Should you send Save the Dates?
Minimal save the date card features your own photo, customizable calendar month in sleek modern typography. Change the color of the number for your big day! Personalize the back with your wedding details, including names, wedding date, location and website. Rustic floral antler graphic on the back matches with the full collection of this wedding suite.
You've finally selected your wedding venue and secured a wedding date, so now a big question has arrived – should you send out Save The Dates? There are no rules about whether or not you “must” include this extra in your wedding plans. The tricky part about save the dates is that they are relatively recent inventions in the world of weddings. I can guarantee you that your grandmother never sent them out, and chances are, your mom didn’t either. But as families and friends have gotten more geographically dispersed, weddings have become more of a destination event for many of the players. It does help guests plan for the wedding far in advance, especially when long-distances and travel arrangements must be covered in order to join the celebration. If you’re planning a destination wedding or a celebration that lasts more than a single day, indicate the entire weekend so your guests can block off the weekend and arrange their travel plans.
Let's face it: Calendars can fill up fast. 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. That way, they can jump on booking airfare and accommodations for the weekend—or at the very least, set up travel alerts to snag future sale fares to attend your wedding, if they live far away, or you're planning a destination wedding. Even if they live nearby, they can still mark it on the calendar and will be thankful that you gave them a head's up.
Modern etiquette allows for electronic correspondence in the age of the Internet, but there’s nothing more polished and personal than a save the date sent through snail mail with love. 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. Play with colors, motifs or fonts to create something that will get guests excited for the occasion.
If the two of you opt to send save-the-dates, you'll need to make some decisions about who you're inviting to your wedding pretty shortly after locking in your wedding and reception venue(s), which, together with your budget and personal preferences, dictates the maximum number of guests you can have in attendance. Keep in mind that once someone receives their save-the-date, they will assume they're invited to your wedding; you can’t not send them an official wedding invitation later! So choose wisely and thoughtfully to avoid any guest list drama down the line.
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). Do not mail cards to guests on your B-list: Once they receive a save-the-date, you're obligated to send them an invitation too. If plus-ones and kids are invited, remember to specify "and guest" or "and family" when addressing save-the-dates. Address cards accordingly-and that means waiting until your guest list is set. Being up front about who's invited also gives families with uninvited kids ample time to plan for child care, and out-of-towners time to figure out hotel room shares.
Basic timeline for when to send save the dates:
Choose your location and set the date. The location can be approximate – a city will do. You don't need to have to wait until your entire weekend is planned to send these out. Just make sure invitees are aware of when and where the nuptials are taking place. Your save-the-date should include your first names, the date, the venue, and its location (city/state or city/country; save the exact address for the invite).
Take your engagement photos.
Design your save the dates cards. Use your engagement photos in your design for the ultimate personal touch. Today’s couples love creating custom wedding websites with fun and helpful information about the festivities. If you’re launching your own site or page, don’t forget to include it in your save the date card. This is also a great way to point your guests to a place with more information that you might not be able to fit in the card or invitation.
Mail your save the dates. The basic rule of thumb is to send save the dates 6 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, it is customary to mail save the dates 8 to 12 months in advance. For a local affair, send save the dates 4 months in advance.
Follow your save the dates with your formal invitations about 8 weeks before the wedding.
In general, order, design, and send out save the date cards at least 6 to 12 months in advance of your wedding date.