What is a Save-The-Date?

This custom-made card usually sent in the mail, is a pre-invitation to inform your guests of when and where your wedding will be celebrated! This also allows your guests to plan accordingly and be available to attend your ceremony in months to come. The Save-The-Date should only be sent to the same people you are planning to invite to your wedding with the formal invitation at a later date.

One of the first items to confirm when planning your big day is the guest list and projected final guest count. (Before sending any announcements or verbally inviting any guests, you will want to confirm with your venue on the seating capacity and floor plan. Many times, this will help limit your guest list and, in some cases, make it easier to “not” invite the entire office and their spouses!) With consideration of the venue(s) seating capacity, you should be able to narrow down you invite list to suit your ceremony and reception space comfortably!

If your wedding is taking place locally, with most guests driving to your ceremony, you will want to mail your save the dates 6-8 months prior to your wedding date. If you are having a destination wedding or many guests are traveling by plane, a courtesy of 8-10 months prior to your wedding date is preferred.

Necessary items on your Save-The-Date include:

• couple’s names
• wedding date
• wedding location (if venue is not determined, the city should be listed)
• a notice of the “formal invitation to follow”
• OPTIONAL – wedding website

Addressing your Save-The-Dates should be the same information as your address labels for your invitations to follow. To avoid confusion, please be specific as to whom is invited to the wedding on the Save-The-Dates as well. Any “Plus One”s or little cousin’s names should be included so your friends and family may begin to plan accordingly to attend your big day (or find a babysitter!).

Feel free to have fun with your Save-The-Date design! It does not need to match your wedding theme or your wedding invitation. It is a stand alone item that should simply reflect you and your fiancé! Feel free to include photos, magnets, stickers, etc. The more clever and visually appealing, the longer your guests will have you on display in their homes!

Lastly, your Save-The-Date is not traditionally the place to note your gift registries. Acceptable places to note this information may include your wedding website, shower invitations or the good ole, word of mouth!

As always, please feel free to comment or email me with any questions!  I am always happy to help!

unblogged. Adam.
adam@unoakedevents.com