Invitations and stationery
Save the dates
When to send them, who gets one and what to say. 56 questions, answered for UK weddings.
Guide · Save the datesWhen to Send Save the Dates: A Complete GuideThis guide covers the full timeline for sending save the dates in the UK, including holiday weekends, out of town guests, and the latest ac…Guide · Save the datesWho Should Get Save the Dates? Guest List EtiquetteThis guide explains who should receive save the dates for a UK wedding, including day guests, evening guests and out of town guests, and wh…Guide · Save the datesSave the Date Wording: What to Say and ExamplesThis guide explains what to put on a save the date, how to word it for casual, destination, reception only and funny weddings, and when to …
- Who should I send a save the date card to?Send save the dates as soon as you have confirmed your date and venue, usually 6 to 12 months before the wedding. This gives guests time to plan trav…
- Do save the dates need a photo?No, save the dates are not required. They are a helpful courtesy, not a rule. You can skip them if your wedding is small, local, or less than six mon…
- Do you send save the date to evening guests?Send save the dates to anyone you are certain you will invite, including close family, friends, and any guests who need to travel or arrange time off…
- What should I put on the back of my save the date?Put your names, the wedding date, the location (town or venue), and a note that a formal invitation will follow. You can add your wedding website if …
- What is the difference between a save the date and a wedding invitation?The difference is just wording: 'save the date' is the standard phrase, while 'save our date' is a playful variation that some couples use to sound m…
- What is etiquette for sending save the date?Send save the dates only to guests you are certain will be invited to the wedding. Include the date and location, but not full details like timings o…
- How early is too early for save the date?Sending save the dates more than 12 months ahead is usually too early for most guests. A year is plenty, unless you have many guests travelling from …
- Is 4 months too late to send save the date?Four months is not too late, but it is late for most weddings. If your guests are local and your date is flexible, it can still work. For destination…
- What is the ideal time to send out save the date?The ideal time is 8 to 10 months before the wedding. That gives guests time to plan without feeling rushed, and it is early enough for people to save…
- Are save the date necessary?No, save the dates are not necessary, but they are helpful for most weddings. If your wedding is small, local and soon, you can skip them. For bigger…
- Is it okay to not send save the date?Yes, it is absolutely okay to skip save the dates. They are a courtesy, not a requirement. Many couples simply send invitations eight to ten weeks be…
- Is it normal to receive a save the date but no invitation?It can happen, but it is not the norm. A save the date is a promise of an invitation, so receiving one and then no invitation usually means the coupl…
- Do I have to send save the date to everyone?No, you do not have to send save the date to everyone. It is common to send them only to guests who need extra notice, such as those travelling far o…
- Is it bad to send someone a save the date but not an invitation?Yes, it is bad to send a save the date and then not an invitation. A save the date is a clear promise that an invitation will follow. Breaking that p…
- Is it rude to send a save the date but no invite?Yes, it is generally rude to send a save the date and then not send an invitation. A save the date is a promise of an invite. If plans change, you mu…
- What to say instead of "save the date"?Say "please hold the date" or "we're getting married, keep the date free". Both are warm, clear and natural. You can also say "mark your calendar" or…
- What are some good quotes to save the date for a wedding?Good save the date quotes are short, warm and personal. Try 'We're getting married and we'd love you to join us', 'Save the date for our wedding cele…
- How far in advance should you send save the dates before the wedding?Send save the dates 6 to 12 months before the wedding. For most UK weddings, 8 to 10 months is a comfortable window. This gives guests time to plan w…
- When is the latest you can send save the dates?The latest you should send save the dates is about 4 months before the wedding, but only if you are sure guests can attend. Any later, and you risk g…
- When should you send save the dates for a holiday weekend wedding?For a holiday weekend wedding, send save the dates 12 months or more in advance. Bank holiday weekends fill up quickly, and guests need time to book …
- When should you send save the dates to out of town guests?Send save the dates to out of town guests as soon as you have set the date and venue, ideally 6 to 12 months ahead. This gives them time to book trav…
- When should you send save the dates and RSVP cards?Send save the dates 6 to 12 months before the wedding, and send the formal invitation with the RSVP card about 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This …
- What are save the date cards used for?Save the date cards are used to let guests know the date and location of your wedding well in advance, so they can plan travel, time off and accommod…
- Do you send save the dates to evening guests?Yes, send save the dates to evening guests if you have already invited them and they need to plan ahead. Evening guests are still your guests, so the…
- What is the best save the date wording for a destination wedding?Keep it simple and warm: share your names, the destination, the month and year, and a note that an invitation with full details will follow. Example:…
- What is the best save the date wording for a wedding reception only?Keep it clear and warm: announce your wedding date, explain that the ceremony is private, and invite guests to the evening reception. Example: 'We're…
- What is the best save the date wording for a birthday party?Use a cheerful, simple line: 'Save the date! We're throwing a birthday party for [name] on [date] at [venue]. Join us for cake, laughs and good company.'
- What is the best save the date wording for a graduation party?Say it proudly and simply: 'Save the date! We're celebrating [name]'s graduation on [date] at [venue]. Join us for food, drinks and congratulations.'
- What is the best save the date wording for a baby shower?Keep it sweet and clear: 'Save the date! We're showering [parent(s)] with love for their new baby on [date] at [venue]. Join us for a gentle afternoon.'
- What is the best save the date wording for a bridal shower?The best save the date wording for a bridal shower is short, warm and practical: state the host, the bride's name, the date and location, and that an…
- What is the best save the date wording for a quinceañera?The best save the date wording for a quinceañera is formal but warm, naming the quinceañera, her parents, the date and venue, and a line that the for…
- What is the best save the date wording for a bat mitzvah?The best save the date wording for a bat mitzvah is clear and respectful, naming the child, her parents, the date and the synagogue or venue, with a …
- What is the best save the date wording for an anniversary party?The best save the date wording for an anniversary party is celebratory and clear, naming the couple, the number of years, the date and venue, and a l…
- What is the best save the date wording for a Christmas party?The best save the date wording for a Christmas party is warm and festive, for example: 'Save the date for a Christmas wedding celebration! Join us on…
- What is the best save the date wording for a casual or funny wedding?Keep it light and personal. Try something like: "Save the date! We're finally doing it. Join us for food, drinks and dancing on [date]. Formal invite…
- What is the best save the date wording in Spanish?The best save the date wording in Spanish is simple and warm, for example: '¡Reserva la fecha! Nos casamos el [date] y queremos que nos acompañes.'
- How do you send save the dates by email?You send save the dates by email using a wedding website or an email service that lets you design a simple card. Attach a photo, add your date and lo…
- How do you send save the dates by text or WhatsApp?You send save the dates by text or WhatsApp as a short message with a photo or a link to your wedding website. Write the date clearly, add the locati…
- How do you send save the dates as a video?You send save the dates as a video by recording a short clip of you both announcing the date, then sharing it by email, WhatsApp or a private link. K…
- How do you send save the dates as magnets?You send save the dates as magnets by designing a small card with your names and date, printing it on magnetic paper, and posting it to guests. They …
- How do you send save the dates as postcards?Write your details on the back, add a stamp, and post them like any postcard. Keep the design simple so the address and stamp sit neatly. Post them s…
- How do you make your own save the date cards?Design them on your computer or phone using a simple template, then print them at home or at a local print shop. Use thick card or photo paper, and c…
- How can you save money on save the dates?Send them as digital e-cards or a wedding website link instead of printed cards. If you prefer paper, order a smaller quantity, use standard sizes, a…
- How many save the dates should you order?Order one per household, not per guest. Count the number of invitations you will send, then add about ten percent extra for mistakes, lost cards and …
- What are the rules for addressing save the date envelopes?Address save the date envelopes exactly as you would for the wedding invitation, using full names and titles. Include both partners on the same line …
- How do you reply to a save the date?Reply as soon as you can, even though no formal RSVP is needed. Send a short, warm message to the couple saying you have noted the date and look forw…
- What is the wedding planning timeline for sending save the dates?Send save the dates about 6 to 8 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding or a wedding on a bank holiday, send them 9 to 12 months ahead.…
- What are some unique save the date ideas?Unique save the dates include a photo of you holding a chalkboard with the date, a fridge magnet, a puzzle, a seed packet, or a short video clip sent…
- When should you send save the dates for a specific month like May, June, or October?Send save the dates 6 to 8 months before the wedding for May, June, or October. For a May wedding, that means September to November the year before. …
- Do you need to send save the dates and wedding invitations, or can you just send invitations?You do not need to send save the dates. You can just send invitations, especially if your wedding is small, local, or less than six months away. Save…
- Who should you send save the dates to, including out of town guests and evening guests?Send save the dates to everyone you plan to invite to the ceremony and reception, including out of town guests. For evening guests, only send them if…
- How do you send save the dates digitally by email or text?Send digital save the dates by email or text with a friendly note, your names, the date and location, and a link to your wedding website. Keep it sim…
- What are the etiquette rules for save the dates, including envelopes and addressing?Send save the dates six to eight months before the wedding, or earlier for destination weddings. Address envelopes to everyone invited, using full na…
- What are some unique and creative save the date ideas for a wedding?Creative save the date ideas include a photo of you holding a chalkboard with the date, a magnet for the fridge, a puzzle, a scratch card, or a short…
- When is too early or too late to send save the dates for a destination wedding or a wedding with many out of town guests?For a destination wedding or one with many out of town guests, send save the dates nine to twelve months ahead. Any earlier can feel pushy; any later…
- How can you save money on save the dates and what are some cost effective options?Save money by sending save the dates by email or through a wedding website, and skip printed cards altogether. If you want paper, use a simple postca…
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Wedding websitesE-Invite£149 one-offOne beautiful page with the details, a map and a family RSVP, sent by link, QR code or WhatsApp.See E-Invite →Wedding printPrinted wedding invitationsfrom £36.28Printed invitations and save the dates on quality card, with a QR code that opens your wedding website.Design and order →