Today we are going to go into a little bit more detail about Save The Dates, when to send them out, what information to include and different styles. If you haven't read it already check out our Introduction to Wedding Stationery Guide, which details the different items in your stationery suite.
When to send Save the Dates?
Wedding invites would traditionally be sent 6-12 weeks in advance of the wedding day. Yes, WEEKS you read that right!
As anyone who has attended a wedding recently knows that is very unusual nowadays. Though it is still the Debretts recommendation so if you are being nagged about sending yours out too late with 6 months to go, feel free to say you are following their advice.
Save the Dates are a recent addition to wedding stationery suites, it is unlikely your parents sent them, but these days when it is very easy to get booked up during wedding season it is a great way of getting your wedding date pencilled in ahead of the crowd.
These are usually sent out from anytime that you have your date and venue confirmed up until 6 months before the wedding. For weddings that are closer that 6 months away, better to skip the save the dates and get straight on with the invitations.
What to include on your Save the Dates?
Save the dates can be really useful if you have a lot of details, timings and information that will need to be sent with your Invitations, often this doesn't get finalised until closer to the date, so best to get the Save the dates out early & wait until all your information is 100% confirmed before printing the Wedding Invitations and Information cards.
Must have information
- Who is getting married
- Wedding Date
- 'Save The Date'
Optional Information
- Venue or location: A must if you are having a wedding abroad, useful for all weddings, particularly useful if most guests will have to travel to get there.
- "Formal Invitation To Follow": Traditional line of text to let guests know they will be getting a full invitation, this is generally implied without having to be stated, but depending on the formality of your text you may wish to write it.
Timing specific information
Depending on when you are planning to send out the official Invitations the following information could be added to the save the dates - this will primarily be for weddings abroad or where there is a lot of travelling involved.
- Children: If you are intending to have a child free wedding let your guests know sooner rather than later, that way you won't end up with half-couples, where one stays at home to watch the kids.
- Accommodation: If you have arrangements for accommodation that you guests need to know about, make sure you tell them before they book something else.
- Additional events: Planning a 3 day festival wedding, having a big rehearsal dinner or a post-wedding BBQ that your guests are invited to. Let them know now so they don't make plans for the surrounding days.
Save the Date Designs & Styles
Wedding Save the Dates can vary in style significantly from the Traditional text heavy formal styles, to simple eye-catching graphic designs. Whether you are looking for a style to fit with the rest of your day or just something fun and original for this first bit of post on your wedding we have a range of Save the Date styles to suit.
Minimal Designs:
Graphically driven minimal Save the Dates, often leave your guests a few blanks to fill in, we love this as feel it adds a sense of mystery to the day. A first little snippet of what the day might have in store. If you love the idea of a minimal design check out our Retro Stamp, Wax Seal, Calligraphy & Monogram Designs
Conversational Designs:
Traditional Save the Date wording is fairly formal giving full details on who is inviting who and what is expected of the guests. If you are looking for this style of text we have a range of optionswith different design styles to suit your taste. Modern Geometry, London Taxi & Copper London all feature more a traditional text style and give your guests the full details for the day.
