As soon as you’ve actually settled the wedding date and place, you just can't wait to let your friends know about that. Get your loved ones united in one area is one of the most wonderful things we can imagine. Apart from giving your friends a first glimpse of when and where is your upcoming nuptial, save the dates also reveal a lot about your wedding palette, basic tone and aesthetic.
So, before you begin mailing out those envelopes, take a minute to figure out some etiquette, styling and wording ideas.
1. When to send out save the date
Not too early, not too late. Send them out too far ahead will end in going on the back burner and forgotten about.
4-8 months ahead for hometown weddings. If you’re having a small wedding at which a portion of attendances are local, mailing the save the dates out 4-6 months is fine. Particularly if you have guests coming in from out of town, send save the date cards around 8 months beforehand.
8 months to a year in advance for destination weddings.
If you’re hosting a destination wedding, try to ensure enough time for your friends and families to clear their schedules and reserve the day, especially when the wedding happens on a major holiday.
Your guests will appreciate the heads-up, this allows them plenty of time to request off work, book flights and hotels and make child care.
Related article: Wedding Invitation Etiquette-When Should You Send Out Wedding Invitations
2. To whom do I send save the dates?
You should send save the dates to all guests who will be invited.
Before that, finalize your guest lists. Feel free to add 10-20% more people to your celebration, as that lots of generally decline the invite.
Besides, be upfront on who is invited. Sometimes, you want them to leave children home, or you don’t want them to have “plus one”.
Here are some ways of wordings:
Go ahead bring a plus one:
Miss. Isabella Martinez & Guest
If you are not allowing your single friends to bring a guest:
Miss. Isabella Martinez
Only adults are invited. Please leave the kids at home:
Mr. & Mrs William Bonner
3. Do I need to comply with my wedding theme?
Your save the dates don't have to match your wedding themes or invitations-you may not even know what they really look like at this early stage. Play with the design, colors and fonts to develop something that will certainly get guests thrilled for the celebration.
4. What to cover in save the date wordings?
Keep the cards short and sweet, just notice the major information including:
1). Names of the couples.
2). Wedding Date.
3). Wedding Venue--City and state, not the concrete location.
4). Formal Invitations to follow--Remember to say so that your guests will not think this as formal invitations.
5). Website URL--You will publish some extra information outside the material papers.
5. What mistakes to avoid?
1) Including Too Many Unnecessary Details. For example travel and accommodation, specific venue, dress code. It only takes up space and refrains guests from remembering the keynote.
2) Asking for an RSVP. You only put rsvps in invitations.
3) Going solely digital. If you do pick electronic, think about doubling up: Send a digital card to all, and send out paper cards in case the e-mail goes to spam. Likewise, chances are, you have older relatives and pals that may intend to keep the physical suite as a memento.
4) Sending cards to each individual guest. Don't burden yourself too much, just send out save the dates to each household.
5) Don’t let personality shines. It’s nice to add engagement photos or your favorite images. Feel free to have a little fun.
Wedding Save the Date Wording Examples:
Formal and traditional
Your presence is requested
at the wedding of
Isabella Martinez to
William Bonner
on Saturday, the seventh of JUNE
Two thousand and twenty
Mankato, Minnesota
Invitation will follow
Kindly save the date
For the wedding of
Isabella Martinez to
William Bonner
June 7th
Two Thousand Twenty-One
Atlanta, Georgia
Formal invite to follow
Casual
Save a place for us on your calendar!
Isabella Martinez and William Bonner
will unite in marriage
on May 27, 2020
Invitation & details to follow
Please save the date
to share in the joy of
Isabella Martinez and
William Bonner
at their marriage
on May 27, 2020
in San Francisco, California
Invitation to follow
Funny and cute
Free cake,
Open bar,
Need we say more?
06.07.2020
Isabella + William
Denver, CO
Invitation to follow
He stole her heart. Now she's stealing his last name!
Save The Date: 06.07.2020
Isabella + William
Denver, CO
Invitation to follow
