How to Write a Save The Date

How To Write a Save The Date

By Carolina Hernandez

You have just gotten engaged and can’t wait to share the news with your loved ones. One of the first things you should do is send a “Save the Date.”

What is a save the date? https://www.deciduouspress.com.au/journal/save-the-dates-vs-wedding-invitations-difference

What should you include? We have a few tips to guide you to making a perfectly informed save the date. As Ceci mentions, from Ceci Style based in New York, “The most important part of the Save The Date is to get your wedding date to your friends and family so that they can save it in their calendars and book any flights, if necessary.” https://www.cecinewyork.com/blogs/ceci-style/ceci-tip-how-to-write-a-save-the-date

First, we will cover a few basic questions, do you have to send them out and when should you send them? While you don’t have to send them, it is advisable if you are having an engagement for six months or longer. If you’ll be tying the knot within six months or less, you are better off sending out invitations instead. Traditional send out dates are four months if you are having a local wedding, six months in general, and between 8-12 months if it’s a destination wedding.

Digital Element

Not only is going digital the best way to reduce paper trail and save money, it’s preferable considering the many postponements because of the pandemic. Having a website and updating it is the most efficient way to keep everyone informed ahead of time especially if they will be traveling. Updating everyone via your website or simply by emailing them provides instant information that will help your guests make necessary changes if needed. Consider adding your website at the bottom of your save-the-date so everyone is able to keep up with any updates!

Wedding Date

Even if you’re not entirely sure of what exact date you’ll be getting married at least placing the month and year of when it’ll be will suffice for now. Preferably an actual date or weekend is ideal so your guests can prepare. It will give them enough time to jot the date down on their calendars. Note, there is a big difference when you say “save the date” vs “save the weekend” so be cautious in how you are conveying your message to prevent confusion.

Location

Whether you are staying in your current city, having a destination wedding, or going back to your hometown, location is important as it will determine different things for many people. Some will not have to worry about driving to the location while others will. Everyone can mentally prepare better depending on where the event will be taking place.

Accommodations

One of the most important reasons why you want to send out save-the-date cards is to assist your out-of-town guests. Ensuring they are adding it to their calendars, booking any flights, and reserving their hotel rooms ahead of time will save them a headache with trying to figure that out as time gets closer to your big day. Perhaps even your local family will want to stay at a hotel along with everyone else. It will give them the choice whether they want to book or not.

Wording

The best part about your wedding planning is that at the end of the day it’ll reflect a part of you both. There are no rules to it so you can be casual or formal, but always put “invitation to follow” at the bottom as this will keep you guests excited but will ensure that additional important information is yet to come. Below you will see examples of straight to the point wording but with different tones:

Formal

Save the Date

for the wedding of

Sarah Ann Charles

and

Michael Garcia

Saturday, the Eighth of May

Two thousand and twenty-one

Houston, Texas

Formal invitation to follow

Traditional

Save the Date

Sarah and Michael

are getting married!

May8, 2021

Houston

Formal invitation to follow

Casual

He asked and she said “Yes!”

Sarah and Michael

5.8.21

Houston, Texas

Invitation to follow

Destination

Save the Weekend!

May7–9, 2021

Sarah and Michael are getting married

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico