Destination Wedding Save The Dates: What To Include

Planning a destination wedding is an exciting adventure, and your save-the-date cards are the perfect way to get your guests excited about the celebration. These cards are especially important for destination weddings, as they give your guests a heads-up to plan their trip, take time off work, and make travel arrangements. Here's what you should include in your destination wedding save-the-date cards to make them informative and engaging:

- Basic Information: Include the names of both you and your partner, the wedding date, and the location. This information is essential to help guests keep track and plan accordingly.

- Wedding Website: Provide the URL to your wedding website, where guests can find more detailed information about travel, accommodations, and the itinerary.

- Invitation to Follow: Include a phrase like invitation to follow to let guests know that a formal invitation with additional details will be sent closer to the wedding date.

- Visual Elements: Consider adding a personal touch with an engagement photo or a picture of the exotic location. You can also use destination-themed designs, such as passports, boarding passes, or luggage tags.

- Timing: Send your save-the-date cards early, ideally 9-12 months in advance, to give your guests ample time to plan their travel and make any necessary arrangements.

Names, date, and location

The names of the happy couple are essential for a save-the-date, even if it seems obvious. It is always worth including both names, as guests may not remember the partner's name or could be attending multiple weddings.

The date of the wedding is the primary reason for sending out save-the-dates, so ensure the date is clear and unambiguous. It is also important to include the year, especially if sending out save-the-dates more than a year in advance.

The location of the wedding is also vital for a destination wedding save-the-date. Even if the venue is not finalised, the general location is important so that guests can book travel. It is also worth including any travel or visa requirements on your wedding website, so that guests can be fully informed.

Itinerary and travel details

Destination wedding save-the-dates should include basic information such as the location, date, and time of the wedding. However, as guests will have travel plans to make, it is a good idea to include more details. You could treat your save-the-date as a pre-invitation and include a general timeline for the weekend's events, from welcome parties and brunches to any group activities you've planned.

• The date you'd like guests to arrive
• Where they can check in
• Information about welcome lunches or dinners
• Optional group activities
• Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner specifics
• A wedding day schedule
• Post-wedding activities
• Official send-off date and events

You could also include a wedding website with tabs for:

• Travel information: Include all dates and times, local airport options, car services, and hotel information. Also, note if guests need to apply for visas or receive additional documentation.
• Wedding ceremony: Include the date and time, the wedding party, how to find the ceremony location, and dress code information.
• Wedding celebration: Include the time, location, and travel tips for getting to the reception spot, as well as any additional tips such as avoiding heels for a beach wedding.
• FAQs: Address family-specific and general concerns about travel and the wedding.
• Registry: Include links to your registry lists.
• An RSVP link: Consider using a digital RSVP in addition to RSVP cards to give guests a variety of options.

RSVP and invitation details

Timing and Advance Notice:

• Send your save-the-dates at least six months in advance, with eight to twelve months being preferable. This gives your guests ample time to plan their travel, take time off work, and make the necessary arrangements.
• The actual wedding invitations should be sent out at least 12 weeks before the wedding.

Information to Include:

• Your save-the-dates should include basic information such as your names, the wedding date, and the destination location.
• Include an "invitation to follow" phrase to assure guests that a formal invitation with more details will be sent closer to the wedding.
• Provide a link to your wedding website, where guests can find additional information such as travel details, accommodations, and the wedding itinerary.
• If you have a wedding website, consider including an RSVP link to make it easier for guests to respond.
• If your destination is particularly remote or complex, you could suggest a two-step RSVP: one to indicate their intention to attend and another to confirm final travel details.

Design and Creativity:

• Get creative with your save-the-date designs! Consider incorporating destination-themed elements such as luggage tags, boarding passes, or passport-themed designs.
• Include engagement photos or a picture of the exotic location to make it more personalised and exciting.
• Use destination-inspired wording such as "adventure" and "journey" to set the tone for your wedding.

Wedding website

Your wedding website is a great place to include all the extra details that you might not have room for on your save-the-date cards. You can include a link to your wedding website on your save-the-date cards so that guests can refer to it for more information.

• Travel information: Include all dates and times, local airport options, car services, and hotel information. Make it clear if guests need to apply for visas or receive any additional documentation before travelling.
• Wedding ceremony: Include the date and time once more, along with the bridal party members, directions to the ceremony location from each hotel, and information about the dress code.
• Wedding celebration: Include the time and location, as well as travel tips for getting to the reception spot. Include any additional tips, such as avoiding heels for a beach wedding.
• FAQs: Address any family-specific and general concerns about travel and the wedding itself.
• Registry: Include links to your gift registry.
• RSVP link: Provide a digital RSVP option in addition to RSVP cards.
• Room block information: Help your guests secure the best price by listing the hotel's cut-off date, directions from local airports, and the easiest way to book if there is a language barrier. You can also list other local hotel options for guests who are looking for a different experience.
• Itinerary: Include a schedule of events, such as welcome lunches or dinners, optional group activities, the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, and post-wedding activities.
• Contact information: Provide a way for guests to get in touch with you and your partner about any questions.

Design and theme

The design and theme of your destination wedding save-the-date cards can be as unique as your wedding itself. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Hint at your destination: Use a simple engagement photo that hints at your wedding location, such as posing by the beach or seaside. You can also incorporate graphics, cutouts, and photos that speak to the location. For example, use a vintage postcard image or a gorgeous beach picture.
• Destination wedding wording: Use words such as "adventure" and "journey" to reflect the spirit of your destination wedding.
• Call-to-action: Include a call-to-action for a touch of excitement, such as "be there" or "join us."
• Old-fashioned ticket design: Highlight the classic energy of your wedding design with old-fashioned ticket-shaped save-the-date cards, featuring your travel plans.
• Black-and-white aesthetic: Use a black-and-white engagement photo to match the aesthetic of your save-the-date cards.
• Magnet save-the-dates: A magnet save-the-date will constantly remind your guests of your upcoming nuptials. You can also design them as luggage-shaped magnets or luggage tags.
• Passport theme: A passport-themed save-the-date is perfect for an out-of-country location, subtly reminding your guests to update their passports.
• Filmstrip design: A classic film strip of images gives you an opportunity to feature multiple photos while leaving space for text. You can use a simple image of your destination in the background.
• Boarding pass design: Create multi-page boarding pass save-the-dates, including the date, location, and trip information. You can mount them on magnets for a practical touch.
• Postcard design: Skip the traditional image of the engaged couple and add a photo of the exotic location where you'll be tying the knot. Use a vintage postcard image or a gorgeous beach picture.
• Message in a bottle: Go beyond standard stationery and add texture and beach theme elements to your save-the-dates, such as mini messages in a bottle.

Frequently asked questions