Deciding What You Want
How far in advance should you start to plan? What time of year will most likely produce the most attendance? How much planning and preparation is involved? How many family members will be invited? Depending on these factors, you may need anywhere from a few weeks to a year to plan your gathering.
Will it be modest, requiring little organization, effort and preparation? If so, you'll only need a few weeks of lead time to put the plans together and get it on your family’s calendars.
How about holding a family reunion dinner at a local restaurant? Again, only a few weeks of advance notice will be needed. Invite your relatives, book the date with the restaurant and relax — the restaurant will handle the cooking!
On the other extreme, the event could attract family members from around the country and require more planning. In this case you would want to begin planning at least six to nine months out.
Generally, the earlier you invite people, the more will be able to attend. If you are planning a reunion on a holiday weekend, be sure to give plenty of notice, as these weekends are planned far in advance by many people. No matter how early or late you plan your gathering, don’t forget reminder notes, emails or phone calls to keep it top of mind for your relatives.