How to Be a Save-the-Date Pro
By Jean Bachcroft
Save-the-date cards have just one purpose: to give your wedding guests plenty of notice, so they're sure to make it to your big day!
These are especially useful for brides planning to marry during the holidays, or any time you need your guests to mark your date on their calendars months in advance.
And if you're inviting out-of-town guests who'll fly in for the wedding? They'll need lots of time to make the necessary travel arrangements — especially if they're overseas.
You should send save-the-date cards to all your intended guests when either of these situations apply. Yes, even to those friends and family members who you're already sure will attend.
On the other hand, if you're not 100% positive you'll be inviting a certain someone (or couple), then by all means, skip the save-the-date. And there's really no reason to splash out for save-the-dates when all your guests live in town ... or your wedding's during a time frame where everyone has a clear schedule anyway.
Planning and Sending
Once you have all your wedding plan basics in hand, place your order with your stationer. Custom-printed cards can take up to three weeks, so give your stationer plenty of time. When to mail them out? About six months before the wedding date.
You can order save-the-date cards to match the rest of your wedding stationery, or go with a completely different look. But if your wedding follows a theme, you might want to hint at that with the very first piece of paper.
Getting Your Guests' Attention
Some brides-to-be really want these cards to be eye-catching: not least, so that busy guests will pick them out from the junk mail! If this describes you, look for something unusual, like scratch-off cards or custom magnets (refrigerators make great reminders of your special day). Or maybe you'll want to make your own cards, using one or more of your wedding colors, a theme-based design or a photo.
You can buy save-the-date cards online, or at stationary stores. You can also make your own with a card-design software program. Michael's Arts And Crafts stores sells a program called "Wedding Invitation Kit" that costs less than $25. It's mainly designed for invitations, but it handles note cards too.
Helpful Hints
Since this is your first written contact with most of your guests, you'll want your save-the-dates to make a good impression. Make sure that you spell each guest's name correctly. If you're not sure how to spell someone's name, look it up! Or ask someone reliable.
Then in the save-the-date itself, include the date, time, and place of the ceremony along with any other information your guests will need.
Here's a sample notice:
Please save the date of Saturday, June 25, 2012, 2 PM, for the wedding of Mischa Barolo and Jacob Herman in Rochester, NY. Invitation and directions to follow.
Always follow up with the wedding invitation, which you should mail about six weeks before your date.
Things to Avoid
Keep in mind that these cards only do one thing. Don't include unnecessary information like directions, rehearsal dinner details, or
registry details (Remember: if you do plan to include registry info, the only place to do so is a shower invitation. Better yet, simply rely on your friends and family to get the word out.)
And since you're not looking for response, don't include a reply card. Last but not least, try not to e-mail your save-the-date information, especially for formal weddings. Of course, there's always an exception to every rule!
What do you include with the magnet in the envelope?
Kimbo,
What others have done. Several ideas.
Ana,
*save the date etiquette
Some even choose to use clear address labels. Since they aren’t formal invites, handwriting them is fine.
when sending out save the date cards… some of the templates as for a location. is this location of the church or reception??
Juliann,
It will be the wedding location.
* tips
We are making our save the date cards and we want to indicate that it is a day wedding. We are unsure of the actual time of the wedding right now but want to tell people it is during the day. How can we write that?
Allison,
The only thing you need to do is add a line that states morning or early afternoon, or daytime celebration, wedding.
Brides name and Grooms name
are delighted to announce they
are getting married!
Date
Please save the date for a daytime celebration!
Wedding invitation to follow.
If you have a wedding website, do you include that in the save the date? …or do you put that in the wedding invitation?
Sammie,
IT can be put on the save the date cards if you wish, I would list it in save the dates and wedding invitations, since it is a vital piece of info.
* tips
Sammie,
There are some that frown upon the site being on the invite and some don’t. I think it would be fine actually, cause some brides may only send out a invite and none of the other cards( like save the dates). Another thing to do is list the site on a card insert, if using RSVP make sure to list it on the part of the card they won’t be returning.
* xtra tips
Thank u Soo mUch
I was wondering if you have to use a special stamp, or is it ok to have the save the dates machine stamped if the wedding is very formal?
Hi
We are getting married in the Bahamas May 2012 but having a large reception on our return in June 2012. Can i send Save the Date magnets out now then 6 months before reception send out invites?
Many Thanks
Natalie
natalie,
They shoudl be sent out at least 4-6 months before the reception then 2 months later send the invites. Some brides do send them out up to a year ahead. But I wouldnt send the reception invites too early.
* tips
* more tips
is it okay to use address labels on save the date cards vs. handwriting the addresses? Though maybe I should hand write them just to practice for the invitations?!
Jen,
It is okay to use them. I would use white or clear.
it is NOT okay to print! If people are going to be spending their hard earned money to buy you a wedding gift the least you could do is hand write the envelopes. Plus look it up anywhere… all over the web and in wedding books it states not to print out address labels. In fact I was going to print clear address labels had it all planned out. Then upon further research I saw it is not acceptable. So I switched to plum purple envelopes with a silver pen… They’re beautiful!! WAY better.
We are sending out save the date magnets. I was wondering if we have to send a note along with it saying something like we hope to see you there or can we just send the magnet in the envelope by itself?
Kasey,
You can just send the magnet that is all you would need to do.
when addressing “save the date” envelope
“Mr. Harry Miller and guest”
do you add the ‘guest’ at that time or wait until the wedding invitations to add the ‘ guest’
thanks
Gil,
Add guest on save the dates.
we are having a bridal shower for my neice. How long before the shower do the invitations need to mailed?
Donna,
3 to 4 weeks before the date of the event.
When mailing save the date magnets on the label do you put the guest first & last names or Mr. & Mrs.?
Thank you
graceann, they are worded just like your invitations. With proper titles.
* Etiquette for Wedding Invitations
* SAVE THE DATE CARD ETIQUETTE
* Wedding Invitations & Stationery Etiquette
When addressing save the date cards are children’s names included on the envelope if they will be invited to the wedding?
densie, definitely include the childrens names. as link says below it will cause some confusion, if you dont. hope this helps!!
* Save the Date Children Etiquette
Can I print the addresses on labels for the save the date envelopes or do they need to be hand written?
the wedding is in six months and we want to be sure the Save the Date card has sufficient information for booking accomodations at the resort. do we put this information on a seperate card enclosed in the Save the Date envelope, or do we add resort name, address, telephone number, web site and book before date on the Save the Date card.
Hi, right now there is no problem sending sheet magnets through the US Mail. They have no policy against them, and even overseas services that are fussier about them are really talking about much stronger magnets than the type used for save-the-dates.
But if you’re thinking of buying them from a specific vendor, just send them an email … they’ll be able to tell you if they ever heard of someone having a problem.
Am thinking of getting magnets, but won’t I have a hard time with the post office? Like won’t it set off the scanner or something if I send it around the United States?