Clarifying the role of the Save the Date card
Some say send save-the-date cards, while others say send wedding invitations. So which is it? Do you send both?
There is a clear difference between these two stationery items. A Save the Date tells your guest to do exactly that, reserve the date in their calendar. While it does give some information about when and where your wedding will be held, the role of this card is to allow guests to plan in advance and also let them know that a formal invitation will be sent at a later date.
The information on your Save the date card includes the request (e.g. 'Please Save the Date'), your names, wedding date, location (State and Postcode) and a note to let them know to expect a formal invitation. You can also include a wedding website if you have one.
Claire suite Save the Date, letterpress printed in Black ink on Wite 100% cotton paper
As it gets closer to your wedding date, you’ll need to send out formal invitations. The role of your Invitation is both to invite your guests and to give more detail about your event. Your invitation should formally invite your friends and family to come to celebrate the marriage between you and your partner with invitational lines written from yourselves and / or your families. Your invitation should also include all of the information your guests need to attend - this includes venues and times on the invitation card itself, along with any additional information you want to include in extra cards such as RSVP, accommodation information, maps and directions, transport and travel information. There is really no limit to the amount of detail to include, provided it is relevant and styled consistently with the main invitation.
Claire suite Invitation design, letterpress printed in Black ink on Wite 100% cotton paper
You’ll always want to send some type of official invitation to guests for your wedding. Save-the-date cards, however, are optional. It’s important to know when to send your Save the Dates if you choose to use them as timing is so important for these cards. Generally, it is never too soon to send a Save the Date - once you have the important details finalised (date, location) - let your guests know. As a guide you want to send them out 8 - 12 months ahead of your wedding, depending on location (allow longer for destination weddings).
By sending these cards, you’re letting people know to reserve that date in their calendar, so they don’t make other plans for that time. They can then also ask for time off work, confirm travel plans, save money and organise. The timing for the invitations is much later, usually 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding.
There are some things you should and shouldn’t do when you decide to send Save the Date cards. Here are some etiquette guidelines that will ensure you’re getting the most out of your decision to send Save the Dates:
There is key information you’ll need to make sure to include. Also, anything you know about the location is important and can prove helpful to your potential guests.
Once your Save the Dates are in the mail, there's no second guessing. So only send them to those guests you definitely want to be with you on your wedding day.
Being clear about who is invited early on also gives parents time to plan for child care.
Don’t include gift registry information but do include your wedding website if you have one.

In terms of save-the-dates and wedding invitations, it’s not a question of which is better. These two things should serve different purposes. Utilising each one effectively can positively affect the experience your guests have when they attend your wedding.
While planning your wedding, consider how great of an impact Save the Date cards might have. If you feel your guests can benefit from receiving a Save the Date, then send them out. However, simpler is sometimes better, especially if your wedding is small or has a short engagement.
Pieces from the Claire suite, letterpress printed in Black ink on Wite 100% cotton paper
Download our Save the date wording suggestions
Read our Save the Date wording guide
Find out more about when to send your stationery, including Save the Dates
Need more tips and or specific advice for your circumstances? Get in touch - we'd love to work with you!
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4 reasons to send save the date cards.... and 4 reasons not to!
You're engaged! Congratulations! You have booked your venue on your chosen wedding date to be married and have finally finished compiling your guest list.
The next question you might ask yourself is, "do I need to send out save the date cards or just go straight ahead and send out my wedding invitations?"
See below 4 reasons why you should send save the date cards, and 4 reasons why you could probably skip them.
Your wedding date is far enough away that your guests will only need to know when to "save the date" for your wedding. This way you can relax and focus on the finer details of what to include on your wedding invitations such as the times for your ceremony and reception and fine tuning the invitation wording etiquette.This will help your guests book the necessary travel and accommodation.
It will give your guests the time to plan.
For those that have children, they will have time to arrange for baby sitters and for those who have work commitments, they can schedule the time off.
To avoid date clashes.
Your guests will be able to "save the date" on their own personal calendars so they don't double book the weekend.
Also you are able to secure your wedding date amongst your other engaged friends so your weddings don't clash.
Bonus - its a great way to get everyone excited (including yourself) for your big day!
At this point, you are close enough to your wedding date to go straight ahead and send out your wedding invitations. The best time to send your invitations is 4-5 months before your wedding date.You don't want to send any formal communication about your wedding until your details are certain. For your save the date cards, it is advised to at least have the date and reception venue confirmed, to avoid costly reprinting of new stationery if anything was to change.Everyone who is invited to your wedding should receive a save the date card, therefore it is very important to have your wedding guest list finalised.You should not send a save the date card to any guest you may decide not to invite.If you are unsure of inviting a particular guest at the time you send your save the date cards, a suggestion would be to refrain from sending them anything until you are sure.You are happy to wait for your guests to find out about your wedding via the formal invitation only.
All wedding guests should receive a save the date
Including your bridal party, parents, siblings and any plus 1's.
Don't include RSVP details or gift registry information on your save the date.
Save all of this to be included in your invitations. All guests should still receive a wedding invitation, even if you have sent them a save the date and they verbally tell you that they are attending the wedding. They will still need all of the extra information such as times, addresses and RSVP cards to know everything you are planning
On your save the date card you must include
Your names, the wedding date, the reception venue or specific destination (i.e. Sydney may be too broad, narrow it down to Darling Harbour, Sydney if you don't want to include the reception venue name).
Also it is very important to note that a formal invitation will follow.
Think about what your guests need to know.
Do they need to book travel and/or accommodation, or get time off work, or are your guests parents who will need to arrange for child minders because you are having a child free wedding. Think of everything that could be relevant to your guests when you send your save the date cards so you can include enough information to clearly state your wishes.
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I hope this was helpful with knowing if you should send save the date cards to your guests for your wedding. If you have any further questions about this topic or anything else regarding your wedding stationery - please dont hesitate to drop me an email at hello@whitecherryinvitations.com.au as I am more than happy to help.
Bel x