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

11.06.18

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!

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Modern Day Wedding Trends

06.28.18

If you look back as far as even ten years ago (or even my wedding day in 2010), you will see how much traditional wedding trends have changed. Millennials are taking matters into their own hands and putting a modern twist on how they step into forever with their significant other and we applaud them. Below are just a few of the modern day wedding trends we are seeing couples embrace.

Just look at how happy this modern couple is!

Shopping for engagement rings together

What used to be one partner taking the lead in popping the question as the other dropped subtle hints has now pivoted to couples making it an outing and choosing the ideal engagement ring together.

According to a recent study, one third of couples browse for ring styles together. Some even end up splitting the bill. This could be because the average spend on engagement rings has gone up twenty-five percent from 2011.  While the average time spent looking for a ring can go on for around three and a half months. Not to mention, couples have said that they looked at an average of twenty-six rings before deciding on the one.  So maybe joining forces to get a little extra help from your significant other isn’t just a bonding experience, but a time and money saver as well!

The “First Look”

Although it is far from traditional, couples are opting to see each other before the ceremony. We call this the “first look” in the wedding world. I am a fan!  To me, there is something so exciting about that moment you tap your soon to be husband or wife on the back.  It is a little secret you share. Believe it or not, the tradition started during the time of arranged marriages. I think we are all more modern than that today!

Wedding Venue vs. Church

Another modern day wedding trend that has become more and more common is nixing a traditional church ceremony.  In 2016, only twenty-six percent of couples had their wedding ceremony in a religious establishment proving that the majority of marriage ceremonies were taken place at the venue or elsewhere.

There are a number of reasons why this is becoming the new trend. One being that the ceremony and the reception can be held in the same location. This makes things convenient and straightforward for your guests, meaning fewer people getting lost (yes, this happens). In addition to the convenience factor, having your ceremony at the venue allows you to choose who you’d like to perform the ceremony as well as decorate the space the way you’d prefer. Traditional churches, unfortunately, have some barriers when it comes to accommodating your specific needs.

Renting Attire Online vs. Buying In Store

It used to be customary to go in to your local tuxedo and bridal shops to rent/buy your wedding party attire. Now, the more modern day approach is to go online and rent from companies such as The Black Tux for your wedding tuxedos and Azazie for your bridal party selections.

Couples find it more convenient to rent this way rather than go in store. Not too mention, your bridal party is scattered across the US or the world.   It seems as time goes on, that renting online will be the more efficient way to obtain your wedding day apparel. Plus there are great options. Just don’t wait too long to order or try on before the day.

Photography: Christina Lilly Photography

Florals: Devon & Pinkett

Tent: Sperry Tents

Planning & Design: Gilded Lily Events

 

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