Save the Date FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

The love of your life proposed and now you’re engaged! Congratulations! You celebrated your engagement amongst your nearest and dearest, the wedding planning is officially underway, and now it’s time to share the exciting news with your very first piece of wedding stationery: your save the dates. If you’re not sure where to start, or wondering what to include, when to send or who to even send them to, you’re not alone. Consider this your go-to guide for all things save the dates! Continue reading below for all the answers to your questions before you share the details on paper.

Are save the dates necessary?

Although save the dates aren’t required, I still highly recommend sending them. They’re especially important if you intend to marry on or around a holiday, or if you’re hosting a destination wedding. Guests will appreciate the advanced notice to request time off work, arrange travel, book accommodations, and budget for your celebration. The earlier your guests know your wedding date, the more likely they’ll be there to celebrate with you. Beyond the logistics, save the dates also build excitement. There’s no better way to do so than by sending a save the date!

What information should I include?

Since save the dates are an informal pre-wedding invitation, you only need a few key details. Don’t worry if you haven’t finalized times or other logistics just yet. Your save the date should include the four W’s:

Be sure to also include your wedding website if you already created one. That way you can guide guests in finding additional information about your wedding day long before invitations are mailed.

When should we send save the dates to guests?

As a general rule, you should mail your save the dates approximately six to nine months before your wedding. If you’re having a destination wedding or getting married over a holiday weekend, it’s best to send save the dates nine to twelve months in advance.

Flat Lay: Peterson Design and Photography / Engagement Photo: Susan Elizabeth Weddings

Do we send save the dates to everyone on our guest list?

Only send a save the date to the guests you are absolutely certain you’ll be inviting to your wedding. Think of a save the date as a promise. There’s really no going back once you extend a save the date. If you’re still finalizing your guest list or anticipate making changes due to venue capacity or budget, wait until those decisions are made.

Do save the dates need to match our invitation suite?

Not necessarily! Save the date cards can coordinate with your wedding invitation suite, but they don’;’t have to match exactly. Since they’re informal, save the dates give you an opportunity to have some fun with the design. Many couples choose to feature a favorite engagement photo, making this option the most popular option. If photos aren’t your style, non-photo save the dates are equally timeless and can showcase custom illustrations, monogram crests, or elegant typography. Magnet save the dates are also another great choice and allow an easy way for guests to display it on their refrigerator.

Are you ready to get begin your wedding stationery journey? I’d love to help you create save the dates that not only announce your wedding but also build excitement for the celebration ahead. Whether you’re envisioning a timeless photo card, a custom illustrated design, or something uniquely your own, Lace and Belle offers thoughtfully designed save the dates that set the tone for your entire wedding experience. Let’s chat!