Before sending save the dates, don’t make these mistakes!

If you’re newly engaged, the first step (after doing these things) is to set a date. Once you do, the real planning fun begins and it’s time to tell family and friends to mark their calendars! We’re helping you tackle the first big to-do: sending save the dates. We’ll tell you what info goes on a save the date (and what doesn’t) to keep you on the right track. From location to date, names and photos, here’s what to know before you send a save the date. We’ll also inspire you with some beautiful cards we found online. Enjoy!

Sending Save the Dates: Your Guide to Save-the-Date Etiquette

One thing I wanted to mention before we get to the list: it is normal to not have your wedding theme picked out yet. Your save the date does not have to reflect the wedding decor, since those details are still being ironed out. A save the date is a chance to have a little fun and doesn’t have to match your wedding invitations, theme, or colors just yet. For example, you’re not stuck if you choose a boho card yet opt for a rustic wedding theme.

Moreover, colors aren’t even a thing yet, so don’t be worried about your wedding colors being represented in your save the date cards. (I swear, overthinking will really drive you mad, so keep it simple!)

Now, on with it!

Before sending save the dates, follow these seven helpful hints.

1. DO include your names, date and location

This one is obvious but needs to be in this list. The number one thing to put on save the dates: your names, date, and location of wedding. Location is general — like the state of North Carolina or even more specific like Asheville, North Carolina.

If you’re getting married overseas, feel free to be more specific on your save the dates, as guests may begin to figure out travel arrangement pricing for airfare and accommodations.

Wording for Save the Date

Traditional wording for save the date cards is as follows:

Save the date
for the wedding of

Hayden Meyers
&
Easton Matthews

June 6, 2020
New York, NY

Invitation to follow

– – – –

For a fun and modern wording, try:

We’re tying the knot!

Hayden Meyers
&
Easton Matthews

June 6, 2020
New York, NY

Invitation to follow

—

It can be simple and very to-the-point. For ours, we just did “save the date for the wedding of” with our names, wedding date, and location.

2. DON’T include your venue

When sending save the dates, don’t worry so much about specifics such as like venue or starting time. That will come later on your wedding invitations.

3. DON’T include registry info

Not yet! Save any registry information for the bridal shower invitations. Registry information is not to be included when sending save the dates.

4. DO send a save the date to everyone on your guest list

Before sending save the dates, follow these important etiquette rules.

-If a guest is on your list, send a save the date.

-If a guest is not 100% POSITIVELY on the guest list yet, don’t send a save the date.

And if you need help cutting that guest list without guilt, then you definitely have to read this.

5. DO include a photo (but you don’t have to).

It is nice to include an engagement photo or favorite picture of the two of you. I think a photo makes the save the date more memorable. And people love photos.

However, a photo is not a requirement for sending save the dates; there are tons of non-photo save the date cards to work with, like these, if that’s more your thing.

You can browse other cool non-photo save the dates here.

TIP: You don’t need an up-close photo, either. Here’s one we love with emphasis on the couple and the skyline:

5. DON’T send save the dates too early — or too late.

As important as what info to put on a save the date is when to send it out. You should send save the dates approximately 6 months before the wedding.

Ideally, most couples send save the date cards approximately six to seven months before the wedding date. Couples planning a destination wedding should send save the dates even earlier, eight to nine months before the big day.

6. DO make it clear on the envelope who is invited.

When you’re sending save the dates, it is very important to address them properly to guests. Two biggies: plus-one’s and children.

Plus-Ones

If you’re inviting your best friend plus a date, include a “plus one” on the envelope or a name, if there’s a specific significant other.

Children

As another example, If you’re planning a child-free wedding, address the envelope clearly. Instead of “The Miller Family”, it would be “Paul and Debra Miller” on the envelope. They’ll get the idea and can arrange for childcare, if needed.

If you include the entire family on the envelope, they’ll assume parents plus kids are all invited (so if you are going that route, it’s a great way to make it clear, also).

7. DO include your wedding website.

Wedding websites are becoming the norm these days as an interactive place to share the couple’s wedding info, registry, even digital RSVPs (for invitations). Before sending save the dates, get a custom wedding website so you can send the link to guests.

We recommend including the URL to your wedding website address on the save the date, if possible; just make sure it is updated and ready-to-view before you have it printed on your save the date.

You can get a beautiful (+ free) wedding website here at Minted. You can even get matching save the dates, invitations, and stationery to coordinate with your website. Find out more here.

8. DON’T forget about save the date options

Save the date cards, postcards, and magnets are three fun ways to share the happy news. Here are a few helpful tips on each style.

Save the Date Cards

If you’re sending save the date cards, you will need to pay standard postage on each envelope. If you choose a square save the date, it will require additional postage.

Save the Date Postcards

Save the date postcards are a fan-favorite: a postcard has everything you need on your save the date, yet requires less postage and contributes less to paper waste. With save the date postcards, you don’t need to include an envelope and you can pay postage shipping rates. Win-win.

Save the Date Magnets

And finally, save the date magnets are probably my favorite, simply because they are functional and act as a pre-wedding favor. We sent save the date magnets and I still have mine on our fridge; in fact, I have every save the date magnet from couples who married a year or two ago still on my refrigerator. They’re technically most costly, yet they are less wasteful than paper.

At Minted, you can get any save the date card in your choice of traditional card, postcard, or printed as a magnet. This is just one example:

Free Envelope Addressing

One thing to note for save the date cards: if you choose save the dates from Minted or Basic Invite, you’ll get FREE envelope addressing, which is a serious bonus. You upload your names and addresses and everything is professionally printed on the envelopes for you.

Free Samples

Most couples don’t know about free samples for save the dates and invitations. We strongly encourage you to get a free sample before you buy; it gives you the ability to see the quality and colors/designs before you place a large order. Get a free sample kit here and here.

BONUS: DON’T call it an “STD”.

Let’s be real, the acronyms in weddings are getting pretty old. And weird. I don’t know whomever decided it was OK to abbreviate “Save the Date” with “S.T.D.”, but that’s gotta stop. :) You can just call them “save-the-dates”. It’s not that many words!

Add to our Save the Date Guide

What tips would you include? What questions do you have about save the date cards? Also, are you sending them or skipping altogether? Tell us in the comment box below.

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma

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