Save the Date Invites

How far in advance should you send Save the Date invitations?

For a wedding, 6 to 8 months ahead is the general guideline.

If you're planning a destination wedding or are inviting guests from afar who will need flights and hotels, stretch that to 9 to 12 months so people have the chance to book time off and make travel plans.

For a local celebration with a shorter planning window, sending your save-the-dates 4 to 6 months ahead of the big day is usually plenty of notice for your guests.

Milestone birthdays, anniversaries, corporate galas and other events usually need less lead time. 2 to 3 months is often enough, unless you're asking guests to travel, in which case the same destination timeline applies.

The formal invitation then follows around 6 to 8 weeks before the day itself.

Tips and etiquette for Save the Date invites for weddings

Only send one to people you're certain you want at the wedding. Once someone has received a save-the-date, they'll understandably expect to have been added to the official guest list and receive a formal invitation later, so it's worth finalizing your numbers before you press send.

Keep the wording simple. Your names, the date, the city or region, and a line letting guests know a full invitation will follow is all you need. The exact venue, times and further details such as dress code belong on the invitation itself and don't need to be included in your save-the-date invite.

A sweet personal message letting your guests know how much you look forward to celebrating with them will be the icing on the cake.

A few things also worth remembering:

• Send to everyone at the same time so no one feels like an afterthought
• Include the names of everyone you're inviting, so guests know whether children or partners are welcome
• Mention if guests will need to travel, so they can start planning
• Double-check the spelling of names, email addresses and mobile numbers before sending

Your guests can now mark their calendars and you can start planning your special day in detail.

Does a Save the Date count as an invitation?

No. A save-the-date is a notification rather than an invitation. It tells guests when your celebration is happening so they can keep the day free, but it doesn't include all the specifics.

The actual invitation comes later and does the real work: exact time, venue, schedule, dress code, final RSVP confirmations and so forth.

What a save-the-date does is make a promise, letting the invitee know that you'd love to include them in your celebration. Everyone who receives one should also receive an invitation when the time comes, so think of it as the first, friendly half of a two-part announcement.

Does your Save the Date have to match your invitation?

Not at all. Most people send a save-the-date long before they've settled on colors, flowers or a theme, so matching the two isn't expected. Choose a design that feels like you and your celebration, and let the invitation follow its own path later.

If you'd like the two to feel connected, picking a similar color family or style is an easy way to create a thread without committing to anything just yet.

Whether you're drawn to elegant florals, painted coastal scenes, minimalist layouts, modern botanicals or something gold and glam, the save-the-date design gives guests a first taste of your style and what's ahead.

Can you use Save the Date invites for birthdays, anniversaries or other special events?

Yes, absolutely! For any celebration that asks guests to plan ahead, sending a save-the-date invitation in good time is a great idea. Milestone birthdays, wedding anniversaries, vow renewals, family reunions, retirement parties and corporate galas all benefit from early notice, especially when guests are traveling or taking time off work.

The approach stays the same whatever the occasion. Announce the date, hint at the kind of celebration to expect, and let guests know the full details will follow.

A Save the Date announcement is a small gesture that makes a big difference to anyone juggling a busy calendar.

Browse our collection of beautifully designed digital Save the Date invitations, personalize your favorite in minutes, and send it straight to your guests by text or email. The date is set and the next planning stages can begin!