Sending save-the-dates is an essential wedding planning step. These cards aren’t just pretty to look at! They give guests a heads-up about your special day, so they have ample time to plan and make travel or childcare arrangements, if necessary. This increases the likelihood that they will be able to attend your celebration. In addition, save-the-date cards set the stage for your wedding day by giving guests a glimpse into the style and tone, helping to build excitement. Find out when to send save-the-dates, what to include on them, and more essential information, below.
What Are Save-the-Dates?
Save-the-date cards are pre-invitation notices that inform guests about your upcoming wedding. They provide essential information, such as the event’s date and location, allowing guests to mark their calendars well in advance.
How Do They Differ from Formal Invitations?
Save-the-dates differ from formal invitations in purpose and content. Typically, a couple will send save-the-dates early during planning so guests can mark their calendars. Because major decisions such as the wedding venue may not have been made yet, these cards include the basic details of the day: the couple’s names, the wedding date, and the city, with a note that a formal invitation will follow.
Conversely, a couple will send formal invitations closer to the wedding date (usually six to eight weeks in advance). These contain the essential information guests need to attend, including the venue, ceremony time, dress code, and RSVP details.
When Should You Send Save-the-Dates?
For those having a local wedding, sending save-the-dates six to eight months before the wedding provides sufficient time for guests to mark their calendars and make arrangements. A destination wedding requires a slightly lengthier timeframe. We suggest mailing your save-the-dates eight months to a year in advance so your guests have plenty of time to decide if they can attend, make travel arrangements, and take off work.
What Should Be On Your Save-the-Dates?
As mentioned, save-the-date cards must only include basic information about your wedding day. Key information includes:
- Your names
- The wedding date
- The general location (city and state; venue optional)
- Note that a formal invitation will follow
Optionally, you may include:
- Wedding website URL linking to more details
- Travel and accommodation suggestions (if applicable)
The key to writing a successful save-the-date card is to keep it concise! Focus on including the most essential details so your guests remember them.
What Should Save-the-Dates Look Like?
Matching Your Wedding Aesthetic
Your save-the-date cards set the tone for your wedding day. So, they should match the event’s overall aesthetic direction. We advise choosing colors and designs that align with your wedding style or theme, whether formal, rustic, coastal, etc.
The Design Process
When designing your save-the-dates, choose fonts, colors, and artwork that best convey your wedding’s style or theme. Examples of common save-the-date styles include modern, vintage, boho, and classic. You can also give your cards a personal touch by including an engagement photo or two and your wedding monogram or crest!
How to Make Your Save-the-Dates Stand Out
As a stationery designer, I help my couples break the cookie-cutter mold with creative and unique save-the-dates! Elevated touches like hand-drawn illustrations or calligraphy go a long way toward setting your custom save-the-dates apart from the designs sold at Minted. At Turnage and Watts, we also use premium materials and techniques—including handmade cardstock, die-cut shapes, foil printing, and letterpress—to craft our heirloom-quality stationery.
We know that the world of wedding invitations and stationery is daunting. Apart from your save-the-dates, there’s your invitation suite and day-of paper to consider! We break it all down in our Complete Guide to Wedding Invitations at the bottom of our home page so you can have peace of mind. We invite you to explore our blog for more wedding stationery inspiration, and schedule a call with our lead designer, Cari, to discuss our custom wedding invitation design services!
