Your Save the Date is the very first official piece of stationery your wedding guests will receive. It sets the visual aesthetic of your upcoming celebration and provides your loved ones with the vital notice needed to arrange airfare, book hotel rooms, and clear their calendars.
Here is everything you need to know about what to say, what to leave off, and the exact timeline for sending them out.
When Exactly Should You Send Save the Dates?
- Local / Domestic Weddings: Mail 6 to 8 months before the wedding date.
- Holiday Weekend Weddings (Memorial Day, Labor Day, New Year’s): Mail 8 to 10 months in advance so guests can plan holiday travel before flight costs surge.
- Destination Weddings (International or 3+ hours travel): Mail 9 to 12 months in advance to allow guests to budget vacation days and secure passports.
*Golden Rule:* Only send a Save the Date to people who are 100% guaranteed to receive a formal invitation. You cannot revoke a Save the Date later if your guest list shrinks! Track your counts carefully with our Guest List & RSVP Manager.
What Essential Details Must Be Included?
Unlike the formal invitation, your Save the Date should be concise: 1. The Couple's Names: Clearly identified. 2. The Wedding Date: (or weekend dates for multi-day events). 3. The City and State: (or Country for international celebrations; exact venue address is NOT required yet). 4. "Formal Invitation to Follow": Reassures guests that ceremony times, dress codes, and RSVP cards are coming later. 5. Wedding Website URL: Essential so guests can view your hotel blocks and airport advice.
1. Traditional & Formal Save the Date Wording
```text Save the Date for the wedding of Sarah Nicole Sterling and David Christopher Miller
Saturday, the eighteenth of October two thousand twenty-six Savannah, Georgia
Formal invitation to follow www.sarahanddavid2026.com ```
2. Modern & Casual Wording
Track your guest list and save the dates
Manage RSVPs, plus-ones, and contact info in our free client-side guest list spreadsheet.
```text Save Our Date! Emma & Jack are getting married 10.18.2026 | Austin, Texas
Pack your dancing shoes! Formal invitation to follow Details & hotels: wedshare.online/e/emma-jack ```
3. Destination Wedding Wording
When guests need to plan international travel, mention accommodations right away:
```text Pack your bags! We're getting married in Tuscany Maya & Julian June 12–14, 2027 Florence, Italy
Formal invitation and travel details to follow Please visit our website for flight and villa recommendations: www.mayaandjulianitaly.com ```
4. Digital & Email Save the Date Examples
Paperless announcements are increasingly popular for eco-friendly or budget-conscious couples:
```text Subject: Save the Date! Chloe & Liam are getting married • 10.18.26
Dear Friends & Family, We are so excited to celebrate our wedding with you! Please save Saturday, October 18, 2026 on your calendars. We will be tying the knot in Portland, Oregon.
Formal invitation and RSVP details to follow. Check out our wedding website for early travel tips: [Website Link] ```
Common Save the Date Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't include registry links on the printed card: Registry information belongs on your website, not on physical announcement cards.
- Don't ask for RSVPs yet: Save the Dates are strictly informational; guests RSVP upon receiving the formal invitation.
- Be clear on plus-ones on the envelope: Address the card specifically to *"Jane Doe and Guest"* or *"The Smith Family"* so guests immediately know who is invited. Read our Wedding Plus-One Etiquette Guide for tricky situations.
Continue planning your stationery timeline with our When to Send Wedding Invitations Guide.
Collect Every Photo from Your Celebration
Plan ahead for your wedding memories with WedShare QR photo sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do save the dates need to include our wedding registry link?
No. Registry links belong on your wedding website. You should include your wedding website URL on the save the date so guests can track hotel blocks and travel logistics.
What if we don’t have our wedding website ready yet?
You can still send your save the date with just your names, wedding date, city/state, and a simple line: "Formal invitation and details to follow."
If someone receives a save the date, are we required to send them an invitation?
Yes. In wedding etiquette, sending a save the date is an ironclad commitment that a formal invitation will follow. Never send a save the date to B-list guests or tentative invites.
Can save the dates be sent digitally instead of printed?
Yes. Digital save the dates via email or text have become widely accepted, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective for modern couples.
