Digital Vs. Traditional_ How To Choose Your Save The Date Style

Table plans, place cards, menu cards, wedding invitations, order of services---the list goes on when it comes to wedding stationery. But the good news is, you only need to create what's necessary for your celebration, and every wedding is unique. When it comes to save-the-date cards (again, not essential), see this simply as your chance to get your date out there. At this point, it's fine if you're undecided about whether you're going to send save the dates or not, but let's just rewind and find out what save the dates actually are. Hopefully, by the end of this blog, you will have a clearer picture of digital vs. traditional and if they are for you or not.

So, first things first, what is a save-the-date? Well, a save-the-date is a notification sent to guests to reserve a date for your wedding, typically sent anywhere from 6 to 12 months in advance. When it comes to what's included, it's essential to mention your name, the wedding date, and the chosen wedding location on the save-the-date. But how do you decide if you're going to send your save-the-date cards traditionally through the post or digitally, and how do you get your unique style across through your save-the-date cards? Well, this is where we come in. Stay with us as we unpick everything there is to know about save-the-date cards and choosing your own style.

Digital vs. traditional

Choosing to send online save the dates is a modern and cost-effective way to send out part of your wedding stationery suite. Save the dates can be sent via email or online platforms such as Say I do, making it a really convenient option for couples. Did you know that these kinds of digital wedding invitations can be linked to your wedding website? Allowing for easier updates about potential changes to the wedding plans and generally keeping in touch with your guest list with ease. Sending save-the-dates and paperless wedding invitations will save you money and time and offer a super stress-free way to collect RSVPs.

Sending your wedding stationery suite traditionally through the post is a classic and formal way to communicate your wedding plans to your guests. Printed wedding invitations not only offer a tangible and traditional way to invite guests to your wedding but they will, unfortunately, cost more. It can be a longer process from start to finish, and you'll have to keep track of your RSVPs manually.

Wedding date and details

**Setting your wedding date:**Choose a date that works for you and your partner, but don't forget to consider external factors like season, location, and guest availability. You should also consider public holidays, which might make travel more expensive and accommodation trickier to find. Make sure to give guests enough time to plan and prepare for your special day. The more notice you give guests, the higher the chance of more of your nearest and dearest being able to attend.

Essential details to include on your save-the-dates: Keep it simple. This is your chance to inform guests of your wedding date and location and share your wedding website, but that's kind of it! You could consider adding a note about the formal wedding invitation to follow so they know to expect more information in due course. Make sure to include your names, too - it sounds simple, but we've lost count of the number of silly mistakes couples make when it comes to their save-the-dates! However, when it comes to your online invitations, this is where you can add additional details such as venue, exact locations, and timings (once they're confirmed!).

The role of your wedding website

A wedding website is a must-have for communicating with guests throughout the wedding planning process. Key elements of a wedding website include the dress code, registry information, and details on how to RSVP. Use your wedding website to provide additional information and resources to guests, such as travel and accommodation information and what to do in the area for out of town guests who may be staying for a few days before or after the festivities.

If you're planning a destination wedding, a wedding website is an essential tool; all your guests will be travelling to join you and will benefit from staying in the loop with travel and accommodation plans.

Electronic save-the-date etiquette

We would always recommend sending digital save-the-dates 9-12 months in advance for destination weddings and 6-9 months in advance for local weddings. It's also good (and polite) practice to alert certain guests, such as elderly family members and close friends, that you'll be sending an important email so they can keep an eye out for its arrival.

When it comes to the design of your save-the-date cards, think about how they can reflect the style and level of formality of your wedding. The wording and overall look and feel of your save-the-date cards will allow guests to get a hint of the vibe and what sort of wedding you'll be hosting.

Design considerations for your save-the-date cards

When designing your save-the-date cards, consider the overall theme, colour scheme, and decor planned for the wedding. Examples of save-the-date themes include rustic, modern, vintage, floral, retro, typographical, greenery, bold, elegant, minimal, fun, and whimsical; the list goes on! Take some time to find one that feels right for you and your wedding. It's nice to choose a design that's going to match your wedding website and online wedding invitations to keep things aligned and cohesive.

Say I do offer couples the chance to design and send their wedding website and matching stationery online really simply; no coding or graphic design experience is needed here! Choose a design that suits you and pop in your details. You have full design control, so have a play around, and you're bound to find the perfect style for you.

It's important to mention that, yes, sending a traditional save-the-date through the post will provide a tangible keepsake for your guests, and there are some fantastic designs out there. But deciding to go old school comes with some careful consideration. You need time on your side; allow design, printing, and posting time. Sending printed wedding stationery will eat up more of your wedding budget, so ensure you've allocated enough for printing and postage costs. And finally, it's far less sustainable to send your wedding stationery through the post. If you're looking to do your bit in hosting a greener wedding, opting to go digital will get you on your way.

Factors to Consider when making your final decision

When deciding between digital and traditional save-the-dates, your wedding theme, budget, and guest preferences should be the main considerations. Consider the convenience and cost-effectiveness of digital invitations versus the traditional feel and cost of printed invitations, and choose the option that best fits your needs and overall wedding style.

Ultimately, the decision between digital and traditional save-the-dates depends on the wedding you want to create. You could even consider a combination of digital _and_ printed save-the-dates to cater to different guest preferences and needs. But don't forget to proofread and review your save-the-dates multiple times to ensure accuracy; no one likes a typo!