Why Save the Dates Are a Must for Your Wedding Date

What are save the dates, and why are they important?

Save the dates are an early notice sent to future wedding guests, offering a friendly reminder to mark their calendars for your big day. Typically sent months in advance, they help set the tone for your wedding celebration and are often the first official communication guests receive. The primary purpose of sending save the dates is to give guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements, clear their schedules, and plan accordingly, especially for those who may need to travel far to be there.

Save the dates also serve as a way to share your excitement with loved ones, building anticipation for the wedding day ahead. While they don't include all the detailed information (that will come with the formal wedding invitations), they give guests a general idea of what to expect, such as the date and location. Sending save the dates shows respect for your guests' time and schedules, ensuring that the critical people in your life can prioritise attending your celebration. By getting this early confirmation, couples can feel more at ease knowing their closest friends and family know the date and can make the appropriate plans to attend.

Benefits of sending save the dates

Save the dates help guests arrange their plans and make travel arrangements with a decent amount of time ahead of the celebrations. The sooner you send your save the dates, the more likely you'll get your chosen guest list there. However, if you decide not to send save the dates, you risk your carefully thought-out guest list getting double booked with other commitments, leaving you feeling gutted that some of your nearest and dearest can't be there.

Save the dates are the perfect way to share your good news and build anticipation ahead of the wedding. Not only are they a joyous call to kickstart the excitement of your engagement, but they also provide a fun and creative way to share your news with loved ones!

Whether you decide to send physical cards or digital save the dates, consider personalising them by adding a message or photo to make your save the dates more special and memorable. It's a nice touch to weave your wedding theme into your wedding stationery; they don't necessarily have to match, but if you have a similar theme, you'll create cohesiveness and a lasting impression.

Save the date etiquette and best practices

Save the dates can be sent anytime between 6 and 12 months before your wedding to give guests time to plan. But the sooner, the better, if you ask us. Why wait to spread the exciting news? Once your wedding date and venue are confirmed, send save the dates to your A-list guests first, including family, close friends, and loved ones. That way, you're safely securing your A-list's attendance, giving you peace of mind knowing you'll be celebrating with all your favourite people.

However, consider sending save the dates anytime between 9 and 12 months in advance for destination weddings or out-of-town guests. If you're throwing a destination wedding, your guests will need to make more arrangements as they are travelling further, booking more time off work, potentially needing to arrange child care, and, of course, saving money to make the most of the celebrations!

Information to include on your save-the-dates

Save the dates only need to include the basic information: your wedding date, city, and your names. It's also the perfect time to share your wedding website URL, so include a link to your wedding website to offer access to your registry and for invitees to check for wedding updates. Consider adding a QR code or URL to your save the dates to make it easy for guests to access and refer back to your website. This doesn't mean your wedding website needs to be complete; keep adding more information as wedding planning progresses. You don't need to include detailed information, like ceremony details and reception information, etc., at this point; that will all come in good time!

The difference between save the dates and wedding invitations

Save the dates and wedding invitations serve different purposes and will have different timings. Save the dates are a friendly notice to future wedding guests, while wedding invitations are a formal announcement. As the official wedding invitation is more detailed, it is usually sent closer to the wedding date, about 6 to 8 weeks prior. Invitations provide other essential information like the ceremony time, venue, dress code, and RSVP details. Unlike save the dates, which are more of a simple heads-up, your wedding invite will require a response and often come with additional materials like RSVP cards and directions. While save the dates set the stage, wedding invitations finalise the event's plans.

Finalising your guest list and wedding invitation details

Finalising your guest list and wedding invitation details is essential in the wedding planning process. Save the dates play a crucial role, helping you solidify your guest list while giving your guests an early notification. Sending save the dates well in advance allows guests to mark the wedding date on their calendars, make necessary travel arrangements, and plan around your event. This ensures that those important people in your life will be there to celebrate your special day.

By sending save the dates, it's also an opportunity to discover who will likely attend, as guests who cannot make it may let you know nice and early. This can help with the final touches on your guest list and prevent sending out invitations unnecessarily. Once your save the dates have gone out, you can proceed with a formal invitation, which provides all the necessary details about the ceremony and reception. Together, save the dates and invitations ensure that your guest list is thoughtfully managed and that your wedding is well attended by the people who matter most.