What are Save the Dates?
Because you don’t want your entire high school graduating class to show up…
What is a Save the Date?
A Save the Date (unfortunately I will have to type the whole phrase because there’s something very off putting with shortening it to STDs) is a card to let your guests know the wedding date and is sent to the people you really want to be there. No randos.
When to send Save the Dates?
They are typically mailed to your guests 6 to 9 months in advance. This gives your guests plenty of time to get reservations, plane tickets, or passports even. The more destination the locale the more time the better for your guests.
What information is on a Save the Date?
Your names
The date
The location
It’s more common now to include a wedding website on the save the date too. Especially if you have lodging recommendations or what airport would be easiest to fly into for the location. Even if your wedding website isn’t finished, it’s better to include it than not. That way you won’t have to answer the same questions 100 times.
Who gets a Save the Date?
Everyone you plan to invite to the wedding should get a save the date. Even if you know they cannot attend. Everyone that you send a save the date to should also receive an invitation. Therefore, you should really have your guest list in order by print time. Of course, you can still send invitations to people that did not receive a save the date. For invitations and save the dates any children or roommates over the age of 18 get their own invitation (example: adult children living with their parents or adult roommates that are not dating). If you have 80 people coming to your wedding but it is actually 40 couples you only need 40 save the dates/invitations.
How do I design Save the Dates?
I like to design the save the date the same time I design the wedding invitation and extra details cards. I do this because I want everything to be cohesive and coordinate. Your save the date is the first indication to your guests on what to expect for your wedding. It’s also a place to have a little fun and show personality! I know you’ve probably had engagement photos done but I do not design for them. My suggestion is to include a printed photo in the envelope with your save the date. That way your guests can frame or display your photo without the typical loopy font and date covering your legs 😬. I want to design for you and your wedding, not what “everyone” else is doing.
Want to know more about what goes into an invitation? Check out this blog post, What are Reply Cards.