Save the Dates are a crucial step in the wedding planning process and as a East Coast-based wedding planner, I get my fair share of questions about them: How does it work? How many do I order? When do I send them out?
This post is part one of our series on wedding stationery and signage, where we’ll share tips & tricks on how to absolutely nail all the printed items from your wedding. Once you’ve mastered your Save the Dates, we’ll move on to wedding invitations, day-of paper goods, and the rest of the details. More on that soon!
WHAT IS A SAVE THE DATE?
In a practical sense, a Save the Date is an announcement to your guests, before the formal invitation, notifying them about the date and general location of your wedding. Think of it as the heads up that helps your guests plan ahead!
However, in a more abstract way, a Save the Date, as well as the invitation, sets the tone for your wedding day. It is a way to communicate to your guests, even in the early stages of wedding planning, what they can expect from the wedding.
A Save the Date is not an invitation or a promise of an invitation. Important to note, as there may be times where folks who got a Save the Date ultimately do not get an invitation to the wedding. Wedding planning is a long process and relationships can change throughout the process. This practice is not as common anymore but we point it out here as it is technically standard etiquette. We recommend ensuring that the folks on your guest list are people you absolutely cannot see your wedding day without!
DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED A SAVE THE DATE?
The short answer is YES! When it comes to providing your guests a heads up before the wedding invitation goes out, I think it’s an important step of the planning process, for you and your guests. It is a good way to get some feelers out there of how many people may be attending, or how many may need accommodations. It starts to provide some answers before you go through the full RSVP process. However, the level of Save the Date will vary.
It can be as simple as sending a text to folks, You can create a graphic on Canva and send that out. You could do it via any of the invitation systems like Evite, Paperless Post or even Partiful. Finally, you can mail a more traditional Save the Date, whether it’s in cardstock or a magnet or any other fun physical format. They all serve the same purpose. The level of Save the Date will ultimately depend on the level of event you’re hoping to host, how much you’d like to spend, and how much you prioritize paper goods.
WHEN TO SEND A SAVE THE DATE
This is the most commonly asked question and in my experience, timing is everything when it comes to Save the Dates. I use a formula based on what rough percentage of your guests are traveling. By traveling, I mean a few hours by car, train or plane, or they’re far away enough where they need to schedule accommodations for your event. My general recommendation:
- 11 – 12 months before for when more than 80% of guests are traveling
- 9 – 10 months before for when 30% – 50% of guests are traveling
- 7 – 8 months before for when less than 30% of guests are traveling
- The absolute minimum recommendation is 7 months before the wedding
Your formal invitations then typically follow about 3 – 4 months before the wedding.
Regardless on where this formula sits for you, I recommend sending folks who are traveling a text heads up before sending out Save the Dates. We want to give advanced notice to close folks who are important to you and you want to ensure they’ll be there. Which leads me to my next point…
WHO SHOULD RECEIVE ONE?
Anyone who will receive a formal invitation should receive a Save the Date. Make sure you have a guest list that is at least close to being finalized before ordering. If someone gets a Save the Date, it is safe to assume they are invited to the wedding. However, like mentioned prior, the Save the Date and the invitation function differently.
Reminder to only order one Save the Date per household, not per person. Additionally, if you’re mailing them, make sure to buy your stamps as soon as you get engaged. Forever Stamps from USPS consistently go up in price, sometimes as often as every six months.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Every save the date should have:
- Your names: First names are perfectly fine
- The wedding date
- The city or general location: A full venue address isn’t necessary yet on the Save the Date
- “Formal invitation to follow”: This is a small but important line, and it signals that more details are coming
- Your wedding website link: This is the perfect place to share hotel blocks, travel tips, and local recommendations
FROM SIMPLE TO EXTRAVAGANT: SAVE THE DATE STYLES
This is where the fun begins. Your Save the Dates can be as simple or as luxe as your vision and budget allow, and each approach can be done beautifully. I’ve included typical price ranges so you can plan with real numbers. As a note, these are general prices I have seen before and shouldn’t be referred to as an exact pricing guide, but rather an anticipated range to plan for.
The minimalist (about $0 to $150 total): A digital Save the Date sent by email or text is budget-friendly, eco-friendly, and easy to track. Pair it with a thoughtfully designed graphic and a link to your wedding website, and it feels polished without the print timeline. Many online services charge around $1 per recipient, and free templates can bring it close to $0. This type of Save the Date is best for guest counts that are technologically savvy.
The classic (about $1.50 to $6 per card): A flat printed card or postcard on quality cardstock. It’s timeless, easy to mail, and a perfect first look at your wedding colors and style. For 100 households, that typically lands between $150 and $500, plus postage. Traditional sizes for these save the dates are either 4×6 or 5×7.
The keepsake (about $2 to $7 per piece): Magnet Save the Dates are practical and a favorite with guests, because your date lives on their refrigerator until the wedding. (Fair warning: your grandmother will never take it down, and that’s the best compliment you can get!)
The elevated (about $4 to $10 per card): Letterpress, foil stamping, or embossing on thick, textured paper, with a hand-addressed envelope and a liner. This is where stationery starts to feel like art instead of just an announcement. For 100 households, expect roughly $400 to $1,000, plus postage and any envelope upgrades.
The statement (about $10 to $20+ per piece): For couples who want to make an entrance, think custom illustrations of your venue, wax seals, vellum overlays, silk ribbon, or even a boxed save the date with a small keepsake inside. Fully custom work from a boutique designer can climb well beyond this range, depending on the materials and level of customization. These pieces are the first impression of a truly high-end celebration, and guests will remember them.
With all of these designs, prices go up depending on the postage, especially if you’re mailing these internationally, so be sure to look at the whole picture before deciding which Save the Date style is right for you.
Whichever direction you choose, here is my planner’s secret: your Save the Date should preview your wedding design. The colors, the typography, and the mood you choose here can carry through your invitations, menus, place cards, and day-of signage for a cohesive guest experience from the very first piece of mail. It is the most impactful way to make a strong first impression.
ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER
If a traditional Save the Date doesn’t feel right, I’ve seen some beautiful alternatives. Some couples send a short video message, others use a personalized wedding website as the “announcement,” and a few have gotten creative with a custom calendar page or a handwritten note tucked into a holiday card. As long as your guests know the date and know more is coming, the format is entirely up to you.
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
- Sending before the date and venue are locked in: Confirm your venue contract first. Changing the date after Save the Dates go out is stressful and costly for everyone involved.
- Forgetting the wedding website: Guests will have questions, and a website saves you from answering the same ones repetitively. The more information you can provide up front, the better.
- Skipping the proofread: Have at least two or three proofreading sessions to check names, dates, and spellings before you print, not just on the card itself, but also on the envelopes.
- Forgetting to budget for postage: It adds up quickly, especially with specialty envelopes or heavier Save the Dates, so factor it in from the start.
- Waiting too long: If you are unsure, send them earlier rather than later.
- Sending them at an inopportune time: There are busier postage seasons, like during the holiday season. Sending them in lower postage seasons could protect the Save the Dates from getting lost in the mail.
SO, WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU?
Your journey into the world of wedding day stationery is often a very personal experience. We always recommend to do what’s right for you while making sure that the logistics of the day are taken care of. Folks need some sort of heads up on your wedding, but the way you go about it can be as personal, simple, extravagant, subdued, or polished as you’d like.
If you have other questions about your Save the Dates or if you want support on the stationery process, reach out to us for a consultation!
In the next installment of this series we’ll start digging into wedding invitations and all of the tips and tricks on making a splash with your guests through stationery. Stay tuned!
TO RECAP:
When should you send Save the Dates?
Most couples should send Save the Dates 7 to 12 months before the wedding. For destination weddings or holiday weekends, send them 12 months in advance. Seven months before is the minimum.
Do you need to send Save the Dates for a wedding?
Save the Dates are not required, but they are strongly recommended. Especially for weddings with out-of-town guests, holiday weekends, or peak-season dates, when guests need extra time to plan travel.
What information goes on a Save the Date?
A Save the Date should include your names, the wedding date, the city or general location, a note that a formal invitation will follow, and your wedding website if you have one.
Who should get a Save the Date?
Everyone who will receive a formal wedding invitation should receive a Save the Date. Do not send one to anyone you are not certain you will invite.
How much do Save the Dates cost?
Costs depend on the style and complexity. Digital Save the Dates run about $0 to $100 total, professionally printed cards typically cost $1.50 to $5 each, and letterpress or foil cards run about $4 to $10 each. Fully custom luxury pieces cost $10 or more per piece. Plan for an additional $1.00 to $3.00 per piece for postage, and ask your stationer for a quote based on your guest count and design.
Do you need to send a Save the Date and an invitation?
Yes, ideally your guests will have a heads up on your wedding date before receiving a formal invitation. While a Save the Date is not a promise of an invitation, guests should not assume they’re invited to the wedding until receiving the formal invitation. Both serve different purposes.
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