Here’s a wedding advice question we get often and we’d like to clear it up: can you skip sending out wedding invitations if you’re sending save the dates? Bride-to-be, Melissa, writes,
“Dear Emmaline, my fiance and I just sent out save the dates last month and they include a link to our wedding website. Since the guests who receive the save the dates are obviously invited, can’t they just RSVP from there without sending formal invitations? Can I skip sending wedding invitations if I sent save the dates to guests?”
Great question, Melissa.
Many couples wonder if they can send save the dates to guests with a wedding website link included for guests to RSVP. It sure would make things easier, wouldn’t it? 😉
Unfortunately, based on etiquette and expert advice, it is proper protocol to follow-up with save the dates with a formal invitation in the mail. Yes, even if you include a website to RSVP.
Many guests will expect the formal invitation much closer to the wedding date (save the dates are sent 6 to 9 months ahead of time, whereas invites are 6 to 8 weeks prior to the wedding).
A save the date usually includes your names, the date, and a general location of where the wedding will be held. Invitations, on the other hand, include specifics on the ceremony time, location, where the reception is held, and include an RSVP card with their response (whether by mail or digitally).
Although I’d love to tell you – yeah! go ahead and skip invitations! – I cannot in good faith do so because it’s proper etiquette to follow save the dates with formal invitations.
I know that’s probably not the answer you’re hoping for, but it’s an honest one. 😊
ON THE OTHER HAND, there is an alternative for other couples who haven’t sent save the dates yet. It’s perfectly OK to skip save the date cards (unless it is a destination wedding) and wait to send the formal invitations. But wedding invitations, as a whole, are not optional.
Hope it helps!
