CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT!!! The ring is on your finger, the date has been set, location is secured and planning is underway…. Now it's time to let your guest in the loop with the SAVE THE DATE. The pre-invitation officially announces your wedding date and lets guests know they will, in fact, be invited to the celebration. Here are your guide & etiquette tips for getting starting on your SAVE THE DATE.
WHERE TO START & DO WE HAVE TO SEND A SAVE-THE-DATE?
Save the dates have become a standard for:
Destination weddings
Weekday weddings
3-day weekend weddings
Holiday weddings
So if you're marrying during high travel times like a holiday weekend or summer in a beach town, a save the date is an expected courtesy. Of course, you don't have to send one if you don't want to, but it will give your guests a heads up on your wedding plans and will allow them to make the appropriate arrangements. Magnet & Postcard save the dates are really popular, normally includes a photo of the couple & can also serve as a nice keepsake. Save the date are not to be confused with Wedding Announcements, so make sure you are only sending your save the date to the guest that you want to attend. Sending a save the date will increase guests' chances of attending your celebration. And that's the goal, right?
This is also a great time to meet with a professional wedding photographer, a photographer you may have been admiring or your favorite photographer to schedule an engagement session. These are great images to include on your save the date.
IMPORTANT!!! Make sure that you have secured & booked your venue for your desired date!!
WHAT TO INCLUDE:
Think short when it comes to what information to include in your save the date. Stick to the 4W’s:
WHO – You and your fiancée
WHAT – Are getting married!!
WHEN – The wedding date
WHERE – City & State/Country only
With this information, you will be providing your guest with all the information they will need to ensure their availability to attend your special celebration. And don’t forget to add & informed them that “formal Invitation to follow”.
DO OUR SAVE-THE-DATES HAVE TO MATCH OUR WEDDING INVITATIONS OR THEME?
Not at all. Save-the-dates are much less formal. This is your opportunity to let your style as a couple really shine, or try out a theme you love but are hesitant to commit to just yet. Get with your wedding stationery designer and play with photos, colors, motifs or fonts to create something that will get guests excited for the occasion.
DO WE SEND THEM TO EVERYONE
This is also a great time to finalize your guest list!!You want to send them only to the people you want to come to your wedding. Even if you've already received verbal confirmations from certain guests, you should still send them a save the date (bridesmaids, siblings, and parents). But remember: Only send to those that you definitely want to attend. Once these are in the mail, there's really no turning back.
WHEN TO SEND THEM
According to tradition etiquette for local weddings, save the dates should send out between 6 to 8 months prior to your BIG day. For destination weddings, 8 to 12 months is considered appropriate as the guest will potentially have to make those professional arrangements for the proper time off, travel arrangements, arrange for childcare, etc.
MOST IMPORTANTLY . . . HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN!!