Congratulations! You’re engaged to the love of your life, and it’s time to begin planning your wedding. From mulling over wedding stationery to laboring over guest lists, wedding planning can feel stressful. But once you select a date for the wedding, you can check off an important milestone in the planning process. 

When you have set a date, you can officially let your family and friends know. A save the date card allows you to celebrate your special moment, share it with others, and create something that memorializes the moment you moved forward with your plans. 

We provide creative save the date examples, with the essential elements and etiquette, to get you inspired when crafting and sending out your save the date cards.

What Is a Save the Date?

A save the date is a card that announces your wedding date and other information to your potential guests so they can save the date in their calendars. Think of a save the date as a preview to the actual invitations that you send out later. 

Since the save the date comes before the wedding invitation, you need to make sure you have a guest list finalized before sending. That way, everyone who receives a save the date will also receive a formal invitation. 

Even if you have no other wedding plans finalized besides your guest list and your wedding date, you can send your save the dates. Typically, you send them about six months before the wedding, while formal invitations are sent six to eight weeks before the ceremony. If you’re having a destination wedding, you should send the save the dates even earlier: usually eight to 12 months before the wedding. 

What Information Do You Include on a Save the Date?

Save the dates are personal, just like the rest of your wedding, so don’t feel pressured to follow a traditional format. Just like any other invitation, a save the date will include some basic information, but you can incorporate that information in a style that reflects the personality of you and your partner.

Names

Of course, you’re going to want to include the names of you and your partner. Traditionally, the bride’s name is listed first, although you can forego that if you wish. Many couples don’t follow tradition or gendered language on their invitations and save the dates.

You can list your names in alphabetical order or simply select your order based on which name sounds best when listed first. Many couples may have an order in which family and friends commonly address them, which will sound natural and familiar to your invited guests.

Photo

Showcase your love to your family and friends by including a photo. If you’ve done your engagement photos, you might want to start by looking through those, but formal, professional photos are not required for your save the date. 

If you have high-quality images from when one of you popped the question or candid photos that you feel represent your love, you might prefer how those convey your love for each other. 

Wedding Date

Since this is the main reason why you’re sending a save the date, be sure to include the actual date. Adding a simple date will be just fine unless you have multiple wedding activities planned. If your wedding will have morning and nighttime activities or will take up the whole weekend, you’ll want to be sure to specify with language like, “save the weekend.”

Location

Simply including the city and state in which you plan to hold the wedding will be sufficient if you’re having a local wedding. If you are planning to have a destination wedding, include more information like the venue so people can prepare their travel plans and see if the trip fits within their budget. 

Wedding Website

Lots of couples create a wedding website to include details for the guests and fun information like your love story. Even if you don’t have travel details or a registry ready, consider creating a website for your guests to check and include the link on your save the date. 

Note That a Formal Invitation Will Follow

This helps your guests keep a lookout for the official invitation so that they can RSVP before the deadline. Since the formal invitation usually includes more information about the wedding, you can say something like “formal invitation to follow” to remind your guests that more wedding details will come. 

What Information Isn’t Included on a Save the Date?

The following information is usually included in the formal wedding invitation and does not have to be included on the save the date. 

• Wedding venue (optional for local weddings)

• Hotel information

• RSVP information

• Dress code

• Registry 

Save the Date Wording Examples

If you’re creating your save the date design but you’re not sure what to say - we’ve got you covered! Below are some save the date wording ideas based on the wedding theme you’re using. Use these examples as your own save the date template or adjust the wording to suit your style.

Destination

For destination weddings, you’ll want to include the date, location of the wedding, wedding website if you have one, a photo, and a note that a formal invitation will follow. You may consider adding the venue, like in Example 1, if you think it will aid in your guests’ budgeting and planning. 

Formal

If you’re having a black-tie, formal type of wedding, be sure to convey that through your formal save the date by using the invitation wording as shown in the examples below:

Fun & Playful

If you and your partner are more laid back in your plans, reflect that with fun and playful wording. You also don’t need to include a “formal invitation to follow” if you don't want to, as you’ll see below. 

Simple

If you’re more of a minimalist and prefer to keep things simple, show that in your wording of the save the date. You also don't have to include a “formal invitation to follow.”

Traditional

If you and your partner plan on having a traditional wedding ceremony, keep your save the date invitation traditional with the expected photo and wording. Check out some examples below. 

Rescheduled

If your wedding has been rescheduled for whatever reason, you can use a save the date as a way to get the word out. Format your wording around rescheduling the wedding, and you don’t have to include the “formal invitation to follow” text if you’ve sent invitations out already. 

How Should You Address Save the Dates?

Do you use full names? First names? Nicknames?

If you’ve selected the perfect photo and whittled down the wording of your save the dates, you may still be stumped about save the date etiquette when it comes to addressing the cards. 

Check out the table below, which walks you through different scenarios.

Save the Date FAQs

Here are some quick answers to any questions you might have about writing and sending out save the date cards. 

When Should You Send Your Save-the-Date?

You don’t want to send your save the dates too early and risk your guests forgetting. You also don’t want to send them too late when your guests could have other plans on your wedding day. So stick to these guidelines:

• For local weddings: send your save the date six months before the wedding date

• For destination weddings: send your save the date eight to 12 months before the wedding

If you’re worried about wedding guests forgetting, you could create save the date magnets for your guests to post on their fridge where they can clearly see them.

Whose Name Goes First on Save the Date?

Usually, the bride’s name goes first, although you can break this tradition if you wish. Many couples avoid gendered language and simply list their names alphabetically or in an order that sounds natural when read. 

Do You Include Plus Ones on Save the Dates?

You can address the envelope to the person you want to invite and their guest/guest’s name if you’re sure you want to invite them to your wedding. For example, if you want to invite your cousin and his fiance, you can address the envelope to both of them using your cousin’s address. If you aren't sure about any additional guests as a plus one, you can wait until the formal invitations to invite them. 

What Goes on the Back of Save the Dates?

You can include any number of things on the back of your save the date, such as the wedding location, the wedding website, photos, or a note about the invitation, like “formal invitation to follow.”

What If You Need to Reschedule Your Wedding?

Plans can change in a second. If you need to reschedule your wedding, you can send out change-the-date cards to let your guests know. You can even do this after you’ve sent out formal invitations. Sending out another card to change your date is not a big deal; it's your wedding after all!

Create Your Save the Date Cards

All in all, your wedding is about you and your big day. Your save the date cards are a great way to spread the news about the next big step you and your partner are taking, as well as showcase the personality of your relationship. Check out Mixbook to start working on your save the date cards today!