You just said yes to forever with your favorite person and the calendar finally has those magic numbers circled. What could possibly be a more joyful way to share the news than sending out save the dates?
They’re intentional, thoroughly modern, and absolutely the sweetest little messenger for your announcement.
Yet there are some unwritten rules and thoughtful courtesies you’ll want to follow when mailing these out. Plus, you’ll need to be really intentional about your phrasing, design choices, and overall vibe.
We’ve gathered all of those insights right here in our save the date wedding invitations guide. And as a little treat, you’ll discover answers to your most burning questions tucked inside.
Save the Date Guide
Before we dive into wording and card aesthetics, let’s walk through a few etiquette pointers for your save the date announcements. They’ll give you a clear sense of what’s traditionally expected.
Do you put plus one on Save the dates?
Absolutely, in these situations:
- For anyone in your wedding party
- For guests who are married, engaged, or sharing a home
- For couples who have been together for a very long time
By Elegant Wedding Invites
What to Include in Your Save the Date Cards
Essential info: Feature both of your names, the wedding date, and the location so guests can pencil it into their calendars well ahead of time. Optional details: You might also add your wedding website link, lodging tips, and RSVP instructions to make things extra convenient for everyone. Crafting a message: Keep it brief but warm, letting your excitement shine through while giving guests every detail they truly need.
Timing and Etiquette
Plan to mail your Save the Date cards about 6 to 8 months ahead of the wedding so guests have plenty of time to make arrangements. Address them to every single person invited to your celebration, even those who have already given you a verbal yes.
Stay open and gracious about any shifts in your plans or guest count, and reach out promptly and kindly to anyone affected.
Mailing and Delivery
Your Save the Date cards should always include the essentials: your names, the wedding date, and the location. If you’d like, you can toss in your wedding website address, hotel suggestions, and RSVP info.
Keep the overall message short but meaningful.
Send them 6 to 8 months before the big day, address them to all your invitees, and manage any adjustments with warmth and courtesy. Apply the right postage, ensure everything arrives on time, and consider tracking if that brings you peace of mind.
Lean on digital reminders, respond to guest questions quickly, and finalize your invitation details with confidence.
Following Up
Use your wedding website or social platforms to share digital nudges and fresh updates, which keeps your guests in the loop and buzzing with anticipation. Handle any questions or little worries promptly and with kindness, reassuring your people and keeping that lovely line of communication open.
Lock in all the details for your wedding invitation suite, making sure everything feels cohesive and crystal clear.
Save the Date Wording Ideas
The heart of any save the date includes the couple’s names, the date itself, the location, and any extra helpful tidbits. The real personality comes through in your tone, just like you’ll see in these save the dates wording examples.
Traditional save the date wording
Bridget and Tony Invites you to celebrate their marriage On April 13, 2030 Southampton, Missouri, United States Wedding invitation to follow shortly.
Formal wedding save the date
Bridget Anna Smith and Tony elder Stone Wishes you to join them at their wedding celebration April 10, 2018 Southampton, Missouri, United States The wedding invitation will follow shortly.
Casual wedding save the date
Tony asked And Bridget accepted! Now they want to celebrate and will love that you be there On April 10, 2020 Southampton, Missouri, United States We’ll send you a wedding invitation in a bit.
Save the Date Style and Design Guide
To dream up truly one-of-a-kind save the date cards, you’ll want to play with function, beauty, and a whole lot of personal flair. Peek at some guiding thoughts below.
Should our cards match with invitations?
Not at all! Since save the dates carry a more relaxed energy than your formal wedding invitations, this is your moment to get wonderfully creative.
Have fun experimenting with themes and color palettes you adore but might not use for the main event. Save the dates hand you a playground, so go ahead and make it unforgettable.
How we choose a save-the-date style?
It really comes down to whatever sparks joy for you. Maybe you’ll send out photo save the dates bursting with personality.
Perhaps you’ll feature your favorite cartoon duo, a beloved meal, a meaningful song lyric, or a chapter from your story.
Just lean into something creative that will linger in your guests’ memories. You can drift from funny save the dates all the way to romantic, quirky, witty, and beyond.
Should it be a card?
While cards remain timeless and classic, they aren’t your only path. Magnets, marbles, discs, parchment scrolls, and other unexpected formats can all serve as save the dates.
Your guests are practically guaranteed to treasure them as little keepsakes.
DIY Save-the-date designs
Before you jump into crafting your wedding save the dates, browse around online to discover what resonates most with your vision. One lovely starting point is greetingsisland.com.
There you can build your cards using their templates and download the finished designs. Customizing, printing, or sending them digitally is all possible, totally free.
Mountaincow.com is another fantastic resource that offers printing press software. With it, you can design cards blending text and graphics using their template.
Shutterfly and Vistaprint let you create adorable cards or magnets, download them, and have them shipped right to your door wherever you are.
Should save the dates have pictures?
Save the dates can absolutely feature a photograph. Some newly engaged couples hire a photographer to capture the moment and schedule a photo session afterwards, and showing off those finished engagement pictures or some sweet shots of the two of you is genuinely joyful.
But plenty of couples also choose to skip photos, selecting some chic, stylish designs to express their personality instead.
It truly doesn’t matter, both approaches serve their purpose beautifully! Elegant Wedding Invites
Save The Date Style and Design Guide
Save the date possibilities and ideas stretch endlessly because creativity sets the only limit. From style to theme, destination to material, there’s a little something for every couple on our generous list.
Wedding Save The Date Magnets
Magnets are having a major moment right now for save the dates. If magnets make your heart happy, explore some ideas below.
Romantic Vinyl Record Design
For a retro-inspired vibe, pick a romantic vinyl record design as your save the date. Add a petite backing card and finish everything with a magnet.
This option is colorful, nostalgic, and effortlessly becomes a keepsake. Price: $91.74
Save the Date Acrylic Heart Magnet
Reach for acrylic heart magnets if a whimsical mood is calling your name. There’s truly no lovelier way to broadcast your love and your big news than with an acrylic heart.
Have your information expertly etched in and attach a magnet to the back. This acrylic heart is also a visual dream.
Photo Magnet Save The Date
Let your guests witness the connection you share even as you ask them to save the date. Use photo save the dates with your pictures placed on the back or as a sweeping backdrop.
Make it extra playful by selecting animated or caricature-style lovey-dovey images. Price: $1.00
Wedding Save The Date Destination Wedding
Destination wedding save the date cards are ideal for celebrations taking place abroad. There are so many imaginative ways to craft them, as we’ve explored below.
Save the Date Luggage Tags
Help your guests journey in style by shaping your save the dates like luggage tags. They’re absolutely perfect for destination-themed save the dates.
Make these tags pop with color by weaving in details inspired by your wedding locale. Price: $2.50
Boarding Pass Save the Date
Tailor-made for a destination-themed save the date, guests will receive mock boarding passes. Arrange your information just as it would appear on a real boarding pass.
Take care that everything reads clearly enough for guests to understand at a glance. Price: $30.00
Vintage Airmail Wedding save the Date Paper
Is an island celebration swirling through your thoughts? Cue the romance, adventure, and intrigue with airmail save the dates.
They feel vintage, steeped in rich old-world charm.
The truly beautiful part is that they are incredibly budget-friendly. Price: $3.48
Rustic Wedding Save The Date
Welcome that easygoing, laid-back spirit with different versions of rustic save the dates. We’ve handpicked a few ideas we think will spark your imagination.
Feather Wooden Save the Date Magnet
Embracing a tropical, rustic, or traditional theme? Ask guests to save the date with a feather carved from wood.
Include all the key information and adhere a magnet to the back.
Guests will proudly display it on their fridge doors rather than tucking it away somewhere forgotten. Long after the wedding, these wood feather wedding save the date magnets transform into cherished keepsakes.
Price: $1.99
Pencil Us In – Save the Date Wedding Cards
Incorporate a playful, personal touch into your save the date wedding cards with this “Pencil Us In” concept. Tuck in a custom pencil engraved with your names and wedding date, paired alongside elegant paper goods.
This imaginative keepsake makes your announcement both memorable and wonderfully stylish while keeping the whole thing fun and genuinely useful for guests.
Price: $0.68+
Rustic Barn Photo Save the Date Examples
If a farm or countryside theme speaks to your soul, rustic wedding save the dates will be a total hit. Feature barn imagery in the card background to give off that relaxed, pastoral mood.
They’re heartfelt and leave a lovely imprint. Price: $2.00
Unique Save The Date Cards
Stepping outside the box leads to wonderfully unique save the date cards. Take a peek at some seriously trendy ideas below.
- Wedding Newspaper Save the Date
Design a charming and distinctive wedding save the date using a custom newspaper-style layout. Weave in your love story, engagement photos, wedding details, and even playful headlines.
This imaginative format bursts with personality and excitement, perfectly setting the stage for your big day while making your wedding save the dates genuinely unforgettable.
Price: $8.58+
- Digital Save The Date Template
Effortlessly craft and send a sleek digital save the date to guests through email or social media. Pick your favorite design, drop in your wedding details, and personalize everything with photos or fonts.
It’s a fresh, earth-friendly way to share your save the date wedding plans, fast, budget-conscious, and beautifully on trend.
Price: $3.00
Scratch off card save the date invite
Build up the anticipation by doing something totally unexpected like scratch card save the dates. Send them off to guests securely wrapped.
Let everyone guess who’s tying the knot and on what date by scratching away the card panel.
This style is absolutely ideal for a casual save the date vibe. Price: $9.00
- Old Money Save the Date Invitations
Shape a mood of lasting elegance with an Old Money style save the date template. Reach for sumptuous, classic fonts, formal wording, and black-and-white photography for that luxurious feel.
These save the date invitations establish the atmosphere for a refined celebration, ideally suited to formal weddings at distinguished venues like historic estates or city ballrooms. Price: $12.34
Creative Save The Date Cards
If you’re craving some delightfully quirky and funny save the date cards, take a look at these wonderful ideas.
Photo Strip Save the Date
Make a playful and smile-inducing Photo Strip Save the Date by using a sequence of candid or styled images that capture your dynamic as a couple. Choose high-quality save the date images, add your wedding details, and arrange a strip layout reminiscent of photo booths.
Absolutely perfect for fridge displays and treasured keepsakes! Price: $12.00
Puzzle Save the Date Cards
Pair your wonderful news with an engaging puzzle for guests to piece together. Transform your names, photos, and wedding date into a charming little brain teaser.
This is a delightfully fun way to extend an invitation, especially if you’re leaning into a country-inspired theme. Price: $48.27+
These Kids are Getting Married Save the Date
For whimsical, lighthearted themes, the “kids are getting married” save the dates are spot on. Feature baby pictures of you and your partner as the backdrop.
Guests are guaranteed to crack a smile and maybe even feel a wave of nostalgia, especially if they knew you way back when.
This style of card is both deeply sentimental and delightfully playful. Price: $5.95
Cheap Save The Date Cards
Thinking about keeping spending gentle on the wallet? Check out a few wallet-friendly save the dates to consider.
Gold Foil Printed Cut Save the date Cards
If you’re channeling glamour or a touch of luxury, Gold Foil Printed cut save the date cards do the job beautifully. They’re destined to make their presence known while grabbing the attention of everyone on your guest list.
The very best part is they don’t demand a fortune.
Letterpress Save The Dates
Give your wedding save the date cards enduring charm with graceful letterpress printing. Select thick, textured paper, timeless fonts, and refined layouts to conjure a luxurious sensation.
Customize your save the date templates with your names, the date, and the location for an elegant, polished introduction. Price: $7.00
Wedding save the date postcards
Postcard save the dates are adorable yet wonderfully affordable. They come in a whole spectrum of moods, from refined to artfully undone, and romantic to deeply personal.
You can craft destination save the dates with postcards or lean into the seasons. There’s truly so much you can do with postcards, and you’re going to adore the possibilities.
Change The Date Wedding Cards
Everything in life is open to change, and your wedding date is no exception. So if something arises that means your wedding can’t happen on the originally planned day, here are some thoughtful ideas.
A celebration might be postponed or shifted for many different reasons.
Those could span from a death in the family to illness, a rough season, a pandemic, or anything else entirely. It doesn’t need to feel awkward, even if cards have already reached mailboxes.
Plenty of creative change the date cards are here to help you navigate this with grace.
Simply offer your guests a warm apology, share the reason for the change if that feels right to you, and communicate the new plan clearly. Remember to sign off together with your partner at the end.
For instance
We wish to announce the change of our wedding date due to some unforeseen circumstances. However, keep your dancing shoes on and join us on September 13, 2020 Southampton, Missouri, United States.
We apologize for any inconvenience, Bridget & Tony
Your wedding stands among the most beautiful days you’ll ever experience. But start everything on the most joyful note by inviting guests to save the date.
If you’re feeling unsure of where to begin, this post walks you through exactly what to do.
From answering pressing questions to exploring save the date styles and formats, we’ve truly covered it all. And if you need to change the date, you’ll discover the answers right here as well.