When To Send Your Save The Dates And What You Need To Include
Planning a wedding involves numerous details, and one of the first tasks you’ll tackle is sending out your save-the-dates. These initial announcements are more than just a heads-up for your guests; they set the tone for your entire celebration and provide essential information that helps your loved ones plan ahead. Knowing the right time to send your save-the-dates and what crucial details to include can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and joyful wedding experience. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the optimal timeline for sending your save-the-dates and highlight the key elements you should include to make your announcement both informative and beautiful.
Read More: 27 Important & Fun Wedding RSVP Questions To Ask Guests
Why Save-the-Dates Matter
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Save-the-dates are more than just a preliminary invitation; they are a courtesy to your guests, and they are the first impression of what they can expect on your wedding day. They provide essential information, such as the wedding date and location, allowing your guests to mark their calendars, plan their outfits, and make travel arrangements if necessary. This is particularly important for destination weddings or if you have guests coming from out of town. Save-the-dates are traditionally printed out and mailed, but the growing trend is to digitally send your save-the-dates and physically mail your wedding invitations.
When to Send Your Wedding Save-the-Dates
1. Destination Weddings
For destination weddings, send your save-the-dates ASAP, ideally 10 to 12 months in advance or earlier. Guests will need extra time to arrange travel, accommodation, and possibly time off work. Providing this information well in advance helps ensure they can attend and make the necessary arrangements without stress.
2. Local Weddings
For local weddings, a good rule of thumb is to send save-the-dates 6 to 8 months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of notice to plan around your event, but it’s not so far in advance that they might forget about it.
3. Holiday or Peak Season Weddings
If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or during a peak season (such as summer or around popular vacation times), consider sending your save-the-dates 9 to 12 months ahead. These times are often booked quickly with other events or trips, so early notice is key to ensuring your guests can attend.
Read More: Is A Destination Wedding Selfish? [Pros And Cons]
Essential Information to Include In Your Save-The-Dates
Crafting your save-the-dates involves picking a beautiful design and also about conveying crucial information clearly and concisely. Here are the key elements you should include to ensure your guests are well-informed and excited about your upcoming wedding:
Names of the Couple
This might seem obvious, but clearly stating who is getting married is essential. Use both first and last names to avoid any confusion, especially if you have common names or guests from different social circles. For example, “Emma Johnson & Liam Smith” immediately tells your guests who to celebrate.
Wedding Date
The date of your wedding is the most crucial piece of information on your save-the-dates. This allows your guests to mark their calendars and begin making necessary arrangements. Be sure to include the day of the week, month, date, and year. For example, “Saturday, September 14, 2024.”
Location
Even if you haven’t finalized your exact venue, it’s important to give your guests a general idea of where the wedding will take place. Mentioning the city and state (or country for destination weddings) helps your guests plan their travel and accommodations. For example, “New York, NY” or “Tuscany, Italy.” Ideally, you would add the venue in the save-the-date as well so your guests can book the ideal hotel close to the venue if they want that.
A Note About the Formal Invitation
Including a brief note that a formal invitation will follow reassures your guests that more detailed information is on the way. This note can be simple and to the point, such as “Invitation to follow” or “Formal invitation to come.” It signals to your guests that they don’t need to worry about missing out on any additional details for now.
Optional: Wedding Website
If you have a wedding website, including the URL on your save-the-dates is a great way to provide guests with more information and updates. A wedding website can offer travel information, dress code, registry information, accommodation options, a detailed itinerary, and even your love story. For example, “For more details, visit our wedding website: www.emmaandliamwedding.com.” This is especially helpful for guests who may need to make travel plans or those who like to stay informed about upcoming events.
Optional: Wedding Guest Names
You can save this information for the wedding invitations but addressing the save-the-dates to only the people invited and their plus ones will not only help your guests better prepare but will also save you from unnecessary questions regarding it. For example: if you are having a child-free wedding you would address the save-the-date to “Ana & Scott Thompson” and not “The Thompson Family”.
Crafting a Perfect Save-the-Date
When designing your save-the-dates, remember that they are often the first impression your guests will have of your wedding. Here are a few additional tips to ensure they are both beautiful and functional:
Match Your Wedding Theme:
If you have already decided on a theme or color scheme, try to incorporate these elements into your save-the-dates. This creates a cohesive look and feel that will carry through to your invitations and other wedding stationery.
Include a Photo:
Many couples choose to include a favorite engagement photo on their save-the-dates. This adds a personal touch and makes your announcement even more memorable. However, this is optional and you can create beautiful save-the-dates without including a photo.
Keep It Simple:
While it’s tempting to include lots of details, remember that the main purpose of a save-the-date is to inform your guests of the date and location. Save the more intricate details for your formal invitations.
Common Save-The-Date Mistakes to Avoid
Sending too late:
Avoid sending save-the-dates less than 6 months before the wedding, as this might not give guests enough time to plan.
Not including critical information:
Ensure you’ve included the date, location, and a note about the formal invitation.
Overloading with details:
Save the intricate details for your formal invitations. Keep save-the-dates straightforward.
Concluding Thoughts: Sending save-the-dates is an important step in your wedding planning process. By timing it right and including essential information, you can help your guests plan ahead and look forward to your special day. Whether you’re hosting a destination wedding or a local celebration, sending your save-the-dates at the right time will set the stage for a smooth and joyous event. Happy planning!
