Wedding Wire's Save The Date Service: A Comprehensive Solution For Couples?

Wedding Wire offers a range of advice and services for couples planning their wedding, including information on 'save the date' cards. These are a courtesy to guests, giving them a heads-up about the wedding date and location so they can plan ahead, especially if travel is involved. They are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended, and Wedding Wire offers tips on what to include, when to send them, and where to buy them.

Save-the-date cards are optional

Save-the-date cards are not a requirement for your wedding. If you would prefer not to send them, you can simply skip this step and let your guests know via email, phone, or your wedding website. Alternatively, you could make a save-the-date video.

However, sending save-the-date cards is highly recommended, as it gives your guests a heads-up and increases the chances that they will be able to attend your wedding. This is especially true if your wedding will be held during a holiday weekend or if guests will need to travel to attend.

If you are working with a tight budget, you may want to skip sending save-the-date cards to cut costs. You can use your wedding website to post your wedding date and keep your guests informed instead.

When to send save-the-date cards

If you do decide to send save-the-date cards, it is generally recommended to send them out about six months prior to the wedding. If you are hosting a destination wedding or getting married on a holiday weekend, you may want to send them out earlier—about eight months to a year in advance—to give your guests ample time to make travel arrangements.

Who should receive a save-the-date card?

Save-the-date cards should only be sent out to guests who will definitely be receiving a formal invitation. If you are unsure about the number of guests, it is best to hold off on sending save-the-dates. Once they are sent out, you can't take them back!

It is recommended to send save-the-dates to everyone invited, even those you already know will be attending, like your wedding party and immediate family. This helps ensure that they have marked the date on their calendars, and some family members may even keep them as keepsakes.

What information to include in your save-the-date

The most important pieces of information to include in your save-the-date are your names and the date and location of your wedding. You don't need to include the specific venue, but knowing the city will be beneficial for guests who will be travelling. You may also include a note that a formal invitation will follow and the URL of your wedding website.

Other optional items you may want to include are an engagement photo, an RSVP option, or a fun, personal message.

Send cards 6-12 months in advance

WeddingWire does not appear to offer a save-the-date service. However, they do provide some useful information about save-the-date cards.

It is recommended that save-the-date cards are sent out between 6 months to 12 months in advance of the wedding. This is especially important if you are planning a destination wedding, in which case they should go out about 10 months in advance. This gives guests plenty of notice so they can figure out time off work, book hotel rooms, and reorganise their schedules.

If you are getting married on a holiday weekend, it is also a good idea to send the cards out early (between 8 and 12 months in advance) to ensure your guests have ample time to make travel arrangements.

It is important to note that you should only send save-the-date cards to guests who will definitely be receiving a formal invite. Once they are in the mail, there is no turning back!

Include names, date, location, and URL

Save-the-date cards are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended, especially if you're planning a destination wedding or getting married on a holiday weekend. They give your guests a heads-up so they can reserve your wedding date or wedding weekend, make travel arrangements, and clear their schedules.

When it comes to what to include on your save-the-date cards, here are some key details to consider:

Names

It is essential to include your and your partner's names on the save-the-date cards. Ensure that they stand out and are entirely visible. You may even want to use a distinct font or design element to make them pop. If desired, you can also include a picture of you as a couple.

Date

The date of your wedding is the primary reason for sending out save-the-date notifications. Make sure to include the wedding date clearly, and if you are having a celebration spanning the entire weekend, specify when the ceremony will take place.

Location

When it comes to location, a general idea is sufficient for save-the-date purposes. Simply providing the city and state or country is enough to help guests with their travel plans. You don't need to include the specific venue or exact address at this stage.

URL

Including the URL of your wedding website on the save-the-date cards is highly recommended. This allows guests to access more detailed information as it becomes available. The website can include travel and accommodation details, registry information, and any other relevant updates.

Save-the-date cards should be short and sweet, providing just enough information for guests to mark their calendars and start making initial plans. The wedding website then serves as a central hub for more comprehensive details about your special day.

No need to match other stationery

Save-the-date cards are a fun way to announce your wedding date and location to your guests. They are typically sent out between six to twelve months before your wedding date. While they are meant to be simple, there are some important details that need to be included, such as the date of your wedding and the location.

Your save-the-date cards do not need to match the rest of your wedding stationery. In fact, there is no pressure to match every single detail of your wedding stationery. It is more important that all the stationery has a similar vibe and that they are recognisable as yours.

Matching your wedding stationery has its pros and cons. One of the pros is that it saves time as you don't have to fret over different designs. It is also easier for guests to recognise and it can be cheaper. However, matching stationery may stifle your creativity and limit your vendor options. It also means committing to one design early on, leaving no room for changes down the road.

If you are unsure about matching your stationery, you can always opt for coordinated stationery. This means using similar colours, patterns, and decor for all pieces but changing up the design. For example, you can use pink and orange across your entire stationery suite but change the design from a border to blocks of colour.

Send to all guests

WeddingWire recommends sending save-the-date cards to all of your guests. This is because, if you only send them out to VIPs, it could lead to awkward conversations if other guests find out. It's best to treat save-the-date cards as an all or nothing scenario.

Save-the-date cards are the first form of communication couples have with their wedding guests, so it's important to get the timing right. Send them out as soon as possible to give your guests ample time to prepare. Typically, couples send them out anywhere from 6 to 12 months in advance of the wedding. If you're planning a destination wedding, then they should go out about 10 months in advance. For a local wedding, you can be more flexible, sending them out between 4 and 8 months in advance.

The cards should include your and your partner's names, the date of your wedding, the general location (city and state), and the URL of your wedding website. You can also include a note that a formal invitation will follow.

You can buy save-the-date cards from online stationers or local stationery designers. They don't need to match your wedding invitations in terms of colour or theme, but they should reflect the style of your wedding (formal or casual).

Frequently asked questions