How far in advance should save the dates be sent?+
Six to twelve months before the wedding is usual. Twelve months or more is common where guests are travelling abroad, where the date falls on a bank holiday, or in peak summer when people book early. The invitation itself follows six to eight weeks before the day.
Do you have to send save the dates?+
They are optional. They matter most where the date is in demand or guests need to travel and plan. Where the guest list is small and local, and invitations are going out early anyway, many couples skip them.
Who should be sent a save the date?+
Only guests who are certain to be invited. A save the date is effectively an invitation with the details missing, so anyone who receives one is expected to receive the invitation later. They are normally addressed to households rather than individuals.
What should be printed on a save the date?+
Names, the date, the town or venue, and a line saying the invitation will follow. Nothing further — no RSVP, no gift list, no timings. Where there is a wedding website, a short line pointing to it is common.
What size are save the dates usually?+
Smaller formats are the norm, because they are posted in quantity and often kept on a fridge door. Square formats look striking but can cost more to post, so postage is worth checking before ordering.
Should save the dates match the wedding invitations?+
They commonly do. Using the same paper, typeface and colours means the pair reads as one set when the invitation arrives. Ordering both from the same design is the simplest way to keep them consistent.
