Whoo hoo, you’re engaged!

Everyone will be expecting to know when your wedding is and where it will take place. DON’T feel overwhelmed. Sometimes guests expect you to have everything figured out, but it’s only because they’re just so happy for you!

Now, back to business! You’ve both agreed to spend the rest of your lives together, so you guys will have to set a date. Typically, couples like to choose their anniversary or a special day that was memorable for the two of you. Once you have your date set, make sure you send out “SAVE THE DATE” cards. If you plan on having your wedding fairly soon, the sooner you send these out, the better! The IDEAL time to send out “Save the Dates” depends on what kind of wedding you plan on having. A destination wedding will require a lot more time than just a couple months. Plan to give your guests about 8-12 months heads up for a destination wedding. If you plan on having your wedding somewhere local, you have a little more wiggle room. It is proper to allow your guests 4-6 months notice of your wedding. This way, your guests 1.) know they will be invited and will expect an invitation, and 2.) set that date aside especially for your wedding.

 

What To Include On A Save The Date Card

What key information should you include on your save the date cards? Your save the date card should include three main pieces of information:

1. The date of the wedding, or the weekend of the wedding celebration. The magical date is set and this is the date you will include in your card, allowing your guests to mark the big day on their calendars. If you’re planning a destination wedding or a celebration that lasts more than a single day, indicate the entire weekend so your guests can block off the weekend and arrange their travel plans.
2. The city of the event. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or one in your hometown, your guests will need to know the location of your wedding to prepare ahead of time. Even some of your local guests might want to reserve a room at a nearby hotel instead of driving home at the end of the night.
3. The name of the couple. Full names are preferred, but first names are just as proper for casual and informal wedding celebrations. And you never know, a save the date card might be the first time some of your guests learn the name of your fiancé.

 

What is also common, but never required is:

• The wedding website. Today’s couples love creating custom wedding websites with fun and helpful information about the festivities. If you’re launching your own site or page, don’t forget to include it in your save the date card. This is also a great way to point your guests to a place with more information that you might not be able to fit in the card or invitation.