Please Save the Date: Tips for Sending Wedding Save the Dates

Does this sound familiar? You get engaged. Call all your family and friends. Post on social media.  Then think, “Now what? I guess I better get started planning.”  Every engaged person I talk to immediately feels the pressure to start the wedding planning process right away.  I agree that it is exciting and you may even feel like everything will be “gone” if you don’t start touring venues the next morning. My advice though is take a breath.  Give yourself some time to enjoy this moment in your life.  After you have basked in the glow for whatever amount of time feels comfortable for you,  then you can let the fun to begin! First step of course is securing your date and venue.  Then you will need to let your guests know about this shindig.  So let’s start thinking about Save the Dates and tips for sending wedding Save the Dates.

WHEN TO SEND SAVE THE DATES

The general rule of thumb is that Save the Dates should be distributed 6-8 months prior to your wedding date.  For me, it is a personal preference on whether you want to send on the earlier or later side. Some factors that might help you make the decision are if you are having a destination wedding (send earlier) or if you are hoping to cut back your guest list (send later). If you send within that time frame you are good to go.

Photo Christina Lilly Photography
Save the Date Design & Calligraphy Mary Kate Moon
Architectural Sketch TS Portraits

TYPES OF SAVE THE DATES

Save the Dates are pretty straightforward.  However they do set the stage for the type of wedding you are going to host.  Is it formal? Will it be at a camp?  On a boat? In Mexico? When your guests receive the card, you want to portray the style of wedding you hope to have.  Keep that in mind and infuse your personality and get creative.

Many couples opt to use their engagement photos for the Save the Dates.  This is a great way to showcase those photos and make your announcement personal.  I know for a fact that your family and friends love to see your smiling and in-love faces.

Whatever you decide, I recommend keeping the whole scope of the invitation suite in mind and have an idea of your design before choosing your Save the Dates.

WHO GETS A SAVE THE DATE

The first step before choosing your venue and sending out Save the Dates is to get a good estimate for your head count.  Your venue will need to know your estimated guest count.  Plus you need to know the venue’s capacity and any limitations while venue searching.  You should have a very good idea of who will be invited by the time you send out your Save the Dates. To answer the question presented, anyone you’re sure you’re going to invite to the wedding. If your guest list is not entirely finalized, refrain from sending save-the-date cards to guests on your B-list.  Once someone receives a save the date, you’re obligated to send them a wedding invitation, too.

Photography Off Beet Productions
Save the Date design Little Black Dress Paperie

There are some guidelines on when to include a “plus one” on Save the Dates.

  1. Anyone who is married or in a serious relationship at the time of the mailing
  2. Anyone who is in your bridal party
  3. You need to hit a certain guest count quota for your venue
  4. You have feel you have the flexibility on your budget if EVERYONE decides to come.

I recommend trying to name the guest whenever possible. This makes the invite more personal and doesn’t leave the invitee up to interpretation.

WHAT TO INCLUDE ON YOUR SAVE THE DATE

The content on your Save the Date is pretty basic. Just the essentials. These details are reserved for your invitation. On your Save the Date, remember to include your names, wedding location, date, and website (if desired).  The line “formal invitation to follow” is customary, so your guests know that more information will be coming.

With the inception of welcome receptions, after parties, post-wedding brunch, room blocks, and transportation timelines, that is  A LOT of information to get out to your guests. Make life easier and include it all in one place.   The less people contacting you for every little detail, the better. I highly recommend including a wedding website.  Some of my favorites are intuitive and pretty easily customizable. Try Minted, Zola, or Squarespace.  My advice is to splurge on a custom url that is easy to remember and looks cleaner on your Save the Dates.

Looking for assistance for wording for your Save the Date? Take a look at some suggestions on Minted here or even at past Save the Dates you have received. I bet you may have more than one in your kitchen at any given time.

Check back some tips on sending out wedding invitations and please reach out if you have any questions- I am here to help!

LOOKING FOR SUMMER & FALL WEDDING PLANNING INTERN

Gilded Lily Events is seeking an intern for our summer and fall wedding season!  I started my wedding design and planning business in 2010 (-ish) and I have learned through experience and hard work.  I would love to give someone the opportunity to have on-the-job training and share the knowledge that I have gained through my years as a creative business owner.  I know how difficult it can be to break into this industry. Not to mention, this would be a good opportunity to see if this is something you would actually like to pursue since it is not always as glamorous as Instagram makes it out to be!

The hours for this internship will be one to two days a week for 3-4 hours and weekend event days from July through October.  There may also be a need for hours outside of our regularly scheduled time if the project allows.  This is an unpaid internship, but college credit will be provided if applicable.

Role and Responsibilities (to name a few)

  • creating inspiration boards
  • wedding day details production
  • researching vendors
  • event execution shadowing
  • dreaming up and writing blog posts
  • creative community outreach
  • budget creation
  • editorial shoot “know how” and research

About You

  • flexible
  • detail-oriented
  • strong work ethic
  • organized
  • loves weddings & all things weddings
  • positive
  • professional
  • inquisitive
  • responsible
  • self-starter
  • team player
  • social media savvy
  • has an eye for styling & design
  • local to Red Bank, NJ
  • photographer skills a plus!

How to apply

  1. Please send a copy of your resume and/or portfolio of relevant experience to Paige at hello@gildedlilyevents
  2. Share photos, a link to your blog, link to your Instagram account
  3. In 500 words or less, let me know what you are excited about and what interests you about this internship
  4. Include your weekday availability, your school/major and requirements for receiving credit and the email of a personal or professional reference

I am looking forward to hearing from you! Deadline for application is Friday, July 6th. Phone or in-person interviews will be held on July 9th.

photography credit: Love & Light Photographs