Save the Date Ideas

Save the Date cards are a relatively new innovation in the wedding-planning sequence.  They are a kind of pre-invitation invitation, which just lets people know that they should, as the name implies, save the date!  They are generally mailed out approximately six months in advance of the wedding, and sometimes are only mailed to out of town guests that are going to need to make travel arrangements to attend the wedding.  They are not entirely necessary – but they can be a lot of fun!

Remember, you do not need to include any details except the date in this message – things like location, time, directions, etc. will all come in the official invitation.

Because they are a fairly new innovation, save the dates take all kinds of forms and methods, and there is no real tradition surrounding them.  Here are a few ideas about what people are doing, though, so that you can get some ideas of your own.

Magnets – This is the most common kind of save the date, and it is a particularly useful idea, because people can put it right up on their refrigerator where it will be sure to be seen and remembered.  Another fun aspect of this idea is that sheets of magnet paper can be purchased at office supply stores, so you can create the save the dates yourself on your computer to match your theme, and simply print them out and cut them to size!

Cards – These cards can be as simple as blank cards that have the save the date message handwritten on the inside, or they can be as elaborate as custom-printed postcards with a picture of the couple along with the save the date information adorning the front!

Save the Dates for Destination Weddings – You can get particularly creative with these.  Some ideas are cards made to look like boarding passes or passports, or even sending things like a pair of sunglasses or a bottle of sunscreen with the save the date attached as a note.

A Puzzle – Having your save the date information printed on puzzle pieces is a very cute idea, but make sure the information is on the cover of the box just like a completed picture is on the cover of a real puzzle, because many people will not take the time to put the puzzle together!

Calendar – This is an idea that is adorable as well as useful for the recipient.  Have personal-size calendars printed up which have your save the date information on the cover, as well as noted inside on the actual date on the calendar.

Luggage Tags – If most of your guests are going to need to be traveling, this can be a fun theme for your save the date cards.  You can include three luggage tags – one with the save the date information and two pre-printed with the guests’ names and addresses.

Save the dates are a fun and useful addition to your wedding planning that gives you an opportunity to be creative and lets your guests know well in advance of travel plans they need to make.

Article by Roger Mayne of Surrey Weddings wedding directory