Save The Dates: When To Send Them Out

Planning a wedding can be an exciting but stressful time, and one of the crucial parts is ensuring that all your loved ones can be there to share it with you. Save-the-dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before your wedding day, with the top end of this range being preferable as it gives guests more time to prepare and change their plans if necessary. If you're planning a destination wedding or have a lot of guests travelling in from out of town, it's a good idea to send them out eight to 12 months in advance to allow enough time for travel arrangements. Wedding invitations are usually sent out eight weeks to six months before the wedding, with the sweet spot being around three months in advance.

Send save-the-dates 6-12 months before the wedding

Save the dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before your wedding day. Sending them out eight to 12 months in advance is preferable as it gives your guests more time to prepare and change their plans if necessary. This is especially important if you have a lot of guests who will have to travel or if your wedding is during a busy time of year. Sending your save-the-dates early will also ensure that your wedding gets first dibs on your chosen date, as your loved ones are more likely to already have plans if you wait too long to notify them.

If you have already chosen your wedding venue and confirmed your guest list, there's no reason to delay sending out your save-the-dates. Anytime from eight months to a year before your wedding is ideal. However, if you are still finalising your guest list, it is important to wait until you have done so before sending out save-the-dates. This is because save-the-dates are typically only sent to guests who are invited to the whole wedding day, and they cannot be revoked. Sending a save-the-date to someone and then not inviting them to the wedding could be considered a major insult.

Save-the-dates should include four simple but vital pieces of information: the fact that you're getting married, the date of the wedding, the location (city and state will do), and the names of those getting married. While you may be tempted to include more details, it is best to leave off information such as ceremony and reception start times, dress code, and your theme, as these are likely to change as you continue planning your wedding.

There are a variety of formats you can choose from for your save-the-dates, including cards, magnets, and postcards. Cards offer more privacy, while magnets are more contemporary and casual and can double as keepsakes for your guests. No matter which format you choose, it is important to send your save-the-dates by mail to ensure they feel formal and special.

Send invitations 8-12 weeks before the wedding

Sending out your wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure that your loved ones can join you on your big day. It's important to allow your guests enough time to make travel arrangements, request time off work, and sort out any necessary childcare.

If you have already sent out save-the-dates, it is recommended that you send out your wedding invitations at least eight weeks before your wedding. This gives your guests enough time to plan their attendance and make any necessary arrangements. Sending invitations earlier is also beneficial if your wedding is a destination wedding or if many of your guests will be travelling from out of town. In these cases, it is recommended to send invitations 10-12 weeks in advance. This gives guests ample time to book travel and accommodation, which is essential for ensuring their attendance.

On the other hand, if you haven't sent out save-the-dates, it is advisable to send your wedding invitations four to six months before the wedding date. This timeframe still provides your guests with sufficient notice while also allowing you to finalise your guest list and wedding details. Sending invitations within this timeframe ensures that your guests receive the necessary information without being too early or too late.

It is worth noting that under no circumstances should wedding invites be posted with less than six weeks until the wedding. The sweet spot for sending invitations is typically three months in advance. This timing ensures that your guests have enough time to RSVP and make their necessary arrangements, while also giving you time to receive responses and finalise numbers for your vendors.

Send save-the-dates for destination weddings 9 months to a year in advance

Save-the-dates for destination weddings should be sent as early as possible, with most sources recommending sending them out 9 months to a year in advance. This is because destination weddings require more planning, and guests will need the additional months to make travel arrangements, sort out accommodation, and get their finances in order. Sending save-the-dates early will also ensure that your wedding gets "first dibs" on your chosen date, as guests are more likely to be able to attend if they have more time to plan.

While it may be tempting to send out save-the-dates as soon as possible, it is worth noting that doing so can backfire. Sending save-the-dates too early may be too soon for people to ask for time off work, and the notice may be forgotten or misplaced. It is also worth finalising your guest list before sending save-the-dates, as it can be problematic if you ask someone to save the date and then decide they no longer make the cut.

Save-the-dates should include the date and location of the wedding, as well as the names of the couple. They can also include a mention of a formal invitation to follow, the wedding website, and hotel information.

It is also worth considering sending save-the-dates by email, which can be quicker and more cost-effective.

Send save-the-dates to those you're sure will be invited

Save-the-dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before your wedding day. This gives your guests ample time to prepare and change their plans if necessary. It is advisable to send out save-the-dates only to those guests who are invited to your whole wedding day. This avoids any potential confusion or awkwardness if you decide not to invite someone after they have received a save-the-date.

When creating your save-the-date, it is important to include four key pieces of information: the fact that you're getting married, your names, the date of the wedding, and the location (city and state will suffice). While you may be tempted to include additional details such as the time of the ceremony or dress code, it is best to refrain as these details may change during the planning process.

It is also worth considering the format of your save-the-dates. Traditional cards or postcards are a popular choice, but you can also opt for more contemporary options such as magnets or digital invitations. If you choose a physical format, be mindful that some postal offices offer hand-cancelling services, which add a postal mark over the stamp by hand to prevent reuse. This service can help protect your envelopes from damage caused by sorting machines.

When planning a destination wedding or if a significant number of guests will be travelling from out of town, it is recommended to send out save-the-dates earlier, ideally 8-12 months in advance. This allows guests ample time to make travel arrangements and secure accommodations. In such cases, it is beneficial to include accommodation information or a link to your wedding website on the save-the-date.

Remember, once a save-the-date is sent, it cannot be revoked. Therefore, it is crucial to finalise your guest list before sending them out. While it may be tempting to send them out as soon as possible, particularly if you're eager to share your exciting news, it is important to wait until you have confirmed your venue and wedding date to avoid any potential changes.

Include names of all intended guests on the envelope

When it comes to wedding invitations, there is specific etiquette that is generally followed. This includes the information that goes on the envelope. The outer envelope is what is stamped and addressed, while the inner envelope contains the names of the invitees and holds the invitation inside.

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name, traditionally, the man’s full name is written out, with the titles of “Mr.” and “Mrs.” included. For example:

• Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"
• Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

However, many modern women may prefer to have their first name included rather than being lumped in with their husband. In this case, the outer envelope could be addressed as:

“Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, their full names are written on the same line, with the woman's name first. For example:

• Outer envelope: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"
• Inner envelope: "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"

If the couple has children and you want to invite the whole family, the family name or the parents' names should be listed alone on the outer envelope, and everyone can be included on the inside. For example:

• Outer envelope: "The Thompson Family" or "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson" or "Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson"
• Inner envelope: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

It is also important to note that save-the-dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before the wedding day. This gives guests enough time to plan and make any necessary arrangements, such as requesting time off work or booking accommodation.

Frequently asked questions