Planning a wedding is a whirlwind adventure, brimming with joyous milestones and a seemingly endless to-do list. One of the first steps to ensuring your loved ones can celebrate with you is sending out "save the date" cards. These little notes do more than announce your big day—they offer guests enough time to make arrangements and share in your joy. But when should you actually send them? Timing is everything! Read on for everything you need to know about when (and how) to send save the dates, explored in detail for every wedding scenario.
What Are Save the Dates and Why Do They Matter?
Save the dates are the first official announcements your guests will receive about your wedding. Typically sent months before the formal invitation, they serve as a polite “heads-up” to mark calendars and begin planning. Why are these cards so important? Modern weddings bring together friends and family from across the country (and beyond). Between travel, accommodations, and increasingly busy schedules, giving your guests advance notice ensures they are ready to celebrate with you. Save the dates, lay the foundation for a successful event where your loved ones can prioritize attendance—and get just as excited as you are for the big day!
The Ideal Timeline: When Should You Send Save the Dates?
So, when is the right time to let your guests in on the secret? The general recommendation is to send save the date cards 6 to 8 months before your wedding. This timeline gives guests ample time to make arrangements—without being so early that your plans might shift or details can change.
However, there’s some flexibility depending on your unique circumstances:
- Standard Weddings: Six to eight months is generally perfect. It's far enough ahead that guests can plan, but not so far that the excitement wears off.
- Large or Complex Weddings: Consider a window of six to twelve months, especially if you have an extended guest list, international attendees, or numerous moving parts.
- Don’t Send Too Early: While it may be tempting to mail save the dates the moment you’re engaged, sending them more than a year in advance can backfire. Guests may forget, plans can shift, and there’s still plenty of time to follow up with formal invitations.
Pro Tip: Always make sure you have your date and venue officially confirmed before sending out save the dates!
Key Factors That Affect Save the Date Timing
Not every wedding is the same, and your specific circumstances can—and should—influence your save the date timeline. Consider these scenarios:
- Destination Weddings Are you saying “I do” on the beach, at a mountain lodge, or across the globe? Destination weddings require extra planning, both for you and your guests. In this case, send save the dates 8–12 months in advance. This additional buffer helps guests book flights, accommodations, and take time off work.
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Holiday or Peak Season Weddings
Getting married on a holiday weekend or during a popular season? Give your guests a better chance of joining in by sending save the dates closer to the 8–12 month timeframe. Competing vacation plans, higher travel prices, and busy schedules all mean you need to get on their calendars early! -
Local Weddings
If your celebration is in your hometown with mostly local guests, six months’ notice is usually sufficient. This is especially true if you don’t expect significant travel needs. However, if you have out-of-towners on your list, consider sending the cards a bit earlier. -
Micro Weddings & Elopements
Hosting an intimate wedding, or eloping with only a handful of guests? In these cases, you may not need formal save the dates at all. But if you’d still like to give your few invitees notice—especially if travel is required—a quick message or a digital save the date is thoughtful and appreciated.
When Is It Too Early or Too Late to Send Save the Dates?
Too Early:
Sending your save the dates more than 12 months in advance can present problems. Your venue might change, your date could shift, or guests may simply forget. You want to give enough time, but not so much that details become fuzzy.
Too Late:
Generally, less than 4 months before the wedding is too late for most save the dates. By now, travel and accommodation may be booked up, and many guests could already have other commitments.
The Goldilocks Zone:
Sending cards between 6 and 8 months before your wedding hits the sweet spot for most couples.
How to Prepare for Sending Save the Dates
Before you order those cards or draft that digital announcement, make sure you’re truly ready:
- Confirm Your Date and Venue: Double-check (and possibly triple-check) that you’ve signed contracts and your event details are confirmed.
- Assemble Your Guest List: Anyone who gets a save the date must receive an invitation later. Finalize your list before mailing anything.
- Collect Addresses: Start gathering accurate mailing addresses early! Consider reaching out via text or email for updates.
- Pick a Design: Whether you use engagement photos, a favorite motif, or wedding colors, your save the date is a fun way to set the tone for your wedding day as well as additional wedding stationery to come.
- Gather Additional Details: If you’re including a wedding website or accommodation information, ensure these details are accurate before printing them.
What to Include On Your Save the Date Cards
A good save the date includes all the essential information your guests need at this stage:
- Your Names
- The Wedding Date
- City (or Venue, if known)
- A Simple “Invitation to Follow”
- Optional: Wedding Website - If you have one, point guests to your site for updates and travel info.
- Accommodation Information (for destination weddings)
Keep it simple. There will be time to provide complete event details with your formal invitations.
Save the Date Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, a few common pitfalls trip up couples during this stage. Here’s how to avoid them:
- Sending Too Soon or Too Late: Stick to the recommended timeline tailored to your event type.
- Not Confirming Details: Don’t send anything until your date and venue are 100% confirmed.
- Messing Up Guest Info: Double- (and triple-) check spelling and titles. Make sure addresses are correct.
- Forgetting Key Info: At minimum, include names, date, city, and “invitation to follow.” If relevant, add your website and accommodation suggestions.
- Assuming Everyone Knows Everything: Even close friends and family need precise, written details, especially if your plans are unusual or involve travel.
- Overlooking Out-of-Town Guests: Give special consideration to anyone traveling, and send their save the dates a little earlier if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Should Receive a Save the Date?
Every guest you plan to invite to your wedding should receive a save the date. This includes friends, family, and plus-ones. Once you mail a save the date to someone, wedding etiquette dictates you must follow up with an invitation.
Do You Need a Save the Date for Every Guest?
Yes! If someone is on your final guest list, they should get a save the date, whether mailed or delivered digitally. This helps guests plan accordingly.
Should You Send Save the Dates by Mail or Digitally?
Both options are perfectly acceptable today. Traditionalists may prefer printed cards, but digital save the dates are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and easy for guests to access on the go—especially for international or tech-savvy invitees. Choose what works best for your vibe (or consider a hybrid approach).
Conclusion: Set the Stage for the Celebration
Sending out save the dates is more than just an item on your checklist—it’s an exciting milestone in your wedding planning journey. By giving your guests clear and timely notice, you’re setting the stage for a magical celebration surrounded by those who matter most.
Remember:
- Confirm the essentials before you send.
- Tailor your timing to your wedding details.
- Include the necessary information to help guests plan effectively.
- Double-check your guest list and details to avoid last-minute surprises.
With thoughtful planning and timely communication, you’ll pave the way for a smooth, stress-free celebration that your guests will be excited to attend. Here’s to happy planning—and a wonderful wedding day!
Ready for the next step? Start gathering your addresses, pick your favorite save the date design, or reach out to request a custom wedding stationery suite design.
