When To Mail Those Save The Dates: A Wedding Planning Guide

Sending out save-the-dates for your wedding is an exciting first step in the wedding planning process. It's a way to announce your wedding date to your guests and get them excited about your big day. The general rule of thumb is to send out save-the-dates six to twelve months in advance, especially if you're planning a destination wedding or have guests travelling from out of town. This gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements, save money, and request time off work. For local weddings, sending out save-the-dates four to six months in advance is also considered acceptable. It's important to note that once you've sent out your save-the-dates, you can't revoke them, so make sure your guest list is finalised before putting them in the mail.

Send save-the-dates 6-12 months before the wedding

Sending save-the-dates 6-12 months before the wedding is considered the best practice for a few reasons. Firstly, it gives your guests ample time to plan and make any necessary arrangements such as booking travel and accommodation, especially if they are coming from out of town. It also allows them to save money, take time off work, and make childcare plans if needed. Sending save-the-dates in this timeframe ensures a smooth guest experience and generates excitement for your big day.

For destination weddings or weddings during holiday periods, it is recommended to send save-the-dates closer to the 12-month mark or even earlier. This is because destination weddings often require more extensive planning and your guests will need the additional time to make travel arrangements, sort out visas, and save up for the trip. Sending save-the-dates early gives your guests a better chance of getting good deals on flights and accommodation.

On the other hand, if you send save-the-dates too early, there is a risk that guests may forget or that their plans may change. Therefore, it is generally not advisable to send them more than a year in advance. Additionally, you should only send save-the-dates to those guests who you are certain will be invited, as it is considered an obligation to also send them a wedding invitation afterward.

The save-the-date card should include the wedding date, the city of the event, and the names of the couple. You may also include a link to your wedding website and hotel information if you have reserved room blocks. Sending save-the-dates is a great way to get your guests excited and involved in the celebration of your special day.

Send save-the-dates 8-12 months before a destination wedding

Planning a destination wedding? It's time to start thinking about sending out those save-the-dates! While it's an exciting task, it's also an important one. Giving your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location is a courtesy that will help them plan their travels and ensure they can be by your side on your big day.

So, when is the best time to send save-the-dates for a destination wedding? The general recommendation is to mail them 8-12 months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to compare flight options, book accommodation, and arrange time off work. It's also a good idea to consider sending an information packet or including a link to your wedding website with your save-the-dates. That way, your guests can access all the details they need to plan their trip, like the timeline for the weekend's events and any group activities you've planned.

Ordering save-the-dates 12 months before your wedding is a good idea, especially if you're planning a destination wedding. This will give you time to address and mail them, ensuring they reach your guests with plenty of notice. While you can send save-the-dates by email, there's nothing quite like receiving a personalised card in the mail.

When it comes to the content of your save-the-date, there are a few key details to include. Firstly, the date of your wedding or the weekend of the celebration. This allows guests to block off the necessary days in their calendars. Secondly, the city and venue of your wedding. This is particularly important for destination weddings, as guests will need this information to plan their travels and assess if they can afford the trip. Finally, include the names of the happy couple. Full names are preferred, but first names are also acceptable for casual and informal weddings.

You can also include some optional information on your save-the-date, such as a line indicating that a formal invitation will follow. As save-the-dates are a relatively new addition to wedding stationery, some guests may not be familiar with them. Including your wedding website and hotel information is also helpful, especially if you've reserved a block of rooms with a discount rate.

Send save-the-dates 4-6 months before a local wedding

Sending save-the-dates for a local wedding 4-6 months in advance is a great way to ensure your guests have ample time to prepare for your big day. Here are some tips and reasons why this timeline is ideal:

Guest Convenience

Giving your guests a heads-up about your wedding date allows them to reserve the date or weekend for your celebration. This is especially important if your wedding coincides with large seasonal events, such as the Christmas holiday season, when people are more likely to have competing plans. Sending save-the-dates 4-6 months in advance gives your guests a nudge to mark their calendars and start making any necessary arrangements, such as booking travel or making childcare plans.

Generating Excitement

Sending save-the-dates early on in the wedding planning process is a great way to build excitement for your special day. Your friends and family will appreciate the advance notice and will be eager to celebrate with you. It's also an excellent opportunity to include a link to your wedding website, where guests can learn more about your wedding and access your registry.

Smooth Planning Process

By sending save-the-dates 4-6 months in advance, you can ensure a smooth planning process for both you and your guests. This timeline allows you to focus on other important aspects of your wedding, such as choosing a venue, selecting a theme, and finalising your guest list. It also gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements, save money, and request time off work if needed.

Etiquette

Wedding etiquette dictates that save-the-dates should be sent early enough to give guests sufficient notice. While the ideal timeline for local weddings is 4-6 months, it's important to note that sending them too early can be counterproductive. Aim to give your guests enough time to plan without sending them so far in advance that they forget or lose the save-the-date.

Following Up with Invitations

Remember to follow up your save-the-dates with formal wedding invitations. For local weddings, it is recommended to send invitations approximately 8 weeks before the wedding. This will serve as a reminder for your guests and provide them with additional details such as the venue address and ceremony time.

Include the date, names, and location on save-the-dates

Save-the-dates are an essential part of wedding planning. They are the first step in getting your guests excited about your big day and making sure they are available to attend. Save-the-dates should be sent out six to twelve months in advance of the wedding, with eight to twelve months being the ideal time frame for destination weddings or weddings over a holiday weekend. This gives your guests ample time to book travel and accommodations and request time off work.

Now, let's dive into the key components of a save-the-date: the date, names, and location.

The Date

The date of the wedding is perhaps the most crucial piece of information on your save-the-date. It lets your guests know which day or days to reserve in their calendars. If you're planning a destination wedding or a multi-day celebration, be sure to include the entire weekend so your guests can make the necessary travel arrangements.

The Names

Including the names on the save-the-date ensures that your guests know who is getting married. This may seem obvious, but more distant relatives and friends may not know your partner's name or full name. This information will also be crucial for guests when filling out wedding cards, purchasing gifts, or updating their address books. You can include just the first names of the couple, especially for more casual or informal weddings. For formal weddings, you may want to use full names.

The Location

The location of your wedding is another essential piece of information for your guests. Even if most of your guests are local, some may want to reserve a room at a nearby hotel. For destination weddings, providing the city and state (and country, if applicable) is essential to help guests with their travel plans. If there are multiple events planned or if your wedding extends over multiple days, be sure to include this information as well.

In summary, including the date, names, and location on your save-the-dates is crucial to ensuring your guests have the information they need to plan for your big day. Remember to send them out early enough to give your guests ample notice, and consider including your wedding website and other relevant details to make travel arrangements easier for your guests.

Send save-the-dates to everyone on the guest list

Save-the-dates are an essential part of wedding planning. They are a thoughtful way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location, and ensure they are free to attend. They are also a great way to get everyone excited about your wedding and kickstart your creativity in the early stages of planning.

When it comes to sending save-the-dates, it's important to be mindful of the timing. For local weddings, it is recommended to send them out four to six months in advance. This gives your guests enough time to plan and make any necessary arrangements. However, for destination weddings or weddings during a holiday weekend, it is advisable to send save-the-dates nine months to a year in advance. This extended timeframe allows guests to book flights, reserve hotel rooms, and plan their travel accordingly.

It is also crucial to ensure that your save-the-dates are sent to everyone on your guest list who will be receiving an invitation. This includes members of your wedding party and family members. Sending a save-the-date is a commitment to sending a formal invitation, so only send them to those guests you definitely want to attend your wedding.

When creating your save-the-dates, include key information such as the date of the wedding or the weekend of the celebration, the city of the event, and the names of the couple. You may also include optional details such as a link to your wedding website, hotel information for out-of-town guests, and a note that a formal invitation will follow.

Save-the-dates are a fun and practical way to officially announce your wedding plans to your loved ones. They are an opportunity to showcase your creativity and get everyone excited about your upcoming nuptials.

Frequently asked questions