Save The Dates: Wording & Everything You Need To Know
Questions about wedding save the date cards are some of the most popular wedding stationery related searches on Google. Today I’m answering all your most frequently asked questions including when to send them, when you need then, what save the date wording to use and everything in-between.
Eucalyptus Save The Date examples
Reverie Save The Date Card
Do you really need save the dates?
Choosing whether or not to send save the dates is completely personal and often comes down to budget, timing, and necessity. If you’re working with a tighter budget or planning on a shorter timeline, you might want to skip them altogether and either send your wedding invitations a little earlier or opt for a digital version instead. The money saved by not sending save the dates could even be put towards making your wedding invitations extra special, whether that’s upgrading to a dream design or adding thoughtful finishing touches.
That said, if you’re planning a destination wedding or tying the knot during a particularly busy time of year such as the summer holiday season or around Christmas, I’d highly recommend sending save the dates. Giving your guests as much notice as possible will help ensure your nearest and dearest can be there to celebrate with you.
If you do decide to send save the dates then remember they are the first glimpse your guests get of your big day and set the tone for the whole event, so make sure they aren’t a last minute thought!
When should you send save the dates?
If you have less than 12 months to go, I’d suggest skipping save the dates and sending out your wedding invitations a little earlier instead. Normally, I recommend sending invitations around 6 months before the big day, but if you're not sending save the dates, try to aim for around 8 months ahead, if possible.
That said, it’s really important to check with your venue and caterers first. If you can’t finalise your menu until 6 months before the wedding, that will affect when you can send your invitations, especially if you want guests to pre-select their meal. This kind of timing clash can become a real headache if you didn’t send save the dates.
If in doubt, sending save the dates is always a safe and thoughtful option, it gives your guests plenty of notice and takes the pressure off your invitation timeline too.
One last tip: I never recommend sending save the dates or wedding invitations in December or alongside Christmas cards. The postal system is especially busy during that time and there’s a real risk of things being delayed or lost, and nobody wants their carefully designed wedding stationery going missing!
Save the date wording examples
Wording for Save The Date Card
When to order my save the dates
If you’ve got your venue booked, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your save the dates. With a wide range of colourful, modern Wedding Stationery Collections to choose from, all with coordinating pieces including save the dates, wedding invitations, on-the-day stationery, signage and even thank you cards, you can create a beautifully cohesive look for your entire celebration. Plus, with colour customisation included, I can tailor any collection design to suit your wedding palette or theme right from the very first piece.
If your budget allows and you’re looking for something truly one-of-a-kind, my Bespoke Design Service offers the opportunity to create completely personalised wedding stationery that reflects your style and personality as a couple.
Not quite set on your colour scheme or theme yet? No problem. Opting for a timeless, versatile design is a great way to get started. My Alchemy Collection, with its simple black and white palette, pairs effortlessly with any colour scheme you may choose later. Another flexible option is the Eucalyptus Collection, featuring elegant green foliage that complements almost any wedding style.
My typical turnaround time for Collection Designs is around 2-3 weeks (when not fully booked), but I always recommend booking into my diary early to secure your spot. You can reserve spaces for save the dates, wedding invitations, on-the-day stationery and thank you cards, meaning you can tick a major task off your wedding to-do list and relax knowing everything is in hand, with no last-minute rushes or stress!
What to include in your save the date wording
When it comes to save the date wording, I always recommend keeping it short and sweet. It might be tempting to share all the exciting details you’ve already planned, but trust me, those are best saved for the wedding invitations. Your save the date is simply a heads-up, giving guests the essential info they need to mark their calendars. Here’s what to include in your save the dates wording:
Your Names
There’s no strict rule when it comes to the order of names on your save the dates, just choose whichever sounds or feels right for you as a couple. Some people go with alphabetical order, while others base it on how their names look or flow together. It’s also worth thinking about how your initials look side by side, especially if you're using them in a monogram for stickers, wax seals or envelope details. Choose what feels most natural and visually appealing but in the end it’s completely up to you!
Your Venue
You don’t need to include the full address at this stage, just the venue name and a general location is perfect. For example: “Abbey Barn, Norfolk”. If you’re planning a destination wedding, though, it’s a good idea to include a little more detail, such as the town, region, or even a postcode, so guests can get a clearer idea of where they’ll be travelling and start planning accordingly.
Your Date
Possibly the most important bit! Make sure your wedding date is front and centre so guests know what to save.
Your Sign Off
It’s helpful to include a short line like “Formal invitation to follow” so guests know more details are on the way. This will also help avoid a flurry of questions early on. You might also want to add a warm note like “We hope you can make it” if you prefer a more personal or relaxed tone.
Now you know everything about save the dates, what’s next?
Sending save the dates early is a wonderful way to ensure your loved ones can celebrate with you on the big day. Now that you’ve learned all about save the dates, if you’ve secured your venue and date then you’re ready to send out your first short and sweet announcement.
The next step is choosing the perfect design! You can order save the date samples from all my Wedding Stationery Collections via my Online Shop. This allows you to feel the quality of the paper and see the designs in person before making a decision. You can even add save the dates to a Sample Pack featuring your favourite designs, which will be reimbursed if you place a wedding invitation order with me.
If you have any more questions about save the dates or wedding stationery in general, please don’t hesitate to Contact Me, I’m always happy to help!
