Save The Date: Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation

Save-the-date cards are an optional but thoughtful way to give your wedding guests a heads-up about your big day. They are usually sent out six to nine months before the wedding, but for destination weddings, it's considerate to give even more notice – up to a year in advance. The purpose of a save-the-date is to allow guests time to make travel arrangements and request time off work. They are also a chance to show off your engagement photos and give a sneak peek of your wedding style. But what should you write on them?

Who to send them to

Save-the-date cards are typically sent to anyone you want at your wedding. This includes your immediate family and closest friends, as well as other family members, school friends, coworkers, and friends of your parents. If you're having a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send save-the-dates to these guests at least eight months in advance, if not a year, so they can plan for extra time off and travel costs.

If your guest list is not entirely finalised, refrain from sending save-the-date cards to guests on your B list. Once someone receives a save-the-date, you're obligated to send them a wedding invitation.

Married, engaged, and cohabiting guests should get a plus-one. So should members of your wedding party and guests who have been together for so long that not inviting their partner would be awkward. If you haven't chosen a specific venue yet, it's best not to include a plus-one on the save-the-date.

When addressing save-the-date cards, it's traditional to list the bride's name first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, consider alphabetical order. If you're extending an invitation for a plus one, add "and Guest" after their full name. For married couples, you can list the person with the formal title first, or list them in alphabetical order if they have different last names.

When to send them

The timing of sending out your save-the-date cards is crucial to ensuring your guests have ample time to prepare for your big day. Here is a detailed guide on when to send them out:

For Local Weddings:

It is generally recommended to send out save-the-date cards about six to eight months before the wedding date. This will give your guests enough time to request days off from work and make any necessary arrangements. However, if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or requires difficult travel, it is considerate to send them out closer to the six-month mark or even earlier.

For Destination Weddings:

If you're planning a destination wedding, it's thoughtful to send your save-the-date cards nine to twelve months in advance. This will allow your guests, especially those with limited vacation time or financial constraints, to plan their travels and accommodations accordingly.

For Elopements:

If you're planning an elopement, it is considerate to share the news with close family and friends before making a public announcement. You can send formal invitations for a post-elopement celebration if desired.

For Holidays and Special Events:

If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or a special event that may impact travel or accommodations, it is best to send your save-the-date cards as early as possible, aiming for the six-month mark or even earlier.

For Summer Weddings:

Summer weddings are popular among guests, and accommodations may fill up quickly. It is advisable to send your save-the-date cards about nine months to a year in advance to give your guests a better chance of securing their preferred travel and stay options.

A Final Note:

While it's essential to send your save-the-date cards early, remember that you don't need to have all the wedding details finalized yet. All you need is your wedding date and the general location (city and state) to send them out.

What to include

Save-the-date cards are a great way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding and allow them to plan any travel or accommodation requirements. Here is what you should include:

The Date

The most important piece of information is the date of your wedding. You can write this in a variety of ways, from formal to playful, but make sure it is clear. For instance, "Saturday, the twenty-seventh of May" or "07.20.2024".

The Location

Include the city and state/country of your wedding venue. You don't need to add the exact address or venue name; this can come later with the formal invitation. For example, "New Orleans, Louisiana" or "Sedona, AZ".

Your Names

It is customary to include your full names. For heterosexual couples, the traditional format is to list the bride's name first, followed by the groom's. For same-sex couples, alphabetical order is a good option. For instance, "Benjamin + Sage" or "Leigh Grace Torwalt and Joshua Mason Young".

"Invitation to Follow"

It is important to include a phrase such as "Invitation to follow" or "Formal invitation to come" to let guests know that more details will be provided later.

Your Wedding Website

If you have a wedding website, include the link so guests can find out more. You can also generate a QR code for your website to include on the save-the-date card.

RSVP Information (Optional)

If you are in a hurry to get numbers confirmed, you can add RSVP information to your save-the-date. A polite way to do this is to write something like, "We would love to have you, but please let us know if you are unable to attend."

Wording ideas

Save-the-date cards are usually the first element of your wedding that friends and family will interact with, so it's important to get the wording right. Here are some ideas to help you create your save-the-date as simply as possible.

Traditional Wording Examples

Traditional save-the-date wordings are easy to write and follow, and are straight to the point.

> Example 1: Please save the date to celebrate the marriage of George Miller and Kelly Brown, September 20, 2025, Austin, Texas. Formal invitation will follow.

> Example 2: Jamie Morrow and Samantha Cohen will be married June 8, 2025, Park City, Utah. Formal invitation to follow.

Casual Wording Examples

Wording your save-the-dates with a playful and casual tone can make them sound more personalised and unique.

> Example 1: Save the date because … Holly Smith and Connor Williams are getting married in San Francisco! May 25, 2025. https://withjoy.com/HollyandConnor Formal invitation to follow.

> Example 2: Save the Date! Yvonne and Neal are getting hitched in Miami, Florida, May 25, 2025. Invitation to follow.

Destination Wedding Wording Examples

As save-the-date cards for a destination wedding will be the jumping-off point for travel planning, it's a good idea to let guests know where they can find key travel information.

> Example 1: Save the Date for Merriment on the Beach! Robert & James are getting hitched! March 15, 2026, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Maui, Hawaii. Get all the travel deets at https://withjoy.com/RobertandJames. Keep an eye out for the formal invite.

> Example 2: Alicia & Megan’s Adventure Begins May 24-26, 2026, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Go here for the travel details: https://withjoy.com/AliciaandMegan. Formal invite to follow.

Formal Wording Examples

For a more traditional look, choose a save-the-date design featuring an elegant combination of serif fonts and calligraphy script. Include your full names, and spell out the date and location to give your save-the-date a more formal tone.

> Example: Please save the date, Everly Nicolette Beaumont and Marcus Trevor Davenport, Sept 18, 2025, Marietta, Georgia. Invitation to follow.

Religious Wording Examples

If you're having a religious ceremony, consider using wording that reflects your faith. You can use a Bible verse or religious quote, or incorporate your church's name into the design.

> Example: "And the two shall become one." Please save the date for the wedding of Caroline Matheson and Brendan Williams, September Fourth, Two Thousand Twenty-four, Seattle, Washington. Invitation to follow.

Modern Wording Examples

If you prefer a save-the-date that's clean and simple, then choose an airy, minimalist save-the-date design and include only the pertinent wedding details.

> Example: Save our Date, Adam + Nathan, July 17, 2023, Denver, CO.

Playful or Funny Wording Examples

Keep things light and fun with wording that conveys your bubbly personalities.

> Example: Free cake! Open bar! Need we say more? 10 22 23 Save the date, Isobel + Roger, New York. Invitation to follow.

What not to include

Save-the-date cards are a great way to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding and allow them to plan any travel arrangements or babysitters. They are also a fun way to showcase your personality as a couple. However, it's important to be mindful of what not to include on these cards. Here are some things to avoid when writing your save-the-date cards:

Overloading Information

Keep the details to a minimum and focus on the who, what, when, and where. Save the finer details for the formal invitation. The save-the-date card should include your names, the wedding date, and the location (city and state). You may also include a simple phrase like "Formal invitation to follow" or "Invitation to follow."

Misspelled Names or Incorrect Dates

Proofread your save-the-date cards multiple times and have someone else review them as well. Double-check that names and dates are spelled and formatted correctly to avoid any confusion or embarrassment.

Inadequate Timing

Send your save-the-dates with enough lead time for your guests to plan their attendance, especially if they need to request time off work or make travel arrangements. As a general rule, send them out about six to nine months before the wedding. For destination weddings or holidays, it's considerate to send them nine to twelve months in advance.

Hotel/Accommodations Information

At this early stage, refrain from providing too many specifics about accommodations. You can include this information with the official wedding invitation or on your wedding website.

Ceremony and Reception Start Times

It's unnecessary to include specific start times for the ceremony and reception on your save-the-date cards. This information can be shared at a later stage, closer to the wedding date.

Dress Code Information

Details about wedding attire can be saved for the formal invitation or included on your wedding website for guests to refer to.

RSVP Requests

Save-the-date etiquette suggests that you should not ask guests to RSVP to the save-the-date card. Instead, include RSVP information in the formal invitations sent closer to the wedding.

Frequently asked questions