Junior Rasmussen
Save-the-dates are a couple's first formal communication with their guests about their wedding. They are not a mandatory requirement but are useful for giving guests a heads-up about the wedding date and location, allowing them to make necessary travel arrangements. Typically, save-the-dates are sent 6 to 12 months before the wedding, with 8 to 12 weeks being the recommended time frame for sending out the actual wedding invitations. Save-the-dates can be physical cards or digital, and it is common to include a photo of the couple, although this is not obligatory. Some couples opt for professional photos, while others prefer to use pictures taken on their personal cameras or smartphones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Official announcement of wedding date and location |
| Who to send them to | Everyone you plan on having at your wedding |
| When to send them | 6-12 months before the wedding, depending on location and destination of the wedding |
| What to include | Date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception, dress code, RSVP instructions, accommodation information for out-of-town guests, wedding website |
| Format | Physical cards or digital |
| Photo | Optional, but most save-the-dates include a photo |
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What You'll Learn
When to send: 6-12 months before the wedding
Save-the-dates are your first formal communication with your guests about your wedding. They are an official announcement of your wedding date and location and let guests know that they will be invited to the wedding and that a formal invitation will follow. This allows guests to have enough time to make work and travel arrangements.
The general rule of thumb is to send save-the-dates 6 to 12 months before your wedding. For destination weddings, it's important to give guests as much notice as possible, ideally 9 to 12 months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan travel, book hotels, and take time off work. For local weddings, sending save-the-dates 6 to 8 months in advance is generally sufficient, giving your guests enough time to make any necessary arrangements.
If you're sending physical save-the-date cards, it's a good idea to start the design and planning process early. You can include a photo on your save-the-date, but it's not mandatory. If you do choose to include a photo, you don't have to use a professional one, although this ensures excellent quality and shouldn't have any trouble printing. You can also get creative by including details like lace, burlap, crystals, or patterns. Just remember that any attached items will need to be placed in an envelope.
It's recommended to include a link to your wedding website on your save-the-date, as this serves as a central hub for all event details, including the date, time, and location of both the ceremony and reception, dress code, RSVP instructions, accommodation information for out-of-town guests, and registry information. This is especially useful if you're short on time or looking for a more budget-friendly and eco-friendly option, as you can send digital save-the-dates and invitations.
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Who to send to: everyone you plan to invite
Save-the-dates are an official announcement of your wedding date and location. They also let guests know that they will be invited to the wedding and that a formal invitation will follow. This allows guests to make work and travel arrangements in advance. It is recommended to send save-the-dates 6 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, it is customary to mail save-the-dates 6 to 12 months in advance. For a local wedding, send save-the-dates 4 to 6 months in advance.
When deciding who to send save-the-dates to, it is recommended to only send them to people you plan on inviting to the wedding. This includes your bridal party, friends, and family. Sending a save-the-date to someone indicates that they will be invited to the wedding, so it is important to only send them to people you actually want to attend. It is also a good idea to verbally confirm with your bridal party and close family that they will be invited, even if you plan on sending them a save-the-date card.
It is important to give your guests enough time to plan, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. Sending save-the-dates in advance will increase the likelihood that your guests will attend. If your wedding date is around a busy holiday time, it is a good idea to give your guests extra notice so they can make arrangements.
To send your save-the-dates, you will need to address each envelope to the recipients, including their name, street address, city, state, and zip code. Don't forget to include your return address in the top left corner. Bring them to your local post office to be weighed and measured, and they will tell you what kind of postage you need. Then, buy the necessary postage and send them off!
Overall, when deciding who to send save-the-dates to, it is important to only send them to people you plan on inviting to the wedding and to give your guests enough time to plan by sending them out in advance.
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What to include: Date, location, website link
Save the Dates are an official announcement of your wedding date and location. They let guests know that they will be invited to the wedding and that a formal invitation will follow. This allows guests to make work and travel arrangements in advance. It is recommended to send Save the Dates 6 to 12 months before the wedding, with more time needed for destination weddings.
When creating Save the Dates, you may want to include a photo of you and your partner. While professional photos are not necessary, they can ensure excellent quality and make for a nice keepsake. If you choose not to include a photo, you can get creative with other details such as lace, burlap, crystals, or patterns.
Date
The date of your wedding is the most important piece of information to include on your Save the Dates. This will allow your guests to mark their calendars and plan any necessary travel or accommodations.
Location
Including the location of your wedding is also essential, especially if the wedding will not be held in your hometown or if guests will need to make travel arrangements. This will help guests estimate travel times and costs and make any necessary arrangements.
Website link
If you have a wedding website, be sure to include the link on your Save the Dates. Wedding websites serve as a central hub for all event details, including registry information, guest accommodations, travel information, and more. This can be especially useful for destination weddings or weddings where guests will need to travel.
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Design: Match with wedding theme, add photos
Save the dates are an official announcement of your wedding date and location, and they let guests know that they will be invited to the wedding. They are usually sent out about six months before the wedding, but for international and destination weddings, eight months to a year is preferable. This gives guests enough time to make travel arrangements and book accommodations.
When designing your save the date cards, it's a good idea to match them with your wedding theme to create a seamless and coordinated look. If you're having a rustic-themed wedding, for instance, you could incorporate rustic elements such as burlap, lace, or wood into your save the date design. If your wedding has a colour scheme, you could also use those colours for your save the dates.
Including photos in your save the date cards is a great way to make them more personal and visually appealing. Most couples include a photo of themselves, and you can use engagement photos or schedule a special save-the-date photoshoot. If you're taking the photos yourself, ensure that they are high-resolution so that they print clearly. You can also get creative with your photos by using throwback photos, showcasing your furry friend, or incorporating the wedding destination into the background.
- Black and white photos in formal attire
- Photos with fall foliage in the background
- Action shots of outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, or kayaking
- Side-by-side pictures from when you first met and the present day
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Format: Physical cards or digital
The choice between sending physical cards or digital save-the-date invites is a personal one and there are pros and cons to each approach.
Digital save-the-dates are becoming an increasingly popular option for couples. They are convenient, quick, simple, and inexpensive, and can be sent with the click of a button from the comfort of your home. They are also a more eco-friendly option, reducing the carbon footprint of your wedding by cutting down on paper waste. Digital save-the-dates can also be easily tracked, so you know exactly who has opened them. You can also use digital save-the-dates to collect guests' postal addresses, making it easier to send out paper invitations later on.
However, there are some drawbacks to the digital approach. For more formal events, physical cards may be preferred as they are seen as more traditional and charming. There is also a risk that digital invites could end up in guests' junk folders, or that they may be missed, accidentally deleted, or lost among other digital clutter.
Physical cards can create a sense of excitement and warmth, and may be more likely to be saved and easily found by guests. They can also be customised with different textures and layers, which may be preferable for a black-tie event.
You could also consider a hybrid approach, sending digital save-the-dates to tech-savvy guests and paper cards to those less familiar with digital communications. This way, you can cater to different preferences while keeping a formal touch.
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Frequently asked questions
Save-the-date cards are not required for vendors or service providers, such as photographers. However, some couples choose to send them as a courtesy, especially if they have extra cards or want to express their appreciation.
It is recommended to send save-the-dates about six to twelve months before your wedding date. For destination weddings, it's ideal to give eight to twelve months' notice. This allows guests enough time to plan travel and accommodations.
Save-the-dates typically include the wedding date and location. You may also include a note to "save the date" and a link to your wedding website for more details. Some couples choose to add their names, the hosts' names, and dress code information.
