Are digital save the dates tacky? Not necessarily. Here’s how to do digital save the dates the right way! We’re sharing everything you need to know about electronic save the dates so you don’t make any mistakes. Read on for more and subscribe for the latest to your inbox!
Congratulations! You’re engaged! It can be a whirlwind of excitement, and now you’re probably wondering what to do first. Once you share the exciting news with your loved ones, scope out some wedding venues, and set a date, it’s time to send out save the dates. For most couples, smartphones are at arm’s length these days so many are looking to send digital save the dates instead of the traditional cards that go through the mail.
But while the option is both convenient and affordable, save the dates via email comes with its own set of etiquette rules. Luckily, we’re here to guide you so you don’t make any errors!
If an email save the date is more your style, you’ll find helpful advice on how to send them out in this blog post. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about digital save the date etiquette, including why they’re a popular choice, when to send them out, the best places to get digital save the dates, and what to include on your online cards.
Let’s get started!
Why Choose Digital Save The Dates?
With so many printed options available, why are couples opting for email save the dates? Here are some reasons why email save the dates are on the rise and why you may want to consider sending them for your wedding.
Affordable and Efficient
Digital save the dates are a worthwhile option if you want a convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative to printed cards in the mail. With a quick template edit on your device, you can send out email save the dates to your guests. You no longer need to worry about ordering ahead of time, printing costs, and addressing them.
Instead, you can entirely cut the costs of paper, printing (ink adds up), and postage. Plus, you’ll enjoy the added benefits of saving time, a valuable resource of which we could all use more!
Typically, save the dates are sent out 6 to 8 months before a local wedding or 9 to 12 months before a destination wedding. But what if you’re late sending save the dates? Should you skip them altogether? No! Digital save the dates make it easy to quickly send the information to your guests so they have ample time to prepare for your big celebration ahead, whether that involves travel accommodations, child care, work or life commitments, or simply by putting the date on the calendar so they can attend.
Eco-Friendly
For couples who want to reduce paper waste and choose a more environmentally friendly option, digital save the dates makes a great choice. There’s no paper! Everything is transmitted electronically to guests via email.
Track RSVPs Quickly
With digital save the dates, you can easily share your wedding website with guests. A wedding website is a central “hub” where you can share additional details about your wedding day and link everything easily online. For instance, guests can access the digital website by clicking through to it via their email save the date. From there, they can access information about where to stay, fun things to do around town, the dress code, upcoming events, bridal party bios, photos, and your registry. You can even include an RSVP section for guests to respond “yes” or “no” online.
NOTE: While guests typically don’t RSVP until they receive the wedding invitation, by sending digital save the dates, you’ll be able to send guests your wedding website with digital RSVP information sooner.
If a guest already knows they cannot attend, they can let you know sooner, which will help you with an accurate headcount.
Digital Save the Date Etiquette
Now that you know what makes digital save the dates stand out, let’s talk about the proper etiquette when it comes to sending them out to guests.
Send Them Out Early
When planning your wedding, timing is everything. It is important to send out digital save the dates early, just as you would with traditional physical cards. This ensures it doesn’t overlap with the time of your wedding invitation mailing, yet it keeps the event fresh in your guests’ minds. If you send it too early, guests may forget to mark the date; if you send it too late, guests may already have other plans on the calendar.
Whether you send digital save the dates vs. traditional cards, plan to send them out at least 6 months ahead of your wedding date.
Best Places for Digital Save the Dates
One of the most important save the date etiquette tips for digital cards is to get them from a reputable place. There are plenty of places to get affordable or free digital save the dates online, but there are only three I highly recommend, thanks to my own personal experience.
Here are the three best places for digital save the dates online.
► 1. Zola: FREE! You can send completely free digital save the dates with their stunning templates. Edit a digital save the date template and send it via text, DM, or email to your guests, or even send it through their app. Then, follow up with invitations.
-Get started here!
► 2. Greenvelope: Treat your guests to a save the date card via email that “opens up” right in front of their eyes with stunning animation. Cost-effective, convenient, and easy to edit. Beautiful templates, too. I have trouble picking a favorite, TBH!
–Browse designs here!
► 3. Zazzle: This special section of invites includes digital save the dates, which are easy to customize, download, and send. They have numerous designs available, and you can preview what they’ll look like on a digital device.
-Shop downloadable templates here!
These places are excellent resources because they offer many templates and designs from which to choose, which makes personalization so easy.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you personalize your save the dates to prepare for email.
Utilize a Personalized Template
Some couples don’t like the look and feel of email cards since they aren’t a physical item you can hold in your hand. Save the dates by email aren’t for everyone, so if you prefer a physical card, that’s OK, too.
Consider something fun and unique, like a Polaroid style photo print like this or a newspaper layout like this one by SleepyKoala, which will be fun for guests to read! You can even include the story of how you got engaged.
Add a photo.
For couples who are going the digital route, one way to make them stand out with a little flair is by selecting a template that offers plenty of personalization options. For instance, photo save the dates are a terrific option, as guests can see your beautiful smiling faces! Who wouldn’t love to receive an email with your picture? :)
Include wedding theme and colors.
Other ways to personalize digital save the dates are by incorporating your unique theme, color palette, and season. Give your guests a glimpse into what the wedding day will be like, even if you don’t know many details just yet.
Are Digital Save The Dates Tacky?
Some wonder if their email cards will appear tacky or not, and many couples wonder if digital save the dates are okay to send at all.
The answer is: they’re not tacky, and they are okay to send!
But here’s the thing to remember in every aspect of your wedding: every couple does it differently! That’s what makes weddings so unique. Some couples and their guests prefer a physical card in the mail, and that’s important to keep in mind.
On the other hand, couples are able to spend their budget in other ways, so they may wish to send free save the dates by email to cut costs. And then there are couples who simply prefer a digital option, and that’s where online save the dates work out perfectly.
It’s completely up to you: whether traditional by mail or modern via email, be sure to choose the save the date option that works best for you and your partner. There’s no wrong or right way to do it for everyone!
Now that you know some of the rules, let’s talk about the etiquette of digital cards, including dos and donts of sending them.
DO’S of Save the Dates by Email
There are many benefits to sending digital cards by email, and here are some important things to remember to do when you send yours out.
What to Include
The most important thing to remember when sending out digital save the dates is to include the following information:
• Your Names
Include your first and last names for clarity.
• The Wedding Date
The wedding date! This is obviously important. :)
• The Location
Don’t give away too much information just yet! Include only a general location of the place where the wedding is held, such as a city and state. Don’t reveal your venue at this time.
• Website Link
Include a link to your wedding website, whether with a standard URL address or add a QR code to it. (Make a QR code here, easily!)
If you don’t have one yet, take care of it now: get a free website here so you can include it on your cards.
Address Each One Personally
A service like Greenevelope will make it easy to auto-address your invites to guests by name. But if you’re sending them via email, text, or DM yourself, take the time to address each guest by name, individually. Sure, it may take longer, but it makes a big impact and is more well-received by guests.
Include Plus Ones
Don’t forget to include plus-ones on your list, just as you would with traditional mailed save-the-date cards. If you aren’t sure of their email address, find out from guests ahead of time.
PRO TIP: For help on this topic, read Who Gets a Plus One at a Wedding: The Proper Etiquette.
Do Consider Non Tech-Savvy Guests
Not everyone uses email in the same way, or at all. Therefore, be sure to follow up with guests who do not use email and let them know you sent them a save the date by email. Or, if they don’t use e-mail at all, send a physical card in the mail.
One major benefit of Zola digital save the dates is the ability to have the best of both worlds. You can order physical versions of any digital card you send. This is a terrific way to send the same card to guests who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. Simply order a few from here and place them in the mail. :)
And keep in mind, your parents and grandparents may prefer a physical card in the mail, too, just for keeps!
DONT’S of Email Save the Dates
Now, let’s discuss some important things to avoid when sending save the dates online.
Don’t Replace the Invite
While convenient and easy, a save the date sent digitally should never replace a traditional wedding invitation. The two are very different stationery pieces and convey different messages.
A save the date tells guests the wedding date and general location, while a wedding invitation will provide guests specific details. A save the date should include the wording, “Formal wedding invitation to follow“. And keep your word: send wedding invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the big day.
Don’t Make Errors
It’s important to proofread the card multiple times before you hit send. A grammatical error, mistake on the wedding date (oops, yes, it happens), the spelling of your names, or other information is tough to fix once it goes out into their inboxes.
Therefore, read over yours plenty of times and ask a friend to check for spelling or grammar fixes so it looks picture-perfect before sending.
In closing, keep in mind that what’s right for you may not be right for everyone. Digital save the dates are a convenient and cost-effective option and a great alternative to paper cards. But perhaps you like a mailed card, and that’s OK, too. Choose the digital or mailed option that works best for you and your guest list! The most important thing is that guests receive the details they need to get excited for your big celebration ahead — and mark the date on their calendar. :)
ON TO YOU: Are you ready to take your save the dates electronically? Here are quick links for where to shop:
• Zola
• Zazzle
If you have any questions, let me know in the comment box below, and I’ll swoop in to help!
xo
Emma
