6 Questions to Ask Before You Send Out Your Save-the-Dates

Save-the-dates offer guests a preview of your wedding—and a glimpse into who you are as a couple.

real-weddings-jessica-bobby-0811-1083.jpg

For many guests and engaged couples, a save-the-date makes an upcoming wedding seem "real," as it's the first time the date and venue appear in one spot. The save-the-date is also a signal that guests can begin making plans to attend by booking hotels and travel. Along with sharing need-to-know details, these cards are a great way to get people excited about the upcoming festivities.

Here are some questions to answer before you start spreading the (exciting) news with your save-the-dates.

Do I Really Need to Send a Save-the-Date?

The short answer is yes—especially if you're planning a destination wedding, a summer wedding, or a wedding that falls on a three-day weekend. Part of what makes your big day magical is having so many of your friends and family together in one place. Scheduling conflicts occur, but if you give your guests a decent heads-up, more of them will attend.

When Should I Send a Save-the-Date?

Aim to send save-the-dates four to six months before your wedding, if you're tying the knot in a far-flung destination. Any longer, and your date might go on the back burner and be inadvertently forgotten when a conflict does arise. That way, guests won't be scrambling to make arrangements.

But, if you're having a small wedding and most attendees are local, mailing invites six to eight weeks ahead offers enough notice and chances are you won't need a save-the-date at all.

Who Should Receive 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 of people you would love to have at your wedding, but can't invite until regrets come in).

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.

What Details Should Be Included?

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 and state or city and country; save the exact address for the invite).

Make sure to include your last names somewhere, like on the envelope—a "Katie and Tom are getting hitched!" postcard may lead your parents' friends to ask "which Katie and Tom?"

You can include the phrase "formal invitation to follow" or "invitation to follow," but it isn't a must. Don't forget to include your wedding website—if you're going to create one, it's best to launch it in tandem with the save-the-date.

Can I Get Creative With My Save-the-Dates?

This is the fun part! Your save-the-dates can match the rest of your wedding stationery, or you can dream up something super creative. Play with fonts, prints, colors, and wording to reveal the tone of your wedding—and a little something about the kind of couple you are!

Announce an elegant soirée with an ornate script that matches the rest of your wedding stationery, or a seaside celebration with a bold tropical palette or a prim nautical motif. Filmstrips are popular, as are magnets because they go (and stay) right on the fridge, but a garden-party save-the-date might come in the form of a flower seed packet—and a luggage tag could help guests keep track of your destination wedding date and their suitcase.

What Else Should I Keep in Mind?

If you do go the creative route and DIY mini easels, messages-in-a-bottle, or paper airplanes, make sure the processing machines at the post office don't crush them. Keep in mind that the larger and weightier your save-the-date is, the more postage it will require, which ups expenses.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles