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Your Guide to Save the Dates

Save the Date Cards are used to announce your wedding date to your wedding guests, giving your friends and family the best possible chance of attending. Today's post shares everything you need to know:

Why send Save the Date Cards?

Life is busy, and there are a lot of things going on. A wedding is an exciting addition to the calendar - but it can be a juggle to add another event or weekend away to the mix!

Giving your guests plenty of notice gives you the best possible chance of having everyone you want attending. Think of a Save the Date as a heads up, giving your friends and family plenty of time plan their travel arrangements, organise child care, start budgeting and/or apply for time off work.

Do you really need Save the Dates?

Whether you send Save the Dates or not is an entirely personal preference. Just remember, having that extra notice allows your wedding guests the best chance of being able to attend.

Giving your guests additional notice also helps if you're planning a destination wedding and/or your wedding is planned over a long weekend.

You can also compromise and only send Save the Dates to family and close friends - the people you'd be absolutely guttered to miss on your wedding day.

What information do we put in our Save the Dates?

Keep it simple! The minimum is to mention your names and the wedding date. It's helpful to also include:

  • a general location (naming the city or area, rather than the specific venue, is perfectly fine!).
  • If you have a wedding website, you can include this as well.
  • A line noting "formal invitation to follow" clarifies that further information will be sent in due course.

When do you send Save the Dates?

Ideally, you'll send Save the Dates between 18 months and six months before your wedding. One year is ideal. You need to strike a balance between too far out and guests forgetting or putting off making plans. Too soon and guests may have other commitments. Here's more information on when you need to send your Save the Dates and Wedding Invitations.

Do we have to send Wedding Invitations if we send Save the Dates?

Yes! A Save the Date is an indication you’re invited, but it’s not THE invite. Save the Date Cards don't include much detail because quite often you haven't narrowed down all the finer detail when you're that far out.

How do I order Save the Dates from Be My Guest Design?

We make ordering your Save the Date cards as stress free and simple as possible.

Step 1: Order your Save the Date

First, find the Save the Date design that appeals to you. Remember, all designs can have colours, wording and layout changed, so the design you select is just a starting point.

Browse Save the Date Cards

When you are ready to place your order, you'll be prompted to make some optional choices. If you're not sure, your designer can arrange a manual upgrade while processing your order (before you confirm your order is ready for print). The typical choices we offer are:

Card Type

The card type you want your Save the Date printed onto. We have more information on card types here or you can order a Wedding Invitation Sample Pack which gives you the whole range of card swatches so you can see them in person.

Envelope Colour

We include White, Black or Kraft envelopes to match the size of your Save the Date. These are all high quality, NZ made envelopes.

Rounded Corners

When you select this option, we round the corners of your Save the Date cards

Layered Invitations

Some Save the Dates have the option to be made into a Layered Invitation.

Guest Names

If you want to pre-print your guest names on their individual invitations, you can opt to do this by selecting this option.

Printed Proof

If you select this option, once the digital design of your Save the Date is finalised, we’ll send you a physical printed proof for your inspection. This tangible copy allows you to see and feel the design on your selected cardstock in real life, ensuring every aspect aligns with your expectations, down to the finest detail.

Envelope Seals

A 30mm circle sticker to seal your envelopes. Your designer will ensure this matches your final Save the Date design

Paperclips

Pretty teardrop paperclips are a popular addition for clipping photos and other extras to your Save the Dates.

Magnets

Add self-adhesive patch magnets so that your guests can pop your Save the Date on the fridge!

Step 2: Customising your Save the Date

You'll then get to the 'Customisation' field. This is where you supply the wording/details for your Save the Date. You can note any other changes at this point too - such as changing the colours.

Once your order has been submitted, it will be assigned to one of our design team. Your designer will review your notes and will design your Save the Date. This part of the process can take 1-2 working days.

She'll email you an electronic mockup for your review. You can make changes, or if everything is perfect, let us know ASAP and it can get into print production!

Step 3: Printing your Save the Date

As soon as you tell your designer that your Save the Date is good to go to print, then she will process your Save the Date file and send it through for printing. The print team will print your Save the Date to your chosen card stock, checking it prints as expected and then finishing the card to the final size and with any of your add ons. This process typically takes 1-2 working days.

Step 4: Packaging and Sending your Save the Date cards

When your order is ready to go, the team will package your Save the Dates, envelopes and any other extras into a courier parcel.

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