Planning and excitement are common at weddings. Sending invitations or saving the dates is often the first step in this process for couples.
But are both necessary? What distinguishes save-the-dates from wedding invitations?
Two of the most important elements of the wedding preparation process, particularly regarding your guests, are save-the-date cards and wedding invites.
There is a lot of overlap, and as your big day approaches, it might be difficult to know what belongs where.
Here is the information you need to know about wedding stationery if you're having trouble with save-the-dates or wedding invitations.
What’s The Difference?
We should start by recognising the difference between these two concepts. First, the recipient is asked to mark the date on their calendar in save-the-date cards.
Informing your visitors about your big event is a good idea, but it is not as crucial that you provide every last detail. Instead, it lets the guest know that a formal invitation may be coming.
On the save-the-date, you should write your name, the date, the venue, and a short statement informing the recipient that a formal invitation will be sent soon.
Your wedding day is quickly approaching, so it's time to start thinking about sending out invitations.
The official wedding invitation contains much more information about your special occasion. The donation page is here:
- The date and time of the wedding.
- The date and time of the reception.
- The venue information.
Your loved ones should feel properly invited to join you in celebrating your union with your partner, which should be reflected in the wording of your invitation.
There is no denying the dissimilarity between these two stationery items. Save-the-date cards advise guests to mark the event date on their calendars.
You can use this card to inform guests of the wedding's date and venue and let them know that a formal invitation will be sent in the future.
Your Save the Date card will feature your name, the wedding date, the location and a letter informing them to expect an official invitation. You can also add a link to your wedding website.
You'll want to send out invites to your wedding in the months leading up to the big day. There are two main purposes for your invitation: to extend an official invitation and provide further details about your event.
You and your respective families should write a few sentences to invite their friends and relatives to your wedding.
On the invitation, you should include all the details your visitors will need to make it to the event.
The invitation card should include the event's location and time, while other cards could include an RSVP form, hotel information, travel itineraries, and so on.
As long as the material is relevant and is presented in a way that supports the main Invitation, there is no limit to how much can be included.
Primary Function: Wedding Invitations vs. Save-the-Dates
In general, wedding invitations are more formal than save-the-date cards, which are intended primarily to tell guests about the wedding. As a result, save-the-date cards are often distributed several months to a year in advance of the ceremony.
Send Save-The-Dates
- For a destination wedding, allow 9–12 months.
- A wedding that doesn't require most guests to fly abroad or to an exotic/busy location that books up quickly should be scheduled 9–10 months in advance.
Wedding Invitations
In comparison, your wedding invites are the "real" deal. When visitors are invited to an event, invitations are sent out in the days leading up to the big day and contain all the pertinent details.
Information regarding the venue, the time and date of the ceremony and reception, and a formal invitation to share in your joy are all included.
Guests are often given a certain amount of time to confirm their attendance or absence from a wedding on the RSVP and reply cards accompanying the invitations.
Before you send out wedding invitations, be sure you have thought of everything your guests could need to know.
Wedding invitations are often sent between six and eight weeks before the ceremony.
Guests should already be aware of the upcoming event thanks to the save-the-dates. Thus the invitation's sole purpose is to confirm attendance and provide additional information about the wedding (location, the hotel where guests are staying, etc.).
Because you might not be ready, you should give your guests and the venue/caterer plenty of time to respond to your invitations and enable you to make any last updates to the guest list.
What to Include
While there is some overlap, invites fill in the details while save-the-dates serve as a basic outline.
Your Save-The-Dates Should Include:
- The city and state where the wedding will be and venue information if you have it
- Your full names
- The URL for your wedding website
The date or dates of the wedding and associated events (i.e. a pre-wedding welcome party or post-wedding brunch)
Your Wedding Invitation Should Include:
- Your parents might be hosting this, or if you and your partner are a more modern pair or are organising your wedding, you might forgo it.
- Names of you and your fiance
- The language used to contact the recipient and issue the invitation itself.
- The ceremony's day and time
- Location address
- Details about the reception, such as the time, location, and address (some people also like to specify what to expect at the reception, such as "dinner and dancing" or "breakfast buffet and mimosas"), so visitors are aware of whether or not they should bring their dance shoes.
- If applicable, a dress code.
A wedding invitation may come with several enclosures and embellishments, as opposed to a save-the-date card, which is typically just one card.
Design and Style
While there isn't a standard for how formal any stationery style must be, save-the-dates are typically a touch less formal. However, invitations are the traditional items the engaged couple would frequently cherish as keepsakes and perhaps frames.
Save-the-dates are an opportunity to have some fun with the design and theme because of this.
Suppose you already have a wedding theme in mind. In that case, you can match them to it or choose a theme based on a favourite vacation spot, a pastime, your favourite baseball team's colours, your love of 1920s design, the location of your engagement, or anything else you can think of.
Save-the-date cards can also be made as magnets to simplify and make it convenient for your guests.
It would be best if you stuck more closely to the style and atmosphere of your wedding when creating your invitations.
Please think of the invitations as an introduction that sets the mood and gives visitors a taste of what's to come because they mark the official beginning of the wedding celebrations.
If you choose to use paper invitations, you won't ever regret having real copies to place in your scrapbook or frame. Just remember to keep the colours and patterns consistent with what your guests will see during the ceremony and reception.
The RSVPs (or Lack Thereof)
The response to save-the-date cards is not necessary. They are only intended to be used by the recipient as a reminder and to help them begin planning.
On the contrary, invitations. To determine how many chairs you'll need, what to notify the caterers, and whether your venue is truly the right size, ask guests whether they plan to attend.
Make it easy to RSVP by including clear instructions and, if feasible, a return envelope or RSVP postcard that has already been addressed and stamped.
After all, the quicker you receive your responses, the quicker you'll be able to decide whether Aunt needs that gluten-free supper.
FAQs About Wedding
Now that you understand the distinction between an invitation and a save-the-date card, one of the most important specifics to keep in mind is the appropriate time to send each one. Cards with a "save the date" message are typically delivered between four and six months before a wedding, whilst invitations are typically delivered between six and eight weeks before the ceremony.
Etiquette For Save The Dates And Wedding Invitations
There are no guidelines for delivering these informational cards to your guests, but the most crucial thing is to do it promptly so they have time to clear their schedules and get ready for your wedding.
Additionally, this will guarantee that your guests may attend the wedding, which is what the whole affair is about.
Don't worry about your Save the Dates and wedding invites matching or coordinating.
They can be as random as you like and don't have to match. Save the Dates are frequently far less formal and quite artistic.
You can send them in the form of pencils, fridge magnets, or some other item you know your guest won't throw away but will keep.
You want them to remember your wedding and save the date. Therefore this is what you want. The formality of your wedding invites entirely up to you and your personal preferences.
Although traditional wedding invites are still sent via snail mail, electronic invitations are becoming more and more common because they are more simple to send, won't get lost in the mail (unless they land up in the spam folder), and are less expensive.
However, older guests might not have simple access to email, and printed invites frequently end up being keepsakes.
Sending out both a physical and digital invitation is a smart way to do this.
Finally, thoroughly compile your guest list before you send out Save the Dates. You can't go back, so pick your guests wisely.
Save the Dates cannot be revoked. Thus anybody to whom one has been given should receive a formal wedding invitation.
That's just common courtesy. Send the invitations instead if you decide to have them attend your wedding, even if you initially thought you might not invite them due to money constraints.
Save-The-Date Etiquette
When deciding whether to send save-the-date cards, there are some things you should and shouldn't do. To make the most of your decision to send these cards, you should abide by the following save-the-date etiquette rules:
- Amount of information must be placed on them: All the information you can provide prospective visitors is valuable.
- Be imaginative with your save-the-dates; there's no need to worry about them matching the invitations.
- Please refrain from stuffing the envelope with unnecessary items.
- If you haven't finalised your guest list, don't bother sending out save-the-dates.
- Include details on whether or not children and plus-ones are welcome.
- Don't mention the registry, but feel free to promote your wedding website.
When To Send Out Save The Dates And Wedding Invitations
Even though the specifics of the schedule will change based on the circumstances of your wedding, here is a rough outline:
- Create one to get a sense of the size of your expected guest list.
- Find a location that suits your wedding's size, aesthetic, and theme. Picking a venue that can hold all of your guests is a great idea.
- Please share the upcoming event details with your guests. Allow your guests a minimum of a year to make travel arrangements if your wedding is at a remote location. Four and eight months before a local wedding, invitations should be sent out.
- Formal invites should be sent out 6 and 8 weeks before the wedding.
One thing to keep in mind is that you may have to send out Save the Dates before you can rent the venue.
For instance, it could be challenging to predict how many guests would attend if you're getting married abroad and have an 80-person guest list.
Either eight or 80 people could show up. Sending Save the Dates and asking for an RSVP makes sense in this situation so you can estimate (see what we did there?) your final guest list.
It would be best if you always issued some formal invites for your wedding. However, save-the-date cards are not required.
If you decide to use save-the-dates, it's critical to understand when to send them. Generally, you should send them out four to six months before your wedding, but sometimes it can be beneficial to send them out even earlier.
By sending out these cards, you're telling individuals to keep that date open. They can then adjust their attendance plans accordingly.
Invitations are sent out considerably later, typically six to eight weeks before the wedding.
Tips For The Wedding Invitations
It's time to buy and send out your official wedding invites as your wedding draws nearer.
First, order the invites far enough in advance to give time for them to be proofed and corrected if necessary.
Usually, three to four months' notice is sufficient. Select invites that showcase your characteristics and that of your spouse, as well as perhaps the wedding's theme.
Include a reply note and a pre-stamped, self-addressed envelope with your invitation. You should also have a reception card with all the party details if the reception is held somewhere other than the ceremony.
The information about your meal is a great location to include in your wedding invitation. Many people have various dietary requirements.
Allowing your guests to let the chef know about any dietary restrictions in advance might enhance everyone's enjoyment of your special day.
Whenever applicable, include any hotel details. In some circumstances, you can also add a map or directions to the venues.
Do You Need To Send Save-The-Dates?
One of the many things on your wedding planning to-do list is deciding whether or not to send save-the-dates as you arrange the timeline for your pre-wedding milestones, from when to host your engagement party to what weekends work for all of your best friends for the bachelorette.
Save-the-dates effectively notify guests that they will be invited to your wedding in the near future and include crucial details like the date and location.
After becoming engaged and selecting a date and location for their wedding, couples generally send out save-the-dates. However, they are unnecessary and may not even be necessary for certain couples.
Therefore, is it even worth the effort for the two of you to preserve the dates? Here is a list of some of the advantages and disadvantages.
You Give Your Guests a Heads Up
Let's face it: appointments may fill up fast. Since guests will likely have to make travel arrangements based on your wedding's official date and location, sending out save-the-dates is a smart move.
In that way, if they live far away or your wedding is going to be a destination wedding, they may start scheduling their travel and lodging for the weekend right away—or, at the very least, set up travel alerts to take advantage of future sales rates to attend your wedding.
They will be grateful that you warned them even if they are only a short distance away.
They Can Say “no” to Other Commitments.
By giving your loved ones plenty of notice to put your wedding date on their future calendars, you can rest assured that they won't mistakenly double-book themselves during the festivities.
Numerous events and travels, both personal and professional, are scheduled months in advance, such as yearly family vacations and business conferences. Therefore, you can increase the likelihood that your invited visitors will be able to make it to your event by giving them more advanced notice.
They’ll Know for Sure That They Are Invited.
You may imagine your friends and family know for sure that they’re going to be invited to your wedding, but just because they’re close to you doesn’t imply that they’re automatically expecting to receive an invitation.
It can be difficult to determine how many people will be attending a wedding, but sending out save-the-date cards is a great way to let everyone know they are on the guest list so they can begin making arrangements.
They Take Time—and Money
You'll need to include save-the-date creation and distribution in your wedding budget.
They can set you back several hundred dollars, depending on how many and intricate they are that you intend to send.
Additionally, it takes time and work to design, print, and distribute your save-the-dates, including the tiresome chore of gathering everyone's mailing information. But when it comes time to send out wedding invitations, that list is really useful!
You will still need to get everyone's email addresses even if you decide to send digital save-the-dates to save money.
You’ll Need To Finalise Your Guest List Asap.
Let's say that you two decide to mail save-the-dates. In that scenario, you'll need to decide soon after reserving your wedding and reception locations. Your spending limit and personal preferences determine the number of guests you can invite to your wedding.
You can't give someone an official wedding invitation later; once they receive their save-the-date, they will presume they are invited to your wedding! So to assist you in planning your special day, Brighton Savoy has put together an exclusive list of wedding photo locations in Melbourne.
So choose wisely and thoughtfully to avoid any guest list drama down the line.
Conclusion
Two of the most important elements of the wedding preparation process, particularly regarding your guests, are save-the-date cards and wedding invites. On the save-the-date, you should write your name, the date, the venue, and a short statement informing the recipient that a formal invitation will be sent soon.
Your Save the Date card will feature your name, the wedding date, the location and a letter informing them to expect an official invitation. You want them to remember your wedding and save the date. Since guests will likely have to make travel arrangements based on your wedding's official date and location, sending out save-the-dates is a smart move.
Content Summary
- Are Save-The-Dates And Wedding Invitations The Same?Planning and excitement are common at weddings.
- Sending invitations or saving the dates is often the first step in this process for couples.
- What distinguishes save-the-dates from wedding invitations?Two of the most important elements of the wedding preparation process, particularly regarding your guests, are save-the-date cards and wedding invites.
- Here is the information you need to know about wedding stationery if you're having trouble with save-the-dates or wedding invitations.
- First, the recipient is asked to mark the date on their calendar in save-the-date cards.
- On the save-the-date, you should write your name, the date, the venue, and a short statement informing the recipient that a formal invitation will be sent soon.
- The official wedding invitation contains much more information about your special occasion.
- Save-the-date cards advise guests to mark the event date on their calendars.
- You can use this card to inform guests of the wedding's date and venue and let them know that a formal invitation will be sent in the future.
- Your Save the Date card will feature your name, the wedding date, the location and a letter informing them to expect an official invitation.
- You and your respective families should write a few sentences to invite their friends and relatives to your wedding.
- On the invitation, you should include all the details your visitors will need to make it to the event.
- Primary Function: Wedding Invitations vs. Save-the-Dates In general, wedding invitations are more formal than save-the-date cards, which are intended primarily to tell guests about the wedding.
- As a result, save-the-date cards are often distributed several months to a year before the ceremony.
- In wedding invitation comparison, your wedding invites are the "real" deal.
- Guests are often given a certain amount of time to confirm their attendance or absence from a wedding on the RSVP and reply cards accompanying the invitations.
- Before you send out wedding invitations, be sure you have thought of everything your guests could need to know.
- Guests should already be aware of the upcoming event thanks to the save-the-dates.
- What to include while there is some overlap, invites to fill in the details while save-the-dates serve as a basic outline.
- A wedding invitation may come with several enclosures and embellishments, as opposed to a save-the-date card, which is typically just one card.
- Save-the-dates are an opportunity to have some fun with the design and theme because of this.
- Save-the-date cards can also be made as magnets to simplify and make it convenient for your guests.
- It would be best if you stuck more closely to the style and atmosphere of your wedding when creating your invitations.
- Just remember to keep the colours and patterns consistent with what your guests will see during the ceremony and reception.
- To determine how many chairs you'll need, what to notify the caterers, and whether your venue is truly the right size, ask guests whether they plan to attend.
- Make it easy to RSVP by including clear instructions and, if feasible, a return envelope or RSVP postcard that has already been addressed and stamped.
- Etiquette For Save The Dates And Wedding Invitations There are no guidelines for delivering these informational cards to your guests. Still, the most crucial thing is to do it promptly, so they have time to clear their schedules and get ready for your wedding.
- The formality of your wedding invites entirely up to you and your personal preferences.
- Sending out both a physical and digital invitation is a smart way to do this.
- Finally, thoroughly compile your guest list before you send out Save the Dates.
- When deciding whether to send save-the-date cards, there are some things you should and shouldn't do.
- To make the most of your decision to send these cards, you should abide by the following save-the-date etiquette rules: Amount of information must be placed on them: All the information you can provide prospective visitors is valuable.
- If you haven't finalised your guest list, don't bother sending out save-the-dates.
- When To Send Out Save The Dates And Wedding Invitations Even though the specifics of the schedule will change based on the circumstances of your wedding, here is a rough outline: Create one to get a sense of the size of your expected guest list.
- One thing to keep in mind is that you may have to send out Save the Dates before you can rent the venue.
- If you decide to use save-the-dates, it's critical to understand when to send them.
- It's time to buy and send out your official wedding invites as your wedding draws nearer.
- The information about your meal is a great location to include in your wedding invitation.
- Do You Need To Send Save-The-Dates?One of the many things on your wedding planning to-do list is deciding whether or not to send save-the-dates as you arrange the timeline for your pre-wedding milestones, from when to host your engagement party to what weekends work for all of your best friends for the bachelorette.
- Save-the-dates effectively notify guests that they will be invited to your wedding in the near future and include crucial details like the date and location.
- After becoming engaged and selecting a date and location for their wedding, couples generally send out save-the-dates.
- Here is a list of some of the advantages and disadvantages.
- Since guests will likely have to make travel arrangements based on your wedding's official date and location, sending out save-the-dates is a smart move.
- By giving your loved ones plenty of notice to put your wedding date on their future calendars, you can rest assured that they won't mistakenly double-book themselves during the festivities.
- Therefore, you can increase the likelihood that your invited visitors will be able to make it to your event by giving them more advanced notice.
- You may imagine your friends and family know for sure that they're going to be invited to your wedding, but just because they're close to you doesn't imply that they're automatically expecting to receive an invitation.
- It can be difficult to determine how many people will be attending a wedding, but sending out save-the-date cards is a great way to let everyone know they are on the guest list so they can begin making arrangements.
- They Take Time—and money you'll need to include save-the-date creation and distribution in your wedding budget. But when it comes time to send out wedding invitations, that list is really useful!You will still need to get everyone's email addresses even if you decide to send digital save-the-dates to save money.
- Your spending limit and personal preferences determine the number of guests you can invite to your wedding.