So, you’ve found your wedding venue – tick. Secured the wedding date – tick. Now the planning frenzy begins! With a to-do list longer than your guest list, sending out save the date cards is likely to be shouting for your attention at the top.
What are save the date cards?
Save the date cards are short but sweet messages outlining the date and venue of your wedding. Not to be confused with wedding invites, save the date cards vary from wedding invitations in that they need to be sent out as soon as possible, while the formal invitation can follow later on.
The purpose of save the date cards is to ensure that your favourite people can mark their calendars and keep your special day free. You definitely don’t want your besties jetting off on a holiday when they should be partying with you!
How far in advance should you send a save the date card?
Save the date cards are typically sent out around 6-8 months before the wedding. This gives guests ample time to book travel, save money, source their all-important outfit, and request time off work. Like most things, the sooner the better!
What to put on a save the date card
We will go into more detail on what to put on a save the date card shortly, but in terms of laying down the basics, save the date wording should include your name as well as your fiancée’s name, the wedding date, the location, not forgetting the most vital part, a short message asking guests to reserve the date in their calendars.
This is the bit where you can get your wordsmithing hat on – wedding invites needn’t hog all the creative glory! Read on to discover memorable ways to say ‘save the date’, so that there’s no chance your guests will dare to forget.
Sentimental ways to say ‘save the date’
If you’re the sentimental sorts, adding a thoughtful note to your save the date invites is a great way to show how much your friends and family mean to you. It will also showcase how much you would love them to join you on your special day.
- We will be joining hands in marriage on [date]. We would be honoured if you could join us
- [Your name] and [your partner’s name] are tying the knot. We would love you to celebrate with us on [date]
- We’d be thrilled for you to witness the start of our new chapter. Save the date for [date]!
- With absolute joy, we would love you to join us at our wedding on [date]
- As we prepare to say ‘I do,’ we’d be ever so grateful for your love and support. Save the date for [date] to witness us marry
- We are blessed to have you in our lives, and would be honoured if you joined us on [date] to celebrate our marriage
- Your presence means the world to us. Save the date for [date] and join us in our celebration of our marriage
Casual save the date ideas
Looking for laid-back save the date messages that match your easy-going style? Sometimes, a brief message can make the biggest impression. Check out these relaxed save-the-date ideas for all you low-key brides and grooms.
- Won’t yousave the datefor us?
- Heads up, we’ve found a date!
- Save ourwedding date!
- It’s all set for [date]!
- Save me [date]
- Keep this date free for us, please!
- It’s happening!
Romantic save the date ideas
Celebrate the love you share for one another with a save the date message that truly reflects the amazing journey you’ve been on as a couple. Here are some heart-felt ways to share the big news:
- Mark your calendar, our love story unfolds on [date]
- Our love story leads us to [date]
- Two hearts, one love story. Save the date for [your name] and [your partner’s name] as we marry on [date]
- Pencil [date] in your diaries to see our love story unfold
- From ‘Yes’ to ‘I do,’ our journey continues on [date]. Save the date and celebrate with us!
- Love is in the air and so is our wedding! Save the date for [date]
- We’ve found our forever. Join us as we start this new chapter on [date]
Funny save the date ideas
Want to make sure your save the date card sticks in your guests mind? A dash of humour will do the trick! Get your guests excited and laughing with these light-hearted ideas.
- Free cake. Open bar. Need we say more? Join us on [insert date]
- After much deliberation, we’ve settled on a wedding date [insert date]
- Did someone say open bar? Be there on [insert date]
- Love is patient, and so are we! Join us, finally on [insert date]
- About bloody time! [insert names] are getting married
- Let’s ‘I do’ this thing on [insert date]
- Save the date, cos your fave couple are getting frickin’ married! [insert date]
Is it rude not to send a save the date?
Not necessarily – it’s not considered rude to skip sending a save the date card. You can always inform your friends and family of the date via text. However, sending a save the date card adds a special touch, and can generate buzz during the lead-up to the wedding.
How do you write names on a save the date?
It’s entirely up to you—there’s no hard or fast rule. It’s perfectly fine to use just your first names on the save the date card. Choose whatever formatting style best fits the vibe of your wedding. You can always save the more formal name references for the wedding invitation if you’d prefer.
Now that’s another thing checked off the wedding guest checklist, why not start planning the wedding invites too? We’ve curated lots of inspirational messages over on our blog: what to write on wedding invitations.
Maybe you’ve received a save the date card and have made sure to keep that day free? At thortful, we have our very own collection of wedding cards, curated by our amazingly talented community of designers and illustrators.
Our expansive range caters to all kinds of tastes and personalities, from sentimental, to funny, to everything in-between, so you’ll have no problem finding something for the happy couple. Below we’ve rounded up some of our top picks.
