How to Word Your Wedding Save-the-Dates and Examples to Make Your Own

For many couples, save-the-dates are an opportunity to set the tone of their wedding. Since this special invitation is the first glimpse into what the couple is planning, it’s easy to feel pressure to get it right, when it comes to wording and when this messaging should be sent to guests. It’s important to remember that sending save-the-dates is not required. But, if you are having a destination wedding, it's definitely more encouraged.

Want to learn all the details around save the dates, as well as examples to help you craft them just right? We turned to wedding planners Mindy Weiss and Chanda Daniels for their advice on save-the-date wording and etiquette.

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What Exactly Are Save-the-Dates?

There’s one thing that all save-the-dates should have: a distinction that it isn’t the actual invitation. “No matter the style of save-the-date, couples should always put ‘invitation to follow’ on the card so that guests know the invitation is coming and this mailing is not missing the additional information,” Weiss says. This will get guests excited about the festivities to come without any potential confusion. A save-the-date can include the wedding date, the venue location, your wedding website, and a note about the invitation.

Some couples may choose to send save-the-dates via an online service like Paperless Post or through their wedding website. "I am not a huge fan of save the dates via email," notes Daniels. "But, that depends on the couples investment level of their wedding and the style of the couple and their guests. I like sending and feeling the paper, so I don’t advise doing emails if the investment allows for that."

As for timing, save the dates should be sent further ahead of a regular invitation. "I recommend my couples to send out save the dates six to eight months before the wedding date," says Daniels. "If it’s a destination, I would suggest 12 months." When it comes to destination wedding save-the-dates, provide as much travel-related information as possible as a courtesy to your guests. Details on airports and hotel information is one important feature to include so guests won't be worried about late-booking costs. This info can also be relegated to your wedding website.

Save-the-Date Wording Etiquette

It is important to make sure your save-the-date wording informs your guest properly for the events to come. Ahead, see details of etiquette around what your invites should say.

Note Which Days to Save

According to Weiss, the major wording decision couples need to make is whether to say “save the date” or “save the weekend” as these have two very different implications. “If you want to say ‘save the weekend,’ then every guest should be invited to every event, but that’s not always the case,” says Weiss. So even if you’re having a destination wedding, consider the difference that wording makes if you aren’t planning on hosting everyone at the rehearsal dinner or a post-wedding brunch.

Offer Plus Ones

It’s also just as important to put some thought into how you address the save-the-dates. This is a time when you can address if a guest has a plus one or not.

Leave Off Registry Information

Another potential save-the-date faux pas to avoid is including wedding registry information. You can save more details on registry for the wedding invitations. You can also include registry information on the wedding website.

Give RSVP Information

But, what should couples do if they have a tight headcount and ideally need guests to “RSVP” to the save-the-date? This might happen if your venue is smaller than your list or you’re on a tight budget, so you’ve broken your guests into an “A list” or a “B list.” Some couples plan on inviting the second wave depending on how many people from the first round can’t attend. One way to avoid this is to politely state something like, "We would love to have you but please let us know if you are unable to attend." That way, you don’t have to wait until you get your official RSVPs back to start inviting other guests only a few weeks before the wedding.

Save-the-Date Examples

When working on save-the-dates, don’t get too stuck on feeling like you have to have every detail of your wedding already decided, or that it all needs to be matching in this mailing. “Whether the wedding is formal or more casual, the save-the-date is a great time to be playful, especially if you want your invitation to be traditional,” says Weiss. Depending on the type of tone you want to set, Weiss shared wording examples her clients have used:

Formal

Save the Date
for the wedding of
Sally Jane Smith
and
John Paul Jones
Saturday, the ninth of June
Two thousand and twenty-four
Los Angeles, California
Formal invitation to follow

Traditional

Save the Date
Lauren and Samantha
are getting married!
September 2, 2024
New York City
Formal invitation to follow

Casual

They asked and he said “Yes!”
Zack and Josh
10.20.24
Las Vegas, Nevada
Invitation to follow

Destination

Save the Weekend!
August 17-19, 2024
Emma and Alex
are getting married
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Please see further wedding details at
[weddingwebsite].com