Questions about wedding save the date cards are some of the most popular wedding stationery related searches on Google. Today I’m answering all your most frequently asked questions regarding wedding save the dates wording, whether you need them and everything in-between.

Do I really need save the dates?

Choosing to have save the date dates is very much down to personal preference and is largely dictated by budget, timing and necessity. If your budget is super tight or you have minimal time, think about skipping save the date cards and sending out your wedding invitations earlier. You might find that the budget you save not having save the date cards means you have a little extra to spend on making your weddings invites, meaning you can have your dream invite or make them that little bit more extra special. If your wedding is aboard or at a particularly busy time of year though, I highly recommend you sending them.

If you do decide to send save the dates then remember they are the first glimpse your guests get of your big day and set the tone for the whole event, so make sure they aren’t a last minute thought!

When do I send my save the dates?

I always advise sending out save the dates around 12-18 months before your wedding, this is especially true if you are having a destination wedding and people need to make bigger plans and save money, or if your wedding date is around a busy time of the year such as December/Christmas or during the summer when people make other plans in advance or take holidays. The sooner you send your save the date cards, the sooner your date will be kept aside for you and your special day and no clashes will happen.

If you have less then 12 months until your wedding I’d consider skipping them and sending your wedding invitations out a little earlier. I suggest sending wedding invites around 6 months before your wedding, so if you skip save the dates aim for around 8 months if you can, this can sometimes depends on your wedding venue though with sorting things such as menu options etc.

I never recommend sending save the date cards (or wedding invitations) out in December or with Christmas cards as the postal service is so busy at that time of year there’s a chance your save the date or wedding invite might be delayed or ever misplaced and we really don’t want that!

When do I order my save the dates?

If you’ve got your venue booked then now is the time to start looking at ordering your save the dates. With 16 modern Wedding Stationery Collections to choose from, all with matching pieces from save the dates, through to wedding invitations, on the day stationery, signage and even thank you cards, you can have everything co-ordinating beautifully. Plus with colour customisation included we can match your wedding stationery to your wedding colour scheme or theme starting from your save the dates.

If your budget allows and you want something truly unique to you as a couple, then why not consider my Bespoke Design Service and really make your wedding stationery your own!

If you are still undecided on a colour scheme or theme for your wedding day then choosing a more simple design that will coordinate well with anything you might choose to do with your invites and colour scheme later on is a good idea. Choosing something really simple such as my Alchemy Collection with its modern black and white theme means it will match anything you choose later on. Another good option is the Eucalyptus Collection as its classic green foliage will work with anything too.

My usually turn around time (when not fully booked) for Collection Designs is 3-4 weeks, but your best bet is to book into my diary in advance so you are guaranteed a place. You can book spaces for save the dates, wedding invitations and on your on the day stationery pieces, so you can tick a big job off your wedding to-do list and rest assured knowing your wedding stationery will all be in hand with no last minute panics or tight deadlines!

What do I include on my save the dates?

When it comes to save the dates wording, they can be kept nice and basic and I recommend keeping them short and sweet. It can be tempting to provide all of the details you’ve worked hard to arrange so far, but details are best suited for the actual invitations. The things your save the dates wording must include are:

Your Names
It’s traditional to list the bride’s name first, but this isn’t a must, I always recommend just choosing the way round you prefer the ound of. For same-sex couples you could consider alphabetising them, but again whatever you prefer, there are no rules here at Wild Moon! Another thing to consider is maybe what your initials will look like when next to each other, if they are being used together in a monogram for stickers, wax seals or envelope decoration you like what to think about what looks and sounds best.

Your Venue
Your venue name and location is all you need to include, you don’t need to list the whole address just yet. If you’re getting married aboard don’t forget to include the area and country so your guests have a better idea of where they will be heading.

Your Date
Possibly the most important bit, you need to let your guests know the date they need to save of course!

Your Sign Off
Including a short line such as “formal invitation to follow” in your save the dates wording, will make sure your guests know that more information will be on the way, which is not only helpful to them but will stop anyone pestering you with questions. It’s also nice to add an additional line such as, “we hope you can make it” or something similar if you have the space and want the save the date to be a little less formal in tone.

Now you know everything about save the dates wording and etiquette, what’s next?

Sending save the dates early goes a long way in making sure those you love are with you on the big day. Now you’ve learn all about save the dates wording if you have your venue and date secured then you’re ready to send your first short and sweet announcement, all that’s left to do is choose the right design for you! You can purchase save the date samples of all my Wedding Stationery Designs in my Online Shop, so you can get a feel for the quality of the card and print and see the design in person before making a decision on your own save the dates. If you have anymore questions regarding your save the dates or wedding stationery, please feel free to Contact Me and I’ll be happy to help you!

Emily x