When To Send Out Save The Dates: A Wedding Planning Guide

Save-the-date cards are typically sent out six to 12 months before the wedding day. Sending them early ensures that guests can plan their travel, accommodation, childcare, and time off work. For destination weddings, save-the-date cards should be sent out nine months to a year in advance. It's important to note that save-the-date cards should only be sent to guests who are invited to the whole wedding day, and not to those only invited to the evening reception.

Save-the-dates should be sent 6-12 months before the wedding

Save-the-dates are an essential part of wedding planning, giving your guests a heads-up about your big day and ensuring they can be there to celebrate with you. While it's an exciting time, it's important not to get carried away and send out your save-the-dates too early. So, when is the right time?

The Sweet Spot

The sweet spot for sending out save-the-dates is 6-12 months before your wedding. This gives your guests ample time to plan and make any necessary arrangements, such as booking time off work, sorting childcare, or making travel plans. It also means you get first dibs on your chosen date, reducing the risk of double-bookings.

Don't Send Them Too Early

While it may be tempting to send out save-the-dates as soon as possible, doing so more than a year in advance can backfire. It's too early for most people to plan, and your save-the-date may end up forgotten in a drawer or tucked away in a purse. Sending them too early can also lead to confusion if your wedding plans change, and you realise your dream day is not what you initially thought it would be.

Don't Wait Too Long

However, don't leave it too late to send out your save-the-dates. Waiting too long may mean some guests already have plans that are impossible or impractical to change. This is especially true for peak times such as summer or holiday weddings. Sending out your save-the-dates 6-12 months in advance gives your guests the best chance to be able to join you on your special day.

Destination Weddings

If you're planning a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send out your save-the-dates even earlier, giving guests extra notice. Aim for 9-12 months in advance, or even earlier if possible. This gives guests the time they need to plan their trip, sort out travel documents, and save up for any extra costs.

The Bottom Line

Sending out your save-the-dates 6-12 months before your wedding strikes the right balance. It gives your guests enough time to plan without being too early that they forget or plans change. It also ensures your special day is locked into their calendars, so they can join you on one of the most important days of your life.

They are not necessary, but they are recommended

Save-the-dates are not necessary but are recommended, especially if you want to ensure your guests don't double-book. They are a helpful tool to ensure your guests can attend, particularly if they need to travel or make other arrangements such as booking time off work or childcare. They also ensure your guests have plenty of notice and can be a fun part of the planning process.

Save-the-dates are particularly recommended if your wedding is during a busy time of year, such as summer or Christmas, or if you have a lot of out-of-town guests. They are also a good idea if you want to get your date in your guests' diaries before any other weddings that year.

However, save-the-dates do have some drawbacks. They can be costly and time-consuming, and you will need to finalise your guest list early on. If you send them out too early, your guests may forget about your wedding, and there is a risk that your plans will change. You also can't revoke a save-the-date, so you will need to be sure about your guest list before you send them out.

If you have a short engagement, are getting married locally, or have already informed your guests of your wedding date, you may decide to skip save-the-dates and just send out your invitations early.

They are especially useful for destination weddings

Save-the-dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before a wedding. However, for destination weddings, it is recommended to send them out sooner. They are especially useful for destination weddings, as they give your guests ample time to plan their trip and make any necessary arrangements. This includes booking flights, travel, and accommodation, which can be more complex and expensive for a destination wedding. Sending out save-the-dates early is a courtesy to your guests, allowing them to compare flight options, arrange time off work, and plan any extended trips before or after the wedding.

For destination weddings, it is recommended to send save-the-dates a minimum of six months in advance and up to eight months before the wedding. Some sources suggest sending them out as early as possible, especially if your wedding is in a far-flung location or if guests will be travelling internationally. If your wedding is in a remote location, it is advisable to include an information packet with your save-the-date, treating it as a pre-invitation rather than a simple notification of your wedding date. This packet can include a timeline of the weekend's events, group activities, and hotel information.

The right wording is important to avoid any confusion from your guests. Be sure to include both of your names, the wedding date, the location, and your wedding website. You may also include a picture of you and your partner, turning the save-the-date into a special memento.

If you are planning a destination wedding, it is crucial to give your guests ample notice, and sending out save-the-dates earlier will help ensure that your loved ones will be able to join you on your special day.

They should only be sent to those who are invited to the whole day

Save-the-dates are an important part of wedding planning, but they are not for everyone. They are especially useful if you are having a destination wedding or getting married during a busy time of year, like the summer or holiday season. In these cases, sending out save-the-dates ensures that your guests have enough time to plan their trip and make any necessary arrangements.

However, save-the-dates should only be sent to those who are invited to the whole day. It can be misleading and awkward to send a save-the-date to someone who is only invited to the evening reception. Sending a save-the-date to an evening-only guest may give them the impression that they are invited to the entire day's events. To avoid confusion and ensure that your guests have a clear understanding of what to expect, it is best to only send save-the-dates to those invited to the complete wedding celebration.

For those who are only attending the evening reception, a separate invitation closer to the date is more appropriate. This invitation should outline the specific details of the reception, including the date, time, location, and any other relevant information. Sending out these invitations 4-6 weeks before the wedding gives your evening guests enough time to plan while avoiding any potential misunderstandings.

It is also important to note that once you send out save-the-dates, you cannot revoke them. So, it is crucial to only send them to those guests you definitely want to attend your wedding. Taking the time to finalize your guest list before sending out save-the-dates can help avoid any potential drama or confusion down the line.

They can be sent digitally or physically

Save-the-dates are typically sent 6 to 12 months before the wedding. If you're planning a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send them out 9 months to a year in advance.

However, digital save-the-dates may be less formal and there is a risk of them getting lost in junk mail or an overflowing inbox. Older guests may also have trouble with an electronic version if they are not computer-savvy.

If you choose to send digital save-the-dates, make sure your email stands out. Use a creative subject that will catch your guests' attention and keep the body of the email clear and concise. You can also use your wedding website as an electronic save-the-date by including a link in the email.

Physical save-the-dates, on the other hand, can be more private and serve as a keepsake for your guests. They can be in the form of a card, magnet, or postcard. However, they may be more expensive and time-consuming, especially if you have to order, proof, print, and mail them yourself.

Frequently asked questions