What is the purpose of a save the date?

A save the date is sent around 12 months before the wedding to give guests early notice so they can block out the date in their calendars before more time-sensitive plans get in the way. It comes well ahead of the formal invitation.

Do I need save the dates for a small wedding?

For a small, local wedding you can often skip save the dates and go straight to invitations. They become much more useful when guests are travelling, when your date falls in peak holiday season, or for destination weddings where guests need to plan flights and accommodation.

Should I send save the dates by post or by email?

Posted save the dates create a stronger impression- they often end up on fridges as a daily reminder of the date. Digital save the dates are cheaper and faster but easier for guests to forget about. Most couples planning a traditional wedding still choose posted cards.

How early can you send save the dates?

You can send save the dates as soon as you have a confirmed date and venue. 12 months is the typical sweet spot; 18 months is sensible for destination weddings. Earlier than 18 months can feel premature.

Do save the dates need to match the wedding invitations?

They don't have to, but matching your save the dates to your invitations creates a beautifully cohesive look from the very first thing your guests receive. At Hawthorne and Ivory, every collection in the design shop has a coordinating save the date card.

Save the Dates - to send, or not to send?

The short answer: Yes- send them! Save the dates give your guests advance notice to book time off and make travel plans, especially for destination or midweek weddings. They also serve as a lovely pre-invitation and a chance to introduce your wedding style early. Aim to send them around 12 months before your big day (or 18 months for destination weddings).

Hello if we haven't met- I'm Becky and Hawthorne and Ivory is my wedding stationery design studio. I create colourful, fun-loving save the dates, invitations, on the day pieces (menus, place cards, signage), guest books and thank you cards for UK couples. Save the dates are very much my opening act.

Are you planning a wedding and wondering whether or not to send out save the dates? Well, they can definitely be an important step in the planning process and I thought I'd share a few reasons why to help you make your decision!

a bit of advance notice…

First and foremost, save the dates give your guests advance notice of the date and location of your event. This is especially important if you're planning a destination wedding, if your event falls on a holiday weekend, or if you're opting for a mid-week wedding as more and more couples do! By sending out save the dates, you give your guests the opportunity to make necessary travel arrangements and schedule any time off work well in advance.

If you want to make sure all of your favourite people are present, and you've picked a popular weekend or decided to travel, notice is key, and getting those save the dates out as soon as possible can be a game changer. You don't need all of the exact details, but giving your guests a head's up of the when and where can be just enough to make sure you see their happy faces on your big day.

a lovely little pre-invitation…

Save the dates also serve as a kind of formal invitation. While they may not contain all of the details of the event (those will come later with the actual invitation), they let your guests know that they are invited and that they should start making plans to attend.

It might just stop a bit of (loving) pestering from those well-meaning friends and family about 'have you set a date yet?' and give you a little bit of a breather! This is a polite way of letting them know that you'd like them to be there to celebrate with you, without the pressure of having to have all of the details right away.

show off your theme a little…

Save the dates are also a great way to showcase your wedding theme and style. They are a great way to give your guests a sneak peek into what your event will be like and to really set the tone early- introducing your wedding colours and style to your guests. It lets them know the overall tone, whether your day will be a rustic luxe and very petal confetti affair, or something more Dutch Masters Floral and minimal monochrome.

If you had some beautiful engagement photos taken, or a pre-wedding shoot with your photographer… save the dates with a photograph of you both as part of the design can be a great way to really showcase these and give your guests a snapshot of the happy couple they'll soon be celebrating.

build a little anticipation…

Finally, save the dates add a touch of formality and excitement to your event. They serve as a reminder to your guests that something really, really, special is coming and help to build anticipation for the big day.

In short… save the dates can be a really important part of the planning process for any wedding. They give your guests advanced notice, show off a bit of what's to come, and add a touch of formality and even more excitement to your big day.

If you're aiming for a Shoreline, or have chosen a date in peak holiday or festive winter floral then I'd definitely recommend going full steam ahead and sending out those save the dates!

If you've chosen a special venue, have a read of my post on save the dates that celebrate your unique wedding venue for ideas on making your venue the star of the show. For the bigger picture on timing, my ultimate wedding stationery timeline guide has you covered. And when you're ready to work on your invitation wording, my guide on how to word your wedding invitations walks you through every section.