Save The Date" Secrets: A Guide To Crafting Your Wedding Prelud

Save-the-date cards are an important step in wedding planning, giving your guests a heads-up so they can start making travel plans and request days off work. They are especially useful for destination weddings or if you're planning to invite a lot of out-of-town guests. While they are not a required item of wedding stationery, they are a good opportunity to share a photo of you and your fiancé and give your guests a sneak peek at your wedding style.

The wording of your save-the-date cards can be tricky, but the tone should reflect your personality as a couple. If you're a traditional couple, opt for classic and formal text. If you're brief and to the point, try something modern and minimalist. And if you're a bubbly, fun-loving pair, convey this with a playful and funny tone.

- Save the date for the wedding of Sally Jane Smith and John Paul Jones, Saturday, the ninth of June, Two thousand and twenty-four, Los Angeles, California. Formal invitation to follow.

- Save the date, Lauren and Samantha are getting married! September 2, 2024, New York City. Formal invitation to follow.

- They asked and he said 'Yes!' Zack and Josh, 10.20.24, Las Vegas, Nevada. Invitation to follow.

What to include on a save-the-date card

Save-the-date cards are a great way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding plans and allow them to start making travel arrangements. While they are not mandatory, they are especially useful if you are planning a destination wedding or expecting many out-of-town guests. Here is what you should include on a save-the-date card:

The Date and Location

The most important details to include are the date and location of your wedding. You can include the specific venue or just the city and state, but make sure to at least provide the date so that guests can start planning. If you are having a multi-day celebration, be sure to include all the dates your guests will need to attend.

The Names

Be sure to include the names of both you and your partner. For different-sex couples, it is traditional to list the bride's name first, followed by the groom's name. Same-sex couples may want to consider alphabetical order. If you have different last names, you can use your shared last name or just list your first and middle names.

"Invitation to Follow"

It is important to include a phrase like "Invitation to follow" or "Formal invitation to come" to let guests know that a formal wedding invitation with more details will be coming in the future. This will avoid any confusion and ensure guests don't mistake the save-the-date for the official invite.

Wedding Website

If you have one, be sure to include your wedding website URL so that guests can find more in-depth information about your big day, such as travel and accommodation details, registry info, and dress code.

Optional Extras

You may also want to include an engagement photo, a poem, a favourite quote, or other features that express your personality. However, keep in mind that you don't want to overwhelm your guests with too much information at this point, so try to keep it simple and concise.

When to send save-the-dates

Save-the-dates are an essential part of wedding planning. They are a way to let your guests know that they are invited to your wedding and to give them a heads-up about the date and location. This is especially important if your wedding is a destination wedding or if guests will need to travel.

So, when is the best time to send save-the-dates?

For a standard wedding, it is recommended to send save-the-dates around 8-10 months before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to book travel and accommodation and request days off work. It also ensures that your wedding guests are unlikely to have other commitments, such as other weddings or vacations.

However, if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, is a summer wedding, or is a destination wedding, it is a good idea to send save-the-dates 9-12 months in advance. This is because these types of weddings often require more planning for guests, and holiday weekends are popular dates for other events, so you want to give your guests as much notice as possible.

On the other hand, it is not a good idea to send save-the-dates too early. Sending them more than a year in advance may be too early for guests to plan and could cause them to forget or overlook your wedding. It is also important to have a solid wedding date and location before sending save-the-dates to avoid confusion or the need to send corrections.

In summary, the ideal time to send save-the-dates is 8-10 months before your wedding, with a longer lead time for destination or holiday weddings. Sending them too early can be just as problematic as sending them too late, so it's important to find that sweet spot!

Wording ideas for different wedding types

Formal

The biggest hallmark of formal wording on wedding invitations is that everything is spelled out. Specifically, the date and time should be written out in full, and you should use the full names of the hosts and include the middle names of the individuals getting married.

Fun

You're the kind of couple that's more about disco balls than ballrooms. And your invite wording should reflect that. These fun wedding invitation suggestions will ensure your phrasing indicates guests are in for the bash of a lifetime.

Casual

Whether you're having a small, chill wedding or your style is just more casual, informal wedding invitation wording is an appropriate choice. The request to attend can feel more conversational, and numbers should be used to convey the date and time.

Creative

Maybe your wedding has a strong theme, or maybe you just enjoy thinking outside the box as a couple. Either way, feel free to get creative with your save-the-date wording. And as long as you have the essential info, let wording conventions be damned and feel free to add in something quirky.

Modern

Nowadays, you can change up the order of your details in modern wedding invitations. Put your names front and centre at the top. Keep your verbiage sleek and straightforward. Add lines that feel more like a text message than a wedding invitation, if that suits you.

Simple

Short, sweet and to the point. You're in love, you're getting married. A good wedding invitation message will convey that simply.

Etiquette and what not to include

Save-the-date cards are an essential part of wedding planning, giving your guests a heads-up about your big day and ensuring they can make the necessary arrangements to be there. Here are some tips on etiquette and what not to include when writing your save-the-date cards.

What to Include

• Names: Traditionally, the bride's name is listed first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, consider alphabetical order.
• Wedding Date: Only send out save-the-dates once you have a confirmed date.
• Wedding Location: Include the city and state, but not the full address or venue name; this information can be included in the formal invitation.
• "Invitation to Follow": This lets guests know that a formal invitation will be sent out in the future.
• Wedding Website: Including your wedding website URL is a great way to share additional information with your guests. Ensure your website is updated before sharing the link.

What Not to Include

• Venue Name or Full Address: Including the city and state is enough at this stage.
• Hotel/Accommodation Information: Don't overwhelm your guests with too many details. Send this information with the official invitation or add it to your wedding website.
• Ceremony and Reception Start Times: Save-the-dates are usually sent out before you have specific start times confirmed.
• Dress Code Information: It's too early to send this information. Include it in the formal invitation or add it to your wedding website.
• RSVP Request: Save-the-date etiquette states that you shouldn't ask guests to RSVP at this stage.

Other Things to Consider

• Timing: Send your save-the-dates six to nine months before the wedding, or even earlier if you're planning a destination wedding.
• Who to Send Them To: Only send save-the-dates to those on your confirmed guest list. Once they're sent out, you're obligated to send a formal invitation to those people.
• Email or Physical Cards: Sending save-the-dates via email is appropriate, but there's a risk they may end up in guests' spam folders. Physical cards are more tangible and less likely to be missed.

How to send save-the-dates

Sending save-the-dates is a great way to let guests know about your wedding date in advance so they can plan their attendance. Here are some tips on how to send them:

Timing is Key

As a general rule, send save-the-dates 6 to 12 months before the wedding. For destination weddings or weddings during holiday weekends, it is advisable to send them even earlier, around 8 to 12 months in advance. This gives guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodations. Sending save-the-dates too early, however, may cause your guests to forget, so it is best to avoid sending them more than a year in advance.

Who to Send Them To

Save-the-dates should only be sent to those who are definitely invited to the wedding. It is important to be clear about who is invited to avoid any confusion. Include the names of all intended guests on the envelope, and specify if a plus one is invited. This will help guests with their travel and accommodation arrangements.

What to Include

The most important details to include in your save-the-dates are the names of the couple, the wedding date, and the location (city and state). You may also include the wedding website and a note that a formal invitation will follow. It is not necessary to include the exact venue or other details as those can be included in the formal invitation.

Format

Save-the-dates can be sent as physical cards or magnets, or digitally through email or text. Physical cards are more traditional and personalised, while digital save-the-dates are convenient and ensure instant delivery. You can also include engagement photos or fun designs to make them more exciting for your guests.

Follow Up with Formal Invitations

After sending save-the-dates, the next step is to send out formal wedding invitations. For local weddings, send invitations 8 weeks before the wedding, and for destination weddings, send them 6 to 8 months in advance. This will give your guests all the necessary details about the ceremony, venue, dress code, and more.

Frequently asked questions