When to Send Save-the-Dates for Your Wedding

One of the first wedding-planning tasks you'll face is sending save-the-dates. But many questions likely come to mind when tackling this project. Specifically, you're probably wondering when to send save-the-date cards. This particular announcement will be your initial segue into the world of wedding stationery suites, so we've done all the research to get you prepared.

Read on to get answers to all your questions about etiquette concerning this first piece of wedding stationery you'll send out.

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Save-the-Dates Versus Invitations: What's the Difference?

First, let's clarify the difference between save-the-dates and wedding invitations. While both provide your guests with information about your wedding date, they serve different purposes. A save-the-date is sent earlier than a wedding invitation, and it's typically smaller in size and much briefer–it lets your guests know that they are invited and it includes straightforward information about when the wedding will be. Just as the name indicates, it is literally a way of asking your guests to save the date!

Do I Have to Send Save-the-Dates?

Nope. But we recommend you do it for a few reasons:

1. Your friends and family will appreciate the heads-up.
2. You're more likely to have first dibs on guests who know other couples getting married on the same day.
3. They're a great way to get everyone excited about your wedding—and to get your own creativity flowing early in the planning process.

When Do I Send Save-the-Dates for a Local Wedding?

Send out save-the-date cards six to eight months prior to your wedding and the wedding invitations eight weeks before your big day. Not only do some people have to make travel arrangements and save money, but some guests will also need to get time off from their jobs, arrange child care, and/or take care of other pesky chores so they can join you.

When Do I Send Save-the-Dates for a Destination Wedding?

If you are throwing a destination wedding or getting married on a major holiday, you should give guests extra notice by sending your save the dates out nine months to a year in advance. Better yet, as soon as you’ve chosen a venue and set up your wedding website (and a hotel room block), get those save-the-dates in the mail. No one will complain about extra time to book flights and reserve a hotel room.

Who Receives a Save-the-Date?

Anyone you're sure will be invited. Do not mail save-the-date cards to guests on your B-list: Once they receive a save the date, you're obligated to send them a wedding invitation.

How Do I Send Electronic Save-the-Dates?

One of the main reasons to send digital save the dates is simply the convenience factor. Traditional save-the-date cards require ordering, proofing, printing, waiting for delivery, addressing, applying postage, and physical mailing, all of which can take weeks.

What Should I Do Before Sending Save-the-Dates?

Before mailing your save-the-dates, your wedding website should be up and running. You should have your hotel blocks arranged, and you should have started to assemble your wedding registry—just in case any guests who are booking early decide to beat the crowds and send you a gift early, too. Even if the rest of your site isn’t finished (like the “How We Met” story or bios of your wedding party), filling out those most important pages will be immensely helpful for your guests.