What Every Bride Should Know About Save the Dates and Invitations
You have set the date for your big day. Now what? It’s time to get the word out so that your friends and family can mark their calendars for your special day! While there are various ways to send your invitations and save the dates (yup, they are not the same thing), in this blog post we are going to focus on the traditional way of sending invitations and save the date cards, which is in paper form.
Your save the date is not your wedding invitation
One of the most common questions we get asked by couples is “what is the difference between save the dates and wedding invitations?”
Save the date cards contain only the most basic information about your wedding, such as the date of the event and your names. It serves as a way for your loved ones to receive an advanced notice (six to eight months in advance) letting them know that they will be invited to the wedding and that a formal invitation card will follow once you have nailed down other important details such as the location and timeline.
Pro tip: Always indicate “formal invitation to follow” at the bottom of your save the dates. This lets guests know you will send more details later so they are not confused by any missing information or RSVP instructions.
Wedding invitations give your guests a more detailed timeline of your wedding, and I recommend sending your invitations at least eight weeks in advance. Invitations typically include location, timeline for the wedding ceremony and reception, an RSVP card, and other fun details such as your engagement photos, registry link, and more.
Are save the dates necessary?
If you are having a destination wedding or if your wedding falls on major holidays, it’s necessary. Your loved ones will really appreciate it if you let them know in advance. This will allow your guests to have enough time to plan for their travel or move other holiday engagements around in order to attend your wedding.
However, if your budget is really tight or if your wedding is happening in less than six months, make sure you mail your invitations at least 10-12 weeks in advance. You may also want to phone the most important people you simply can’t celebrate without and invite them personally!
Who should I send save the dates and invitations to?
Anyone who receives your save the date notice must also receive a wedding invitation. With that being said, if you have an invitee B-list, I’d recommend holding back from sending a save the date card to the names on that list until you’re 100% sure that you would also send them an invitation.
Don’t forget to send invitations to your bridal party and groomsmen. Not only is it a nice gesture, but it also gives them some more information that they can refer to if needed.
I hope this is helpful. At McLean Events, we offer wedding planning, design, and event management, and we’d love to chat with you and help build your dream wedding day! Let us know if you have any questions by contacting us here.
