What To Include In A Save The Date

So, you’ve got a wedding to plan! It’s an exciting time filled with dreams of love, laughter, and celebration. As you embark on this journey, one of the first things you’ll need to tackle is sending out save the dates. This seemingly small step plays a crucial role in ensuring that your guests can plan ahead and be part of your special day.

Why Send Save the Dates?

Save the dates are like a friendly heads-up to your guests. They let them know your big day is coming and gives them a chance to mark their calendars. This is especially helpful for guests who might need to travel or book time off work.

By sending them early, you’re also helping to ensure that your guests can make the necessary arrangements. This could involve booking flights, hotels, or even childcare. It’s a thoughtful way to show your guests that you value their presence.

When To Send Save the Dates?

I think that a good rule of thumb is to send your wedding save the dates at least 12 months before your wedding, if not before. This gives your guests plenty of time to make arrangements. If you’re having a destination wedding or a particularly popular date, consider sending them even earlier.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 12 months plus: Ideal for most weddings.
• More than 18 months: Consider if you’re expecting a lot of guests to travel.

I have always thought that as soon as you book your venue, which means you would have a date set for your wedding day, that this is then a great time to send out your save the dates to announce your wedding day to your friends and family.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If you’re planning a surprise wedding, you’ll want to keep the date under wraps until you’re ready to reveal it. Additionally, if you’re having a very small wedding, you might be able to get away with sending out save the dates closer to the date.

What to Include In A Save The Date?

Now that you know when to send your save the dates, let’s talk about what they should include. These essential details will help your guests plan accordingly and show them that you’re excited to share your special day with them.

Your save the dates should include:

• A brief note indicating that formal invitations will follow
• Your names
• The date of your wedding

You could also include the following:

• The venue or location (or country) where you’ll be getting married
• If your wedding has a particular theme or style, such as a destination wedding or a rustic celebration, hinting at it can give guests a sense of what to expect

Below are some examples of save the dates:

Freebie

Below is a link to my free wedding stationery timeline checklist. I believe a handy guide is always helpful when planning a wedding, especially with so much to consider.

This checklist, complete with a timeline, will give you an idea of when to order your wedding stationery, including save the dates, to ensure everything arrives in plenty of time.

Final Words

Remember, save the dates are just a placeholder, informing your guests that you have set a date for your wedding day, and you would like them to put that date in their diary. The formal invitations will provide all the details, including the time, location, and RSVP information.

Sending save the dates is a simple but important step in the wedding planning process. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your guests have plenty of time to make arrangements and that your big day is a success.

To view more of my wedding stationery work, including invitations, RSVPs, save the dates, seating plans, welcome signs and so much more, please take a look at my website links below, Instagram or Facebook pages, or my Pinterest page:

Contact Inkspiration by Gabrielle

If you’re interested in having wedding stationery, whether this be an invitation, a save the date, a seating plan, a timeline sign, an RSVP, or whatever you may need for your wedding day, please get in touch with me today.