what is a "save the date"?

A "save the date" is a card or email that you send to guests as advanced notice for an upcoming event such as a wedding. It is sent ahead of an invitation, typically 6–8 months in advance, to give people enough time to plan and save money for the event.

Save the dates normally have minimal information on them. Usually it's just the date and location for the wedding or event you are hosting. However, many couples choose to include other details such as a wedding website address, map and list of accommodations, or information about any additional events they may be organizing around the wedding. They can also feature cute photos of the couple and clever designs.

Save the dates are becoming more popular because it gives guests time to make arrangements and plan ahead for whatever event you are hosting. Not only do they allow your guests to make better plans to attend your event, they also serve as an early reminder that your special day is coming up soon!

how early should i send out save the dates?

Are you planning a wedding and looking for the answer to the question - how early should I send out save the dates?

Regardless of whether you are planning a destination wedding, or one right in your back yard, save the dates are an important part of any wedding. The great thing about save the dates is that they give you an opportunity to notify your guests about your upcoming big day well in advance, giving everyone plenty of time to plan for travel and accommodations accordingly.

When it comes to sending out save the dates, timing can be tricky because there are a few factors to consider. It's important to give your guests enough time ahead of the wedding without making them dread it too soon. While most heavily suggest sending them out 8-10 months before your event, there are cases where 6 months would suffice, or even one year depending on what type of wedding you're having.

If you're hosting a destination or international wedding that involves lots of travel planning and accommodations, it would be wise to send out your save the dates at least one year in advance so that your guests have plenty of time to organize their trip. Even though this may seem uncomfortable at first (you don't want guests discussing your wedding all year long!) you don't want them scrambling last minute trying to book flights and hotel rooms with limited fares and availability.

On the other hand, if you're having a local or regional event with fewer guests in attendance, then 6 months should be more than enough for everyone attending to make their necessary arrangements. As for more intimate weddings with less than 40 people attending, anywhere from 1 - 4 months ahead should be sufficient advance notice so that no one is caught off guard.