When it comes to informing people about your wedding,
save-the-dates and invitations serve different functions. Both provide
information about the event, but the save-the-date does so earlier and in a
less thorough manner than the invitation. Learn more about the distinctions
between wedding save-the-dates and invitations.
What Is a Save-the-Date?
A save-the-date is a card that contains important information
about a forthcoming wedding. Once you and your partner have finalized your
wedding guest list, you can begin sending these preliminary invitations to
everyone as a heads-up to ensure that their calendars are free for your wedding
date.
This also ensures that everyone has enough time to make
travel arrangements. Some people even send save-the-date magnets, which guests
can stick on their refrigerators as a constant reminder of the upcoming event.
What to Include in a Save-the-Date
Make your save-the-date card as brief as possible. These are
the essential elements you must include in order for people to plan for your
special day:
Location: Indicate the city and wedding venue where your
event will take place. Even if you plan a local wedding, keep in mind that some
guests may have to travel to see you get married. This information is
especially important if you are planning a destination wedding, as everyone
will need to plan their travel schedule in addition to keeping the day open.
Names: Include the full names of both you and your
significant other on these wedding cards, as well as a blurb describing the
purpose of the brief letter. If the bride's mother and father have paid to host
the wedding, some people include their names.
Wedding date: As the name implies, the primary purpose of a
save-the-date card is to encourage people to mark the date on their personal
calendars so that they can celebrate your wedding. With enough notice, this
helps ensure that as many people as possible can attend your wedding.
What Is a Wedding Invitation?
A wedding invitation is a more detailed version of a
save-the-date that requests someone's attendance at your ceremony and
reception. These formal invitations frequently include extra inserts such as
engagement photos as keepsakes, as well as additional information such as how
to RSVP and what to expect on the wedding day. While save-the-date cards are
typically simple, formal wedding invitations may use a more ornate stationery
suite.
What to Include in a Wedding Invitation
Your formal wedding invitation should include all of the
information from your save-the-date cards, as well as any additional
information. When you send out actual invitations, include the following:
Details on logistics: Use your invitation to finalize more
specific wedding details for your guests. Indicate whether you will provide
on-site childcare, expect parents to care for their children themselves, or
prefer a child-free event. Inform people if they can bring a guest. Provide
hotel recommendations as well as other pertinent travel information.
RSVP information: In the body of your official invitation,
explain how people can RSVP. Include an RSVP card if you want them to mail you
a confirmation. As an alternative, keep everything digital. In this case,
include a link to your wedding website.
URL of the wedding website: In this day and age, your
wedding guests may appreciate an online resource to RSVP, access registry
information, and learn your wedding hashtag, among other things. If you have a
wedding website, please include the URL. Many couples choose to match the
aesthetic of their wedding website to that of their wedding invitations, for
example, by incorporating their wedding colors into both elements.
When Should You Send Save-the-Dates?
According to save-the-date etiquette, you should give your
guests plenty of time to mark your event on their calendars. Send these out a
year to six months before your wedding. This allows everyone plenty of time to
prepare if they intend to attend.
When Should You Send Wedding Invitations?
Wedding planning can be stressful, but it's critical that
you remember to send out invitations on time as you prepare for the event.
Wedding etiquette suggests sending these formal invitations two or three months
before the ceremony and reception.
