Save the Date Cards
- Save the Date cards are just what they say, cards to let people know you will be getting married and notify them they should "save the date" on their calendar.
- Save the Date cards can be sent to all guests but it is essential to send them to out of town guests for sure in order to give them adequate time to plan on attending.
- Sending Save the Date cards well in advance is also a must if you are having a destination wedding. Give your guests enough time to make travel plans.
- Save the Date cards are vital if you plan to hold the wedding during a holiday season. You don't want your guests to make other plans or have difficulty scheduling travel plans during a busy season.
- While you don't necessarily have to send a Save the Date to everyone you want to invite to the wedding, just remember that everyone who receives a Save the Date must also receive a wedding invitation. In other words, don't send out Save the Date cards until you have finalized your guest list!
- Save the Date cards are sent before the wedding invitations. They are mailed out usually five months to a year before the date. Make sure you get them out at least four months ahead of the wedding date. For destination weddings, send then a year or more in advance.
- Wedding invitations generally follow about two months after the Save the Date cards are sent out.
- People may choose a Save the Date card that matches their formal invitations but these cards are generally not meant to be formal. Many choose a more casual type of card. Be original and have fun with Save the Date cards but still keep them tasteful. They come in many forms — traditional cards, coasters, photo cards, magnets, brochures, cards that reflect a theme or the location of the wedding, simple cards. Send the type of card you like and one that depicts your style and sets the tone of your wedding the best.
- If you choose a magnet style Save the Date, make sure the envelope states "magnet enclosed" or similar so your guests don't toss it (along with the rest of their mail) on to their computer table and erase their disks when it lands on top of them!
- Don't include things like confetti that will make a mess when a guest opens the card.
- The cards should list the name of the bride and groom, the wedding date, location (city, state or possibly country if in a foreign locale), something stating that a formal invitation is to follow so people don't confuse this card as the formal invite, and wedding web site (if applicable).
- You don't have to follow the all the rules of etiquette for formal invitations on Save the Date cards. Simple wording is appropriate and encouraged. Writing the date numerically is acceptable and the preferred method. Using formal titles when addressing the envelopes is still a good idea and they can be hand addressed or printed. If you want to follow all the etiquette rules for formal invitations, that's alright too.
