![Anatomy of a Save the Date Invitation](https://assets.minted.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto/Minted_Onsite_Assets/2021/LP/21WED0200OLP_STDWording_210903_TopHero_m.jpg)
- Your Names
It’s traditional to list the bride’s name first, followed by the groom's name. If you have different last names, you can use your shared last name or just list your first and middle names. For same-sex couples, consider alphabetical order. - Wedding Date
Save the dates should only be sent out once you have a solid wedding date in mind. This can be tricky if you're planning a destination wedding or trying to accommodate guests' schedules, but it's important to have a date set before you move forward with sending save the dates.
Spell out the entire date if you prefer a formal tone. You can abbreviate the day of the week (i.e., Sat.) if needed to fit everything on one line.
- Wedding Website
A wedding website is a great way to share all information concerning your wedding and is a great resource for guests. Make sure to update your wedding website before you share the URL on your save the date. With Minted’s free wedding website, you can also generate a QR code of the website and put it on your save the date cards. This way, your guests can easily check out your wedding information on their mobile devices. - Wedding Location
List the city and state of your wedding. You don’t need to add the venue address or name until your formal wedding invitation. If you’re having a destination wedding, you can include a hint about what guests can expect. For example, “Join us for a weekend of sun and fun in paradise!” - “Invitation to Follow”
This lets guests know they should expect a wedding invitation in the weeks/months to come.
Congratulations, you’re engaged! Once you’ve booked your wedding venue, it’s time to start thinking about sending out your wedding save the dates.
No matter what occasion you're planning, the save-the-date is an important part of the process. This little piece of wedding stationery serves as a heads-up to guests so they can mark their calendars and begin making travel plans to attend your celebration.
The save the dates also lets them know there will be a formal wedding invitation on the way with all the details. This means you can keep your save the date wording short, simple, and to the point.
But, wording your save-the-date can be tricky — especially if you want something unique, funny, religious, or another specific save the date style. That's where we come in! We've put together some save-the-date wording examples & etiquette tips to help you. Keep reading to get inspired!
when to send save the dates
Mail your save the dates six to eight months before the wedding. This will give guests ample time to request days off from work and make travel plans, if needed. However, if the wedding falls on a holiday weekend or is a destination wedding or summer wedding, aim to send them nine months to a year in advance.
what to include (and not include)
What’s in a Save the Date Message?
There’s no need to have all your wedding details set in stone to send out save the dates. All the information you need to include on your save the date is listed below (along with a few optional items).
What to include on your save the date
There's no need to have all your wedding details set in stone in order to send out save the dates. All the information you need to include on your save the date is listed below (along with a few things you can skip!).
Your names
It’s traditional to list the bride’s name first, followed by the groom's name. If you have different last names, you can use your shared last name or just list your first and middle names. For same-sex couples, consider alphabetical order.
Wedding date
Save the dates should only be sent out once you have a solid wedding date in mind. This can be tricky if you're planning a destination wedding or trying to accommodate guests' schedules, but it's important to have a date set before you move forward with sending save the dates.
Spell out the entire date if you prefer a formal tone. You can abbreviate the day of the week (i.e., Sat.) if needed to fit everything on one line.
Wedding location
List the city and state of your wedding. You don’t need to add the venue address or name until your formal wedding invitation. If you’re having a destination wedding, you can include a hint about what guests can expect. For example, “Join us for a weekend of sun and fun in paradise!”
Wedding website URL
A wedding website is a great way to share all information concerning your wedding and is a great resource for guests. Make sure to update your wedding website before you share the URL on your save the date. With Minted’s free wedding website, you can also generate a QR code of the website and put it on your save the date cards. This way, your guests can easily check out your wedding information on their mobile devices.
“Invitation to follow” wording
This lets guests know they should expect a wedding invitation in the weeks/months to come.
What not to include on your save the date
Your venue
You don’t need to include your venue name or full address on your save-the-date. As long as you include the city and state (so everyone knows where they’ll be traveling to), you’re all set. However, you can certainly include your venue name if you'd like!
If you haven’t found one yet, here are 13 key questions to ask as you scout a venue.
Hotel/accommodations information
At this point, don’t bog guests down with too many details. Send hotel information with the official wedding invitationor add it to your wedding website.
Ceremony and reception start times
You’re early in the wedding planning so there’s no need to have specific start times in place yet. The purpose of the save the date is to inform guests of the wedding date and locale.
However, if you need a guide for a wedding day timeline as you plan, we have one you can reference!
Dress code information
It’s too early to send this information just yet. Save any details about wedding guest attire for the wedding invitation (or add it to your website for them to reference at any time).
RSVP request
Save the date etiquette states that you don’t ask guests to RSVP upon receipt. It’s a little too early for that, since save the dates can go out even up to a year in an advance.
It’s easy to get caught up in what to include or not include in your save the date, so be sure to review our complete article on save the date mistakes to avoid.
How to Word Your Save the Date
When it comes to save-the-date wording, this is a time to be celebratory, so feel free to get creative with your save the date text. Write in a way that is natural for you as a couple while still including all the details.
If you’re a more traditional couple, go with some beautiful classic and formal text. If you tend to be briefer and to the point, try something modern and minimalist. And if you’re the couple that’s always cracking jokes, it’s the perfect time to be playful and funny.
Some couples include a photo from the engagement shoot, a favorite quote, and a saying, if there’s room.
Minted offers hundreds of unique save-the-date designs from our community of independent artists.
wording examples
Need some help wording your save the dates? Follow our handy invitation wording guide below.
What tone would you like for your save the dates?
etiquette FAQ
You asked, we answered. We have the answers to the most frequently asked questions on save the dates, save the date etiquette, and how to word your save the dates.