Save the Date Cards

All the excitement that comes when you find out you are getting married makes you want to tell the whole world, even if the actual wedding date is a year away. It is usually customary to send out formal wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the ceremony; sending them out before then can be a bit too early. On the other hand, you want everyone to be sure to not have other plans on your special day and need a way to let them know to save that day for your wedding. The solution to this dilemma comes in the form of save the date cards.

What are Save the Date Cards?

Quite simply, save the date cards are simple announcements you send to people you would like to attend your wedding several months in advance. They are usually postcards announcing your upcoming celebration that specifies the date it is to occur and request that people pencil this date into their schedules. Save the date cards can be as simple as a colorful postcard with block lettering, a cute design with a picture of you and your significant other, or as extravagant as magnets people can put on their refrigerator for a constant reminder until the formal invitations arrives.

Bear in mind, however, that save the date cards are an informal notification. If you are planning your wedding on a budget it’s probably best to stick with the simple options so that you can invest more into your actual invitations. Also remember that if you send a save the date card to someone you must also send them a formal invitation, so check and recheck your guest list before you put them in the mail. You can always invite someone extra that didn’t receive a save the date card; it is just about impossible, however to un-invite someone that has already been notified.

What Should My Save The Date Cards Say?

Save the date cards require only the heading “Save the Date” and a brief announcement of your names, that you are getting married, and on what day. They will usually also contain a notification that formal invitations will follow. How you choose to word this is entirely up to you, but don’t stress the phrasing too much. The purpose is to inform, not impress. Save that for the invitations.

When Should I Mail My Save The Date Cards?

Save the date cards can be sent out many months in advance. Remember, this is just a courtesy announcement that makes people aware that there is something very important happening on this day. If they wish to attend your wedding, they can enter the date into their calendars in case something else comes up for the same date for which they would otherwise had made plans. Generally speaking, however, you probably don’t want to send them out more than six months in advance as this can be too far ahead to remember. While save the date cards aren’t required, they certainly can be helpful if there are specific people you would really like to attend your wedding.