Save the Date Etiquette

When do I send save the date cards?

Six months before the big day (eight if you’re having a destination wedding) it’s customary to send your guests a little head’s up. Good manners suggest that you include the location (city and state) with your wedding, which Mixbook cleverly incorporates into the design.

How do I address my save the dates?

The address should clearly state exactly who you’re going to invite:

Miss Jenna Smith and Guest
Mr. Ronald Black
Great Auntie Gertrude Gibbons and her little dog, Wonkers. If you know the name of Miss Jenna Smith’s guest, it’s best to write that formally as well. No nicknames, no initials and no symbols. If you have the space, it’s appropriate to write out the state and all abbreviations like Post Office, Avenue, Apartment as well as Doctor, Reverend and Lieutenant Marshall. Children under eighteen should be listed under their parent’s names on the card while children over 18 (even if they’re still living at home) should receive their own.

What do I include in my cards?

Etiquette requires that you send a wedding invitation to anyone who receives a Save the Date, so make sure your list is complete before mailing anything. A note on your Save the Date card can let guests know that their invitation is to follow.

Am I forgetting anything?

Have fun with your save the date cards! It’s not as formal as the invitation so use the leeway to express yourself and what your vision for the big day may be.