Save-The-Date
SAVVY
by Lisa Kahan
M
odern, quirky or traditional?
Embossed stationery, postcard
or email? Whatever you choose,
save-the-dates are an essential part of the
wedding-planning process — and not just for the
engaged couple. For your guests, knowing the
date of your special day is about so much more
than just writing it on their calendar. Between
work commitments, maxed-out vacation days,
flight and hotel reservations and child care, your
guests have a lot to juggle. Help ensure they’ll
be there on your big day by providing them with
the information they need to plan ahead.
SAVE-THE-DATE ESSENTIALS:
• Basics First: Popular wedding venues can fill
up surprisingly fast, so if you have your heart
set on a particular spot, it’s worth putting
down a deposit before you send out the date.
• Don’t Wait Too Long: Send your save-the-
date six to eight months before the wedding.
This is especially important for destination
weddings and multi-day events where guests
will need to make travel plans and request
time away from work.
• T
hink Before You Send: Once a save-the-
date card is mailed, consider that person
formally invited. So think hard about how
large you’d like your wedding to be and who
you’d like to be there.
• Be Creative: Save-the-dates aren’t required
to match the wedding invite, and it’s OK
if you haven’t chosen the color scheme for
your ceremony yet, so have fun and let your
personality shine.
• Consider an Electronic Save-the-Date:
Eco-friendly and easy on the budget,
e-save-the-dates are the perfect choice for
tech-savvy couples. Just make sure your
Great Uncle Henry is in the loop.
PRO TIP: INCLUDE YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR
Include the name and number of your travel advisor who
can help your guests book their flights, hotels and ground
transportation. And don’t forget to ask them about group
airfare discounts.
Ashton Kelley Photography