A quick blog to talk about the big questions regarding Save The Date announcements!
What: Save The Date cards are most typically a pre-invitation to a wedding. Basically, what you’re telling your guests is that you have a date and location picked, and the rest of the information will be on the way to them in the future. Since formal invitations are typically sent about two months to six weeks in advance, a STD is a great way to give your guests ample time to prepare for your wedding. Also, it’s a great way to get your friends and family excited for your big day!
The DO: Take the time to include a link to your planning website, if you have one. The more you can keep yourselves on their mind, the better chance you have of your loved ones making it a priority to be with you that day!
The DON’T: Don’t feel like STDs are mandatory! In some groups and families, word of mouth is just as good, if not more effective, than a mailed card! If you know that applies to you, you can save a bit of money and skip them all together without any qualms.
Who: People receiving save the dates can play a huge roll regarding attendance to your wedding- both good, and bad. Save the dates are a great idea for guests who are coming in from out of town, weddings that are scheduled for a weekday rather than a weekend, or destination weddings.
The DON’T: When sending out STDs to friends and family, ensure that your guest list is 100% solid- you do NOT want to be sending them out to people who will get cut from the list later and will end up waiting for an invite in the mail! This is a huge etiquette no-no and will likely end in hurt feelings and confusion.
The DO: Feel free to send out STDs to your whole guest list. Sometimes this will feel a bit overboard because if they don’t need to travel or are a close friend, they may not technically need an STD to remember your wedding date. But, it’s never a bad idea to spend a little money for the convenience of your guests. Something to remind them that the invite is coming and to mark their calendar is a great way to ensure that those closest to you will be there.
Where: Getting STDs these days is very, very easy! Anything from Magnets, to Postcards are available not only through the internet, but basically anywhere that sells wedding invitations! There are some great places these days to find something that totally fits your personality and vibe for your wedding. If you’re having trouble, remember to email ME and I’ll pull you through!
The DO: Get an STD that fits you and your fiancé. Don’t feel like you need to spend a bunch of time picking out something formal, or even something that “fits” your wedding theme. If it reflects you and your personalities, it’s perfect! Oh, and don’t forget- including pictures is a HUGE crowd-pleaser!
The DON’T: Don’t stress over being able to afford an STD. Many places these days can make postcards for a steal of a deal. You may be able to spend as little as $50 to get STDs for 100 families. In the end, that’s one of the cheapest things you can get in this industry! It may seem like a frivolous expense, but doing it right can be informative for your guests AND keep the cost down!
When: When you’re sending out STDs, the best time to do it is…well, now! As soon as your ducks are in a row, per say. When you have your date pinned down and your venue booked, now is as good of time as any! Keep in mind, with your invites going out two months prior, you want your STDs to be affective. Depending on the length of your engagement, being practical is key. I would say anywhere from 8 to 12 months out is appropriate for a STD to guests. Anything longer than that may result in total memory lapse by your guests anyhow!
The DO: Be efficient about ordering and addressing your STDs. The last thing you want is to become stressed early on in the engagement! The more you can avoid that for yourself, the better. Set personal deadlines that make sense to you two, as a couple. If you have goals set that are clear cut, you’ll tend not to break them.
The DON’T: Don’t let this turn into a big deal! It’s a great gesture to friends and family alike, but as I said above- only you know your family and crowd! If it turns into an argument over the cost, the timeline, the style… it’s not worth it! Focus on things that will bring you two together. Compromise, as marriage will tell, is key! If one of you wants something funky and new, and the other wants something more traditional, take the time to understand one another and start your engagement off on the right foot! Or, at least keep it on that foot!!
All in all, STDs can be a huge asset to any wedding. Not only do they provide insight into the actual event, but more of the time, they’re actually introducing your guests to you- the couple! Sometimes family will not have met both the bride and the groom- what a treat to be given a great engagement picture! Remember, keep it fun and keep having fun! Take the time to stop and be thankful for your engagement period, as stressful as it may be… it will be one of the best memories you take with you!
