
6 Reasons to Send Save the Dates
- Helping Guests Arrange Plans. Save the Dates were created for a practical purpose—alerting guests of your wedding earlier than an invitation.
- Sharing the Good News. Save the Dates are a joyous call to kickstart the good cheer. ...
- Discovering Your Stationery Design. ...
- Promoting Your Wedding Website. ...
- Arranging a Final Guest List. ...
- Creating a Touching Keepsake. ...
When should you send save the date wedding cards?
Let the festivities begin and ensure a smooth guest experience with save the date wedding cards that tell your friends and family to reserve the date of your wedding. For destination weddings, send out save the date cards at least 6 to 12 months in advance.
What is a save the date and why do you need one?
Not only does the save the date let guests know when and where to show up for your wedding, but you can also use it to set the mood: formal, casual, destination, or retro. Let the design help you tell the story of your wedding with a tropical or rustic design.
How far in advance should you send save the dates?
Sending your save the dates. The rule of thumb is that save the dates go out four to six months before your ceremony. Add a month or two if you’re having a destination wedding. Especially send them if your wedding will be over a holiday weekend or otherwise require difficult travel.
Should you send save-the-dates?
Couples typically send out save-the-dates a few months after they've gotten engaged and have decided on a wedding date and venue. But they're hardly mandatory, and for some couples, they might not even be necessary. So, should the two of you spend the time (and money) to send save the dates at all? Here's a breakdown of some of the pros and cons.

Does Save the Date mean you're 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 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.
When should you not send save the dates?
Chertoff told Insider that save-the-dates should not be sent any earlier than six months before the wedding invitations, which go out six to eight weeks before the wedding. That means the save-the-dates need to be sent around eight months before your wedding, at the latest.
Do you send everyone a save the date?
You should send your save-the-dates to anyone you want at your wedding. Even if you've already received verbal confirmations from certain guests, you should still send them a save-the-date (members of your wedding party, siblings and parents). Just remember: Only send it to those whom you definitely want to attend.
Is save the date necessary?
Couples typically send out save-the-dates a few months after they've gotten engaged and have decided on a wedding date and venue. But they're hardly mandatory, and for some couples, they might not even be necessary.
How early is too early for save the dates?
As a general rule of thumb, it's a good idea to mail your save-the-dates four to six months before the wedding—or even earlier if you're planning a destination wedding that may require more extensive travel arrangements.
Can we skip Save the date?
Save the dates are going to be critical for some weddings but not necessarily all. If you are planning a destination wedding or will have many guests traveling, save the dates should not be skipped. If you have a lot of local attendees, or are planning on a shorter timeline, you can skip save the dates.
What is the difference between Save the date and wedding invitations?
The biggest difference between save-the-date cards and wedding invitations is that the first is meant to put guests on notice, while the second acts as a formal invitation to the event. For that reason, save-the-dates are sent first — often months or even a year before the wedding date.
Can you just send invitations instead of Save the dates?
When are you supposed to mail invitations to wedding guests if you're not 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.
What can I say instead of Save the dates?
Simply saying “Save the Date!” is usually hint enough that you're getting married, but you can include an additional phrase like “We're Engaged” or “We're Getting Married!” as well.
What should a save the date include?
What to Include in Your Save-the-DatesThe wedding date.The venue location.Your wedding website.A note about the invitation.
What info goes on a save the date?
What should I include on my save the dates? Save the dates should be kept relatively short and sweet. Your and your partner's names, your wedding date, the location of your venue (we mean city and state, not the actual venue), and your wedding website's address are really all you need.
Can you send save the dates instead of invitations?
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.
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.
Can you just send invitations instead of Save the dates?
When are you supposed to mail invitations to wedding guests if you're not 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.
Does everyone invited to a wedding get a save-the-date?
Everyone on your "A" guest list-even your maid of honor who found out the second you booked the venue-should receive a save-the-date. (Due to budget and venue restrictions, you may have a "B" guest list-people you would love to have at your wedding but can't invite until regrets come in).
Why do we need to send save the dates?
Save the dates are a great way to generate excitement around your upcoming wedding day and ensure your loved ones block off their calendars accordingly . Not only are save the dates hugely beneficial to your wedding guests, they’re also fun to customize and send.
When to send save the date card?
Put it on their calendars. With everyone’s busy schedules, you’ll want to send out your save the dates 6 to 8 months before your wedding date.
What to do with save the dates?
Make a fun keepsake. Your save the dates make a great addition to a wedding album. Use them as keepsakes that you and your guests can cherish and proudly display around the house.
How to give an indication of your wedding decor?
You can give an indication of your wedding decor and wedding theme by choosing a save the date design that aligns. Let guests get to know you, as a couple. Maybe you have a childhood friend who hasn’t met your sweetheart yet. This is a perfect time to show off your happy smiles with a save the date card.
Ok, so first: Why send a save the date?
One of the main reasons to send a save the date card is to give your guests time to make travel arrangements. If you have a destination wedding or your friends and family are spread out far and wide, their preparation for your wedding may include a lot of moving parts:
Who should receive a save the date card?
People who will need to make plans in advance should certainly get save the date cards. But your save the dates can be an important part of your creative preparation for your wedding. Anyone who might enjoy the card can have one!
What info should you include?
For sure, include your names, the date, and the place (not necessarily the specific venue, but at least the city). Then you can say, “Details to come!” — and be through!
Why send save the dates?
One of the benefits of sending save-the-dates is that they alert guests of your official wedding date and location, which is ultra helpful when travel is involved.
When do couples send out save the dates?
Couples typically send out save-the-dates a few months after they've gotten engaged and have decided on a wedding date and venue. But they're hardly mandatory, and for some couples, they might not even be necessary.
Why do you have your wedding day marked on your calendar?
Having your wedding day marked on their future calendars will give your nearest and dearest a chance to make plans around your wedding weekend and ensure they don't accidentally double-book. Plenty of personal and professional events and travel plans are confirmed months in advance—including work trips and conferences and annual family vacations, to name a few. The greater notice you give your guests, the greater likelihood they'll be available to attend.
When to send save the dates for wedding?
Couples typically send out save-the-dates a few months after they've gotten engaged and have decided on a wedding date and venue. But they're hardly mandatory, and for some couples, they might not even be necessary.
Do friends and family know when to invite you to a wedding?
You may assume your friends and family know for certain that they're going to be invited to your nuptials, but just because they're close to you doesn’t mean that they're automatically expecting to receive an invitation. Wedding guest lists are tricky things and it can sometimes feel like a bit of a guessing game; a save-the-date confirms for your many circles of friends and immediate and extended family that they are indeed on the guest list and can start planning accordingly.
Do you need to collect email addresses for save the dates?
Even if you opt to send digital save-the-dates to save funds, you'll still need to collect everyone's email addresses (and it's possible that all-important email might get missed).
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.
Can you save the date on Shutterfly?
Create personalized and stylish save the date cards with Shutterfly. Our easy-to-use templates allow you to design your save the dates with your selected photographs and important nuptial details. We can even address, stamp and send your cards! Make sure to keep a copy of your save the dates to save for a wedding photo book.
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.
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:
How to send save the date cards?
There are some things you should and shouldn’t do when you decide to send save-the-date cards. Here are some guidelines to follow for save-the-date etiquette that will ensure you’re getting the most out of your decision to send these cards: 1 Put enough information on them: Anything you know about the location is important and can prove helpful to your potential guests. 2 Don’t worry about your save-the-dates matching your invitations — be creative! 3 Don’t include anything like glitter or confetti in the envelope. 4 Send save-the-dates only once you’ve nailed down a guest list. 5 Include information for allowing plus-ones and whether children will be welcome to attend. 6 Don’t include gift registry information, but do include your wedding website if you have one.
What is a save the date card?
Let’s start with the fact that there is a difference between these two items. Save-the-date cards tells the recipient to do exactly that: save the date. While it does serve to give your invitee some information about your big event, its role relies less on providing details and instead focuses on alerting your possible guest to the possibility of a formal invitation.
What to include on a wedding save the date?
On your save-the-date, include your names, any basic information about the location, the date and a little comment to let the recipient know to expect a formal invitation soon. As your wedding date gets closer, you want to start thinking about sending out your actual invitations. The official wedding invitation gives much more detail about your ...
What is the purpose of an official wedding invitation?
The official wedding invitation gives much more detail about your special event. This is where you give the venue information, the date and time of the wedding, and the date and time of the reception. Your invitation should also formally ask your friends and family to come celebrate the union between you and your partner.
