Save The Date Cards: Etiquette
Are Save the Date Cards Necessary?
While
Save the Dates
cards are not necessary in all situations, they are a wonderful way to
generate excitement and, most importantly, allow your loved ones plenty of time
to make arrangements to share in your special day. Especially important for friends and family who will be traveling
to your wedding location, Save the Dates encourage travelers to take advantage
of travel deals, book flights, and make any other necessary plans sooner than
later.
If
your wedding date falls on or around any holidays, or if it's taking place at a
popular vacation or destination spot, you should consider sending out your Save
the Dates at least five months in advance.
In these situations, your guests will likely be thinking of your event
as a vacation and will appreciate having the time and information to plan
accordingly.
When should Save the Dates be sent?
Think of your Save the Date cards as a preliminary invitation to your wedding. They should be sent at least four months
before the wedding date. Your wedding invitations should follow about two months later.
If
you are asking guests to travel a great distance, take time off work, or travel
during peak seasons, the sooner you can let them know the better! In these
circumstances, it's not uncommon to send Save the Date announcements as much as
twelve months in advance.
Do I need to send a Save the Date to all my guests?
No,
you are not required to send a Save the Date to everyone on your guest
list. Many brides cut costs here by
sending Save the Dates only to those guests who will be traveling or who will
likely need to make arrangements far in advance. Of course the benefit of sending a Save the Date card to every
person you are hoping will attend is that you are increasing the likelihood
that they will reserve that date and will, in fact, be able to attend your
special day. If, for whatever reason,
you do choose to send Save the Dates only to a select number of guests, there
is just one rule to follow. Make sure
they are sent to all people who have any reason to interact with each
other. Imagine how hurt your cousin
Sally would be if she visited your aunt May and saw your beautiful Save the
Date hanging on her refrigerator, only to realize she had not been sent one and
have no idea why.
It
should be noted that a Save the Date is just that. It's doesn't do double duty
as an engagement announcement to everyone you know...and therefore should only
be sent to those people you will absolutely be inviting to the wedding
itself. Do not send a Save the Date to
anyone who will not be receiving a wedding invitation.
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