Save the Date Etiquette

Below, you’ll find 6 of the most common questions about wedding save the dates.

Do we have to send a save-the-date?
You don’t have to send cards, magnets or postcards, however if you’d like as many of your invitees as possible to attend your wedding, then you should let them know the date as soon as you can.

Do we have to send save-the-dates to everyone?
Okay, so you’ve decided to send out STDs (and no, not that kind). Here’s your (not so gold) star: * for keeping everyone informed. If you have an extremely tight budget, then you may want to skip those guests that talk to on a regular basis such as siblings and close friends. However, save the date cards aren’t that expensive so if you can spare the extra $50, then send them to all of your guests.

Who do we address the save the dates to?
You should address the save-the-dates to the people who you intend on inviting to the wedding. So if you plan on just inviting your cousin and her husband and not their 8 children, then make sure to be clear on the save-the-date and not include the names of the children or “and family”. If you have friends that are in relationships with someone whom you don’t really know (and wouldn’t be invited on their own), then you can just address the save-the-date to your friend and you can add the name of the +1 to the actual invitation if they are still together.
Note: you can always add invitees when you send out your invitations but it would be difficult to remove invitees who you’ve sent a save the date to.

How do we address save the dates?
Save the dates are generally not too formal, however if you’ve picked a more formal design and/or you’ll be throwing a very formal affair, then addressing them in a formal way is the way to go.
For your reference, formal would look something like this: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jones.
Informal addressing would look something like this: Michael and Laura Jones.
Note: Some of your older guests may appreciate a more formal use of their names than your friends, so you may want to address your grandparents cards different then how you address you best friends’.

What if we change the wedding location or date?
This shouldn’t be an issue as save-the-dates should be sent out after you have booked (and likely put a deposit down) on a venue and date. However, if it happens, you can inform your guests of the change over the phone.

Does the bride or groom’s name go first on a save the date?
Normally wedding related stationary has bride’s name first, however they are generally informal so you don’t have to be too picky about it. One note, is that if you’re sending photo save the dates, then I’d suggest that you match the order of the names to the order of the photo (example: if the groom is on the left, then put his name first). It just makes more sense visually.

The Most Environmentally Friendly Save the Dates

Now let’s be honest. The most environmentally friendly way to throw your wedding is not to have one. Since that’s a ridiculous idea, you might as well make some choices that benefit the environment along the way.

Eco-Friendly Save the Dates

The second most environmentally friendly thing that you could do for saving the date (other than not sending them and having a whole whack of your friends and family not attend) is to send save the date emails. There are a few options that you have, with the easiest being just sending a basic email to all of your friends. However, there is the option of sending save the date e-cards to your guests.

Green Save the Date Cards

Okay, so you don’t want to just send emails (because that is kind of lame) but you want to represent for good ol’ Mother Earth with some eco-chic save the dates. Well, we’ve found an amazing option for you. Paper Culture is THE best company for environmentally friendly stationary. Here are the just some of the reasons that you will feel amazing about your selection of Save the Date vendors:

- Paper Culture plants a tree in your honor for every order (WHAT!!!???)
- All cards, envelopes and packing is 100% post consumer recycled material (AMAZING!)
- the cards look amazing (printed on 130lb paper for you stationary lovers)

Now, I know that this sounds amazing but there is one other (and we think even better) reason to buy from Paper Culture. They offer a FREE Mail & Addressing Service. Just in case you didn’t read that THEY OFFER A FREE MAIL & ADDRESSING SERVICE (you just pay for postage, which you’d do anyways). This will save you a major hand cramp and hours of writing.

Okay, so now that your convinced that Paper Culture is the company to buy your save the dates from, why don’t you check out some of favourites below:

This faux burlap save the date is fantastic (click the image to learn more):

This a super modern, super cute 100% recycled paper save the date (click the image to learn more):

We love this faux wood carving save the date. It is just so sweet and organic (click the image to learn more):

If you’re looking for a vintage feel then this save the date is for you (click the image to learn more):

Love is in the air, or at least on this card (click the image to learn more):

What a cute and modern engagement ring save the date (click the image to learn more):

DIY Save the Dates – these are AMAZING!

Here are some super creative do-it-yourself save the date ideas. We’ve collecected our favs but have left the save the date videos for another post. All of the posts that we’ve linked to give detailed instructions and save the date templates. Enjoy!

We love the simplicity of these vintage postcard save the dates. They look amazing, are easy to put together and can be done for minimal cost!
Vintage Postcard DIY Save the Dates

Definitely not as easy as the postcards, but these balloon save-the-dates are amazing.

There are a bunch of options for how to put together pencil us in save-the-dates.

What’s that? This is the cutest save the date idea that you’ve seen: See Sparks Fly Save-the-Dates? We know!

If you’re a kid at heart then you will love these encrypted save-the-dates!

Save the Date Videos (Stupendous!)

Wow. There are some talented people in this world.

Honestly, I don’t have the time or abilities to put together a cute video of my puppy sleeping, let alone an awesome save the date video. But since your here, I’m guessing that you do. These videos are the best save the date videos that we could find on the web so check it.

BEFORE YOU START:
If you’re here because you just like watching wedding related movies and you don’t want to make your own save the date video, then check out our: Ultimate Save the Date Guide for card, magnet and other save the date ideas.

Fantastic Action Movie Trailer Save the Date:

If you’re a Wes Anderson fan then you’ll love this save the date:

This one didn’t require quite as much effort but still gets the job done:

Stop motion, but doable with very few props:

Lastly, you could go the post-it note save the date video route (you could be the 3rd ever as I only found 2 others!):

BONUS:
Peep this link for a KOWABUNGA!!! inducing animated save the date: The Coolest Animated Save the Date Video.

What is a Save the Date?

A save the date is a notice that is sent to guests of a significant event such as a wedding or significant birthday. It is typically sent prior to a formal invitation so that guests can keep the date free.

Wedding Save the Dates
The standard form of a save the date for a wedding is a card but some other forms include save the date postcards, save the date emails, save the date magnets, video save the dates, and there are other more creative save the dates.

Here’s an example of what a wedding save the date can look like (click to see more info about this card):
Four Square Save the Date Cards

When to send your save the dates?
Check out our article: When to Send Save the Date Cards

If you want to know some rules for save the dates then check out this post: save the date etiquette.

Cute Save the Date Ideas

If you’re looking for some cute do-it-yourself save the date ideas, then you should check out these amazing ideas for inspiration: DIY Save the Dates.

However, if your looking for something that is awesome, yet won’t take hours of your time to put together, then check out these super cute save the date cards below:

Pretty, Pretty, Please check out this extremely cute save the date (click the image for more info):

Love is also being felt for this card (click the image for more info):

Perfect for a late spring early summer wedding (click the image for more info):

This save the date has a cute, homey feel (click the image for more info):

Check out this winter save-the-date (click the image for more info):
Snow Birds Save the Date Cards

If you’re getting married in winter and a fan of cute puns then you can’t deny this save the date (click the image for more info):
Smitten Save the Date Cards

Save the Date for Your Autumn Wedding

Fall is a wonderful time to get married. The leaves are changing colors, the temperature is cooling and most of your guests aren’t likely to be planning vacations during that time. With that in mind, check out these fantastic fall themed save the date cards.

The leaves are turning orange and falling from the trees, but they look damn good (click the image for more information):

We love the use of leaves in all of these save the date (click the images for more information):
Fall in Love Save the Date Cards

Abstract Autumn Save the Date Cards

Autumn Leaves Save the Date Cards

Fall in Love Save the Date Cards

Autumn Wreath Save the Date Cards

Painted Leaves Save the Date Cards

Autumn Breeze Save the Date Cards

In case you want to include a few photos on your autumn themed save the date (click the image for more information):

Save the Date Discounts

We’ve tracked down some exclusive discounts for you from some of our favorite save the date makers. Enjoy these save the date coupon codes!

Click here to get international shipping for $9.95 at Minted.com:
$9.95 Priority International Shipping from Minted

Click here to get 10% off your Pear Tree order (you’ll be taken to some of our favorites):

Click here to get 10% off your Cocodot order (you’ll be taken to their site):

Send invitations and greetings at Cocodot.com

Click here to get $75 off your wedding invitation order at Wedding Paper Divas when you purchase your Save the Dates with them: $75 off wedding invitations

or

Click here to get free shipping from Wedding Paper Divas:

When to Send Save the Dates?

Four Square Save the Date CardsSo you’ve decided to make sure that your wedding guests save your wedding date with cards, magnets, postcards, etc. Good call (even if you don’t you should at least call or email all of your guests).

Problem: you don’t know when to send them.

This is actually a good question as save the dates are a relatively recent trend and not all couples send out save the dates.

So, when do you send out save the date cards?

Well, it is important to LET YOUR GUESTS KNOW YOUR WEDDING DATE ASAP.

Why:
Because some of your guests may be planning a vacation, work schedules, or those that have to travel may want to book their accommodations and flights asap to save money.

With this in mind, you should send your save the dates out as soon as you know your date and venue, but 6-12 months prior to your date is a reasonable timeframe.

Just remember that it will likely take a few weeks to have your save the date cards made and delivered so try to order your them at least a month or two prior to when you’d like to send them.

Pear Tree Save the Dates

Check out these wonderful save the dates from Pear Tree (click the images for more information):











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