Save the Dates

Save the Dates are a key part of wedding planning, giving your guests a heads-up about your wedding date so they can get organised. If most of your guests are local, sending Save the Dates 4–6 months before your wedding is usually spot on. That gives everyone plenty of time to pop it in the diary and sort out any plans. If you’re having a destination wedding, it’s best to send Save the Dates at least 9 months ahead. That way, your guests have extra time to book travel, accommodation, and arrange time off work if needed. Early notice is especially important for anyone who’ll need to lock in flights and hotels in advance.

Traditionally, the bride’s name goes first on Save the Dates and wedding invitations. This comes from old-school etiquette, where the bride’s family would usually host the wedding. These days, plenty of couples just list their names in whatever order feels right for them. Whether you pop the bride’s name first or go with alphabetical order, the main thing is that your Save the Date clearly shares all the important details about your wedding.

Save the Dates are all about giving your guests a heads-up with the basics for your big day. Make sure to include your names, the wedding date, and where it’s happening (the city or area is plenty). Because Save the Dates are more relaxed than your official invites, you don’t need to go overboard with details. It’s handy to let everyone know that a formal invitation will be sent out later with all the finer points. Adding your wedding website URL is a smart move too — it makes it easy for guests to find extra info like travel tips, places to stay, and any updates about your wedding.

Absolutely, sending digital Save the Dates is totally fine and getting more popular every year. Digital Save the Dates are budget-friendly, better for the environment, and super convenient. Plus, they make wedding planning easier by linking straight to your wedding website, so guests can RSVP and find all the details in one spot. Just remember, some guests—especially those who aren’t as comfortable with tech—might need a little nudge to check their emails. To make sure everyone gets your Save the Date, think about sending a follow-up or offering another way for guests to let you know they’ve received it.

There aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to Save the Date designs. Go with something that feels like you and matches the vibe of your wedding. Save the Dates can be formal, laid-back, quirky or classic—totally up to you. Lots of couples pick a design that fits their wedding theme or gives guests a little taste of what’s ahead. Whether you’re into something simple, a bold photo, or a timeless script, the main thing is to share the key details and give your guests a sneak peek of what’s to come.

It’s not a must, but it definitely helps. Since Save the Dates usually go out 4 to 6 months before your big day and are a bit more relaxed than formal invites, it’s a good idea to have your wedding website ready by then. That way, you can pop the URL on your Save the Dates and give your guests heaps of time to check out all the details.

Adding a photo to your Save the Date is a great way to make it feel more personal and memorable. Lots of couples like to use an engagement snap or a favourite pic that really shows off their relationship. Photos help your Save the Date stand out and give guests a little preview of the couple they’ll be celebrating. If you’re including a photo, just make sure it suits the design and doesn’t take over the important info. The right photo can really lift the look and make your Save the Date even more inviting.

Your Save the Date wording should be clear and straight to the point, covering just the essentials. An easy example could be, “Save the Date: [Your Names], [Wedding Date], [Location]. Formal invitation to come.” Feel free to add a personal touch with a short message or quote that shows off your personality. The main thing is to give your guests the important info, while keeping the vibe of your message in line with your wedding style.

It’s not a must for your Save the Dates and invitations to match exactly, but having a cohesive vibe does look great. Plenty of couples like to tie in the design of their Save the Dates with their wedding invites for a consistent feel. That said, it’s totally fine to mix things up, as long as the designs work well together. The main thing is that both clearly share all the important info and show off your wedding style.

Save the Date cards usually come in standard sizes like 5x7 inches, which is a popular and practical choice for posting. But you’ve got the freedom to pick a size that fits your style and budget. Smaller options like 4x6 inches or bigger ones like 6x8 inches are also on the table, depending on how you want your Save the Date to look. Just make sure the size you choose matches your overall design and is easy for your guests to keep and store.

Joy’s built-in Contact Collector makes it a breeze to gather all your guests’ details in your guest list. Just share your magic link, your guests fill out a quick form, and your guest list updates itself—too easy. Every Joy Save the Date comes with free recipient and return address printing that syncs perfectly with your contact list.

It’s totally up to you, but we reckon including Save the Dates in your wedding announcements is a smart move. That way, your guests will know the who, what, where, and when of your big day as soon as you’ve locked in the details. Pop your wedding website link on your Save the Dates too, so guests can get all the info and RSVP online with ease.

Absolutely, matching your Save the Dates and invitations is a great way to give your wedding announcements a unified vibe. Lots of couples go for matching or complementary designs for both, so everything feels consistent. It sets the mood for your big day and gives your guests a smooth, cohesive experience from the get-go. If you stick with the same designer or template provider, it’s easy to make sure your Save the Dates and invites are perfectly in sync.

Picking the right Save the Date template is a key part of planning your wedding. It sets the tone for all your wedding comms and gives your guests their first sneak peek at what’s ahead. Joy has a huge range of Save the Date templates to suit every style and vibe. Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic country do, a glitzy city bash, or a cruisy beach celebration, there’s a template to match your theme.

Joy’s Save the Date templates are made with both style and practicality in mind. Choose from hundreds of stunning designs, each with unique features you can tweak to fit your wedding. From classy calligraphy to fun illustrations, there’s something for every taste. Plus, you can add your favourite photos for that extra personal touch, making your Save the Date truly yours.

Joy wedding websites, planning tools, registry and online RSVP are all free! Paper wedding invitations come in a range of prices and styles, and every order includes free back-of-card printing plus free recipient and return address printing. Watching your budget? Mix and match Joy’s digital and paper cards to save on paper and postage. There are hundreds of digital wedding invitation designs you can send for free.

Absolutely! Our brilliant support team is here for you 24/7, even on weekends, to make sure your questions are sorted. Just shoot us an email at support@withjoy.com.