Last summer, my refrigerator was covered in cards designed with bright colors and amazing engagement photos of beautiful couples and their wedding dates in large print. After the wedding season passed, I didn’t know what to do with the save-the-dates still on my fridge. I felt bad for throwing them away, but I didn’t really need them anymore.  

Making the decision to send save-the-dates was a tough one for me because I felt like it was something that people were just going to throw away. But, after a few conversations with my mom, I’ve decided to at least have a few printed for keepsakes, if I don’t send them to everyone on our guest list.

While save-the-dates aren’t considered a requirement or tradition in the wedding world, they give your guests a head’s up on your upcoming nuptials. They’re especially helpful for those that will be attending an out-of-town or destination wedding. And since your wedding is probably not the only one your guests will be attending, it’s a nice way for them to keep track of dates without having to ask you a million times when you’re getting married.

Helpful hints:

  • You should mail them 4–6 months prior to your wedding (oops, I need to get busy). If you’re having a destination wedding or are planning on a seasonal or holiday wedding, you should send your dates 7–9 months prior.
  • You don’t have to send them to everyone on your list. You should send them to only those who you know for sure you’re inviting (everyone who receives a save-the-date must also get an invitation). This is also helpful to remember in case you reach a budget crisis and need to trim your guest list.
  • Furthermore, save-the-dates are helpful in providing clarity on who’s invited in advance. Don’t want your uncle’s new girlfriend to come? No problem, remember to only address the envelope to those who are invited to cut down on any misunderstandings or presumed guests.
  • Since save-the-dates are a fairly new concept, remember to put something along the lines of “invitation to follow” to avoid it being mistaken as the actual invitation.
  • Include your wedding website on the save-the-date, if you have one.
  • Include the bride and groom’s first and last names, your wedding date, wedding venue and any other information you deem helpful to your guests on the save-the-date.
  • Have FUN with your save-the-dates!

See y’all next week!

– Jordan

Bride-to-be and Benton native Jordan Westbrook graduated from UALR in 2011 with a liberal arts degree with an emphasis in mass media. The former Arkansas Bride intern will be blogging about her adventures in wedding planning right here each week.