Wedding Save The Dates: What Details Matter Most

Save-the-date cards are an optional but increasingly popular way to announce your wedding date and location and let guests know that they will be invited to the wedding. They are especially useful for destination weddings or weddings during holiday periods. Typically sent out six to eight months before the wedding, save-the-dates can include whatever you want, but there are some key details that should be included.

Names of the couple

The names of the couple are a crucial element of a wedding save-the-date card. Here are some tips and guidelines to consider when including the names of the couple:

Format and Style

It is customary to use the full names of the couple on the save-the-date cards. This ensures clarity and formality, especially if you have guests who may not be familiar with nicknames or shortened versions of your names. However, if you have a friend who is commonly known by their middle name, it is perfectly fine to use that instead. The goal is to make your guests feel welcome, so using the names they identify with is important.

For married couples with different last names or unmarried couples, you can list the names in whichever order feels most comfortable. For same-sex couples, you can list the names alphabetically or choose to put the name of the person you are closest to first.

Maiden Names

It is recommended to use your maiden names on the save-the-date cards instead of "the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs." This is especially important for guests who may need this information for wedding cards, gifts, or updating their address books.

Visibility and Emphasis

You may want to consider making the couple's names stand out visually. Wedding planner Taylor Keenan suggests, "picking a different font from the rest of the wording" to ensure the names are visible and emphasised.

Engagement Photos

Some couples choose to include an engagement photo on their save-the-date cards. This can be a lovely way to showcase the couple's personalities and give guests a sneak peek into the style of the wedding.

Formality

Save-the-date cards can vary in formality, and this extends to the use of titles (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms., Dr., etc.). It is customary to include these titles for wedding invitations, but for save-the-date cards, the level of formality is up to you. If you choose to omit titles on the save-the-dates, you can still include them on the formal invitations.

However, if you decide to use titles, maintain consistency throughout your save-the-dates and wedding invitations. This includes being consistent with using titles for children or opting to omit them.

Order of Names

For heterosexual couples, tradition suggests listing the man's name first. However, this is not a strict rule, and you can choose to list the person you are closest to first or go with the alphabetical order.

Same-Sex Couples

When addressing save-the-date cards to same-sex couples, you have several options. You can list the names alphabetically, choose the person you are closest to first, or opt for a more creative approach that reflects the couple's dynamics or your relationship with them.

In conclusion, including the names of the couple on your save-the-date cards is essential. It not only provides crucial information to your guests but also sets the tone and style for your upcoming nuptials.

Date of the wedding

The date of your wedding is the most important piece of information to include on your save-the-date card. This is the reason you are sending out the card in the first place, and it is what your guests need to know so they can plan to attend.

It is important to have a date set before you send out your save-the-dates. This can be tricky if you are planning a destination wedding or trying to accommodate guests' schedules, but it is important to have a date set before you move forward with sending them out.

You can spell out the entire date if you prefer a formal tone. You can abbreviate the day of the week (e.g. Sat.) if needed to fit everything on one line.

If you are having a multi-day celebration, you may want to write "Save the Weekend" instead of "Save the Date". However, only do this if all guests are invited to all events. If your wedding is only one day, stick with "Save the Date".

If you are having a destination wedding, it is a good idea to send out your save-the-dates even earlier than usual (nine to twelve months in advance). This will give guests more time to make travel plans. You should also include travel information on your save-the-date, such as details on airports and hotels.

It is also a good idea to include a note that a formal invitation will follow. This will avoid any potential confusion and let guests know that more details will be provided later.

Location of the wedding

Save-the-date cards are meant to give your wedding guests a heads-up about your big day. They are becoming increasingly popular and are a great way to give your guests preliminary information about your wedding.

The location of your wedding is an important piece of information to include on your save-the-date cards. This allows your guests to start making travel arrangements. It is not necessary to include the venue, but you should at least mention the city and state/country. This is especially important if your wedding is in a different location from where you currently live. It is also helpful for guests who will need to book accommodation.

If you are having a destination wedding, it is a good idea to include all the dates that your guests will need to attend. This is also helpful if your wedding falls on a popular weekend, such as a holiday, as guests may need to book time off work and make travel plans.

You don't need to include overly specific details about the location of your wedding on your save-the-date cards. A simple city and state/country name will suffice. You can include more detailed information on your wedding website or in your formal invitation.

• "Montecito, California"
• "Phoenix, Arizona"
• "Los Cabos, Mexico"

If you are having a destination wedding, you can also include the dates that your guests will need to attend:

"Save the Weekend! June 9-11, 2023, Los Cabos, Mexico"

Remember, it's okay to keep the information on your save-the-date cards simple and high-level. You don't need to include every detail, as some aspects of your wedding may change.

A note that a formal invite will follow

A save-the-date card is a great way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding plans and to ensure they can make the necessary arrangements to be there to celebrate with you. It is considered good etiquette to include a note that a formal invitation will follow. Here are some ways to do this:

Formal Wording

• "Formal invitation to follow"
• "Invitation to follow"
• "A formal invitation will be sent at a later date"
• "You will be receiving a formal invitation in the coming weeks/months"

Casual Wording

• "Invitation coming soon"
• "More details to come"
• "Formal invite to follow"
• "Watch out for your formal invitation"

Including this information reassures guests that more details are on their way and avoids any confusion with a save-the-date card being mistaken for the actual invitation. It also gives your guests a sense of what to expect in terms of formality for your wedding.

Wedding website

A wedding website is a great way to share all the information about your wedding and is an excellent resource for guests. It's a good idea to wait until your wedding website is up and running before sending out your save-the-dates, so your guests can get to know you better as a couple and learn about the type of wedding you're planning.

Your wedding website can include all the details of your wedding, such as hotel accommodations, venue, and registry information. It's also a great place to include any travel information, such as details on airports and hotels, so your guests can make arrangements well in advance.

You can include your wedding website URL on your save-the-date cards, so guests can easily access it on their mobile devices. Minted's free wedding website allows you to generate a QR code for your website that can be put on your save-the-date cards.

Your wedding website is also a great place to include your registry information. While it's inappropriate to print this information on your save-the-date cards, it's perfectly acceptable to include it on your wedding website.

In addition, your wedding website can give guests a sense of the type of celebration you'll be having and any pertinent information, such as the dress code.

Frequently asked questions