If you’re not already, as an engaged couple you will quickly become familiar with the term SAVE THE DATE.
With those three little words you can accomplish so much. Perhaps not the first of which is cause a lot of stress hahaha
But don’t worry, I’m here to remove your anxiety, clear away your stress and give you all you need to know about this important note you’ll soon be sending to the guests you intend to invite to your wedding.
Defining “Save the Date”
This phrase is as much a question as it is a command. Let me elaborate.
As a Question
“Would you pretty please, just for us, mark this date on your calendar and keep it open and free of other plans so that you can be available to join us at our wedding? Ya, know, in case you get an invite from us, which you totally will.”
You’re politely asking people to do something (save the date) so they can be sure to be at your wedding.
As a Command
“HEY! Stop what you’re doing and block off this exact day, NOW! It’s our perfect date!”
You’re politely dictating where your recipient will be on this day and preventing them from missing out on your awesome wedding.
All joking aside, it’s a heads up. Your recipient may or may not already know that you’re engaged and are planning a wedding. This note makes it clear. And, more importantly, it’ll let them know they’ll be invited, and of course exactly which day in the future the wedding will be.
Why Do Couples Send “Save the Date” Announcements?
It’s a courtesy thing.
Couples send these notes because they want their family and friends to know far in advance. This way the news doesn’t catch them by surprise at a time too close to the actual wedding date. If guests find out too late, they may have already made plans, can’t make arrangements for travel, or will be stuck at work without remaining Paid Time Off.
Info to Include on “Save the Date” Notices
The Save the Date notice doesn’t have all the details, just the most immediately important.
Who
The names of the couple.
What
Oh joy! It’s a wedding.
When
The exact date the couple has chosen.
Where
If you don’t have the venue picked yet, the name of the city is close enough.
This should be all the information your friends and family need to start making their plans to attend. With this they can ask for time off from work if need be. And if they live out of town, or if you’re having a destination wedding, they can start researching flights and hotels and other necessary travel details.
Lastly, be sure to alert them that you’ll be sending a more formal invite a bit later on. Use one of these phrases:
Formal Invitation to Follow
or
More Details Coming
This lets your guests know that you’re sending them more information soon, and they can expect to have it in their mail box or inbox in the coming weeks/months.
Other Things to Consider
Optional information you may want to share on the Save the Date could include the existence of a wedding website. If you are sharing your love story, engagement photos, or releasing plans for your wedding as you make them, then consider a link or a QR code that points your guests to your website.
You may also want to use the Save the Date to begin to show your guests the theme or style you’re envisioning for your wedding. Type faces, graphic design choices, colors, photos, paper choice and even the method of delivery can hint at your theme or style. Have fun with the design of the Save the Date if this is right for you.
Avoid Doing This
Don’t be tacky. Don’t include a gift registry on your Save the Date. Asking for gifts can come later.
If details and plans are unconfirmed, leave it off. Don’t spread bad information. If you don’t know yet, then your guests don’t need to know at all.
Things it’s ok to leave off would include the exact venue, the exact timeline of the day, or plans for extra events such as the rehearsal or welcome dinner, wedding reception or farewell brunch. That info can all be sent out or populated onto your website nearer the time of the wedding.
Timing of Save the Dates
Destination Weddings are their own thing. Give a longer planning window to your guests if you’re leaving the country, heading out of state, or coming to Las Vegas for your wedding. Everyone will appreciate the extra time for planning and making travel arrangements.
Destination Wedding = Send your Save the Dates 9 – 12 months before your date.
If you’re having a hometown ceremony you can wait a little longer.
When the majority of the guests will not be traveling more than a few miles or a couple hours by car you don’t have to send Save the Dates as soon.
Hometown Wedding = Send your Save the Dates 6 – 8 months before your date.
How to Skip “Save the Date” Announcements Completely!
If this all seems like a big stressor you don’t need, don’t worry. There’s another way.
Question for you; have you thought about eloping to Las Vegas?
You don’t need to bother sending out “Save the Dates” at all if you are doing an adventurous, stylish and luxurious elopement with my team and I at Cactus Collective Weddings.
Our Just the Two of Us all-inclusive elopement package provides a stunning venue of your choice, magazine worthy photography, a modern officiant and florals for the two of you. You’ll get everything you need and you only need to make one phone call. It’s way easier, and can be much more intentional than planning a traditional wedding.
Get in touch today and let’s make it happen!
