5 Things To Know Before You Send Your Save The Dates

Planning a wedding is quite the journey. It's filled with many decisions to be made, each playing an important role in shaping your special day. Among these decisions, sending out save-the-date cards stands as a pretty important milestone, marking the official start of your wedding countdown for your loved ones.

But before you begin, it's important to understand several key considerations that can impact the smooth running of this process. From the timing of sending them out to the clarity of your guest list, each part plays a vital role in ensuring that your save-the-dates serve their purpose. Let's dig a little deeper and explore five factors to be aware of before you send your save-the-dates, which will guide you through this exciting phase of wedding planning with confidence!

1. They are a really important part of wedding planning

Save-the-dates are crucial because they serve as the first official announcement of your wedding date to your guests. They give your guest list advance notice so they can mark their calendars and make the necessary arrangements to attend. Additionally, save-the-dates set the tone for your wedding and give guests an insight into what they can expect, whether it's a formal affair or a casual celebration etc. They also provide an opportunity to showcase your creativity and personality as a couple through the design and wording style.

This is also the perfect opportunity to share your wedding website URL with your guests, too. Okay, your wedding website might not be completely finished at this point, but that's the beauty of having one---you can keep adding, sharing, and updating it with handy information for guests along the way! Ultimately, sending out save-the-dates helps ensure that your loved ones can be a part of your special day, making them a really important aspect of your wedding planning process.

2. Get them sent out at the right time!

Timing is everything when it comes to sending out save-the-dates. Save the date etiquette states that you should aim to send them out six to eight months before your wedding day, potentially longer if you're having a destination wedding or if many of your guests will need to make travel arrangements. This gives people plenty of time to RSVP and make plans. If your wedding falls on a public holiday or during peak travel season, consider sending them out even earlier to ensure that your guests can secure accommodation and transport without too much hassle.

3. Only send them to people you definitely want to attend

It's important to be selective about who receives a save-the-date card. These cards are a commitment to invite guests to your wedding, so only send them to people you definitely want there. Avoid sending save-the-dates to anyone you're unsure about or who may be on your "B-list" for invitations. Be mindful of your budget and venue capacity when finalising your guest list, ensuring that you only send save-the-dates to those you genuinely want to celebrate with on your special day. This helps manage expectations and avoids potential awkwardness or hurt feelings later on.

4. Be clear on who is invited within a household

When addressing save-the-dates, be clear about who is invited from each household. If you're inviting the whole family, make sure to address the envelope to "The Harris Family" or clearly list all family members' names. This avoids any confusion about who is included in the wedding invitation and prevents unexpected guests from RSVPing.

This is also the time to clearly state if you're inviting plus ones or not, and being clear at this stage will save any embarrassment down the line. Equally, it's wise to state just the name of the guest if you've decided against plus ones. Have the chat about whether kids and plus ones are invited early on, and remember to stick to your guns! The lines get blurry and complicated if you start inviting some kids or plus ones and not others. Your guests will respect your decision, and if you've given them plenty of notice, they can make the necessary childcare or travel plans.

It goes without saying, but note down your final guest list so you can then align your formal invitation to match your save-the-dates.

5. Your chosen location can dictate how soon you need to get your

save-the-date cards out

The location of your wedding can impact when you should send out save-the-dates. For destination weddings or weddings in popular touristy areas, it's essential to give guests plenty of notice so they can make travel arrangements and book accommodation. Consider sending save-the-dates in these cases as early as nine to 12 months in advance, but six to eight months is fine for weddings in local venues or during off-peak times.

Always consider the needs of your wedding guests and the logistics of your chosen location when determining the timing for sending out save-the-dates. By aligning your timeline with your wedding location, you will ensure that your guests have the time they need to plan and prepare, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable wedding experience for everyone involved.

Finally, coordinate your save-the-dates with the rest of your wedding stationery so your wedding invitations and wedding website are cohesive. This will help to streamline the planning process. By keeping these five points in mind, you can ensure that your save-the-dates effectively set the tone for your wedding and help guests prepare (and get excited) for your special day.