When to Send Out Save the Date Cards

Congratulations on getting engaged! One of the first things you should be thinking about (after celebrating and enjoying the moment, of course) is when to send out your save the date cards. Save the dates are a little pre-invitation that tells your guests that they should save the date for your upcoming wedding. While you might be tempted to get them out as soon as possible, there are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on the perfect timing.

The general rule of thumb

We recommend, for save the date cards, to send them out six to eight months before the wedding date. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary. If you’re planning a destination wedding or you have a lot of out-of-town guests, you might want to send them out even earlier, up to twelve months in advance. This way, your guests have plenty of time to book flights and accommodations at a reasonable price.

If you’re having a more intimate wedding with mostly local guests, you can afford to send out your save the date cards a little later. Four to six months in advance should be plenty of time to give your guests a heads up. Just make sure you have your guest list finalized and your venue booked before you send them out – you don’t want to send a save-the-date to someone you end up having to uninvite because of space constraints.

It’s All About Timing

When you’re deciding on the timing of your save the date cards, consider holidays or major events that might be happening around your wedding date. If your wedding date falls around a major holiday (like Thanksgiving or Christmas), you’ll want to send your save the dates out earlier so your guests can plan accordingly. Similarly, if there’s a major event (like a concert or sports game) happening in your city on the same date as your wedding, you might want to send your save the dates out earlier so your guests can book accommodations before they sell out.

Must They Match?

One thing to keep in mind is that your save the dates don’t have to be super formal. They don’t even have to match your wedding theme. They’re just a way to give your guests a heads up. You can keep things simple with a photo and a few lines of text. oOr you can get creative with a design that reflects your personality as a couple. Whatever you choose, just make sure the date, location, and your names are clearly visible!

Include Important Info!

Finally, don’t forget to include your wedding website on your save the date cards! Your website is a great place to share more information about your big day. Things like travel and accommodation recommendations, dress code, and registry information. Including your website on your save the dates ensures that your guests have all the information they need in one convenient place.

Sending out save the date cards is an exciting first step in your wedding planning journey. By following our guide and keeping things simple but thoughtful, you can ensure that your guests have plenty of time to plan and that your big day is a success.

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