Save The Dates: Summer Wedding Timing

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and you'll want to ensure all your loved ones can attend. Sending out save-the-dates is a crucial step to ensure your guests can join you on your big day. For a summer wedding, it's best to send out save-the-dates between four and eight months in advance. This gives your guests enough time to plan, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. If your wedding is a destination wedding, it's recommended to send out save-the-dates even earlier, between eight and 12 months in advance. It's also important to have your wedding website up and running before sending out save-the-dates, so guests can access all the necessary information.

Destination wedding save-the-dates: Send 8-12 months before the wedding

Planning a destination wedding? It's crucial to give your guests a heads-up well in advance. We're talking 8-12 months before the big day. This may sound like a lot, but it gives your guests the time they need to plan and save up for the event. It's also a good idea to get those save-the-dates in the diary before any other weddings your loved ones may be considering.

Destination weddings often require guests to travel, which means more planning and expense. By giving your guests that extra notice, they'll be able to book flights, reserve hotel rooms, and make any other necessary arrangements. It's also a good idea to have your wedding website up and running before sending out those save-the-dates. That way, your guests can easily access all the information they need, such as travel details and accommodation options.

When it comes to the content of your save-the-date cards, keep it simple. Include your names, the wedding date, the location (city and state), and your wedding website address. You may also want to mention that a formal invitation will follow. This way, guests don't get confused and think that the save-the-date is the actual invite.

While you can send electronic save-the-dates, there's something special about receiving a physical card in the mail. It adds a personal touch and gets your guests excited about your upcoming nuptials. So, take the time to pick out cards that match the style and theme of your wedding. And don't forget to address and send them to all your guests—they'll appreciate the formal heads-up.

Remember, the key to successful save-the-dates for a destination wedding is timing. Give your guests that extra lead time, and they'll be forever grateful as they plan their travels to celebrate your special day.

Local wedding save-the-dates: Send 4-6 months in advance

For local weddings, it is recommended that you send out your save-the-dates four to six months in advance of your wedding date. This gives your guests ample time to prepare and change their plans if necessary. It is also a good idea to avoid sending save-the-dates during the Christmas holiday season, as they can get lost among the other mail that arrives during that time of year.

Save-the-dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before the wedding day. Sending them out early ensures your guests have the most time to prepare and change their plans if a conflict arises. Once your venue and wedding date are confirmed, there is no reason to delay sending out your save-the-dates. Sending them out early also means getting your wedding in your guests' diaries first, which is especially important if there are lots of weddings in the summer.

The purpose of save-the-dates is to ensure that your guests mark their calendars well in advance, especially if your wedding is during a busy time of year, like the peak summer season. They are crucial for accommodating guests' busy schedules, allowing them to plan holidays and events around your wedding date. Save-the-dates are also a great way to get your guests excited about your wedding and get your creativity flowing early in the planning process.

Save-the-dates should include the date of the wedding or the weekend of the wedding celebration, the city of the event, and the names of the couple. You may also include a line that a formal invitation will follow and your wedding website.

What to include: Names, wedding date, location, and wedding website

Save-the-dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before your wedding day, with eight to 12 months being ideal for a summer wedding. They are especially important for summer weddings, as this is a busy time of year, and your guests may have other weddings or events to attend. Sending out your save-the-dates early means your wedding will be the first in your guests' diaries, and they can plan their summer around it.

Now, what to include?

Names

Your names are essential. It is also a good idea to make them stand out with a different font or size so that your guests know exactly whose wedding it is. You may also want to include your maiden name. Some couples choose to include an engagement photo, which is a lovely way to add a personal touch.

Wedding Date

This is the most important piece of information! Make sure the date of the wedding day is clear, and if you are having a whole weekend of celebrations, be sure to specify when the ceremony is.

Location

You don't need to include the exact venue, but it is a good idea to include the city and state or country. This will help your guests to start making travel arrangements.

Wedding Website

It is a good idea to wait until your wedding website is up and running before sending out your save-the-dates. This way, your guests can get to know you as a couple and learn more about the type of wedding you are planning. They can also find more detailed information about accommodation and the wedding weekend on your website.

Other things to include are a note that a formal invitation will follow, and, if relevant, specify if guests can bring a plus-one by adding 'and guest'.

What not to include: Registry information, venue, timing, and dress code

Save-the-dates are typically sent out six to 12 months before a wedding, with eight to 12 months being ideal. They are especially important for summer weddings, which are prime wedding season, to ensure your guests can attend.

Now, what not to include on your save-the-date:

Registry Information

It is considered inappropriate to print registry information on your save-the-date. Guests usually know they can ask you, your family, or friends about registry details, or you can share this information through your wedding website.

Venue

It is not necessary to include your venue on your save-the-date. Providing the city and state is sufficient. However, if you'd like to include the venue, you may do so.

Timing

There is no need to include specific times on your save-the-date. At this early stage, you likely haven't finalised the timeline for your wedding day. The purpose of the save-the-date is to inform guests of the wedding date and location, not the specific times.

Dress Code

It is too early to include dress code information on your save-the-date. Save these details for the wedding invitation or add them to your website for guests to reference.

Who to send them to: All guests on the final list

It is important to have a finalised guest list before sending out your save-the-dates. Anyone who receives a save-the-date will expect a formal invitation to follow, so only send them to guests who are invited to the whole wedding day.

Save-the-dates should be sent to all guests, including members of your wedding party and family members. If you are inviting a married couple with children, include the first names of the children on the second line underneath the parents' names. For a plus one, use the title 'Mr' or 'Ms' with the last name of the primary guest and write 'and guest'.

If you are inviting guests from overseas, it is a good idea to give them as much notice as possible. Sending out save-the-dates nine months to a year in advance will give guests ample time to plan their trip and make any necessary arrangements, such as applying for a new passport or visa.

For a local wedding, it is still important to give your guests plenty of notice. Send out your save-the-dates at least four to six months in advance of your wedding date. This will give guests time to make travel arrangements, save money, and request time off work.

Frequently asked questions