When should you send save-the-dates?
Send save-the-dates 6–8 months before the wedding for most couples, 8–12 months for destination weddings. The job of a save-the-date is to give guests enough runway to request time off, book flights, and arrange childcare. Send earlier than 12 months and the date feels abstract; send later than 4 months and out-of-town guests can't realistically attend.
The save-the-date is not a substitute for the formal invitation. It just locks the date in everyone's calendar — the invitation comes 6–8 weeks before the wedding with the actual logistics (ceremony time, attire, registry, RSVP).
What information goes on a save-the-date?
Both partners' names, the wedding date, the city or venue, and a line that says “invitation to follow.” Keep everything else (dress code, hotel block, registry link) for the formal invitation. Save-the-dates that try to cram in all the wedding website logistics start to look like flyers.
The four optional additions that work:
- Wedding website URL — only if it's short and memorable.
- A photo of the couple — engagement photos are perfect, candid travel photos work too.
- Wedding hashtag — useful if you want guests to start using it before the day (need one? try our free hashtag generator).
- “Block your dates [X] to [Y]” — for destination weddings where you want guests to plan a longer trip.
Digital vs printed save-the-dates
In 2026, roughly 70% of US save-the-dates go out digitally first, with printed copies optional for family who want one for the fridge. Digital is faster, cheaper (free with this generator), and tracks better — guests are more likely to see and act on a text or email than a piece of mail.
The exceptions where printed still wins:
- Older relatives who don't check email reliably — a printed card is more likely to get noticed and pinned to the fridge.
- Black-tie weddings where the formality starts with the save-the-date.
- Destination weddings where you want a physical artifact that triggers guests to remember to book travel.
The hybrid that works for most: design the card here, send digitally to your full list, mail printed copies to the 20– 30 people most likely to need a physical nudge.
Save-the-date etiquette mistakes to avoid
- Sending before the venue is booked. The date isn't real until the venue confirms it. Walking it back is embarrassing.
- Sending to people you're not actually inviting. Anyone who gets a save-the-date expects an invitation. Don't use the save-the-date as a survey of who might come.
- Cramming in too much information. Names + date + location + “invitation to follow.” That's the whole job.
- Sending too late. Less than 4 months out is too late for most out-of-town guests. Either send the formal invitation directly or expect a smaller turnout.
- Misspelling names. Triple-check both partners' names before downloading. The PNG file gets shared more than you think.