation sent 3 weeks before the wedding — the traditional Indian timeline — does not work for international guests.
The NRI Guest Communication Timeline
6 Months Before: First Communication
This is not an invitation — it is a heads-up and a request.
> "Dear [Name], We are so happy to share that [Name] and [Name] are getting married in [Month/Year] in [City]. We would absolutely love for you to be there. Please keep these dates free — formal invitation to follow. More details coming soon!"
This message allows NRI guests to:
- Block leave well in advance
- Start looking at flight prices (6-month advance = cheaper flights)
- Alert their family to the dates
4 Months Before: Travel & Logistics Information
Send a second communication with practical details:
What to include:
- Confirmed dates (multiple functions)
- Recommended accommodation (with room block details if available)
- Nearest international airport and approximate travel time
- Visa letter availability (for OCI / foreign passport holders who need letters)
- Local contact number for questions
Format: A clean digital "travel brief" card — not the full wedding invitation yet.
6–8 Weeks Before: Formal Wedding Invitation
The full invitation with all details:
- Function schedule
- Venue details with Google Maps links
- RSVP link (with option to indicate which functions they'll attend)
- WhatsApp contact for real-time queries
- Dress code (especially important — NRI guests may not know regional dress norms)
