Are save the date necessary?

Save the dates are a courtesy, not a requirement. Many couples skip them and send only invitations, and that works perfectly well. If your guest list is under 40, everyone lives nearby, and your date is not in a busy season, you can go straight to invitations. Your guests will not mind.

But for most weddings, save the dates earn their place. They give guests time to book time off work, arrange travel and accommodation, and avoid double booking. They also help you gauge early interest, which can be useful for venue numbers. If you have guests coming from abroad, or you are marrying in summer or December, they are close to essential.

If you are on a tight budget or short on time, a simple email or a text with the date is enough. You do not need printed cards. The point is to give people a heads up, not to create extra stationery. So ask yourself: will my guests struggle to plan without this? If yes, send one. If no, feel free to skip it.