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 plan ahead. 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 the date in their diaries and sort out any plans. If you’re having a destination wedding, it’s wise to send Save the Dates at least 9 months before the big day. That way, your guests have time to organise travel, accommodation, and book time off work if needed. Early notice is especially important for anyone who’ll need to arrange flights and hotels in advance.

Traditionally, the bride’s name appears first on Save the Dates and wedding invitations. This comes from old-school etiquette, where the bride’s family would typically host the wedding. These days, though, lots of couples simply list their names in whatever order feels best for them. Whether you put the bride’s name first or go for alphabetical order, the main thing is that your Save the Date clearly shares all the key details about your wedding.

Save the Dates are there to give your guests an early heads-up about your wedding. The essentials to include are your names, the wedding date, and where it’s happening (the city or area). As Save the Dates are less formal than the main invitations, you don’t need to go into too much detail. It’s also worth mentioning that formal invites will follow with all the finer points. Adding your wedding website URL is a smart move too, as it lets guests find extra info like travel tips, places to stay, and any updates about your big day.

Yes, sending digital Save the Dates is absolutely fine and becoming more and more popular. Digital Save the Dates are budget-friendly, kinder to the planet, and super convenient. They can also make your wedding planning smoother by linking straight to your wedding website, where guests can RSVP and find all the details. Just bear in mind that some guests, especially those less comfortable with technology, might need a nudge to check their emails. To make sure everyone gets your Save the Date, you could send a follow-up message or offer another way for guests to let you know they've received it.

There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to the design or style of Save the Dates. Your design should reflect your personal taste and the vibe of your wedding. Save the Dates can be formal, relaxed, playful or traditional – it’s entirely up to you. Lots of couples pick designs that match their wedding theme or give guests a little preview of the style and feel of the day. Whether you go for something minimalist, a bold photo, or a classic script, the main thing is to share the key details while giving your guests a taste of what’s ahead.

It’s not required, but it does make things easier. Since Save the Dates are usually sent 4 to 6 months before your wedding and are a bit more relaxed than formal invitations, it’s a good idea to have your wedding website ready by then. That way, you can add the URL to your Save the Dates and give your guests plenty of time to take in all the details.

Adding a photo to your Save the Date brings a personal touch and helps make your announcement that bit more memorable. Lots of couples like to use an engagement snap or a favourite picture that really captures their relationship. Photos can help your Save the Date stand out and give guests a little preview of the happy couple they’ll be celebrating. If you do include a photo, make sure it works well with your design and doesn’t distract from the key details. The right photo can really lift the look and make your Save the Date even more inviting.

The wording for your Save the Date should be clear and to the point, focusing on the essentials. A straightforward example might be: “Save the Date: [Your Names], [Wedding Date], [Location]. Formal invitation to follow.” 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 details, while keeping the tone in line with your wedding style.

It’s not essential for your Save the Dates and invitations to match exactly, but a coordinated look can be rather pleasing to the eye. Lots of couples like to tie in the design elements of their Save the Dates with their wedding invitations for a consistent theme. That said, it’s absolutely fine to go for different designs, as long as they work well together. What matters most is that both bits of correspondence clearly share all the important details and reflect your wedding style.

Save the Date cards usually come in standard sizes like 5x7 inches, which is a popular and practical choice for posting. That said, you’re free to pick a size that fits your design and budget. Smaller options such as 4x6 inches or larger ones like 6x8 inches work too, depending on how you’d like your Save the Date to look. Just make sure the size you go for matches your overall design and is easy for your guests to handle and keep.

Joy’s built-in Contact Collector makes it easy to gather all your guests’ contact details in your guest list. Just share your magic link with guests, they fill in a quick form, and your guest list grows like magic. Every Joy Save the Date comes with free recipient and return address printing, which works seamlessly with your contact list.

It’s completely up to you, but we strongly suggest making Save the Dates part of your wedding announcement line-up. That way, your guests will have all the key details—who, what, where and when—as soon as you’ve decided them. And if you pop your wedding website link on your Save the Dates, your guests can find out more and RSVP online with ease.

Yes, coordinating your Save the Dates and invitations can give your wedding announcements a lovely, unified feel. Lots of couples opt for matching or complementary designs for both, keeping things consistent from the start. It’s a great way to set the tone for your big day and gives your guests a seamless visual experience. You can work with the same designer or template provider to make sure your Save the Dates and invitations tie in perfectly.

Picking the perfect Save the Date template is a key part of your wedding planning journey. It sets the tone for all your wedding updates and gives your guests their very first peek at what’s in store. Joy offers a wide selection of Save the Date templates to suit all sorts of styles and preferences. Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic countryside do, a chic city bash, or a relaxed beach gathering, Joy has a template to match your vibe.

Joy’s Save the Date templates are thoughtfully designed to balance style and practicality. Choose from hundreds of beautifully made designs, each with unique features you can tailor to fit your wedding theme. From elegant calligraphy to playful illustrations, Joy has something for every taste. You can even 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 free! Paper wedding invitations come in a range of price and style options, and all include free back-of-card printing and free recipient and return address printing. On a tight budget? Mix and match Joy’s digital and paper cards to save money on paper and postage. Hundreds of digital wedding invitation designs are available to send for free.

Absolutely! Our brilliant support team is here for you day and night, seven days a week—including weekends—to make sure your questions are answered. Just drop us an email at support@withjoy.com.

Save the Date magnets aren’t absolutely essential, and they can be pricier than classic paper cards. If you’re keeping an eye on costs, paper Save the Dates are absolutely fine. Most guests won’t mind whether it’s a magnet or paper—the main thing is that your Save the Date suits your style and shares all the important wedding details.

You should only send save-the-dates to people you intend to invite to your wedding. Anyone who gets a save-the-date should also receive a wedding invitation.