Save The Date: A Timely Wedding Announcement Guide

Save-the-date cards are a fun and practical way to tell your friends and family that they're invited to your wedding. They are typically sent out six to 12 months before your wedding day, with some sources recommending sending them eight to 12 months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to prepare and change their plans if necessary, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. Save-the-dates can be sent via email or physical mail, and they include crucial information such as the date and location of the wedding, as well as the wedding website URL.

Destination weddings: Send 8-12 months in advance

Planning a destination wedding? Give your guests a heads-up by sending out your save-the-date cards 8-12 months in advance. This is especially important if your wedding falls on a busy travel date, such as a three-day holiday weekend, summer in a resort town, or peak season in the Caribbean. Sending your save-the-date cards early gives your guests ample time to plan and save up for the event, and increases the likelihood that they will be able to attend.

It is also a good idea to have your wedding website up and running before sending out your save-the-date cards. This will allow your guests to find more information about the wedding, and you can include the URL on your cards. You should also have your hotel blocks arranged and your wedding registry started.

Your save-the-date cards should include the date of your wedding, the location (at least the city and state), and the names of you and your partner. You may also want to mention that a formal invitation will follow.

If you are sending physical save-the-date cards, don't forget to allow time for ordering, proofing, printing, delivery, addressing, applying postage, and mailing. Digital save-the-dates are a good option if you are short on time, but be aware that they may end up in your guests' spam folders.

Local weddings: Send 4-6 months in advance

For local weddings, it is recommended to send out your save-the-date cards 4 to 6 months in advance of your wedding date. This is a crucial step in the wedding planning process, as it serves as an official announcement of your wedding date and location, and lets your guests know that they are invited to the celebration. Sending out save-the-dates is especially important if you are planning to get married during a busy time of year, such as peak summer season, as it allows your guests to plan their holidays and events around your wedding date.

Save-the-dates are typically sent out 6 to 12 months before the wedding, but for local weddings, a shorter timeframe is acceptable. It is important to give your guests enough notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements, book accommodation, or request time off work. Sending out your save-the-dates 4 to 6 months in advance gives your guests a chance to plan and make any necessary arrangements without feeling rushed.

When creating your save-the-date cards, be sure to include key information such as the date of your wedding, the location (at least the city or state), and the names of the couple. You may also include optional information such as a formal invitation to follow, your wedding website, and hotel information for out-of-town guests.

It is also important to note that save-the-dates should only be sent to guests who are invited to the whole wedding day. Guests who are only invited to the evening reception should receive a separate notification closer to the date.

Once you have sent out your save-the-dates, you can follow up with your formal wedding invitations. For local weddings, it is recommended to send out invitations at least 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to RSVP and make any final arrangements.

What to include: Date, location, names

Save the date cards are an important step in wedding planning. They are a fun and practical way to inform your friends and family that they are invited to your wedding. They are also a way to ensure that your guests have enough time to prepare and change their plans if necessary. Here is what to include on your save the date cards:

Date

The date of the wedding, or the weekend of the wedding celebration, should be included. This allows your guests to mark the big day on their calendars and arrange their travel plans. It is customary to spell out the entire date if you prefer a formal tone. However, you can abbreviate the day of the week (e.g. Sat.) if needed to fit everything on one line.

Location

Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or a local affair, your guests will need to know the location of your wedding to prepare accordingly. Even some of your local guests might want to reserve a room at a nearby hotel instead of driving home at the end of the night. It is customary to include the city and state of your wedding. You don’t need to add the venue address or name until your formal wedding invitation.

Names

It is customary to include the names of the couple on the save the date cards. Full names are preferred, but first names are also acceptable, especially for casual and informal wedding celebrations.

Optional Information

While not required, you may want to include the following optional information:

• Formal invitation to follow: Let guests know that a formal invitation is on its way.
• Wedding website: Include your wedding website URL if you have one.
• Hotel information: Provide important information about accommodations, especially if you’ve reserved a block of rooms with a discount rate.

Who to send to: Confirmed guest list only

Save the dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before your wedding day. However, it is important to only send them to those on your confirmed guest list. This is because save-the-dates serve a specific purpose: to notify guests of the entire wedding day's events and secure their presence. Sending them to those who are only invited to the evening reception can be misleading and awkward.

Evening guest invitations are sometimes subject to alterations, which can complicate matters. Couples may also not wish for evening guests to misconstrue their invitation as an invitation to the entire day's events. This potential misunderstanding could arise, especially if they've received a save-the-date.

There are a couple of elegant ways to invite your evening guests to your wedding. One formal option is to send a separate evening reception invitation with all the details—date, time, location, and how to RSVP. This makes it clear they're invited to the evening do. Or you could take a more laid-back approach with a phone call, email, or digital invite specifically mentioning the reception and extending the invite.

Timing-wise, aim to send these out 4-6 weeks before the big day to give everyone enough time to plan. Having an RSVP option, even if it's informal, helps with sorting out the final arrangements. And if there's any dress code or other info they need to know, including that ensures everyone's on the same page and your wedding day goes smoothly for all your guests.

It is also important to note that save-the-dates should only be sent to guests who are invited to your whole wedding day. You do not send them to guests who are only invited for the evening reception. This can be very misleading and awkward if you send a save-the-date to an evening-only guest.

Format: Digital or physical

There are a few options when it comes to the format of your save-the-date wedding announcements. You could opt for the traditional route and send physical cards to your guests, or you could go digital with email or text message invites. Here are some things to consider for each option:

Digital Save-the-Dates

Digital save-the-dates are a convenient and budget-friendly option. They can be a great choice if you're short on time, as they don't require ordering, proofing, printing, or physical mailing. You can select and pay for a digital design within just a few clicks, and delivery is instant. However, keep in mind that digital invites may end up in your guests' spam folders, so be sure to follow up to ensure delivery.

Physical Save-the-Dates

Physical save-the-date cards are a more traditional option and can be a great way to give your guests a glimpse of the wedding to come. They can also be more reliable than digital invites, as you don't have to worry about delivery issues. On the other hand, they require more time for ordering, printing, and mailing, so be sure to factor that into your timeline. Physical save-the-dates can also be more costly, especially if you choose luxurious papers or printing techniques.

Timing for Digital and Physical Save-the-Dates

Regardless of the format you choose, the timing for sending out your save-the-dates is generally the same. For local weddings, it is recommended to send them out six to eight months in advance. For destination weddings, or weddings during busy travel times, it is best to send them out even earlier, around eight to twelve months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and accommodations.

Information to Include

Whether you choose a digital or physical format, the information you include in your save-the-date will be similar. Be sure to include the date of your wedding (or at least the weekend of the celebration) and the location (city and state, or destination). You may also want to include the names of the couple, especially if some guests may not know the name of your fiancé. Other optional information includes a note that a formal invitation will follow, your wedding website, and hotel information for destination weddings.

Frequently asked questions