Wedding Invites Without Save-The-Dates: Is It Possible?

Save-the-date cards are optional, but they serve a specific purpose. They alert guests to your wedding date and location and request that they reserve the date in their calendar. Wedding invitations, on the other hand, are essential and serve as the official request for guests to attend. They provide essential details such as the date, time, venue, and sometimes suggested attire. So, can you send out wedding invitations without save-the-dates?

Save-the-dates are not mandatory

Time and Money

Creating and sending save-the-dates can be time-consuming and costly. You'll need to factor this expense into your wedding budget, and it can add up quickly, especially if you have a large guest list. Additionally, designing, printing, and mailing save-the-dates can be a tedious process, and you'll need to collect all your guests' mailing addresses.

Finalising the Guest List

If you send save-the-dates, you'll need to finalise your guest list soon after locking in your wedding venue. This may be a challenge if you're still deciding on the size and scope of your wedding. It's important to remember that once someone receives a save-the-date, they will assume they are invited to your wedding, so you'll need to be thoughtful and deliberate in your guest list decisions.

Simpler is Sometimes Better

If you're having a small wedding or a short engagement, you may find that save-the-dates are unnecessary. In these cases, a simple wedding invitation may be all you need. Sending only invitations can streamline your planning process and reduce costs.

Other Options

If you're concerned about giving your guests enough notice, there are alternatives to save-the-dates. You could create a wedding website and encourage guests to visit it for updates and information. This can be an effective way to share details about your wedding and allow guests to RSVP. Additionally, digital invitations or e-vites are an option, especially if you're concerned about the environmental impact of paper save-the-dates and invitations.

Wedding invitations should be sent 4-6 months before the wedding if no save-the-date was sent

Wedding invitations are an essential part of the wedding planning process, providing guests with crucial details such as accommodation, dress code, and other important information. While save-the-dates are a nice way to give guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location, they are not mandatory. If you choose to forego save-the-dates, it is important to send out your wedding invitations in a timely manner to ensure your guests can make the necessary arrangements.

The general rule of thumb for sending out wedding invitations is four to six months before the wedding if you have not sent save-the-dates. This timeline ensures that your guests have ample time to plan their attendance, especially if they need to request time off from work, make travel arrangements, or secure accommodations. Sending out invitations within this timeframe also allows you to receive RSVPs earlier, helping you finalize your guest list and make any necessary adjustments.

It is important to consider the type of wedding you are having when deciding on the timing of your invitations. For instance, if you are having a destination wedding or a wedding during a busy holiday season, it is courteous to send out invitations earlier, typically around 10-12 weeks in advance. This gives your guests, especially those travelling from afar, enough time to plan their trip and make any necessary arrangements.

On the other hand, if you are having a small wedding or a short engagement, you may opt for a simpler approach. In such cases, sending out invitations three months in advance is generally acceptable. However, it is crucial to provide your guests with enough notice, especially if they need to plan their schedules and make travel plans.

When sending out wedding invitations without save-the-dates, it is essential to include all the relevant information your guests need to know. This includes the date, time, venue, and any additional details such as accommodation options, transport information, and dress code. Providing a wedding website on your invitation is also a great way to keep your guests informed and allow them to easily access all the necessary details.

Save-the-dates are a timely heads-up for guests

The purpose of save-the-dates is to give your guests a heads-up about the event and share basic information such as the date and location. This is especially helpful for those who will be travelling, as it allows them to book their transport and accommodation in advance. It also gives them the opportunity to decline other commitments and avoid double-booking.

The timing of sending out save-the-dates is crucial. They should be sent out about six to twelve months before the wedding, with the earlier end of this range being preferable. This gives guests ample time to prepare and change their plans if necessary. For destination weddings, it is advised to send out save-the-dates nine to twelve months in advance.

The save-the-date card typically includes a request to save the date, the couple's names, the wedding date and location, and a note to expect a formal invitation. It can also include a wedding website if the couple has one.

While save-the-dates are not mandatory, they are an important part of the planning process, ensuring that your guests can make the necessary arrangements. They also reflect your consideration and etiquette.

Save-the-dates are an additional expense

Creating and sending save-the-dates can be costly, and this is something you'll need to consider when budgeting for your wedding. Depending on the number of invites and their complexity, they could cost several hundred dollars. You'll also need to factor in the time and effort required to design, print, and mail them, as well as collect guests' addresses. Even if you opt for digital save-the-dates to save money, you'll still need to gather email addresses, and there's a risk that your message could be missed.

If you're concerned about the cost of save-the-dates, there are ways to keep expenses down. You could send e-vites through sites like Paperless Post or create your own using a free design site like Canva. Emailing or messaging your save-the-dates to guests is an eco-conscious and cost-effective option, although it may not create the same impression as a physical card.

While save-the-dates do incur an extra cost, they can be a valuable part of the planning process. They give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location, which is especially helpful if travel is involved. This allows them to book travel and accommodations in advance and set up travel alerts to take advantage of future sales. Sending save-the-dates also ensures that your guests don't double-book, as they can mark your wedding date on their calendars well in advance.

Ultimately, the decision to send save-the-dates is a personal choice, and they are not a mandatory part of wedding planning. If you're working with a tight budget or prefer to keep things simple, you may decide to skip them and send out wedding invitations earlier instead.

Save-the-dates are unnecessary for small weddings

Save-the-dates are a preliminary notification sent to guests to inform them about your wedding plans and ensure they reserve your wedding day on their calendars. However, they are not mandatory, especially for small weddings. Here's why:

They Take Time and Money

Creating and sending save-the-dates incurs an additional expense that needs to be built into your wedding budget. Depending on the number and elaborateness of the save-the-dates, costs can quickly add up to several hundred dollars. It also takes considerable time and effort to design, print, and mail them, including the tedious task of collecting mailing addresses. Even opting for digital save-the-dates to save costs still requires gathering email addresses, with the risk of important emails being missed.

Finalizing the Guest List

Sending save-the-dates requires an early final decision on the guest list. Once someone receives a save-the-date, they will assume they are invited to the wedding, and it becomes challenging to exclude them later on. This pressure to finalize the guest list can be avoided by forgoing save-the-dates, giving more flexibility in the wedding planning process.

Small Weddings Have More Intimate Communication

In the case of small weddings, the guest list typically comprises close friends and family who are already aware of the wedding plans through personal communication. Word-of-mouth can be an effective way to spread the news about the wedding date, especially within tight-knit groups. This informal approach eliminates the need for save-the-dates and ensures that those who matter most to you are informed.

Reduced Risk of Double-Booking

Small weddings often involve guests who are already closely connected to the couple and are less likely to have conflicting commitments. The risk of double-booking is lower, and a simple reminder or invitation closer to the wedding date is usually sufficient to ensure their attendance.

Less Administrative Burden

Save-the-dates can create additional administrative work, especially when managing A and B guest lists. The pressure to send save-the-dates early can lead to hasty decisions about guest lists, potentially causing issues down the line. By forgoing save-the-dates, you streamline the process and reduce the risk of inviting guests who may later need to be uninvited due to changing circumstances.

Frequently asked questions