Often engaged couples skip sending wedding save the date cards, but I wouldn’t recommend it, especially if your wedding is in the summertime or over a holiday weekend. Think about it – wedding invitations are usually sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding, but most people plan vacations and other travel more than two months out.
Some companies require employees to submit vacation requests six to twelve months out.
Sending the cards is an extra step, but you’ll be glad you did it!
I interviewed a professional wedding planner with 20 years experience who told me she wished she had a dollar for every time she heard a bride cry that a loved one did not know the date and made vacation plans.
There is no strict save the date etiquette, other than all your guests should receive the cards, not just out of town guests.
The cards can be as simple as a mass e-mail or an eVite (for small casual weddings), a photo postcard, a card with a refrigerator magnet with your wedding date on it, or even as formal as a small favor with the date enclosed.
This save the etiquette is important: If you are sending eVites but not everyone you’re inviting is computer savvy, then send a card to those select few or call them on the phone.
While save the date cards are never as formal as the wedding invitations, choose a style that works with your wedding's overall theme and level of formalness so all your invitations and wedding paper goods are cohesive.
For example, each of your wedding printables is on pale blue paper with a bird silhouette design, or each incorporates a monogram on a cream background.
All of your wedding printables should be a reflection of your wedding's level of formality and theme. For example, don't send out an overly cute or casual wedding save the date cards if your wedding is a semi-formal or formal evening affair.
Save the date wording
For your wedding save the date cards, You'll also want to choose a similar font and style of wording (wording and font style can also be casual or formal)to that of your wedding invitations and other printables (don't obsess over exactness, similar is nice).
Save the date wording, in general, should include the name of the bride and groom, the fact that they are getting married, the date the wedding is to take place and the location. Most end with, "Invitation to follow" so no one mistakes it for the actual invitation.
And don’t forget to include the URL for your wedding website, if you have one.
Here's a save the date wording example:
Save the Date Julie Smith & Sam Wright are Getting Married on Saturday, October 10, 2015 in Taos, New Mexico
Invitation to follow
You can use alternate save the date wording like, "Reserve this date" "Your Presence is Requested" "Please Reserve the date of" or "to share in the joy of..."
Sometimes casual save the date cards often include clever rhyming verses.
If you're unsure of the save the date wording you prefer, printers and online print services often give several wording choices or provide templates. More below...
The Ultimate Budget Bride: Lisa Spooner saved almost 90% on her wedding, now she helps others save big money on their weddings.
Mail save the date cards 6 to 12 months before the wedding, after you've cleared the date with members of the wedding party and key guests.
If you are set on a certain wedding venue, caterer, band or other vendor, you'll want to wait until you have nailed down the most important vendors for the date before sending out the save the date card.
Because the cards mail out so far in advance, do not make yourself crazy picking invitations so the cards match exactly.
A few consistent and cohesive elements (like general color of paper, font style or artwork) is fine.
When wedding planning, be sure to include the cost of your wedding save the date cards within the invitations and printables budget.
www.Vistaprint.com has great prices on “save the date” postcards (download your own design), photo cards, and “save the date” magnets. Sign up for their spam because they email promotion codes for products – often the postcards - almost every day.
