Here’s EXACTLY What to Include on Save the Dates

Hi, loves! If you’re newly engaged, congrats! You probably know the next thing to do is set the date: find a venue, pick a date, and book it. Then the fun can begin and you can announce the news to guests via save the date cards.

But what are you supposed to include on save the dates? What should you NOT include on save the date cards?

We’re here to help answer the question from bride-to-be, Chrissy, who asks,

“Hi Emmaline! What should I include on my save the date cards? Is there anything I’m missing other than our names and the date? Is there certain wording to use? Thank you!”

Hi Chrissy! Great question.

First and foremost, save the dates are an informal announcement to guests, letting them know you set the date. It also secretly tells your guests they’re invited, so make sure you don’t send a save the date to a guest who isn’t officially invited to the wedding (oops!)

In its most basic form, a save the date card should include the following items:

• Your names

• The wedding date

• The location of your wedding

Based on your question, the only thing you’re missing is the location of the wedding. It doesn’t need to be specific here: just a general city and state will do. Save the specifics for the invitation itself.

The reason you include a location on the save the date card is so guests know if it is a destination wedding, local, or a quick weekend trip away.

Now, let’s talk wording. It’s important to get it right the first time so it sounds seamless. Here are some tips on what to include when wording save the date cards.

When it comes to save the date wording, simple is best. Here’s what to include on save the dates.

Include the following words:

– Your names (first and last)
– Your wedding date
– Some variation of “save the date” i.e. save our date, a date is set, we picked a date, etc.
– Location: city and state OR destination
– Wedding website address
– Optional: Invitation to follow*

*Save the date wording of “invitation to follow” used to be a must-have, but now it’s optional. When save the dates were first introduced, guests were not sure if that was the official invitation, so this particular save the date wording was added.

Now that save the dates are commonly used, this wording is not required.

Now that you know the save the date wording that needs to go on your cards / save the date magnets, here’s some inspiration to help you pick a design!

– SAVE THE DATE INSPIRATION –

This “Save Our Date” card is perfect: a photo of you two smiling, the words ‘Save the Date’, the location, date, and your names. Love it! By Eric Clegg.

Or this “Are You In?” save the date for a little laid-back wording (by Sara Hicks Malone):

This sweet card has a gold foil heart-shaped accent and an area for a photo. By Carolyn Nicks.

An elegant save the date card with a full-size photo and bold lettering is the perfect fit, as shown below by Hooray Creative.

Love a retro design? Check out this arched photo style by Morgan Kendall:

Colorful and fun! This next design is by Katt Jones:

I love this: “we can’t say I Do without you!” Cute wording by Robert and Stella.

You can even have fun with it: “free cake!” It still includes the essentials and has room for a cute snapshot! By Erin L. Wilson.

A lovely color palette here! By Jennifer Postorino.

No photo? No problem! This beautiful landscape is perfect for an outdoorsy-inspired wedding day. By Elly.

Now that you know the answer to what should I include on save the dates, it’s time to pick out a design!

• Click here to browse the collection at Minted.

I hope this helps you to decide what you should include on your save the date cards! If you need more advice, just leave a comment below and I’ll swoop in to help!

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma

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