Wedding Planning: Essential Guide to Save the Date Cards

Last updated: March 2nd, 2020 Published on: March 19, 2019

Have you settled on a date yet? Share the big news with all your friends and family with a perfect save the date card to give everyone something unbearably exciting to look forward to.

But… who should receive them? How should you word them? When do you need to send them?

To make sure your wedding save the date cards are absolutely perfect, we have compiled a few answers to our most frequently asked questions, for you to know it inside and out.

Who Should Receive Save the Date Cards?

The general rule with save the date cards is to only send them to people you definitely want as wedding guests. If you have doubts about a certain guest, just don’t send them one. If you change your mind in the future, you can always send them a late invite – it’s as simple as that.

Another well-known rule is to only address your save the date cards to the people invited to the wedding. If you don’t want or can’t cater for children at your wedding, address the envelope to the parents only, and don’t use the family surname. However, if you do want children at your wedding, include their names on the envelope. This will limit confusion on the parents’ end and lets guests know what to expect.

What Should I Include on my Save the Date Cards?

Save the dates are very simple. They are only meant to include a few key details that guests need to know as soon as possible for them to start getting organised and make their travelling plans.

The two main things you need to include are: the date of your wedding and your names. You don’t have to include the day, but we do advise this if your wedding is on a weekday to draw attention to it, such as Monday 2nd September 2019.

We also recommend writing ‘Formal Invitation to Follow’ near the bottom so guests don’t assume this is their invite. Including the location is not essential unless you’re getting married abroad, and it’s good to save some exciting details for your wedding invites.

Where Can I Buy Save the Date Stationery?

Most wedding stationers sell save the dates and there are lots of different styles to discover. Many people choose to send electronic versions via email, which you can buy online for a low price – great for weddings on a budget. However, we would always recommend the paper versions. Not only are they beautiful and classy, but they will be cherished by guests, too. They also have a much more formal and official feel, which is ideal for a traditional wedding.

Here at Funky Pigeon, our save the dates are available in classic open-out card, but can also be sent as a fun postcard, or even as a cheerful magnet – handy to stick on the fridge, so that there’s no excuse to forget your special day.

Why Should I Send Save the Dates?

Save the dates, although not necessary, are very useful when planning a wedding. They give guests more time to confirm their attendance, which makes wedding planning much less stressful.

What’s more, informing guests of your wedding months in advance means they are far more likely to attend. Once guests know when your wedding is, they can tell you if they can or can’t make it, which means you don’t have to send a wedding invitation to everyone. This saves you money to put towards other wedding expenses.

Printed save the dates also help introduce your wedding theme. Whether you’re having a traditional church wedding or a tropical beach affair, they give your guests a sneak peek of the excitement to come. Sending save the dates also excites guests and start conversations, meaning you can talk about your special day even more!

And, last but not least, save the date cards make a sweet memento of your wedding day for guests to treasure and look forward to.

When Should I Send Save the Dates?

We recommend you send save the dates around six to eight months before your wedding day. This gives people enough notice to book time off work and prepare. If you’re having a destination wedding or a wedding during a busy holiday period, send them eight to twelve months in advance, as guests will need more notice to make their arrangements.

How Do I Choose my Save the Dates?

Around the time you send your save the dates, your wedding plans should be well under way. If you know your wedding theme, find a design that complements it. If you are unsure of what you want, choose a versatile design or go with something quirky – save the dates are much more informal.