Save the Date Cards Etiquette

There are so many different etiquettes and criteria for throwing a wedding together, it’s hard to keep track of it all.  From save the date cards to wedding shower invitations, it’s hard to tell what you should do, how you should do it, and how much money to invest in the small details that stand out.  For something such as save the date cards, you might think it is superfluous and unnecessary, however with today’s busy schedules; people need at least 3 to 6 months advance notification for a major event such as a wedding.  Because of people’s busy schedules, the idea of using save the date cards is relatively new but is catching on quicker. 

Nowadays, couples are planning to send out a combination of less formal save the date cards as well as more formal wedding invitations!  Most people tend to send out their wedding invites around 2 months before their actual wedding date, however 2 months window frame may be too late of a notice for other couples, friends, and families.  Especially for those who have weddings planned for the summer, you may risk having wedding date same as everyone else’s already planned and paid for summer vacation.  With save the date cards you are sending them out at least 6 months before the actual wedding date, ensuring that your wedding is taken into account when they make plans.

Unlike wedding invites, save the date cards have less etiquette and restrictions.  Because they are a newer concept, couples are finding their own adaptions with it.  Some couples who are on a budget are sending out electronic save the date cards, some prefer old fashioned save the date cards sent through the mail for a more personal effect, and some combine both so they can be reminded via email and have the personal touch. 

They can be as formal and as informal as you please.  Often times people send the save the date cards with a magnet that has the reminder.  Often times, couples will pair the save the date card with the actual theme of the wedding or with the wedding invitations if they already have them picked out.  If not, you can pick out something generic.

Save the date cards are supposed to be less casual than your average wedding invite.  If you are stressed out about picking the right kind of save the date card, you shouldn’t be!  Have some fun with picking out the cards.  They are supposed to serve you for functional purposes; so as long as they have all the relevant information needed for people to RSVP to your wedding then you are set!   Often times the cost of the bridal shower falls upon the friends and family.  If the bride wants it to be extremely fancy and grand, it is not taboo to ask for some contribution from her and her partner. 

After getting a budget, you can now look into picking out the perfect venue for the event!  The venue is an important aspect for a bridal shower.  You can rent out a venue or hold it somewhere personal, depending on your budget and what the bride would want.  After picking out the venue, the rest is small details such as determining catering options, sending out bridal shower invitations, and getting guest favors.  Happy planning girls!