Sending save-the-date cards for your wedding is a great way to ensure that your loved ones have enough time to plan and mark their calendars for your special day. Here is everything you need to know when sending save-the-dates:
Be sure to read to the end. Our friends over at QueenBee Design Studio weighed in with their expert opinion on how to design your save-the-dates.
- Timing is Key:
- Send save-the-dates at least 6-8 months before your wedding date if you’re having a destination wedding or during peak wedding season.
- For local weddings or off-season weddings, 4-6 months in advance should suffice.
- If you’re working with a stationer, be sure to add an additional in 6-8 weeks of lead time.
- Guest List First:
- Finalize your guest list before sending save-the-dates to avoid complications later.
- Be Clear and Concise:
- Include the date, location (or city if the venue isn’t confirmed yet), and a brief note that a formal invitation will follow.
- Make sure names are spelled correctly.
- Consider Your Design:
- Choose a design that reflects your wedding’s theme or style.
- Ensure that the text is legible and easy to read.
- Save Money with Digital:
- Consider digital save-the-dates through email or a wedding website to save on printing and postage costs.
- You can still send physical cards to close family and friends if you prefer.
- Personalize When Possible:
- Personalize the save-the-dates with a photo of you and your fiancé, especially if you have engagement photos. **QueenBee Design Studio weighs in on this below.**
- Handwritten notes or signatures can add a personal touch.
- RSVP Information:
- You don’t need RSVP details on the save-the-date, but you can include a link to your wedding website where guests can find more information and RSVP later.
- Include Travel Information:
- If it’s a destination wedding, provide travel and accommodation information or recommendations on the wedding website.
- Keep It Consistent:
- The design and style of your save-the-dates should align with the overall theme and style of your wedding.
- Be Mindful of Your Budget:
- Save-the-dates are an additional expense, so consider your overall wedding budget when choosing their design and method of delivery.
- Double-Check Addresses:
- Make sure you have the correct mailing addresses for all your guests.
- Plan Ahead:
- Don’t wait until the last minute to send save-the-dates. Give yourself plenty of time to design, print, and mail them.
- Proofread:
- Check for any errors or typos before sending. It’s essential to have accurate information on your save-the-dates.
Remember that save-the-dates are an exciting way to kick off your wedding celebrations and build anticipation among your guests. By following these tips, you’ll help ensure that your loved ones are well-prepared and enthusiastic about attending your special day.
Expert Advice from QueenBee Design Studio
We spoke with the owner over at QueenBee Design Studio and asked her for her top 3 tips when creating save-the-dates. This is what she had to say:
When I have the privilege of working with couples on their wedding stationery, crafting save the dates is especially exciting. These cards serve as the opening chapter of their unique love story, a heartfelt introduction to their potential guests. It’s an auspicious moment because save the dates offer boundless possibilities, entirely shaped by the couple’s essence.
Unlike wedding invitations and day-of details like menus, escort cards, and table numbers, save the dates are an element of the wedding that doesn’t have to match anything. While many couples choose to align their save the date design with the overarching wedding theme or vibe, it’s crucial to recognize that this isn’t the only path. Save the dates provide a delightful opportunity for couples to freely express themselves, setting the stage for the exciting narrative of their love story.
The Save the Date provides an ideal canvas for showcasing engagement photos. We understand the effort and investment couples put into their engagement photos, so we are happy to suggest design ideas that align with the couple’s desired narrative enhanced by their photos. While incorporating photos is a popular choice, the ways in which the photos are highlighted can be completely unique. At QueenBee Design Studio, we relish infusing creativity into this aspect of wedding stationery. We often propose unique approaches, such as crafting a photo strip, designing custom magnets that double as calendars, or adding a delicate vellum overlay for a softer touch.
Understanding whether it’s using these photos to convey their unique love story or evoke specific emotions, we strive to make each Save the Date genuinely special.
Alternatively, for couples who opt for a non-photo design, simplicity can be equally compelling. In these cases, we meticulously explore their love story to extract elements that make them feel truly extraordinary, ensuring that their Save the Date speaks volumes in its elegant simplicity.
During the creative process, I often encourage couples to consider that the design of their Save the Date can diverge dramatically from their intentions for the wedding invitation. It’s a chance to infuse humor with an inside joke or embrace vibrant pops of color when the wedding itself may lean towards monochromatic. The Save the Date is a playful canvas where couples can let their personalities shine.
Moreover, I suggest that couples explore the possibility of highlighting the inception of their love story by designing a card around a specific event or shared passion. For instance, if their first date was at a concert, we could craft a card that resonates with that musical memory. Alternatively, for book lovers, we might create a card that resembles a library card.
Ultimately, my foremost advice to couples is to wholeheartedly embrace the story they wish to convey and allow their creativity to run free. Announcing your impending marriage is an exhilarating moment, and your Save the Date can be just as thrilling.
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