Mailing Out Your Wedding Save-The-Dates: A Step-By-Step Guide To Getting It Right

Save the dates are a prelude to your wedding invitations. They are a way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and general location, especially if it's a destination wedding. It's important to send them out early, especially if you have guests travelling from out of town, so they can make the necessary arrangements. While you can send them electronically, which is more cost-effective and convenient, it's less formal and there's a risk of them getting lost in junk mail or an overflowing inbox. Sending physical save-the-dates by mail can be more expensive, but it's a more traditional and reliable way to ensure your guests receive them.

Online vs traditional save-the-dates

There are two main ways to send save-the-dates: traditional paper cards/postcards or online via email/text message. Both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Traditional Save-the-Dates

Traditional paper save-the-date cards offer the largest selection of styles, templates, and shapes. You can choose most of the details, including the design, font, message, envelope, and postage stamps. They are also more formal than digital save-the-dates. However, they are slower and more costly to deliver.

Online Save-the-Dates

Online save-the-dates are usually sent via email or text message. They are often cheaper than traditional save-the-dates, as delivery via email and text is less expensive than physical mailing. Online options also offer exclusive features such as RSVPs, delivery tracking, guest address collection tools, links to gift registries, maps, and hotel information. Additionally, they are more convenient, as they eliminate the hassle of printing, addressing, and physically mailing cards. However, there are usually fewer design options, and guests do not receive a physical item.

There is no clear winner between traditional and online save-the-dates. Traditional save-the-dates are a better choice for those who value selection and tradition, while online save-the-dates are more cost-effective and offer more features. In terms of style and presentation, it is a matter of personal preference. Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific needs and preferences for your wedding.

Save-the-date content

Save-the-date cards are an important step in wedding planning, providing your guests with the information they need to determine whether they can attend. They are usually the first element of your wedding that friends and family will interact with, so it's important to get the content right. Here are some tips for what to include:

Date and Location

The date and location of your wedding are the most important pieces of information to include on your save-the-date cards. You can give the exact date and venue or keep it general with just the city and state. If you're having a destination wedding, it's a good idea to give guests a heads-up about the location so they can start planning travel and accommodations.

Names

It's customary to include the full names of the couple getting married on the save-the-date cards. This is usually done in a simple and direct way, such as "Save the date for the wedding of Sally Jane Smith and John Paul Jones".

Tone

The tone of your save-the-date cards can vary depending on the style of your wedding. If you're having a formal wedding, you might want to use more traditional and polite language. For a casual wedding, you can be more relaxed and playful in your wording.

Invitation to Follow

It's important to let guests know that a formal invitation will follow, so they don't confuse the save-the-date for the official invite. A simple phrase like "Formal invitation to follow" or "Invitation to follow" will do the trick.

Wedding Website

If you have a wedding website, be sure to include the link on your save-the-date cards. This will allow guests to find more detailed information about your wedding, such as travel and accommodation options, registry details, and any other relevant updates.

RSVP Information

If you're creating an A-list and a B-list for your guest list, you can add RSVP language to your save-the-date cards. This will allow you to invite people from the B-list if some guests from the A-list can't attend. A polite way to do this is to say something like, "We would love to have you, but please let us know if you are unable to attend."

Optional Extras

You can add a personal touch to your save-the-date cards with extras like an engagement photo, a poem, a favourite quote, or other features that express your personality. Just be careful not to clutter the card with too much information.

Timing

As a general rule, it's best to send out your save-the-dates six to eight months before your wedding. This gives your guests enough time to book travel and accommodation, save money, and request time off work. For destination weddings, weddings during holiday periods, or weddings where travel may be difficult, it's best to send out your save-the-dates as close to the eight-month mark as possible, or even earlier.

It's worth noting that sending your save-the-dates too early can also be an issue. If you send them more than a year in advance, your wedding might be too far away to stay on your guests' radars, and they may put off making the necessary arrangements. It also gives you less leeway if you need to change the date or location.

If you're planning a local wedding, you can send out your save-the-dates four to six months in advance. However, it's still important to give your guests enough notice, especially if they need to arrange time off work or book accommodation.

When deciding on the timing of your save-the-dates, it's also a good idea to consider the season. Try to avoid sending them during busy holiday periods, like the Christmas holiday season, when they might get lost in the influx of mail that arrives at that time of year.

Overall, the key to timing your save-the-dates is to give your guests enough notice without sending them too far in advance. This will ensure your guests have a smooth planning experience and increase the chances of them being able to attend your special day.

Cost

The cost of wedding save-the-date cards can vary depending on the number of cards purchased, the design, and the method of delivery.

For physical save-the-date cards, the price typically ranges from $1.15 to $4.59 per card, with the cost decreasing for larger orders. Custom designs, embellishments, and unconventional mailing materials, such as magnets, will also increase the cost. Additionally, if your save-the-date cards include extra weight or require a hand-cancelling service to protect them from being damaged by machines, you may incur a higher cost per card.

Digital save-the-date options can also vary in price, from free generic templates to custom-designed graphics that may cost more. While electronic save-the-dates can be more budget-friendly, it's important to consider any monthly or yearly membership fees or "pay as you go" options offered by the service.

To save money, consider using printable templates or opting for a lower price point by forgoing custom designs or elaborate embellishments. Sending your save-the-dates electronically can also reduce costs associated with printing, addressing, and postage.

It's worth noting that the cost of save-the-dates is generally not too high compared to your overall wedding budget, but if you're looking for something more elaborate, you can expect to spend more.

Design

The design of your save-the-date cards is important as they are the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding style. The design should reflect your personality as a couple and hint at the style and tone of the wedding.

You can choose to design your save-the-date cards yourself or use a custom design service. You can also use a template and add your own photos, colours, fonts, and style.

• Letterpress: This traditional printing style adds an air of formality to your save-the-date. It involves pressing text and design elements into thick cardstock and filling the impressions with ink for a textured finish.
• Blind Embossing Letterpress: Similar to letterpress, but without the ink, this style adds pattern and visual interest without adding colour.
• Gold Foil: For a glamorous touch, consider a design with gold foil details. You can choose between classic gold or glittery gold.
• Dark Colour Foil: For something a little less traditional, opt for dark-coloured foil in black, bronze, or silver.
• Magnets: Many save-the-date styles can be printed as magnets, which are convenient for guests to stick on their fridge.
• Postcards: Postcard-style save-the-dates are a budget-friendly option that still allows for beautiful designs. You can print the recipient's address and additional details on the back.
• Vellum Overlay: This style features a card with your photo and a sheer overlay printed with the wedding details, allowing guests to keep your photo on display.
• Square Shape: A square card with rounded corners can add a vintage feel, especially if it features illustrations or typography instead of photos.
• Arch Shape: Arch-shaped cards are a contemporary trend that can be paired with lots of white space and a refined colour palette for a minimalist look, or with foil-pressed details for added elegance.
• Die-Cut Cards: These cards feature unique shapes like scalloped edges, half arches, or soft ovals to dial up the personality and wow factor.
• Photo Collage: Can't pick just one photo? Choose a collage-style design to showcase a handful of your favourite shots.
• No Photos: If you prefer a more traditional style or are skipping engagement photos, there are plenty of photo-free design options, from classic script on white cardstock to bold, modern foil-pressed typography.
• Classic and Formal: For a formal or traditional wedding, choose a style that features clean, classic fonts and calligraphy, with or without photos.
• Colour: Make use of your wedding colour palette by incorporating unexpected uses of colour, such as rainbow typography or monochrome washes.
• Monogram: Incorporate your initials into the design, and then use the same monogram across other wedding details like invitations, napkins, or cocktail toppers.
• Bold Typography: Put your names or wedding date front and centre with bold, chunky script or sleek, skinny fonts.
• Handwritten Font: Handwritten-style fonts add a personal touch and are perfect for smaller, more intimate weddings.
• Watercolour Elements: Pair your photo with watercolour elements or opt for a photo-free design featuring a watercolour rendition of your wedding location.
• Art Deco: Art deco-inspired designs are perfect for a city soirée and will stand out with their simple colour palettes and opulent foil elements.
• Matching Suite: If you have a clear wedding vision, choose a save-the-date design that is part of a larger suite of matching stationery, including invitations, websites, and even day-of decor.
• Nature-Inspired: Communicate the theme of your wedding through your save-the-date by incorporating illustrations or photos inspired by your wedding location, such as tropical plants, mountains, or desert landscapes.
• Floral and Botanical: If you already know your wedding bouquets and centrepieces, feature the same flowers and greenery on your save-the-date.
• Seasonal Designs: Choose a design that reflects the season of your wedding, such as winter-inspired botanical details or spring-themed soft scripts and pastels.
• Finishing Touches: Add extra special touches like envelope liners, wax seals, vintage-designed postage stamps, or a custom rubber stamp return address.

Remember, your save-the-date design should reflect your style as a couple and give your guests a sneak peek of what to expect from your wedding.

Frequently asked questions