Let’s talk about Save the Dates!
If you or someone you know is newly engaged (or about to be - so exciting), what happens next? Of course, we recommend a beautifully designed save the date. As a paper design studio, we’re pretty partial to mailed save the dates. For digital, hit us up for a design that’s truly bespoke!
In order to create a save the date, three key elements must be locked in: your venue, your date, and your guest list with mailing addresses. If you’re going to have a wedding website, now is the time to get that url. I highly recommend the very small splurge of a short url that will fit nicely on your save the date.
While you’re still working out all the details, try to envision the macro elements that will be key for your guests. Ball gowns in Brazil or bikinis in Bali? Your guests need the high level of where they’re headed and when and a hint of what’s to come.
10 Dos and Don’ts of Save the Dates
DO Send a Save the Date. Often it’s a card, but we can design literally anything. Unless you’re planning a short engagement, a save the date is a must. Beyond allowing your guests to clear their calendars, it sets the vibe and gets your dear ones excited to celebrate with you.
DO Lock in your wedding venue, which will determine your event date. The “where and when” must be set in order to proceed with a design.
DO Start your guest list complete with addresses. This can be heavy lifting and involve family conversations (yes, Aunt Hilda will be invited, no cousin Sam cannot bring a plus one), so best to get a jump on this task. To help gather addresses, many of our couples use postable.com.
DO send your save the dates 8-9 months before your wedding. If it’s a destination wedding, a high travel or holiday weekend, 12 months ahead will be appreciated.
DON’T send them too early. More than a year in advance is too far out for most people, although you can always inform close friends and family more casually.
DO use your wedding website (and not your save the date) to clarify whether children will be included. Being direct in this space prevents confusion and enables your guests to arrange the appropriate child care in advance.
DO have fun with your design. Even if the wedding is black tie, the save the date can be wildly creative. The design of the save the date card will set the vibe for your wedding - although more often than not it doesn’t match your invitation. Don’t worry! We will make sure the aesthetic fits your style and overall wedding vision.
DON'T include your registry information. This is still considered “bad taste.” Include your wedding website on your save the date; that's where your guests can find your registry.
DO consider paper. An actual paper card is a thing of beauty. Although we live in a digital age, custom designed paper correspondence remains a special touch. We hear from clients that their save the dates sparked joy - and got their guests excited to celebrate with them. That said, we get it. We can create a fab email save the date - truly bespoke - you decide.
DO keep it simple. Your save the date card does not have to include any information on the church, synagogue or reception location. Just your names, a date, city and state is really all you need. All the details will follow in the wedding invitation suite.
