Welcome to our comprehensive guide on sending save the dates for your wedding! Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but sending out save the dates is a crucial first step to ensure that your guests mark their calendars for the big day. Timing is everything when it comes to sending out your save the dates, and we’re here to help you navigate the process with ease.
First, let’s discuss why save the dates are important. Not only do they give your guests ample time to prepare, but they also provide a sneak peek of your wedding theme and set the tone for your event. So, what information should you include in your save the dates? Let’s dive into that next.
Now that you know the importance of save the dates and what information to include, the big question remains: when should save the dates be sent out? Don’t worry, we have the answer for you. Read on to learn more about the optimal timing and what to do if you need to send them out late.
Ready to make your save the dates stand out? We have some tips for you in the following sections. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about sending save the dates for your wedding!
Why Are Save the Dates Important?
If you are planning a wedding, save the dates are an essential component of your planning process. Sending these cards out will ensure that your guests are aware of your upcoming wedding date, and have ample time to prepare. But why are save the dates so important?
First, save the dates provide an opportunity for you to let your guests know about your upcoming wedding date, so they can mark their calendars and start making arrangements. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or a local event, save the dates will ensure that your guests are aware of your wedding date well in advance.
Second, save the dates provide an excellent opportunity to set the tone and style of your wedding. Your save the dates can incorporate your wedding colors and theme, giving guests a sneak peek of what’s to come.
Third, save the dates are a helpful tool for managing your guest list. By sending these cards out early, you can get an accurate count of how many guests will be attending your wedding, which can help you make more informed decisions about your venue, catering, and other important details.
Finally, save the dates are a great way to show your guests that you care about their attendance and are excited to have them be a part of your special day. They help you kick off the wedding planning process with a fun and exciting announcement.
As you can see, save the dates play a crucial role in your wedding planning process. By sending them out early, you can ensure that your guests are aware of your upcoming wedding date, set the tone for your wedding, manage your guest list, and show your guests how much you care. Keep reading to learn more about how to create perfect save the dates for your wedding!
Set Expectations for Your Guests
Ensure Guest Availability: Sending save the dates early will give guests ample time to clear their schedules and make arrangements to attend your special day. This is especially important if you are planning a destination wedding or if many of your guests will be traveling from out of town.
Help with Planning: Save the dates give your guests a preview of what’s to come. You can include important details such as the date, time, and location of your wedding, as well as any related events such as the rehearsal dinner or welcome party. This information can be helpful for guests who need to make travel arrangements or plan time off from work.
Build Excitement: Save the dates are the first official communication that guests will receive about your wedding, and they set the tone for the celebration to come. They can also include engagement photos, a personal message from the couple, or other unique touches that help build excitement and anticipation for the big day.
By setting expectations early and giving guests plenty of notice, you can ensure that they are able to attend your wedding and fully participate in the festivities. So, make sure to send save the dates out as soon as possible!
Help Your Guests Plan Their Schedule in Advance
Sending save the dates early allows your guests to mark their calendars, book travel arrangements, and request time off from work. This can be especially important for guests who live far away or have other commitments. By providing them with the date well in advance, you can help ensure that your wedding is a priority on their schedule.
Additionally, sending save the dates early can help you avoid conflicts with other events. If you have a lot of out-of-town guests, it’s important to make sure your wedding doesn’t overlap with other popular events or holidays that might interfere with their travel plans.
Finally, sending save the dates early gives you an opportunity to gather feedback from your guests. You can include information about accommodations, travel arrangements, and other details that can help your guests plan their trip. This can help ensure that everyone has a great time and that you’re able to accommodate everyone’s needs.
What Information Should Be Included in Save the Dates?
Save the dates are an important part of your wedding planning process. They help you give your guests a heads up about your wedding date and location so that they can plan accordingly. Here are a few things that you should consider including on your save the dates:
Date and time: This is the most important piece of information to include on your save the date. Make sure that your guests know the exact date and time of your wedding so that they can plan accordingly.
Location: You should also include the location of your wedding on your save the date. This will help your guests plan their travel arrangements and accommodations.
Your names: It’s important to include your names on your save the date so that your guests know who is getting married.
Website: Including your wedding website on your save the date is a great way to provide your guests with additional information about your wedding. You can include information about your registry, accommodations, and more.
Names of the Couple
Include full names: Make sure to include the first and last names of both partners. This helps avoid any confusion and ensures that everyone knows who is getting married.
Use formal names: It’s best to use formal names, even if you usually go by a nickname or shortened version of your name. This makes the save the date feel more special and formal.
Consider name order: Traditionally, the bride’s name comes before the groom’s name. However, you can choose to list the names in whichever order you prefer.
Remember, the names of the couple are the most important piece of information to include on your save the dates. Make sure they are spelled correctly and legible.
Wedding Date and Location
Include the Date: The most important piece of information to include on a save the date is the wedding date. This will ensure that your guests mark the date on their calendar and avoid scheduling any conflicts.
Provide the Location: In addition to the date, be sure to include the location of your wedding. This can be as simple as listing the city and state or as specific as the name and address of the venue. Providing this information will help your guests make travel arrangements in advance and plan accordingly.
Accommodation Details: If you have reserved a block of rooms at a nearby hotel or if your wedding is at a destination location, be sure to include information about accommodations in your save the date. This will give your guests enough time to make reservations and secure any travel discounts.
How Far in Advance Should Save the Dates Be Sent?
Consider Your Wedding Date: The general rule of thumb is to send out save the dates 6-8 months before your wedding date. However, if you’re planning a destination wedding or a wedding during peak season, consider sending them out 8-12 months in advance.
Factor in Holidays and Busy Seasons: If your wedding falls on or near a holiday or during a busy season, such as summer or winter, it’s best to send your save the dates earlier to ensure your guests have enough time to plan accordingly.
Give Your Guests Enough Time: Sending save the dates well in advance gives your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements, request time off work, and plan their schedules accordingly.
Coordinate with Your Invitations: Make sure your save the dates go out early enough to allow time for your invitations to be sent out 6-8 weeks before your wedding.
Don’t Send Them Too Early: While it’s important to send out save the dates with enough time for guests to plan, sending them too early can also be a mistake. Guests may forget about your wedding by the time it rolls around or may not be able to commit to plans so far in advance.
Send Save the Dates 6-8 Months Before the Wedding
Plan ahead: Start designing and ordering your Save the Dates at least 8 months before your wedding date to avoid any last-minute stress.
Allow enough time for guests to make arrangements: Sending Save the Dates 6-8 months before the wedding gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements, book accommodations and request time off work.
Give your guests time to RSVP: By sending your Save the Dates early, your guests will have ample time to respond, so you can start finalizing your guest list and sending formal invitations.
While 6-8 months is the recommended timeframe for sending Save the Dates, there are exceptions. If you’re planning a destination wedding, it’s best to send them 8-12 months in advance to give guests extra time to plan. On the other hand, if you’re having a small, local wedding, you can send Save the Dates 4-6 months in advance.
Send Earlier for Destination Weddings
If your wedding is going to be a destination wedding, you should plan to send your save the dates even earlier. This will give your guests more time to make travel arrangements and take time off work. Ideally, you should send your save the dates at least eight months before your wedding date. This will allow your guests to make travel plans and take advantage of early booking discounts.
In addition to the travel arrangements, you should also consider sending additional information about the destination, such as local attractions and things to do. This will help your guests plan their trip and make the most out of their time in the area.
Another thing to consider is providing your guests with accommodation recommendations. You can block off rooms at a hotel or recommend Airbnb rentals in the area. By providing these recommendations, you’ll make the planning process easier for your guests.
What Should You Do if You Need to Send Save the Dates Late?
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to send your save the dates later than the recommended time, don’t panic! There are still some steps you can take to ensure your guests have enough notice:
Notify Guests Individually: Reach out to your guests individually to let them know the date and location of the wedding as soon as possible.
Send Electronic Save the Dates: Electronic save the dates can be sent quickly and easily, and can help you catch up on lost time.
Follow Up with Invitations: Make sure to follow up with your guests with invitations as soon as possible, and include a note explaining the delay in sending the save the dates.
Be Prepared for Reduced Attendance: Unfortunately, sending save the dates late may result in some guests being unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
Prioritize Close Family and Friends: If you are forced to limit the number of save the dates you send due to time constraints, make sure to prioritize your closest family and friends.
Remember, while it’s best to send save the dates as early as possible, unexpected situations can arise. By taking these steps, you can still ensure that your guests have all the information they need to attend your special day.Send Them as Soon as Possible
If you need to send save the dates late, the best thing to do is to send them as soon as possible. While it’s ideal to send them 6-8 months in advance, sending them a little later is still better than not sending them at all. Remember that your guests will need time to make travel arrangements and take time off work, so the earlier they receive the information, the better.
Consider sending electronic save the dates to save time and ensure your guests receive the information quickly. This is also an eco-friendly option that reduces paper waste.
If you’re sending the save the dates after you’ve already sent the invitations, make sure to include all of the necessary information in the invitation, such as the wedding date, time, and location. You can also consider including a note apologizing for the late notice and expressing your excitement to celebrate with your guests.
Send Electronic Save the Dates as a Backup
Consider email or social media: If you’re sending save the dates late, sending electronic save the dates can be a good option.
Include all the important information: Make sure to include the date, location, and your names, just as you would on a physical save the date.
Be clear: Clearly state that the electronic save the date is a backup and that a physical save the date will be sent as well.
If you do send electronic save the dates, be sure to follow up with a physical save the date as soon as possible. This way, guests will have a physical reminder of your wedding date and all the important details.
Follow Up with Invitations Sooner
| When to Send Invitations | Reasons to Send Sooner | Exceptions to the Rule |
|---|---|---|
6-8 weeks before the wedding | If your guest list is large, your guests may need more time to plan their schedules and travel arrangements. | If you have a smaller guest list and most of your guests are local, you may be able to send invitations a bit later. |
For destination weddings, at least 3 months before the wedding | Destination weddings require more planning and preparation, so your guests will appreciate having more time to arrange travel and accommodations. | If your destination wedding is during a busy travel season, consider sending invitations even earlier to give guests more time to book flights and lodging. |
For holiday weddings, at least 3 months before the wedding | Guests may have holiday plans and commitments, so they will appreciate having more time to plan accordingly. | If you are planning a holiday wedding during a peak travel season, send invitations even earlier to ensure guests can make travel arrangements. |
Remember to also include all necessary details in your invitations, including the date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP information. It’s important to give your guests enough time to respond so you can finalize your wedding plans.
How Can You Make Your Save the Dates Stand Out?
If you want your save the dates to stand out, there are a few things you can do to make them more memorable. One option is to use unique designs that reflect your wedding theme or personal style. You can also add personal touches such as photos or handwritten notes to make them more meaningful.
Another way to make your save the dates stand out is to choose unusual materials for them. For example, you could use magnets, wood, or even fabric instead of traditional paper. This can create a tactile experience that your guests will remember.
Lastly, you can make your save the dates stand out by incorporating interactive elements such as puzzles or games. This can be a fun and engaging way to get your guests excited about your wedding and make your save the dates unforgettable.
Choose a Unique Design or Theme
When it comes to making your save the dates stand out, selecting a unique design or theme can make all the difference. You could opt for a vintage feel with sepia tones and script fonts, or go for a more modern look with bold colors and graphic elements. Whatever style you choose, make sure it reflects you and your partner’s personalities and the tone of your wedding.
One way to create a unique design is to use custom illustrations or graphics. You could hire a graphic designer to create something specifically for your save the dates or find pre-made graphics online that fit your theme. Another option is to include a personal touch, such as a photo of you and your partner or a special quote that is meaningful to both of you.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to design. You could choose a quirky theme, like a beach or travel theme, or incorporate elements of your shared hobbies or interests. The more personalized and memorable your save the dates are, the more likely your guests will be to remember your special day.
Use High-Quality Materials
If you want your save the dates to stand out, consider using high-quality materials. Using materials like thick cardstock, letterpress paper, or foil stamping can give your save the dates a luxurious feel.
Another option is to add a special finish to your save the dates, such as embossing or debossing, which can give your save the dates a unique texture and look.
Finally, consider using unique printing techniques such as letterpress printing or thermography to make your save the dates stand out. These techniques can add depth and texture to your save the dates, making them more visually interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should you send save the dates for a wedding?
The general rule of thumb is to send save the dates six to eight months before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements, book accommodations, and request time off from work if necessary.
Is it ever too early to send out wedding save the dates?
While it’s important not to send save the dates too late, it’s also possible to send them too early. Sending them more than a year in advance can be excessive, as plans may change and guests may forget. A good timeframe to send save the dates is six to eight months before the wedding.
Sending save the dates via email or social media is becoming more common, especially for destination weddings or when guests are spread out across the country. However, it’s important to consider the age and technological savviness of your guests before deciding on this option. It’s also a good idea to follow up with a physical save the date or invitation.
Should you send save the dates to everyone on your guest list?
Save the dates should be sent to all guests who will be invited to the wedding, including family, friends, and anyone else who is important to the couple. It’s also important to note that if you send a save the date to someone, you must also send them an invitation to the wedding.
What information should be included on a wedding save the date?
A wedding save the date should include the names of the couple, the wedding date, and the location (city and state). If the wedding is taking place at a destination, it’s also a good idea to include hotel and travel information. The couple’s wedding website can also be included for additional details.
What should you do if you forgot to send out save the dates?
If you forgot to send out save the dates, it’s important to send out invitations as soon as possible. Be sure to include all necessary information, such as the wedding date, time, and location, as well as any additional details about accommodations or travel. You can also consider sending an email or making a phone call to let guests know about the wedding and to ensure they have all the information they need.