When should you send out save the dates?
Your wedding stationery timeline should look something like this:
- 10-12 months before - start your free wedding website
- 8-10 months before - finalise guest list and addresses and send out save the dates
- 4-6 months before - order your wedding invitations (don't forget your RSVP s!)
- 2-3 months before - send out your wedding invitations and get your on-the-day stationery (such as menu cards and your wedding guest book)
Do I really need to send out save the dates?
Do I really need to send out a save-the-date? Even though it is not required, the answer is yes. Your save-the-date serves as the first correspondence to your guests letting them know to reserve the date for your wedding celebration. It is also the first impression and gives the guests a little insight on the theme.
When should save the dates be sent?
The First Look ✨ Within the grand timeline of wedding planning, sending your Save the Dates lands around 8 months for a destination... Save the Dates can and should be sent as soon as you've secured your venue and set a date, but be careful not to send... It’s common for couples to have a group A ...
Is it too late to send save the dates?
If a good portion of your guests are traveling to your event, send save the dates around eight months in advance, but if most people are local, four to six months ahead of time is fine—anything later than four months in advance, your guests may already have conflicts on their calendars.
Can you send invitations without save-the-dates?
If you choose not to send save-the-dates, feel free to send your wedding invitations out a bit earlier than if you had. In the 8 to 16 week range, you may want to lean more towards 16 weeks before the wedding for invitations if you did not send guests a save- the-date.
Are save-the-dates optional?
When to Send a Save-the-Date – and Do You Need to? You'll always want to send some type of official invitation to guests for your wedding. Save-the-date cards, however, are optional. It's important to know when to send your Save the Dates if you choose to use them as timing is so important for these cards.
Is it rude to send a save the date and not an invitation?
Sending a Save the Date Card but not an Invitation Think carefully before sending out save the dates because they have to go to people that you are actually inviting to the wedding. You can't send a save a date to someone who you might only invite to the wedding ceremony at a later date.
How soon do you have to send out save-the-dates?
Send out save-the-date cards six to eight months prior to your wedding and the wedding invitations eight weeks before your big day.
What can I write instead of Save the dates?
Synonymsdon't forget.invitation to the wedding.mark your calendar.wedding invitation.invitation cards.make sure.save-the-date.you remember the date.More items...
Is it OK to handwrite save-the-date envelopes?
Etiquette & Tradition Traditionalists will argue that hand addressed envelopes follow proper wedding protocol and etiquette. The key take away though is that addresses that are handwritten are thought to be more personal for such a special invitation.
Does getting a save-the-date mean you're invited?
Are you invited? A save the date card doesn't necessarily mean that you're invited to the wedding - it simply means that you're on the proposed guest list. The final guest list can be subject to change, for example, if there are unexpected changes with the venue, meaning fewer people can come.
Is save-the-date the same as a wedding invitation?
A save the date is a standalone (and very important) piece of wedding stationery which is completely separate to a wedding invitation. It's sent out several months before the invitation, and its sole purpose is to inform your future wedding guests of the wedding date.
How do you reply to a save-the-date invitation?
CALLIE'S ANSWER: A wedding save-the-date is simply letting you know the date. A formal invitation will follow in six or more weeks for you to give your RSVP. LILLLIE-BETH'S ANSWER: You don't have to do anything with a save-the-date card.
Is 2 years too early to send save-the-dates?
You should send Save the Dates to guests between one year and six months before your wedding. That should be enough time for guests to save, so they can afford to go – and plan annual leave from their jobs, if they'll need to travel or your wedding is on the same time they are working.
Do you send RSVP with Save the date?
Unlike invitations, there's no need to include RSVP cards with your Save the Dates. Guests aren't expected to respond until they receive the invitation, although some may. DO add your wedding hashtag and wedding website.
Do you add plus ones to save-the-dates?
When to include a plus-one on the save the date: Married, engaged, and cohabitating guests should get a plus-one. Give your wedding-party members a plus-one. Guests who have been with their partner for so long that it'd be awkward not to invite them.
Can I just send a save-the-date?
No Problem… All that being said, you can get away with sending only one if you're having a tiny wedding. The fewer guests will be attending, the easier a ceremony/reception is to arrange. That's because you can take the time to text or call each guests individually.
When to send wedding invites If you aren't sending save the dates?
If you're not sending save the dates, the best time to send out wedding invitations is 9 to 10 weeks before the wedding. Just two weeks more gives a little more of an indication.
When to send wedding invites if you don't send save the dates?
When to Send Wedding Invites. Put them in the mail: 2-4 months before the big day. If you're not sending Save the Dates (or are having a destination wedding), you'll want to get our invites out closer to the 4-month mark.
Is it rude to invite someone to a wedding without a guest?
It's just polite, even if you don't know one person as well as you know the other. Married and engaged couples should always be considered a package deal. Imagine how you'd feel if you weren't allowed to bring your other half to such an important event as a wedding.
They Make Your Engagement Official
While posting an engagement announcement on social media makes your wedding feel official, sending a save-the-date lets friends and family know it is official.
They Confirm a Wedding Invitation Is on the Way
While you may want to tell everyone you know you’re getting married, you’re certainly not going to be inviting them all to the wedding day.
They Give You More Time to Send Out Wedding Invitations
Because you’ve given your guests a date to put in their calendar, you’ve got more time to sort out and send the invitations.
They Show Off Your Personality and Let Your Guests Know What to Expect
Whether you include a little humor, the color scheme, or the theme of your big day, a save-the-date is a great way to show off your personality and let your guests know what to expect from the day.
They Give Your Guests Time to Make Arrangements
Post-Covid, a lot has changed, and wedding guests may need extra time to make travel arrangements, especially if plane tickets and hotel stays are necessary.
When to not send save the dates?
Expert Wedding Planning Tip: It is important to think about large seasonal events that may impact the receipt of a save the date, if possible do not send save the dates during the peak of the Christmas holiday season, as they can get lost with all of the other mail that arrives during that time of the year.
Who should receive a save the date card?
A save the date card should go to every guest invited to your wedding, including members of your wedding party and family members. Using the same etiquette rules for how to address wedding invitations, we’ve provided the following guidelines for how to address your save the date cards with your guests in mind:
What should be on a save the date card?
Your save the date card should include three main pieces of information: The date of the wedding, or the weekend of the wedding celebration. The magical date is set and this is the date you include in your card, allowing your guests to mark the big day on their calendars.
What is the magical date?
The magical date is set and this is the date you include in your card, allowing your guests to mark the big day on their calendars.
Why give guests a year?
Why so much time? Giving your guests a year or more to plan will generate excitement and ensure a smooth guest experience , especially for out-of-towners.
When to send wedding invites?
Follow your save the dates with your formal invitations about 8 weeks before the wedding.
Do you need to know the location of your wedding?
The city of the event. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or one in your hometown, your guests will need to know the location of your wedding to prepare ahead of time. 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.
What does it mean to send save the dates?
Sending save the dates means you get to show off a little personality. Remember, they don’t have to match your wedding theme exactly. You can get creative with them and experiment with what you like most. You can use fun, casual language, or keep it elegant with save the dates that are more formal in style and wording.
Why do we have save the dates?
Save the dates are a great way to test a theme and design elements that you like. You get to experiment, have a little fun with them, and see what you love and don’t love before incorporating that into your wedding invitation designs. There’s no need to stress about having your save the dates exactly match your wedding invitations. Save the dates can be different in design as long as they share the same vibe overallGuests get advance notice on the date
Why are save the dates so popular?
Believe it or not, save the dates are fairly new as far as wedding traditions go. They have become popular in today’s culture largely because they offer so many different benefits for engaged couples (and their guests). Life is busy and schedules are often packed with vacations, birthdays, and other weddings.
How long to save a wedding date?
This is especially helpful if you are planning a wedding during major holidays. Schedules book up quickly and by sending guests a save the date six to eight months out, they have plenty of time to decide if it’s possible to be there, and if they have to cancel or reschedule another commitment to attend your wedding. 8.
Why do people save the date?
Friends and family will love receiving an online save the date because it’s a lovely digital keepsake they can save for years to come. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly. If friends and family decide to print it out, it will look great in scrapbooks and photo albums. If you include your engagement photos, friends and family will be excited to get a sneak peek at those as well. Not only that, they make great digital keepsakes for you too. There are a lot of memories created during a wedding, and save the date cards are an excellent keepsake you can cherish for years to come.
What does "save the date" mean?
A save the date puts your wedding on their radar and gives them time to plan to be there. 6. Guests will know they are invited. Save the dates eliminate any question as to who is invited to your wedding. If you send a save the date, proper save the date etiquette means they’ll receive a formal invitation later.
What is advance notice for a destination wedding?
Advance notice is great to give them time to look into the costs for travel and accommodations and balance them against their budget to see if it’s even possible for them to attend. Some guests will need ample time to budget for a trip out of town, especially if it’s somewhere abroad or exotic.
What shouldn’t I include on my save the dates?
The major wedding etiquette no-no is including specific registry information on your save the date. This information can be included on your website, but shouldn’t be added to any printed materials. You also don’t need to be specific about your wedding venue, exact timing, or dress code. Your guests don’t need that information at this early point.
Where should I buy my save the dates?
When it comes to purchasing your save the dates, you have several options. You could buy your save the dates through an online stationer like WeddingWire Invitations, which allows you to browse a variety of options, customize your wedding stationery, and receive free samples easily and conveniently. If you'd prefer to see a wide range of options in person, you might opt to work with a local stationer in your area. Check sites like WeddingWire to find a stationer near you who is well-reviewed.
When do you send out save the dates if you’re hosting a local wedding?
We recommend sending save the dates between four and eight months in advance of your nuptials for hometown weddings. If a good portion of your guests are traveling to your event or if your event is taking placing over a holiday weekend, send save the dates around eight months in advance, but if most people are local, four to six months ahead of time is fine—anything later than four months in advance, your guests may already have conflicts on their calendars. As with a destination wedding, your wedding website should be relatively complete by the time those save the dates go out. Your guests will likely refer to your wedding website immediately after receiving your save the date to check your registry and other details, and the last thing you want is them to be greeted by a blank page.
Can I send electronic save the dates?
Traditional wedding etiquette dictates that save the dates should be printed and sent via snail mail. However, times have changed and for couples who are planning with a really tight timeline or an extremely large guest list, online save the dates can be a quick and easy solution. For formal weddings, though, printed save the dates are still best. If you're going the online route, there are plenty of websites with thousands of templates to choose from so you can find the save the dates that best suit your wedding style.
Do you need a wedding website after a save the date?
As with a destination wedding, your wedding website should be relatively complete by the time those save the dates go out. Your guests will likely refer to your wedding website immediately after receiving your save the date to check your registry and other details, and the last thing you want is them to be greeted by a blank page.
Do you send save the dates to all guests?
Your save the dates should be sent to all of your guests, which means you should have a finalized guest list before sending them out. Some couples create A, B, and C guest lists and only sending save the dates to those on the A-list, but that’s not something we recommend. In fact, we don't recommend having A, B, ...
Do save the dates have to match?
While your save the date should reflect the style of your wedding (formal or casual), it’s doesn’t have to match the rest of your paper goods. In fact, you probably don’t even know what the rest of your paper suite will look like at this early point, so don’t sweat it!
What is a save the date card?
Your first step is to send a save-the-date card (aka the pre-invitation that officially announces your wedding date and lets your guests know they should clear their calendars). But you have to do it right. Below, find out what mistakes not to make while giving your guests the heads up.
Do save the dates match wedding invitations?
Save-the-dates are much less formal than your wedding invitations and definitely don't have to match them or your theme. This is your opportunity to let your style as a couple really shine, or try out a theme you love but are hesitant to commit to just yet.
Do you need to include a gift on your save the dates?
While your guests will likely want to know where you're registered, it's in bad taste to include this information on your save-the-dates. Gifts, of course, are not required. You can wait to include a link to your wedding website (where your registry information should live) on an invitation insert, and guests will know to ask bridal party attendants or your parents for the scoop if they need to do so.
Do you have to send save the dates?
Yes, this counts as a mistake. Although you don't have to send save-the-dates (if you're having an especially short engagement, it might make more sense to simply send out invitations), you're typically doing yourself a disservice by not sending them. Especially if you're having a destination wedding or a three-day weekend affair—it'll give guests ...
Can you turn back on save the dates?
Once your save-the-dates are in the mail, there's no turning back. So only send them to those guests you definitely want to attend. (Even the ones you've received verbal confirmations from, like your bridesmaids and family members.)
Can you send invitations by snail mail?
Email invitations for informal events like bachelorette parties and postwedding brunches are becoming more popular, and as a result, rewriting the rules of snail mail etiquette. We stand by old-school stationery for the big stuff like formal invitations, but the use of digital is up to your discretion. If you do decide on digital, consider doubling up: Send out an electronic save-the-date to everyone, and send paper correspondence just in case the email goes to spam. Also, odds are, you have older relatives or friends who may want to keep the physical one as a keepsake.
When to send save the dates?
Typically wedding save the dates go out four to six months before the ceremony — long before you send out your wedding invitations. This save the date timeline might seem unnecessarily conservative, but keep in mind that you don’t have to have your venue finalized yet to send your cards: just the date and the general location.
When do you send out save the date for a wedding?
Typically wedding save the dates go out four to six months before the ceremony — long before you send out your wedding invitations. This save the date timeline might seem unnecessarily conservative, but keep in mind that you don’t have to have your venue finalized yet to send your cards: just the date and the general location.
What to include in a save the date?
Sending a digital save the date also allows you to include a link to your wedding website, registry, or your accommodation suggestion or hotel block .
Do you have to send save the date cards for a destination wedding?
Destination weddings require you to give guests ample notice so they can make the proper travel arrangements. Go ahead and send save the date cards for destination weddings as soon as you lock in your date. Don’t worry about any of the other details, that is what the invitation to follow is for. Sending early ensures you’ll give guests more time to plan and also lets them look forward to their upcoming vacation!
Do you need to include your wedding date on your save the date?
You only need to include your wedding date and general location on your save the date cards. However, if you are ready (or eager) to share more details with your guests, adding a link to your wedding website is a great idea. You can attach a URL to save the date cards and save the date Flyers, too. You will keep the design of your save the date sleek and clean, while still sharing all the details with your guests.
Can you attach a URL to a save the date card?
You can attach a URL to save the date cards and save the date Flyers, too. You will keep the design of your save the date sleek and clean, while still sharing all the details with your guests.
Do you have to send save the dates to every guest?
Of course you need to send one to every guest invited to your wedding ceremony, but otherwise you are free to get a little creative with your design. You can take a look at the save the date templates on our website for inspiration, but the most traditional formulas are fairly simple and take care of a few key functions. Here are the basics for what to include and how to word your save the dates:
Why do we have save the dates?
One function of save-the-dates is to give your guests a glimpse of the wedding to come. So the more formal the wedding, the more likely a printed card will set the tone you want your wedding to have.
Who should receive one?
Save-the-date notifications should only be sent to those who you're planning on inviting to the wedding. Once they're in the mail, there's no turning back, so be sure you've compiled an accurate guest list before sending them off. And even if you've already received verbal confirmation from certain guests, you still need to send them a save-the-date—that includes everyone in the bridal party, key wedding participants, and immediate family members, of course.
Can we send them via email?
These days, it's perfectly appropriate to send your save-the-date announcement via email. Just be aware of a few potential bumps along the road: Your e-card may get filtered into guests' spam folder, or perhaps the email address you have is an outdated one or one which they don't regularly check. While convenient and budget-friendly, delivery is not 100% guaranteed.
Do we have to send save-the-dates?
Plus, they're a fun way to give your guests a head's up about the wedding! Additionally, if you're having a destination wedding during busy travel dates—such as a three-day holiday weekend, summer in a resort town or peak season in the Caribbean—then sending a save-the-date is an expected courtesy, since many of your guests will have to make travel and hotel arrangements.
