Save the Date Cards

Save the Dates are a key part of wedding planning, giving your guests a heads-up about your wedding date so they can get organised. If most of your guests are local, sending Save the Dates 4–6 months out is usually spot on. That way, everyone’s got plenty of time to pop it in the diary and sort out any plans. For destination weddings, it’s best to send Save the Dates at least 9 months before the big day. This gives your guests extra time to book travel, accommodation, and get time off work if they need to. Early notice is especially important for anyone who’ll need to lock in flights and hotels ahead of time.

Traditionally, the bride’s name goes first on Save the Dates and wedding invites. This comes from old-school etiquette, where the bride’s family usually hosted the big day. These days, plenty of couples just pick the order that feels right for them. Whether you pop the bride’s name first or go with alphabetical order, the main thing is that your Save the Date clearly shares all the key details about your wedding.

Save the Dates are all about giving your guests a heads-up with the basics for your big day. Make sure to include your names, the wedding date, and where it’s happening (just the city or area is fine). Since Save the Dates are a bit more relaxed than the official invites, you don’t need to go into too much detail. It’s handy to let everyone know that a formal invitation with all the details will be sent out later. Popping your wedding website URL on the Save the Date is a smart move too—it makes it easy for guests to find extra info like travel tips, places to stay, and any updates about your wedding.

Absolutely, sending digital Save the Dates is totally fine and getting more popular every year. They’re budget-friendly, better for the environment, and super convenient. Plus, you can make wedding planning easier by linking straight to your wedding website, so guests can RSVP and find all the details in one spot. Just remember, a few guests—especially if they’re not big on tech—might need a nudge to check their emails. To make sure no one misses out, you might want to send a follow-up or offer another way for guests to let you know they’ve received it.

There aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to Save the Date designs. Go with whatever suits your style and matches the vibe of your wedding. Save the Dates can be formal, laid-back, quirky or classic—it’s totally up to you. Lots of couples pick a design that fits their wedding theme or gives guests a little taste of what’s ahead. Whether you’re into something simple, a bold photo, or a timeless script, the main thing is to share the key details and give your guests a sneak peek of what’s to come.

It’s not a must, but it definitely helps. Since Save the Dates usually go out 4 to 6 months before your big day and are a bit more relaxed than formal invites, it’s a good idea to have your wedding website sorted by then. That way, you can pop the URL on your Save the Dates and give your guests heaps of time to check out all the details.

Adding a photo to your Save the Date is a great way to make it feel more personal and memorable. Lots of couples go with an engagement snap or a favourite pic that really shows off their relationship. Photos help your Save the Date stand out and give your guests a sneak peek of the happy couple. If you’re popping in a photo, just make sure it suits the design and doesn’t take over the important info. The right photo can lift the whole look and make your Save the Date even more inviting.

Your Save the Date wording should be clear and to the point, covering the must-know details. For example: "Save the Date: [Your Names], [Wedding Date], [Location]. Formal invite to come." Feel free to add a personal touch with a short message or quote that shows off your vibe. The main thing is to give your guests the important info, while keeping the tone in step with your wedding style.

Your Save the Dates and invitations don’t have to be a perfect match, but keeping things cohesive does look great. Lots of couples like to tie in the design of their Save the Dates with their wedding invites for a consistent vibe. That said, it’s totally fine to mix things up, as long as the styles work well together. The main thing is both clearly share the details your guests need and show off your wedding style.

Save the Date cards usually come in standard sizes like 5x7 inches, which is a popular and easy size to post. But you can pick whatever size fits your style and budget. Smaller options like 4x6 inches or bigger ones like 6x8 inches work too, depending on the look you’re after. Just make sure the size matches your design and is simple for your guests to keep handy.

Joy’s built-in Contact Collector makes it a breeze to gather all your guests’ details in your guest list. Just share your magic link, your guests pop their info into a quick form, and your list updates itself—too easy. Every Joy Save the Date comes with free recipient and return address printing, all sorted and synced with your contact list.

It’s totally up to you, but we reckon Save the Dates are a must-have in your wedding announcement toolkit. That way, your guests will know the who, what, where and when of your big day as soon as you’ve locked in the details. Pop your wedding website link on your Save the Dates too, so guests can find all the info and RSVP online, easy as.

Absolutely! Matching up your Save the Dates and invitations gives your wedding announcements a polished, unified vibe. Lots of couples go for matching or complementary designs to keep things consistent. It’s a simple way to set the mood for your big day and make everything feel cohesive for your guests. You can stick with the same designer or template provider to make sure your Save the Dates and invites are perfectly in sync.

Picking the perfect Save the Date template is a key part of planning your big day. It sets the tone for all your wedding updates and gives your guests their first sneak peek at what’s ahead. Joy has a huge range of Save the Date templates to suit all sorts of styles and vibes. Whether you’re picturing a rustic country do, a glitzy city bash, or a cruisy beach party, there’s a template to match your theme. Joy’s Save the Date templates are made to look great and work smoothly. Choose from hundreds of stunning designs, each with unique features you can tweak to fit your wedding style. From classy calligraphy to fun illustrations, there’s something for everyone. Plus, you can add your favourite photos for that extra personal touch to make your Save the Date truly yours.

Joy wedding websites, planning tools, registry and online RSVP are all free! Paper wedding invitations come in a range of prices and styles, and every order includes free back-of-card printing plus free recipient and return address printing. Watching your budget? Mix and match Joy’s digital and paper cards to save on paper and postage. There are hundreds of digital wedding invitation designs you can send for free.

Absolutely! Our brilliant support team is here for you 24/7, even on weekends, to make sure your questions are sorted. Just shoot us an email at support@withjoy.com.

Save the Date magnets aren’t a must-have, and they can cost a bit more than classic paper cards. If you’re keeping an eye on your budget, paper Save the Dates are absolutely fine. Most guests won’t fuss about whether it’s a magnet or paper—the main thing is your Save the Date suits your vibe and shares all the important wedding details.

Only send save-the-dates to people you actually plan to invite to your wedding. If someone gets a save-the-date, make sure they also get a wedding invite.