What's the point of Save the Date cards?
Sarah Cherry
Updated on February 20, 2026
Similarly, it is asked, what's the point of Save the Date cards?
A Save the Date tells your guest to do exactly that, reserve the date in their calendar. While it does give some information about when and where your wedding will be held, the role of this card is to allow guests to plan in advance and also let them know that a formal invitation will be sent at a later date.
One may also ask, what information is needed on a Save the Date? The save-the-date should definitely include your and your partner's names, wedding date (or dates, for a wedding weekend), location (a town or city is helpful, even if the venue isn't booked yet) and a notice for a formal invitation to follow.
Also know, does a Save the Date mean you're invited?
A save the date card doesn't necessarily mean that you're invited to the wedding - it simply means that you're on the proposed guest list. The final guest list can be subject to change, for example, if there are unexpected changes with the venue, meaning fewer people can come.
What's the difference between Save the date cards and wedding invitations?
The biggest difference between save-the-date cards and wedding invitations is that the first is meant to put guests on notice, while the second acts as a formal invitation to the event. For that reason, save-the-dates are sent first — often months or even a year before the wedding date.
Related Question Answers
Do you put RSVP on Save the dates?
Ask guests to RSVP as part of your save-the-date, and use the invitation as more of a formality later on.Do you put plus one on Save the dates?
A save the date card should go to every guest invited to your wedding, including members of your wedding party and family members. Save the Date with a plus one, use the title Mr. or Ms. with the last name of the primary guest and write “and guest.”Should you put wedding website on Save the date?
After all, the only pieces of information you need on them are your names, wedding date (or dates, if it's a weekend) and location—just the city is fine, so you don't even need to have your venue booked yet. Including your wedding website is ideal, but not necessary.Do evening guests get a save the date?
Attending an evening party will not require as much planning for your evening guests, therefore a save the date card is not necessary. Wedding invitations are sent in plenty of time for your guest to make plans and save that evening for your wedding.Do you put last names on Save the dates?
Single guests can be addressed simply with their first and last names, or with a singular title, if preferred. If you're extending an invitation for a plus one, add “and Guest” after their full name.How much should you spend on Save the dates?
For Save-the-Dates you can expect an average cost of $150 for 100 postcard STD's.Who gets a save the date?
3. The recipients. Everyone on your "A" guest list-even your maid of honor who found out the second you booked the venue-should receive a save-the-date. (Due to budget and venue restrictions, you may have a "B" guest list-people you would love to have at your wedding but can't invite until regrets come in).Are save the date cards the same as invitations?
Save the date cards are sent approximately 4 to 6 MONTHS before the wedding; invitations are sent 6 to 8 WEEKS before the wedding.Is it rude to send a save the date and not an invitation?
Plus, you can find them for cheap enough that you won't make much of a saving by not buying them. Besides that, etiquette does hold that both are supposed to be sent. So, if that's something that's important to you, then you should definitely send both a save the date and an invitation.What to do if you get a save the date but no invitation?
“I suggest sending a simple note to the couple letting them know that you were excited to receive their save-the-date, but have not received an invitation and wanted to check in, as you were planning on joining the celebration!”How do you politely uninvite someone?
Be honest and direct.Tell the individual why you're uninviting them. If it's because of a fight, or because they recently broke up with a close friend, let the individual know that's your reason. If you're uninviting someone but still value their friendship, let them know that it's not personal.
Do you need a save the date?
Usually, couples send out save the dates a few months after they've gotten engaged and have decided on a wedding venue and ceremony date. But they're hardly mandatory, and for some couples, they might not even be necessary.How do you reply to save the dates?
Technically, a save-the-date card doesn't require a response, but it is a courtesy when an invitee lets the host know when a “yes” is not in the cards. Some couples and their parents think that sending an invitation to those who have indicated they cannot attend smacks of fishing for a wedding gift.How do you address wedding save the dates?
Address the save the date with both of the couple's names. Traditionally, the man's name goes first, but if you're close to the woman and her boyfriend is coming as her guest, switch up the order and put her name first.Should save the dates have pictures?
Does a save the date have a picture? Save the dates do not have to have a picture, and there are a ton of stylish options that don't. But it can be a really fun way to show off your engagement pictures (or just some cute DIY photos of yourselves), and people love to put your smiling faces on their fridges.Do you handwrite addresses on Save the dates?
The mailing envelope on save-the-dates is typically addressed by hand, but you may also use a calligraphy-style font from your computer, if you choose this option, print directly on an envelope, not on an address label. Printing is especially helpful if you have a large number of envelopes to address.How do you address Save the Date cards?
Here are six guidelines for addressing those save the date envelopes flawlessly:- Address the guests with “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” or “Ms.”
- Write the full names of your guests (no nicknames or abbreviations)
- Add kids' names right after their parents.
- Spell out the addresses completely (write out “Street” instead of writing “St.”)
Why are Save the dates necessary?
With everyone's busy schedules, you'll want to send out your save the dates 6 to 8 months before your wedding date. This helps ensure sure they won't accidently be out of town on your big day. Let guests make arrangements. Sending save the dates is especially critical if you're having a destination wedding!What does save the date mean?
It means "reserve this date." For example. Someone can send a wedding invitation for a wedding scheduled to occur on 10/1/2016. "Save the date" means please remember to not schedule anything else on this date.How early should you send out wedding invites?
When To Send Out Wedding Invitations. Wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. This will provide your guests with ample time to make arrangements and mark their calendars, no matter where they might be traveling from or what they've got going on.How can I save money on Save the dates?
Here are some money-saving ideas, options, and tips to know before you send your save the dates:- Idea #1: Choose a Budget-Friendly Format.
- Idea #2: Order as Few as You Need.
- Idea #3: Minimize Postage Costs (or Eliminate Them)
- Idea #4: Use Coupons, Wait for Sales.
- Idea #5: Be Cheap, Not a Cheapskate.
Does the knot send out invites?
The "Invite Sent" column is a feature that allows you to manually manage and update who you've sent your invites to help you keep track. **Please note, when clicking on the Invite Sent checkmark, this does not automatically send out invites to your guests.How should you address wedding invitations?
Standard Addressing Etiquette Rules:- Do not spell out the state.
- Address envelopes to both members of a married couple, husband first.
- Address envelopes to unmarried couples with each of their names on a separate line.
- Send separate invitations to children over 18.
- Write “and Guest” if a guest is allowed.