Wedding Invite And Save-The-Date: What Details To Include

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, but it's also an exciting time for couples to celebrate their love and union. One of the first steps in the planning process is to send out save the date cards and wedding invitations to your guests. These announcements are a fun and important way to let your loved ones know about your special day and give them a glimpse of what's to come. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about what to include (and what not to include) on your save the dates and wedding invitations to ensure your big day is memorable for everyone involved!

Date and location

The date and location are two of the most important pieces of information to include on your save-the-date cards. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section effectively:

Date

When it comes to the wedding date, be sure to include the specific day and month, and optionally, the year. You can spell out the date or use numerals, depending on your preferred style. Here are some examples:

• "Saturday, the ninth of June Two Thousand and Twenty-four"
• "September 2, 2024"
• "10.20.24"
• "July 17, 2023"

If you're having a multi-day celebration, be sure to specify the dates for each event. For instance, "August 17-19, 2024" indicates a wedding weekend.

Location

For the location, include the city and state or country where your wedding will take place. You don't need to include the exact venue or address; just the broader location will suffice. Here are some examples:

• "Los Angeles, California"
• "New York City"
• "Santa Clarita, California"
• "Miami, Florida"
• "Portland, Oregon"

If you're having a destination wedding, you may also want to include a fun phrase or graphic that hints at the location, such as "Join Us in Puerto Rico" or "Pack Your Bags!"

Additional Tips

• If you're having a religious ceremony, you can include a relevant bible verse or quote, or incorporate your church's name.
• For a modern or minimalist aesthetic, consider using numerals for the date and a simple, airy design.
• If you're leading with the location in your save-the-date wording, you can follow it up with "Save the date" to clarify the purpose of the card.
• If you're having a destination wedding or most of your guests will be travelling, it's helpful to include a link to your wedding website or provide travel information so guests can start making arrangements.

Couple's names

When it comes to wedding invites and save-the-dates, there are a few different ways to address the couple, depending on their marital status, gender, and the level of formality you wish to convey. Here are some options:

Married Couple:

If the couple shares the same last name, you can address them as "Mr. and Mrs. [John Smith]" or "" [John and Samantha Smith]". If they have different last names, you can write their names on separate lines, with the person you are closest to or the alphabetical order listed first, e.g., "Ms. Celine Elgin" and "Ms. Jacqueline Purcell".

Unmarried Couple:

For unmarried couples living together, include both names on separate lines, with the person you are closest to or the alphabetical order listed first, e.g., "Mr. Aaron Triguiero" and "Mr. Gabriel Reyes".

Same-Sex Couple:

For same-sex couples, consider alphabetical order when listing their names. You can also list the person you are closest to first. If you wish to include titles, you can use "Mr." or "Ms." accordingly.

Formal Titles:

If one or both individuals in the couple have distinguished titles, such as doctors, lawyers, or military personnel, it is proper etiquette to include these in the address. For example, "Dr. Anne Barker and Mr. Peter Underwood" or "Captains Jane and Jonathan Kelly, US Navy".

Informal Address:

If you prefer a more casual approach, you can simply use the couple's first and last names without any titles. This is perfectly acceptable and avoids the potential pitfalls of using incorrect titles.

Inner and Outer Envelopes:

Traditionally, the outer envelope is more formal, including full names and personal titles. The inner envelope is more informal, where you can choose to include only first names or leave out certain elements of the formal name format.

Remember to double-check the preferred titles and names of the couple, especially if they have unique circumstances or preferences.

Formal invitation to follow

Save-the-date cards are an optional but thoughtful way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location. They are especially useful for destination weddings or summer weddings, giving your guests plenty of time to make travel plans. They also help to ensure your guests don't have scheduling conflicts with other weddings or events.

Save-the-dates are usually sent out six to eight months before the wedding, or nine months to a year in advance for destination weddings. They are brief and succinct, with a more informal tone than the formal wedding invitation that will follow.

Include the Phrase "Invitation to Follow"

This is essential, according to wedding planner Mindy Weiss. It lets guests know that more details will be provided in the formal invitation and reminds them to be on the lookout for it.

Provide Key Details

While keeping the information simple and high-level, be sure to include the wedding date and location. You may also include the names of the couple, especially if they are not well known to all guests. For example, distant relatives and friends may not know your partner's full name, which will be crucial for filling out a wedding card or gift.

Share Your Wedding Website

If you have a wedding website, include the URL on your save-the-date cards. This will allow guests to find more in-depth information about your big day, including the type of celebration, registry info, and dress code.

Note Any Multi-Day Festivities

If you are throwing a multi-day affair, consider whether you want to say "Save the Date" or "Save the Weekend." According to Weiss, if you want to say "Save the Weekend," then every guest should be invited to every event. If not, stick with "Save the Date."

Provide Travel Information

If your wedding is in a far-off destination or most guests will be travelling, it is helpful to provide travel details such as airports and hotels so that guests can make arrangements early and avoid late booking costs.

Address the Envelopes Correctly

Specify who is invited on the envelopes—whether an individual, couple, family, or a guest with a plus one. This helps to avoid confusion and ensure that guests know whether they can bring a guest.

Remember, save-the-dates should be short, simple, and to the point, with a hint of the excitement to come!

Wedding website

A wedding website is a great way to give your guests more information about your big day. It can include:

The Date and Location

This is the most important information for your guests to know. If your wedding is taking place over multiple days, be sure to include that information. It's also helpful to specify whether the wedding will be held in a particular city or town, especially if you have guests travelling in from out of town.

Travel and Accommodation Information

If your wedding is taking place in a far-off destination or a majority of your guests will be travelling to your venue, provide as much travel information as possible. Share details on airports and hotels, so attendees can make arrangements well in advance. You can also reserve a block of rooms with a discount rate for your guests.

The Wedding Registry

Your wedding website is a great place to include a link to your wedding registry. This is a more appropriate place to share that information than on your save-the-date cards or invitations.

Dress Code

Let your guests know whether they should be dressing formally or casually for your wedding.

RSVP Information

If you'd like your guests to RSVP in advance, include that information on your wedding website. This is also a good place to specify whether guests are allowed to bring a plus-one.

Updates

Your wedding website can be a place for guests to check for wedding updates in real time.

Hotel information

If you're hosting a destination wedding or expecting most of your guests to travel, it's a thoughtful gesture to reserve a hotel room block for them. This can be done shortly after booking your wedding venue. It's also important to communicate this information clearly and as early as possible so your guests can book their rooms.

Save-the-Date

If you have this information before sending out your save-the-dates, include it! The sooner your guests book their rooms, the better, especially if there are other events in the area that might affect availability and rates. You can include this information on a separate insert or card with the header "Accommodations". Here's an example:

> For your convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at [name of hotel] in [city]. When calling to make your reservation, please mention the [your last names] wedding to receive a discounted rate. Please call [hotel's phone number] to book your room by [date].

You can also include your wedding website on the save-the-date, where guests can find more information about travel and accommodations.

Wedding Invitation

You can also include hotel information on a separate insert or card with your wedding invitations. This card should match the motif of your invitations and be separate from other inserts, such as directions or reception cards. Here is an example:

> A block of rooms has been reserved at [name of hotel] in [city]. Please call the hotel at [phone number] and mention the [your last names] wedding to receive our special rate. Rooms are filling up fast, so be sure to book by [date]!

Wedding Website

It's a good idea to include hotel information on your wedding website, and then include your wedding website link on either your save-the-date or with your wedding invitation. Be sure to keep your website updated with any changes or deadlines regarding accommodations.

Frequently asked questions