Save the date: when, how and what to include
Save the date cards and online invites — when to send them, what to include, and design ideas. Differences between save the date and official invitations.
A save the date is a short message sent months before the official invitation with the sole purpose of having guests reserve the date in their schedule. It is sent 6 to 8 months before the wedding, and for weddings abroad or with many out-of-town guests — 8 to 12 months in advance 1.
Save the date vs. official invitation
| Feature | Save the date | Official invitation |
|---|---|---|
| When it is sent | 6–12 months before the wedding | 6–8 weeks before the wedding |
| Content | Names, date, city | Full address, time, RSVP, dress code |
| Recipients | Only guests who will receive an invitation | The entire final guest list |
| Purpose | Reserving the date | Official invitation with response |
The save the date is not a substitute for the invitation — it only prepares the guests, while the online wedding invitation carries all the official information and the RSVP form.
When to send a save the date
- Wedding in the hometown of most guests: 6 months before the date
- Wedding with guests from different cities: 8 months before the date
- Wedding abroad or a destination wedding: 8 to 12 months before the date 2
- Sent only to guests who will definitely be invited — the list should not be expanded later
What to include in a save the date
- Names of the couple
- Wedding date (or at least the month, if the date is not yet fully certain)
- City or general location of the celebration
- Link to the wedding website for more information
- A short promise: "Official invitation to follow"
Design ideas for save the dates
- Classic card with a photo of the couple and the date in an elegant font
- Fridge magnet — a practical format that remains visible until the wedding
- Short invitation video shared via message or the wedding website
- Postcard in the style of the destination if the wedding is abroad
- Digital animated invitation sent via a link, combined with the date on the wedding website
Text for save the dates — examples
Save the date! [Names] are saying "I do" on [date] in [city]. Official invitation to follow soon.
Something exciting is coming — [date], [city]. Keep this date free, details coming very soon!
For weddings abroad, it is good to add a short practical note — for example, the expected need for a plane ticket or passport — so that guests can plan their budget and leave in time.
Budget for save the dates
According to Greenvelope data for 2026, the average cost for a couple for save the date cards in the US is about 150 dollars, and this amount is separate from the costs for the invitations themselves 4. The digital version is significantly cheaper because printing, envelopes, and postage stamps are eliminated — a cost that grows proportionally with the number of guests for paper format but remains almost constant for digital.
Save the date for a more informal wedding or second marriage
For smaller or informal celebrations, the save the date is often sent only as a message in a chat or email without needing a special design — the important thing is that the date and city reach the guests in time. Even in this case, it is good to include a link to the wedding website, if you have one, so guests can track additional information as it appears.
Paper or digital save the date
When the paper version is worth it
A paper card is more suitable when you want the save the date to also serve as a keepsake — for example, with a fridge magnet or a card matched to the wedding's look. However, it requires more prior organization — guest addresses, printing, and delivery, so it is good to plan at least 2–3 weeks for production before actual sending.
Both formats are perfectly acceptable. A digital save the date is faster, cheaper, and allows a direct link to the wedding website, while a paper card remains a more tangible memory that many guests keep. More and more often, couples combine them — a digital save the date with a link, followed later by a paper official invitation.
Save the date for a destination or themed wedding
For a themed wedding — for example, in a specific color, era, or style — the save the date is a great opportunity to set the tone from the very beginning. A small visual element from the theme (a specific color, motif, or symbol) in the card design makes guests feel the atmosphere long before the official invitation, without the need to explain the concept in words.
Save the dates are sent only to people you are sure you will invite — because it is not appropriate to narrow the guest list later. If you are still considering the budget or number of guests, wait to finalize it before sending any announcement about the date.
Save the date for guests from abroad
For international guests, early notification is especially important — they need time to plan leave, flight tickets, and accommodation. The recommended period of 8 to 12 months before the wedding applies fully to this group of guests 3.
Common mistakes with save the dates
- Sending too late, when guests already have commitments on that date
- Including an RSVP form prematurely, before you are ready with full details
- Sending to guests who will eventually not be invited
- Lack of a link to the wedding website, where guests can follow updated information
- Skipping the save the date entirely for a wedding with many out-of-town guests
DIY save the date — do it yourself
If you have a sense for design or simply want to save on the budget, making save the dates at home is a completely realistic option. Free online tools with ready-made templates allow you to combine a photo, font, and color palette without needing a graphic designer, and the finished file can be sent digitally or taken for local printing.
- Choose one strong, well-lit photo of the couple instead of a collage of many shots
- Limit yourself to 1–2 fonts to keep the card looking tidy rather than overloaded
- Coordinate colors with the look of the wedding website and future invitation for continuity
- Check how the design looks both on a phone screen and printed on paper before ordering the run
How to reduce costs for save the dates
- Choose a fully digital format — you save on printing, envelopes, and postage
- Order a smaller run of paper cards only for guests for whom you really want a physical keepsake, and send a digital version to the others
- Combine the save the date with a link to the wedding website instead of printing all the information — this keeps the card simple and cheap to produce
Tracking sent save the dates
With a large number of guests, it is easy to lose track of who has already received a message and who has not, especially if you send in parts depending on the address or delivery method. It is safest to maintain a single list with names, delivery method (mail, email, message), and sending date to avoid duplication or missing a guest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it mandatory to send a save the date?
It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended for weddings with guests from different cities or abroad because it gives them more time to plan travel.
Must the save the date contain the exact address?
It is not necessary — it is enough to indicate the city or general location. The exact address and time come with the official invitation later.
Can the save the date be digital only?
Yes, the digital version is fully accepted and even more practical because it allows a direct link to the wedding website with up-to-date information.
What do we do if the date is not yet fully certain?
Better wait to confirm the date and location before sending a save the date — changing an already announced date creates confusion among guests.
Do we send save the dates to all guests?
Only to those you are sure will receive an official invitation — the list should not be narrowed after that.
How much does it cost to make a save the date?
Paper cards cost as much as printing and delivery — usually a few euros per piece for a smaller run, while the digital version is almost at no extra cost, especially if you already use a wedding website with built-in functionality for this.
Should the save the date match the design of the official invitation?
It is not mandatory, but it is recommended — visual continuity between the save the date, the invitation, and the wedding website creates a sense of a complete, well-thought-out celebration concept.
Can we make the save the date ourselves without a designer?
Yes, with free online design tools you can easily combine a photo, font, and color yourself — the important thing is to choose one strong photo and not overload the card with too many elements.
Sources
