Save-The-Date: Crafting The Perfect Wedding Announcement

Save-the-date cards are an important part of wedding planning. They are informal notices sent to your A-list guests to let them know about your wedding date and location. They are especially useful for destination weddings, giving guests a heads-up so they can start making travel plans. Save-the-dates are typically sent six to eight months before the wedding, or nine months to a year in advance for destination weddings. They should include your names, the wedding date, and the location, and may also include your wedding website. While they are not mandatory, they are a considerate way to ensure your guests have ample time to prepare for your big day.

Who to send a save-the-date to

Save-the-dates are an optional but thoughtful step in the wedding planning process. They are especially helpful for destination weddings or weddings during peak travel times, giving guests a heads-up to mark their calendars and make travel plans.

Here's who you should send a save-the-date to:

Immediate Family Members

Even if you've received a verbal confirmation from your immediate family, it's a good idea to send them a save-the-date. This will prevent them from repeatedly messaging you to double-check the details.

Wedding Party and Key Participants

The wedding party and key participants, such as the person performing the ceremony music, should also receive a save-the-date.

Close Friends

Close friends you definitely want to be there on your big day should be included as well.

Distant Family and Friends

If you have distant relatives or friends you haven't heard from in a while, it's a good idea to include your last names on the save-the-date to avoid any confusion.

Plus-Ones

The question of whether to include plus-ones on save-the-dates can be tricky. On the one hand, it's a nice gesture to give your guests a plus-one, especially if they are married, engaged, or cohabitating. It can also be awkward not to invite a long-term partner. On the other hand, if your venue has limited capacity or your budget is a concern, you may want to hold off on offering plus-ones until closer to the wedding date.

Remember, anyone who receives a save-the-date is expecting a formal invitation, so only send them to people you're sure you want at your wedding.

What to include on a save-the-date

Save-the-date cards are a great way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding plans and to ensure they can make it to your special day. Here's what you should include:

The Basics

The most important details to include are the who, what, when, and where of your wedding. This means listing the names of the happy couple, the wedding date, and the location. For same-sex couples, consider using alphabetical order for consistency. If you're set on a venue, you can include this, but it's more common to just list the city and state. You can also add "formal invitation to follow" to let guests know that more details will be sent out later.

Tone

Save-the-date wording can be formal or casual, depending on your preference and the style of your wedding. For a traditional or black-tie wedding, use full names and spell out the entire date. For a more casual event, you can use just the numbers for the date and be playful with your language. For instance, "Save it—we're getting hitched!"

Additional Details

You can also include your wedding website URL, so guests can find more information, and any key travel details if your wedding is in a far-off destination. It's best to avoid overloading the save-the-date with too much information—keep it concise and save the finer details for the formal invitation.

Timing

The timing of your save-the-dates is important. For local weddings, send them out six to eight months in advance. For destination weddings, give your guests more notice—aim for nine months to a year.

Save-the-date wording ideas

Save-the-dates are an important part of wedding planning. They are a way to let your guests know about your wedding date and location and to get them excited about the celebration to come. While the wording for these cards is usually straightforward, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure your save-the-dates are effective and well-received. Here are some ideas and tips to help you get started:

Formal Wording Examples:

• "Please save the date for the wedding of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] on [Date] in [City, State]. Formal invitation to follow."
• "Kindly save the date for the wedding ceremony and celebration of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. Join us on [Date] in [City, State]."
• "Please save the date for the marriage of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. [Date] in [City, State]. Invitation to follow."

Casual Wording Examples:

• "Save the date! [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] are getting married! Join us on [Date] in [City, State]."
• "Save the date because... [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] are tying the knot! [Date] in [City, State]. Formal invitation to follow."
• "It's finally happening! [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] are getting hitched. Save the date: [Date] in [City, State]. Keep an eye out for your formal invitation."

Destination Wedding Wording Examples:

• "Save the date for some sun and fun! [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] are getting married in [Destination]. [Date]. Travel details: [Wedding Website]"
• "Join us for a weekend of celebration! [Bride's Name] + [Groom's Name] are getting married. [Date] in [Destination]. Invitation to follow."
• "Pack your bags! We're getting married and we want you there. [Date] in [Destination]. Formal invitation and travel details to come."

Unique and Playful Wording Examples:

• "Let's do this thing! [Bride's Name] + [Groom's Name] are getting married. [Date] in [City, State]. Formal invitation to follow."
• "Free cake and open bar! Save the date for the wedding of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. [Date] in [City, State]. Invitation to follow."
• "You're invited to the wedding of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. There will be a party, with people. Finally! [Date] in [City, State]."

General Tips:

• Keep it short and simple: Focus on providing the essential information (who, what, when, and where) without too many additional details.
• Include a note about the upcoming invitation: Add a phrase like "Invitation to follow" or "Formal invitation to come" to let guests know that more details will be provided later.
• Send them at the right time: For local weddings, send save-the-dates six to eight months in advance. For destination weddings, send them nine to twelve months in advance.
• Proofread carefully: Double-check for spelling and accuracy of dates and names before sending out your save-the-dates.

What not to include on a save-the-date

While it's important to include key information on your save-the-date cards, such as your names, the wedding date, and location, there are a few things you should leave out. Here's a list of what not to include:

• Hotel or accommodation information: It's best not to overwhelm your guests with too many details at this point. Hotel and accommodation information can be included with the official wedding invitation or added to your wedding website.
• Venue information: You don't need to include the venue name or full address on your save-the-date card. Providing the city and state is sufficient, as it gives guests enough information to start making travel plans.
• Ceremony and reception start times: Save-the-dates are typically sent out early in the wedding planning process, so there's no need to include specific start times yet. The purpose of the save-the-date is to inform guests of the wedding date and location.
• Dress code information: It's too early to include attire specifics. This information can be included in the wedding invitation or added to your wedding website.
• Registry information: While your guests may want to know where you're registered, it's considered inappropriate to include this information on your save-the-dates. This can be shared through your wedding website or communicated by word of mouth.
• RSVP requests: Save-the-date etiquette states that you shouldn't ask guests to RSVP at this stage. It's too early for that, as save-the-dates can be sent out up to a year in advance.
• Overly-specific details: Avoid making your save-the-date too detailed. It's meant to be a high-level announcement, so there's no need to include the order of events, exact timing, colour scheme, or meal information. Keep it simple and stick to the essential information.

When to send a save-the-date

Destination Weddings

If you are planning a destination wedding, it is important to give your guests ample notice so they can make the necessary travel arrangements. It is recommended that save-the-date cards for destination weddings be sent out eight months to a year in advance. This will allow your guests to make passport and travel arrangements. It is also a good idea to send out your save-the-dates once you have already reserved room blocks and listed travel information on your wedding website.

Local Weddings

For local weddings, there is more flexibility regarding the timing of sending out save-the-date cards. It is recommended to send them between four and eight months in advance of the wedding. However, if a significant portion of your guests are travelling from out of town or if your wedding is taking place over a holiday weekend, it is advisable to send them around eight months in advance. If most of your guests are local, sending the save-the-dates four to six months ahead of time should be sufficient.

Timing Considerations

It is important to strike a balance when deciding on the timing of sending out your save-the-date cards. Sending them too early may cause your guests to forget about your wedding, while sending them too late may not give your guests enough time to make travel plans. Therefore, it is crucial to time these notices carefully and give your guests a heads-up so they can plan accordingly.

Order and Preparation

To ensure you stay on track, it is recommended to order your save-the-date cards six to twelve months before your wedding if you are mailing them. For destination weddings, you may want to order them even earlier, up to one to two years in advance. This will give you enough time to customise and prepare them for sending.

When to Send

For local weddings, the ideal timeline is to send out your save-the-date cards four to eight months before the big day. For destination weddings, aim to send them eight to twelve months in advance. This will ensure your guests have enough time to clear their schedules and make the necessary travel arrangements.

Frequently asked questions