George Boyle
So, you're engaged and eager to get the ball rolling on your wedding plans. Congratulations! But before you get too carried away, it's important to remember that wedding planning is all about timing. One of the first tasks on your to-do list should be sending out save-the-dates to give your guests a heads-up about your upcoming nuptials. But how far in advance is too far?
The general consensus is that save-the-dates should be sent out around 6 to 12 months before your wedding day, with 8 to 10 months being the sweet spot. This gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements, save money, and request time off work without being too early that they forget or their plans change. For destination weddings or weddings during busy holiday periods, it's a good idea to err on the side of earlier, giving your guests up to a year's notice.
What You'll Learn
How early is too early?
While you may be eager to share your wedding date with your loved ones, sending out your save-the-dates too early can backfire. Here are some reasons why you should wait until the right time:
It's too early to plan properly
Sending out save-the-dates a year or more in advance can be too early for guests to plan their time off work or school. For example, college students won't know their class schedule that far in advance. It's also too early for guests to make travel arrangements or book accommodation.
People are naturally forgetful
If you send out save-the-dates too early, they are likely to be tucked away and forgotten about. It's hard for people to conceptualise their commitments that far in the future.
Your wedding plans may change
You may realise that your dream wedding venue is not what you initially thought. Giving yourself time to figure out the details and finalise your plans before asking guests to clear their calendars is a good idea.
Guest lists change
Sending a save-the-date to someone does not oblige them to come to your wedding, but it does oblige you to invite them. If you decide later on that you don't want to invite them, it can be a major insult. It's best to wait until you've finalised your guest list before sending out save-the-dates.
Save-the-dates are unnecessary for short engagements
If you're getting married in just a few months, you can skip the save-the-dates and just send out wedding invitations. This will allow you to condense your timeline and save you time and effort.
You risk losing that excited feeling
If your wedding is too far away, your guests may not feel the same level of excitement as you do. They may put off making plans and could even forget about the date altogether.
In general, it's recommended to send out save-the-dates six to 12 months before your wedding, with eight to 10 months being the ideal timeframe. For destination weddings or weddings during busy times of the year, it's best to send them out nine months to a year in advance.
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How much time do guests need to plan?
It is important to give your guests enough time to plan when it comes to your wedding. They may have personal situations and professional obligations to work around, such as requesting time off work, arranging childcare, making travel plans, or saving for hotel costs.
For a typical wedding, it is recommended that you send out your save-the-dates around 8-10 months in advance. This gives your guests a chance to plan without being too early, which could cause them to forget or be unable to plan properly. Sending save-the-dates too early can also be a problem if your wedding plans change.
If you are having a destination wedding, it is a good idea to send out your save-the-dates even earlier, around 10-12 months in advance. This gives guests more time to plan their trip and make the necessary arrangements, such as applying for visas or saving for plane tickets.
If most of your guests are local, you may be able to send out your save-the-dates a little later, around 6-8 months in advance. However, it is still important to give them enough notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements or book time off work.
Once you have sent out your save-the-dates, it is important to remember that you cannot revoke them. So, be sure to only send them to guests you definitely want to invite to your wedding.
In addition to sending out save-the-dates, it is also a good idea to set up a wedding website. This can include information such as your hotel blocks, wedding registry, and any other important details for your guests.
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What to include on save-the-date cards
Save-the-date cards are typically sent out between six and ten months before the wedding. If you're planning a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send them out even earlier—up to a year in advance—so that guests have enough time to make travel arrangements.
Now, what to include on these cards? Here's a list of what you should consider adding to your save-the-date cards:
The Couple's Names
It is essential to include the names of both individuals getting married. Using full names is recommended, especially if you're not including a photo, to avoid any confusion, but you can go for a more casual feel by using only first names.
The Date
The date of the wedding is a must-have on the save-the-date cards. If there are events spanning multiple days, specify the range of dates or indicate "The weekend of" to aid guests in their planning.
Location
The city or region where the wedding will take place should be mentioned. This is crucial for guests who need to arrange travel and accommodation. You don't need to have a venue booked yet, but providing the location will help guests know how far they'll need to travel.
"Invitation to Follow"
Since save-the-date cards are brief, most of the detailed information will be conveyed in the actual wedding invitations. Let your guests know that more detailed invitations with timings and venue information will be sent out later, so they don't assume the save-the-date is the invitation.
Optional Additions:
- A Photo of the Couple: Using an engagement photo is a great way to make your guests feel connected to you and your partner.
- Your Wedding Website: If you have a wedding website, including its URL on the save-the-date card is a good idea. Guests can then find more in-depth information about the wedding, such as registry info and dress code.
- RSVP Option: If you want to finalise your guest list early, you can offer an RSVP option on the save-the-date card, directing people to your website or providing a return card for their response.
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Who to send them to
Save-the-date cards are not mandatory, but they are a fun way to get your guests to mark their calendars, especially if many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. They are also a great way to announce your engagement and get your guests excited about your wedding.
Save-the-dates should be sent only to those who you're planning on inviting to the wedding. A guest at your engagement party will probably expect an invitation to your wedding, so plan this first guest list wisely.
The role of save-the-dates is to give your guests a heads-up that they are invited to your wedding. They should include the wedding date (including the year) and the city or destination of the wedding venue. You can also include your wedding website, if you have one.
The role of the wedding invitation is to actually invite your guests to your wedding. Invitations will include all of the details that a guest will need to know about your big day, and will request an RSVP so that you can get a final headcount for your vendors.
The wedding invitation suite typically includes the main invitation, a response card, and any other enclosure cards containing helpful information for your guests (reception card, travel and accommodations card, attire card, wedding website card, etc.).
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Save-the-date cards vs wedding invites
Save-the-date cards are typically sent out 6-12 months before the wedding, with invites following 6-8 weeks before the big day. The purpose of a save-the-date is to give your guests a heads-up and ask them to hold the date in their calendars. They are particularly useful if you have a lot of guests travelling in from out of town or if your wedding is during a holiday period.
Save-the-date cards are optional, but they are a good idea if you want to give your guests a chance to plan ahead and make any necessary arrangements. They are also a great way to get everyone excited about your wedding. The cards should include the names of the couple, the wedding date, and the location (city and state). If you have a wedding website, this can also be included.
On the other hand, wedding invitations are more formal and include all the necessary details about the wedding, such as the date, time, address of the ceremony and reception, and any additional information like attire or if the event is adults-only. Wedding invitations may also include RSVP cards, which are typically requested for invitations but not for save-the-dates.
The save-the-date cards do not need to match the invitations in terms of design and theme. They can be more casual and creative, while the invitations can be more formal and elegant. It is important to note that once you send out a save-the-date, you are obligated to send a wedding invitation, so it is best to finalize your guest list before sending them out.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to send out save-the-dates 6 to 12 months before your wedding day. This gives your guests enough time to prepare and change their plans if needed.
It is recommended to send save-the-dates to ensure your guests have enough notice and can plan accordingly. This is especially important if your wedding is during a busy time of year or if you have a lot of guests travelling.
The minimum information required is the date, names, and wedding location (city and state). It is also a good idea to be clear about who is invited and any plus ones.
It is recommended to send save-the-dates no earlier than a year in advance. Sending them too early may cause guests to forget or be unable to plan properly.
