Save the Date Wording and Etiquette

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SAVE THE DATE WORDING & ETIQUETTE

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save the date basics
save the date checklist
sample save the date wording

Congratulations, you’re engaged! Once you’ve booked a wedding venue, it’s time to start thinking about save-the-dates. This little piece of wedding stationery serves as a heads-up so guests can mark their calendar and begin making travel plans (if necessary) to attend your celebration. The save the date also lets them know there will be a formal invitation on the way with all the wedding details; this means you can keep your save-the-date wording short, simple, and to the point.

When to send your save the dates

Mail your save the dates six to eight months before the wedding. This will give guests ample time to request days off from work and make travel plans, if needed. However, if the wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding, aim to send them nine months to a year in advance.

Types of save the dates

There are several kinds of save the dates to choose from to suit your style and budget. You can go the traditional route with a paper save-the-date card sent via snail mail; you could also opt for a more casual postcard-style save the date or a magnetic design that guests can stick on their refrigerator as a reminder. Also, these days electronic save the dates are becoming more and more popular because of their cost and convenience benefits.

Who gets a save the date?

Anyone you're sure you're going to invite to the wedding. If your guest list is not entirely finalized, refrain from sending save-the-date cards to guests on your B-list; once someone receives a save the date, you’re obligated to send them a wedding invitation, too.

Save the Date Checkist

Ace your save the dates by following these six easy steps.

1. Choose your wedding location and set the date.

These steps go hand in hand: You may fall in love with your dream wedding venue and select from their available dates. Or, you may choose a meaningful wedding date first, and then a venue in your preferred location later down the road. The location printed on your save the date can be approximate—just the city and state (or country, if you’re hosting a destination wedding) is perfect.

2. Take engagement photos.

Book an engagement shoot with your wedding photographer or DIY your own (read our guide to engagement photos here).

3. Collect guests’ addresses.

Minted’s NEW Address Collection tool is an easy way to gather addresses for your save the dates, invitations, and thank you cards. Start gathering guests’ addresses.

4. Create your FREE wedding website.

Our free websites are made to match our invitation designs so your wedding style is cohesive and carried through every part of your celebration.

5. Design your save the date cards.

Use your engagement photos to give your save the dates a personal touch. Shop save the dates.

6. Mail your save the dates.

As we mentioned above, mail your save the dates six to eight months before the wedding; nine months to a year in advance if you’re hosting a destination wedding.

What to include on your save the date

Wording Your Save the Dates: Examples

Some couples include photo from the engagement shoot or a favorite quote or saying, if there's room. Wording-wise, this is the time to be less formal, so feel free to get creative with your save-the-date text. Here are a few examples of how couples word their save the dates.

For a more formal look, choose a save-the-date design featuring an elegant script and/or a non-photo design; foil in gold, silver, or rose gold adds a luxe touch. Include your full names and spell out the date and location to give your save the date a more formal tone.

FORMAL

Save the Date
for the wedding of
Harley
to
Blake
July Twenty-fifth
Two Thousand Twenty
Atlanta, Georgia
Formal invitation to follow

gilded frame

by Stacey Meacham

FORMAL

Kindly save the date
For the wedding of
Skylar Reynolds
to
Bailey Michaelson
July Twenty-Sixth
Two Thousand Twenty
Atlanta, Georgia
Formal invite to follow

classic monogram

by Stacey Meacham

SIMPLE & STRAIGHTFORWARD

Keep things simple with just the pertinent details and let your card design or engagement photo do the rest.

SIMPLE & STRAIGHTFORWARD

CASEY AND DYLAN • SAVE THE DATE • 08.16.19 • BROOKLYN

minimal romance

by Playground Prints

SIMPLE & STRAIGHTFORWARD

July 20, 2020
Kindly save the date
Holly and Wes
Chicago, IL

subtle statement

by Sandra Picco Design

FUNNY

Keep things light and fun with wording that conveys your bubbly personalities. Puns relating to your relationship or the location of the wedding are always a winner.