Save The Dates: Who, What And When?

Save-the-date cards are a fun and practical way to tell your wedding party that they're VIPs and officially on the guest list for your big day. They are typically sent out six to 12 months before the wedding, giving guests ample time to prepare and change their plans if necessary. While they are not mandatory, they are a good idea if you want to give your guests a heads-up about the date and location of your wedding, especially if travel is involved. This way, they can book airfare and accommodations and ensure they don't accidentally double-book. Sending save-the-date cards also confirms for your wedding party that they are indeed on the guest list. However, creating and sending them can be time-consuming and expensive, and you'll need to finalize your guest list ASAP.

Save-the-date cards should be sent 6-12 months in advance

Save-the-date cards are an exciting part of the wedding planning process and a great way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location. They are particularly important if you're having a destination wedding or a wedding during a holiday weekend, as your guests will need to plan their travel and accommodations.

It's generally recommended to send save-the-date cards 6-12 months in advance of your wedding, with some sources suggesting 8-12 months as a good timeframe. This will give your guests ample time to plan their attendance, especially if they need to request time off work, arrange childcare, or make travel plans. Sending your save-the-dates early is also a good idea if you have a lot of guests travelling from out of town or if your wedding coincides with a busy holiday season.

If you're having a local wedding, you can typically send your save-the-dates a little closer to the date, with a recommended timeframe of 4-6 months in advance. However, it's important to remember that once you've sent your save-the-dates, you can't revoke them. So, make sure your guest list is finalised before sending them out.

To make the most of your save-the-date cards, be sure to include the following key information:

• The date of the wedding or the weekend of the celebration, especially if it's a destination wedding or a multi-day event.
• The city of the event, including the state if it's a destination wedding.
• The names of the couple, full names are preferred, but first names are also acceptable for casual and informal weddings.

Optional information that may be helpful to your guests includes:

• A note indicating that a formal invitation will follow.
• Your wedding website, where guests can find more information about the wedding.
• Hotel information, especially if you've reserved a block of rooms with a discount rate.

They are not mandatory, but they are recommended

Save-the-dates are not mandatory, but they are recommended. They are an essential part of the wedding planning process and come with several benefits.

Firstly, they give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location, which is especially helpful for those travelling from out of town. This allows them to book flights and accommodation in advance and set up travel alerts to get the best deals. Even if your guests live nearby, they will appreciate having your wedding date marked on their calendar.

Secondly, sending save-the-dates means your guests can avoid double-booking. They will be able to make plans around your wedding and are more likely to be available to attend.

Thirdly, your friends and family will know for sure that they are invited. While you may assume that certain people know they will be invited, a save-the-date confirms that they have indeed made the guest list.

However, there are a few things to consider before sending save-the-dates. They require time and money, and you will need to finalise your guest list early on in the planning process. Once someone receives a save-the-date, they will assume they are invited to the wedding, so it is important to choose your guest list wisely.

They are especially important for destination weddings

Save-the-date cards are a fun and practical way to tell your friends and family that they are invited to your wedding. They are especially important for destination weddings, as they give your guests a heads-up about the event and allow them to plan their travel arrangements. Here's why sending save-the-dates is crucial for destination weddings:

Ample Planning Time for Guests

Destination weddings require more planning for your guests, and save-the-dates give them the time they need to make necessary arrangements. Guests may need to book plane tickets, arrange for babysitters, request time off work, and plan their budgets, especially if they need to purchase more expensive international fares. Sending save-the-dates 6 to 12 months in advance is recommended to give your guests ample time to prepare without causing confusion or overlap with other events.

Finalizing Travel Details

Save-the-dates for destination weddings should include essential information such as the date, location, and venue of the wedding. This allows guests to book their travel and accommodations accordingly. It is also helpful to include your wedding website on the save-the-date so guests can refer to it for extra travel information and updates.

Building Excitement

Sending save-the-dates early on in the planning process generates excitement for your destination wedding. It gives your guests something to look forward to and ensures a smooth guest experience, especially for those travelling from out of town.

Courtesy and Clarity for Guests

Save-the-dates are a courtesy to your guests, helping them plan their schedules and budgets effectively. They also confirm for your guests that they are indeed on the guest list. This is especially important for destination weddings, as guests may need to take extra steps to ensure their attendance, such as updating their passports or arranging for extended time off work.

Planning Benefits for the Couple

While not mandatory, sending save-the-dates for a destination wedding has its advantages for the couple as well. It helps you gauge interest in attendance, especially from those who need to travel. Additionally, it can prompt guests to send gifts early if they wish to do so, and it gives you an early start on collecting mailing addresses for wedding invitations.

They should be sent to everyone on your wedding guest list

Save-the-dates are an important part of wedding planning, giving your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location. They are especially helpful when travel is involved, allowing guests to book flights and accommodation. Even if your wedding is local, sending save-the-dates ensures your guests can mark the date on their calendars and will be thankful for the advance notice.

Save-the-dates should be sent to everyone on your wedding guest list, including members of your wedding party and family members. Anyone you are sure will be invited should receive a save-the-date, as this is their confirmation that they are on the guest list. This is also an opportunity to include a link to your wedding website, where guests can access your registry and check for wedding updates.

It is important to send save-the-dates early enough to help guests reserve the date and start planning. The general recommendation is to send them out at least 6 to 12 months in advance of your wedding date. For local weddings, 4 to 6 months' notice is considered acceptable, while for destination weddings, it is best to give guests at least 6 months to a year to plan. Sending save-the-dates early is also a good way to get your guests excited about your wedding and gives you a chance to be creative with your stationery.

While sending save-the-dates is not mandatory, it is a practical and polite way to ensure your guests have ample notice of your wedding. It is worth considering the time and cost involved in creating and sending them, but the effort will pay off when you see your loved ones at your celebration.

They can be sent digitally or physically

Save-the-date cards are a fun and practical way to tell your friends and family that they are on the guest list for your wedding day. They are typically sent out 6 to 12 months in advance of the wedding date, giving your guests ample time to plan and generate excitement.

Save-the-date cards can be sent digitally or physically. One of the main reasons to send digital save-the-dates is the convenience factor. Traditional save-the-date cards require ordering, proofing, printing, waiting for delivery, addressing, applying postage, and physical mailing, all of which can take weeks. With digital save-the-dates, you can select and pay for your design within an hour. They are also more sustainable and cost-effective, saving you money on stamps and postage.

However, digital save-the-dates may get lost in junk mail or an overflowing inbox, and some older guests may have trouble with an electronic version. Printed save-the-dates, on the other hand, are more formal and polished, and less likely to be missed by your guests. They also allow you to showcase your wedding theme and colours.

Ultimately, the decision to send digital or physical save-the-dates depends on your personal preference, budget, and the level of formality you want to convey.

Frequently asked questions