Save the dates.. digital or paper

When do I send my Save The Dates out?

You’ve picked a date that’s perfect for you both, booked the venue,  and now it’s time to ensure your loved ones are there to witness your magical day.

For save the dates, don’t wait for the cows to come home or for your wedding day to be right around the corner.

But you’ll need the guest list done first so you know who you want to have at your wedding.

Usual practice for Save The Dates is to send them out around 6 to 8 months before the big day.

That gives your special people time to organise things at their end.

For instance, if you’re having a no-kids wedding, it gives them time to organise babysitters etc.

(Stuck on how to tell them no kids allowed, then check out the blog here with some suggestions on how to tell them)

Or if they have to travel to the venue, they have time to look for accommodation.

Or to arrange holidays if it’s a midweek wedding.

Digital or Paper Save The Dates?

Paper versus digital is another subject you might want to consider.

I’m in the paper camp, especially for weddings (But I’m old school when it comes to wedding invitations)

I cannot remember the last time I opened an envelope that wasn’t a bill.

I’d be delighted to open one and have a save the date inside it; it would take pride of place alongside the fridge magnets as I eagerly await the actual invitation.

On the flip side, we can’t ignore the virtuous appeal of saving trees through the digital route.

You could even have the best of both worlds – paper save the dates and digital formal invitations, or vice versa.

There is no right or wrong way; it’s your decision.

Let’s look at the benefits of sending paper save the dates first

There are a lot more choices of styles if you go with paper.

(There are lots of lovely wedding stationery suppliers out there that create some stunning designs).

It’s a lovely keepsake for your guests.

But what are the drawbacks?

The cost of stamps these days is horrendous.

Time – if you’re going paper and aren’t artistic enough to do them yourself, you will need to find a stationer that you are comfortable with.

Then take time with them to discuss what you want, then proof them, then wait for them to be printed.

And as you know organising a wedding doesn’t leave you with a lot of time

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What information do I put on my save the dates?

Are you getting married at one of the all-inclusive venues where you and your selected guests are staying for the weekend?

Or is it a one-day event?

If it’s a weekend doo with the after party to then you might need a couple of versions of your save the dates.

One for those invited to the whole weekend and one for those invited for the day.

(whats an after-party?  You can check out the blog here that explains what the after-wedding party is)

And then you have the evening guests only, I’d say they don’t need a save the date though they will get an invitation which will state it’s the evening.

You can make your save the dates as simple as you want.

Or you may want to set the tone of the wedding on those save the dates and add some details.

But they mainly have the information below on them so that everyone knows when and where at least.

And if you’re having a themed wedding this is an ideal opportunity to put your style and theme out there

Save the Date for the wedding of
Mary Gibson and Graham Comrie

Saturday, the 9th of June 2024
Logie Country House, Aberdeenshire

A formal invitation to follow

Have you had your wedding already?  Did you send out save the dates? What did you have on yours

Something as simple as this you could do yourself on Canva.com, saving on the costs

Save the dates are a good starting point to getting your guests excited about the day, I know I do when I receive mine anyway.

I hope this has helped you make a decision about your save the dates.

Are you doing them, is it digital or paper