Wording Your Wedding Website For Save-The-Date Cards

Save-the-date cards are an important step in wedding planning, providing guests with the information they need to decide whether they can attend. They are usually sent out four to six months before the wedding, but for destination weddings, this can be up to a year in advance. They should include the date and location of the wedding, and it is also becoming increasingly common to include the wedding website. This gives guests the opportunity to find out more details about the wedding and start thinking about travel arrangements.

Include the wedding website link

Including your wedding website link on your save-the-date cards is a great way to share more information about your wedding with your guests. Here are some tips and examples to help you word your save-the-date cards with the inclusion of your wedding website link:

Keep it Short and Sweet

Your save-the-date cards should be simple and to the point, providing the essential details such as the names of the couple, the wedding date, and the location. If you have a wedding website, include the link so that guests can easily access more information. Here's an example:

"Please save the date for the wedding of

Gisele Bundchen and Thomas Brady

February 26, 2009

Santa Monica, CA

Invitation to follow

Https://weddingwebsite.com"

Provide Travel Information

If your wedding is in a destination that requires travel, be sure to include travel details on your save-the-date cards. You can also direct guests to your wedding website for more information. For example:

"Save the date!

Join us for a weekend of sun and fun in paradise!

September 14, 2024

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Invitation to follow

Travel details: https://withjoy.com/AliciaandMegan"

Add a Hint of Personality

While save-the-date cards are typically formal, you can add a touch of personality or humour to reflect your style as a couple. Here's an example that plays with words:

"There will be a party. With people. Finally.

Jackson and Ally are getting married

July 22, 2024

Loft 77, New York City

Invitation to follow

More details at: https://ourwedding.com"

Include a Quote or Theme

If you have a particular theme or a favourite quote, you can incorporate it into your save-the-date cards for a unique touch. Here's an example inspired by a movie quote:

"And we'll build this love from the ground up." (From the movie "From the Ground Up")

Save the date for

Emma and Alex

August 17, 2024

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Invitation to follow

Visit https://weddingwebsite.com for more details"

Remember, your save-the-date cards should be sent out four to six months before your wedding, or earlier if it's a destination wedding. This will give your guests enough time to plan their attendance and make any necessary travel arrangements.

Keep it short and simple

Keeping your wedding website link short and simple on your save-the-date cards is a great way to go. Here are some tips and examples to help you do this effectively:

The wedding website URL is typically included on save-the-date cards to provide guests with more detailed information about the wedding. However, it's important to keep this link short and simple. Here are some tips:

• Use a URL shortener: If your wedding website has a long or complicated URL, consider using a URL shortener like bit.ly or TinyURL to create a custom, shorter link. This will make it easier for guests to type the URL into their browsers and reduce the chance of errors.
• Include only the URL: Avoid adding lengthy explanations or instructions around the URL. Simply present the link clearly and prominently, either on its own or alongside other key details like the date and location.
• Be consistent: Ensure that the URL you provide on your save-the-date cards is the same one you've used on other wedding correspondence, like your wedding invitations or any wedding-related social media posts. This will create a seamless experience for your guests.
• Make it mobile-friendly: Test the URL to ensure it directs guests to a mobile-friendly website that is easy to navigate on smartphones and tablets. This is especially important if you anticipate guests accessing the site on their devices during the event.

• "For more details and to RSVP, visit: [yourweddingwebsite].com"
• "We'd love to share more with you! Check out [yourweddingwebsite].com"
• "For all the wedding info, visit our website: [yourweddingwebsite].com"
• "Get all the details at [yourweddingwebsite].com"
• "Join us! Find all the info at [yourweddingwebsite].com"

Remember to replace "[yourweddingwebsite]" with your actual wedding website URL.

Add a note about a formal invitation to follow

Save-the-date cards are a great way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding plans and location, especially if you're planning a destination wedding. They are also a good opportunity to showcase your personality as a couple.

Keep It Short and Simple

Your save-the-date cards should be simple and to the point, providing the who, where, and when of your wedding. You can also include a note about a formal invitation to follow, such as "Invitation to follow" or "Formal invitation to come." This lets your guests know that more details will be provided in the official invitation.

Provide Travel Information

If your wedding is taking place at a far-off destination or most of your guests will be travelling, it's helpful to provide travel information on your save-the-date cards. Share details such as airports and hotels so that attendees can make arrangements early and avoid last-minute booking costs. You can also include your wedding website link, where guests can find more travel information.

Traditional Wording Examples

• "Please save the date for the wedding of George Miller and Kelly Brown. https://withjoy.com/GeorgeandKelly. Formal invitation will follow."
• "Jamie Morrow and Samantha Cohen request your presence at their wedding on Saturday, June Twenty-Sixth, Two Thousand Twenty-One, at the Plaza Hotel in New York, New York. Formal invitation to come."
• "Please save the date to celebrate the union of. Formal invitation to follow. two thousand twenty-one. https://withjoy.com/AveryandDavid"

Casual Wording Examples

If you prefer a more casual tone, here are some examples that still include a mention of the formal invitation to follow:

• "Save the date because… Holly Smith and Connor Williams are getting married in San Francisco! https://withjoy.com/HollyandConnor. Formal invitation to follow."
• "Yvonne and Neal are getting hitched. Invitation to follow."
• "It’s finally happening! Josh and Kyle are taking the plunge. Save the date: 9.18.21 San Diego, California. Keep an eye out for your formal invitation."

Destination Wedding Wording Examples

For destination weddings, it's a good idea to let guests know that it's a multiple-day celebration and that more details will be provided in the formal invitation:

• "Plan to join us from May 27th to May 29th in Bermuda to celebrate our union. Invitation to follow."
• "Join us in Positano, Italy, Audrey & Dae | September 14th - 17th. Formal invitation to follow."
• "Save the Date and Join Us In Puerto Rico, Kamila and Alejandro, November 12, 2025. Invitation to follow."

Send them at the right time

Timing is everything when it comes to sending out your save-the-dates. As a general rule of thumb, it's recommended to send them out about six months before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to request days off from work and make the necessary travel arrangements. However, if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, is a destination wedding, or takes place during the summer, it's advisable to send them out nine months to a year in advance.

For destination weddings, in particular, it's crucial to give your guests ample notice, typically 10 to 12 months in advance. This is because destination weddings often require guests to plan for time off from work, book flights, and secure accommodations. By sending your save-the-dates early, you increase the likelihood of your guests being able to attend.

It's worth noting that the timing of your save-the-dates can be a bit tricky if you're still finalising the details of your destination wedding or trying to accommodate guests' schedules. However, it's essential to have a confirmed date and location before sending them out.

If you're sending out paper save-the-dates, it's a good idea to allow some extra time for printing and postage. On the other hand, digital save-the-dates can be sent out more spontaneously and are a great eco-friendly option.

While it's not mandatory to send save-the-dates, they are highly recommended, especially for destination weddings or weddings during popular seasons. They give your guests a heads-up and increase the chances of your special day being their top priority.

Include the couple's names

Including the couple's names on the save-the-date is a given, but there are a few different ways to word this depending on the formality and tone you wish to set. The most traditional and formal way to word your save-the-date would be to use your full names, with the woman's name preceding the man's, and the full names of your parents, as they are the hosts. For example: "The parents of Emily Madison Wilson request your presence at her marriage to Charles Anthony Davis." This phrasing maintains a sense of formality and tradition. If you want to maintain a sense of formality but prefer a more modern approach, simply state the full names of the couple with the woman's name first: "Emily Madison Wilson and Charles Anthony Davis joyfully invite you to their wedding celebration."

For a less traditional, informal, or casual wedding, you have more flexibility and can get creative with your wording. You could use nicknames or shortened versions of your names if that's how you usually refer to yourselves. For instance: "Save the date for Lily and Charlie's big day!" or "Mark your calendars! Sam and Bella are tying the knot." This approach sets a relaxed and playful tone for your wedding. When deciding on the wording, consider the overall style and atmosphere you want for your wedding. The save-the-date is the first impression your guests will have of your wedding, so it should give them a hint of what to expect.

If you're having a destination wedding or a wedding that requires extensive travel for your guests, it's a thoughtful touch to include the names of those who are unable to be there in person. Something like: "Emily and Charles invite you to join them and their families as they celebrate their love from near and far." This acknowledges that not all loved ones may be able to attend but conveys that their presence in spirit is still valued. Including the couple's names on the save-the-date card is not just practical but also sets the tone for the entire announcement. Whether you opt for formal, traditional, playful, or casual wording, always ensure that the phrasing aligns with the style and atmosphere of your wedding day.

Frequently asked questions