Should you be sending Save-the-Dates?
Here’s everything to consider before you decide.
Fleur Collection
Putting together your wedding timeline before the big day can be a tad overwhelming. There’s a lot to consider, should you have an engagement party, when do you need to find your dress by, what weekend works for all your besties so they attend your hen-do?! And on top of all of that, you need to decide whether you should be sending out Save-the-Dates or not.
Save-the-Dates have a fairly important roll in your wedding (unless you’re eloping). They alert your guests that they’re going to be invited to your wedding day in the near future. Once you’ve settled on your wedding date and booked then venue, now is the time to be sending out those all-important Save-the-Dates. However, they’re not mandatory and for some couple, they might not be necessary (especially if you’re eloping).
So, should you and your spouse-to-be spend the time to send Save-the-Dates? Let’s find out.
Save the Date Versus Invitations
Before we dive head first into the pros and cons of sending out Save-the-Dates, you might need some clarification about the difference between these and wedding invitations. Both pieces of stationery give your guests notice about your wedding day, but a Save-the-Date is a much briefer version than the official wedding invitation. The invitation is more thorough and provides a lot more information about your big day.
The Pros of Sending
Save-the-Dates
You Give Your Guests Plenty of Notice
You can’t deny that our calendars tend to fill up rather quickly, especially in the summer months. The first benefit of sending out a Save-the-Date, is giving your guests the heads-up of your official wedding date and location. This is a super helpful piece of information, especially when it comes to planning travel and accommodation for the celebrations if needed. Giving as much notice as possible is extremely important if you’re planning a destination wedding, plane tickets, taxis and spending money all need to be accounted for. This is one of the best options to make sure all your guests can attend.
Guests Can Decline Other Invitations
Now that your guests have received their Save-the-Date, they can mark your big day in their calendars and plan around it, ensuring they don’t double-book on the same day. Plenty of personal and professional events are confirmed months in advance, including work and school trips, family vacations or other weddings and events. The more notice you give, the greater chance you have of everyone you invite being able to attend.
Your Nearest & Dearest Know They’re Definitely on the Guest List
You can’t deny that our calendars tend to fill up rather quickly, especially in the summer months. The first benefit of sending out a Save-the-Date, is giving your guests the heads-up of your official wedding date and location. This is a super helpful piece of information, especially when it comes to planning travel and accommodation for the celebrations if needed. Giving as much notice as possible is extremely important if you’re planning a destination wedding, plane tickets, taxis and spending money all need to be accounted for. This is one of the best options to make sure all your guests can attend.
Lucy Collection
The Cons of Sending
Save-the-Dates
Time and Money
Creating Save-the-Dates is another expense you’ll need to allow for within your wedding budget. Designing, printing and posting them also takes time and energy, plus you will have the tedious task of collecting everyone’s addresses beforehand (although this does some in very handy when it’s time to send your official wedding invitations).
Finalising Your Guest List
If you both decide to go ahead with sending Save-the-Dates, you’ll need to make some pretty fast decisions about your guest list, soon after you’ve booked your venue. Keep in mind that once someone receives a Save-the-Date, they’ll automatically assume they’ll be receiving a wedding invitation soon after (it’s harder to un-invite someone when they have solid written evidence, that they were once on the guest list). So make sure you choose wisely and thoughtfully to avoid any drama along the way. The other option, would be to send Save-the-Dates you absolute ride-or-dies while you’re still deciding on final numbers.
Daina Collection
I hope this post was as helpful, or maybe you’re still undecided, so here is my final opinion (which may be bias, based on my job title: Wedding Stationery Designer). If you’re like me, a Bride-to-be who’s had a fairly long engagement (or even if you haven’t) I would opt for sending Save-the-Dates. I think it’s one of the best ways to ensure everyone you’d like to be there can attend, especially if you’re planning a year or more in advance. Having my nearest and dearest attend my wedding day is absolutely a priority, it’s one of the only opportunities to have everyone who loves you in the same place, celebrating with you. Plus, it’s the first piece of stationery that sets the tone for your big day.