Save The Date: Your Guide To Timing It Right

Save-the-date cards are an important part of wedding planning. They are a pre-invitation announcement that lets guests know they will be invited to the wedding and gives them a chance to plan ahead. Save-the-dates should be sent out six to nine months before the wedding date, with more time needed for destination weddings or dates that fall on holidays. The cards should include the names of the couple, the wedding date, and the location, but not too many details as these will be included in the formal invitation.

Send out save-the-dates 6-12 months in advance

Sending out save-the-dates for your wedding 6-12 months in advance is a great way to give your guests a heads-up and get them excited about your big day. It's also a fun way to share preliminary information about your wedding plans and give your guests a glimpse of what's to come. Here are some tips and things to consider when sending out your save-the-dates within this timeframe:

Timing is Key

It is generally recommended to send out save-the-dates six to nine months before the wedding, especially if you want to give your guests ample time to prepare, make travel arrangements, and request time off work. However, if you're planning a destination wedding, a summer wedding, or getting married on a major holiday, it's best to send them even earlier, about nine to twelve months in advance. This courtesy will be much appreciated by your guests, and it will increase the likelihood of their attendance.

Who to Send Them To

Save-the-dates should only be sent to those you plan on inviting to the wedding. Anyone who receives a save-the-date will expect a formal invitation to follow, so be sure your guest list is accurate and finalized before sending them out. This includes everyone in the bridal party, key wedding participants, and immediate family members.

What to Include

Keep the information on your save-the-dates simple and concise. Include your names, the wedding date, and the location (city and state are sufficient). You may also want to include your wedding website URL, where guests can find more detailed information about your wedding, such as accommodation options, travel details, and registry info. A simple "invitation to follow" note will also let guests know that more details are on their way.

What Not to Include

Avoid including overly specific details such as ceremony and reception start times, dress code information, or hotel/accommodation information. These details can be shared at a later date with the formal invitation or on your wedding website. Also, refrain from asking for an RSVP with your save-the-date, as it is still quite early for that.

Digital or Physical?

You may choose to send your save-the-dates via email, which is a convenient and budget-friendly option. However, keep in mind that there is a chance your email may end up in your guests' spam folders, and the tangibility of a physical card is hard to beat. If you do opt for digital save-the-dates, be sure to follow up to ensure delivery, and consider mailing a printed card to older guests who may not check their emails regularly.

Include your wedding website URL

Including your wedding website URL on your save-the-date cards is a great way to ensure your guests have access to all the information they need about your big day. Here are some reasons why you should include your wedding website URL:

Share Important Details

By creating a wedding website, you can share more detailed information about your wedding plans with your guests. This can include registry info, dress code, travel and accommodation suggestions, and any other pertinent details. This is especially useful if you don't want to overload your save-the-date cards with too much information.

Provide Updates

A wedding website allows you to keep your guests updated with any changes or additions to your wedding plans. This is particularly helpful if you're still finalising certain aspects of your wedding, as guests can refer to the website for the most up-to-date information.

Enhance Your Invitations

Including your wedding website URL can add a creative and personal touch to your save-the-date cards. You can generate a QR code for your website and include it on your cards, making it easy for guests to access the site on their mobile devices.

Accommodate Your Guests

By providing a wedding website, you're giving your guests the opportunity to plan their attendance effectively. They can make travel arrangements, figure out accommodation options, and organise any other necessary details well in advance.

Centralise Information

A wedding website serves as a central hub for all wedding-related information. This means your guests don't have to rely on multiple sources or ask you directly for details. It's a convenient way to keep everyone informed and ensure a well-organised celebration.

Remember to update your wedding website regularly and ensure it contains all the key information your guests may need. By including the URL on your save-the-date cards, you're providing a helpful resource that will make it easier for your loved ones to join you on your special day.

Be clear about who's invited

Save-the-date cards are the first tangible sign of your upcoming wedding and a great way to get your guests excited about the event. They are also a good opportunity to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location, especially if they will need to travel. This will allow them to book flights and accommodation in advance and make any necessary arrangements such as requesting time off work or planning childcare.

However, one of the cons of sending save-the-dates is that you will need to finalise your guest list early on. It's important to remember that once someone receives a save-the-date card, they will assume they are invited to your wedding. Therefore, it's crucial to be clear about who's invited from the start to avoid any confusion or guest list drama down the line.

Save-the-date cards should only be sent to guests who are invited to the whole wedding day. It can be misleading and awkward to send a save-the-date to a guest who is only invited to the evening reception. By including the names of every intended guest on the envelope, you can avoid having any assumed invitees or general confusion about who is invited. For example, this will make it clear whether your cousin's new boyfriend or your seven-year-old niece is invited.

If you are inviting a guest and giving them a plus-one, add "and guest" after their name. This will give them ample time to plan and make any necessary arrangements. It's also a good idea to specify whether children are invited to the wedding, as this will give families with uninvited children enough time to plan for childcare.

In addition to the names of the invited guests, save-the-date cards should also include the date and location of the wedding. If you haven't booked your venue yet, you can simply include the town or city. It's also a good idea to include a phrase like "Invitation to follow" to let guests know that more details will be provided in the official invitation.

Don't include overly-specific details

Save-the-date cards are a great way to get your guests excited about your wedding and to give them a heads-up so they can start making travel plans and arrangements to attend your celebration. However, it's important not to overwhelm your guests with overly specific details at this stage. Here are some tips on what to avoid when creating your save-the-date cards:

Don't Include Overly Specific Details:

• Order of events: A save-the-date card is meant to be a simple announcement of your wedding date and location. There is no need to include specific details about the order of events for your wedding day. A general "save the date" or "invitation to follow" is sufficient.
• Timing: Avoid including exact timing for the ceremony and reception. It is not necessary to include this information on your save-the-date cards. Your guests only need to know the date and location at this stage.
• Colour scheme: Specific details about your wedding colour scheme are not necessary on your save-the-date cards. Keep it simple and focus on providing the essential information.
• Dress code: It is too early to include dress code information. Save these details for the formal invitation or include them on your wedding website.
• Meal information: Specifics about meals or catering are not needed on your save-the-date cards. This level of detail is more appropriate for the actual invitation or your wedding website.

Remember, your save-the-date cards should be concise and high-level. You don't want to overload your guests with too much information too soon. Keep it simple, and your guests will have all they need to mark their calendars and plan accordingly.

Send via email or post

Sending your save-the-date via email is a perfectly valid option, especially convenient if you're looking for a budget-friendly option that is quick and easy to send. However, there are a few potential drawbacks to be aware of. For example, your email may end up in your guests' spam folders, and delivery is not 100% guaranteed. If you choose to send your save-the-date via email, be sure to follow up to ensure your message was received.

If you're looking for a more traditional option, sending your save-the-date by post is a great choice. This method gives your guests something tangible that they can stick on their refrigerator as a reminder. It's also a good option if you want to include any enclosures, such as photos or other creative elements. However, sending your save-the-date by post can be more time-consuming and costly, as it requires ordering, proofing, printing, addressing, and mailing.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to send your save-the-date via email or post is a personal preference. Both options are acceptable and effective ways to communicate your wedding information to your guests.

• Include key information such as your names, the wedding date, and location (city and state are sufficient).
• Consider including your wedding website URL, where guests can find more detailed information.
• Send your save-the-dates six to eight months before the wedding, or earlier if you're planning a destination wedding.
• Only send save-the-dates to those you plan to invite to the wedding.
• Feel free to get creative with your wording and design, but remember to keep it simple and concise.

Frequently asked questions