What are the etiquette rules for save the dates, including envelopes and addressing?

Save the dates are a courtesy, not a formal invitation. They give guests time to plan, especially for travel and accommodation. Send them six to eight months before the wedding. For a destination wedding or one with many out of town guests, send them nine to twelve months ahead. For a small local wedding, three to four months is fine.

When addressing envelopes, use full names. For a couple, write both names on the same line, for example "Mr James Smith and Ms Sarah Jones". For a family, write "The Smith Family" or list the parents and children if children are invited. Never write "and guest" on a save the date. If you are not sure who a guest will bring, wait until the invitation to ask.

Include your names, the date, and the location. You do not need to include the time or venue address yet. If you have a wedding website, put the web address on the card. For digital save the dates, the same rules apply: address the email or text to each guest by name, and do not use a group email where everyone can see other addresses. If you are posting cards, use first class stamps and send them all at the same time.