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 plan ahead. If most of your guests are local, sending Save the Dates 4–6 months before your wedding usually does the trick. This gives everyone plenty of time to pop the date in their diaries and sort out any plans. For destination weddings, it’s wise to send Save the Dates at least 9 months before the big day. That way, guests have time to organise travel, accommodation, and book time off work if needed. Early notice is especially important for anyone needing to arrange flights and hotels in advance.

Traditionally, the bride’s name appears first on Save the Dates and wedding invitations. This comes from old-school etiquette, where the bride’s family would usually host the wedding. These days, though, plenty of couples simply choose the order that feels right for them. Whether you put the bride’s name first or go for 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 wedding. The main things to include are your names, the date, and where it’ll be (the city or area is enough). As Save the Dates are less formal than the official invites, you don’t need to go into loads of detail. It’s worth letting everyone know that a formal invitation will follow with all the finer points. Adding your wedding website link to your Save the Date is a real bonus, as guests can easily find extra info like travel tips, places to stay, and the latest updates about your big day.

Yes, sending digital Save the Dates is absolutely fine and becoming more and more popular. Digital Save the Dates are budget-friendly, better for the environment, and super convenient. They can also make your wedding planning smoother by linking straight to your wedding website, where guests can RSVP and find all the details. Just remember, some guests—especially those less comfortable with technology—might need a nudge to check their emails. To make sure everyone gets your Save the Date, you might want to send a follow-up or offer another way for guests to let you know they've received it.

There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to the design or style of Save the Dates. Your design should show off your personal taste and match the feel of your wedding. Save the Dates can be formal, laid-back, quirky or classic – it’s entirely up to you. Lots of couples pick designs that fit their wedding theme or give guests a little preview of what to expect. Whether you go for something simple, a bold photo, or timeless script, the main thing is to share the key details while giving your guests a flavour of what’s ahead.

It’s not essential, but it does make things easier. Since Save the Dates are usually sent 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 ready by then. That way, you can pop the link on your Save the Dates and give your guests loads of time to take in all the details.

Popping a photo on your Save the Date adds a personal touch and makes the announcement that bit more memorable. Lots of couples opt for an engagement snap or a favourite picture that really sums up their relationship. Photos help your Save the Date stand out and give guests a peek at the happy couple they’ll be celebrating. If you do include a photo, make sure it suits the design and doesn’t distract from the key details. The right photo can really lift the look and make your Save the Date even more inviting.

The wording for your Save the Date should be clear and to the point, highlighting the essentials. A straightforward example might be: "Save the Date: [Your Names], [Wedding Date], [Location]. Formal invitation to follow." Feel free to add a personal touch with a short message or quote that shows off your personality. The main thing is to give your guests the important details, while keeping the tone in step with your wedding style.

It’s not essential for your Save the Dates and invitations to match exactly, but a coordinated look can be really pleasing to the eye. Lots of couples like to tie in the design of their Save the Dates with their wedding invitations for a consistent theme. That said, it’s absolutely fine to go for different designs, as long as they work well together. The main thing is that both bits of post clearly share all the important details and show off your wedding style.

Save the Date cards usually come in standard sizes like 5x7 inches – a popular and practical choice for posting. That said, you’re free to pick a size that fits your design and budget. Smaller options such as 4x6 inches or larger ones like 6x8 inches work too, depending on how you’d like your Save the Date to look. Just make sure the size matches your overall style and is easy for your guests to keep hold of.

Joy’s built-in Contact Collector makes it a doddle to gather all your guests’ contact details in your guest list. Just share your magic link with guests, they fill in a quick form, and your guest list grows like magic. Every Joy Save the Date comes with free recipient and return address printing, which slots in perfectly with your contact list.

It’s completely up to you, but we strongly suggest making Save the Dates part of your wedding announcement plans. That way, your guests will know the who, what, where and when of your big day as soon as you’ve got those details sorted. Pop your wedding website link on your Save the Dates too, and guests can find out more and RSVP online in no time.

Yes, coordinating your Save the Dates and invitations can give your wedding announcements a lovely, unified feel. Lots of couples opt for matching or complementary designs for both, keeping things consistent. It’s a simple way to set the tone for your big day and give your guests a seamless visual experience. You can use the same designer or template provider to make sure your Save the Dates and invitations tie in perfectly.

Picking the perfect Save the Date template is a key part of planning your wedding. It sets the tone for all your wedding updates and gives your guests their first peek at what’s ahead. Joy has a brilliant selection of Save the Date templates to suit all sorts of styles and tastes. Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic countryside do, a chic city bash, or something relaxed by the sea, Joy has a template to match your vibe. Each Save the Date template is thoughtfully designed for both style and practicality. Choose from hundreds of stunning designs, each with unique features you can tailor to your wedding theme. From elegant calligraphy to fun illustrations, Joy has something for everyone. You can even add your favourite photos for that extra personal touch, making your Save the Date truly yours.

Joy wedding websites, planning tools, registry and online RSVP are all free! Paper wedding invitations come in a variety of prices and styles, and every option includes free back-of-card printing, plus free recipient and return address printing. Watching the pennies? 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 on hand day and night, every day of the week (yes, even weekends), to make sure your questions are sorted. Just drop us an email at support@withjoy.com.

Save the Date magnets aren’t absolutely essential, and they can cost a bit more than classic paper cards. If you’re watching your budget, paper Save the Dates are absolutely fine. Most guests won’t be fussed about whether it’s a magnet or paper — what matters is that your Save the Date suits your style 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, they should also receive a wedding invitation.