Invitation Series: Save-the-date Cards
Posted by Michele Puopolo on Wed, Oct 07, 2009
Save-the-date cards are a great way to introduce your wedding style and theme to your guests. Here some helpful tips when planning your save-the-dates:
WHEN SHOULD I SEND OUT MY SAVE-THE-DATE CARDS? Typically, save-the-dates are sent out 6 months before the wedding day. Some couples choose to send them out a full year before the wedding. You should give more time if your wedding requires a good number of guests to travel, if your wedding is planned for a holiday weekend, and most importantly if you are planning a destination wedding.
You should ideally send out your save-the-date card no later than 4 months prior to your wedding.
WHO SHOULD GET MY SAVE-THE-DATE? You can send save-the-date cards to all of your guests on your "definite" list (remember - if they get a save-the-date, they HAVE to get an invitation!) or to anyone you know will need advance notice.
WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE? Since save-the-date cards are the first piece of your wedding that your guests will receive (unless you are sending out an engagement notice) most brides assume they need a color palette or theme already chosen. If you are sending them out a year in advance, it is very possible that such invitation choices have not been made. Save-the-dates do not have to match your invitations! Be creative and imaginative and perhaps you will plan your invitations off of your save-the-dates!
If you do you have a color scheme or motif chosen, consider taking a small piece and put it on the save-the-date. They do not have to perfectly match!
WHAT SHOULD MY SAVE-THE-DATE SAY? Save-the-dates are a fairly new trend, therefore there are no real etiquette rules. Once again, be creative and use fun wording. At the very least you should include: Bride and groom's name, wedding date, wedding city/state.
GREAT save-the-date ideas from an invitation blog:
http://blog.weddingpaperdivas.com