Sending save-the-dates is a personal choice, and you are under no obligation to do so. However, save-the-dates are often recommended for more formal events, as they give your guests plenty of notice – typically six months to a year in advance – to plan around your event and make necessary travel arrangements.
This is especially important for destination weddings and out-of-town guests. If you opt to skip sending save-the-dates, make sure to give your guests enough advance notice so they have time to make plans accordingly.
Additionally, consider posting the info on your save-the-date website and/or on your social media accounts.
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Are save-the-dates really necessary?
Whether or not save-the-dates are really necessary depends on a few factors. If you are having a large wedding with many guests travelling from far away, you may want to consider sending save-the-dates so that your guests have ample time to plan for the wedding and potentially save money on travel and accommodations.
You may also want to consider sending save-the-dates if your wedding is during a busy wedding season or around a holiday or popular vacation time. In addition, sending save-the-dates can help you ensure that friends and family members that you would like to invite are able to attend the wedding and will not have to make other plans due to unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
On the other hand, if you are having a small local wedding or elopement, then save-the-dates may not be necessary. Furthermore, if your guests know the date of your wedding in advance and do not need to make special accommodations to attend then you may not need to send save-the-dates.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not you want to send save-the-dates for your wedding.
Is it rude to send a save-the-date and not an invitation?
Although it is not technically rude to send out save-the-date cards without formal invitations, it is generally frowned upon, especially for more formal events. Save-the-date cards are typically sent out several weeks, or even months, before the event and can be a nice way to give your guests an advance heads-up to plan ahead and mark the date on their calendars.
However, they are generally meant as a complement to formal invitations and are not meant to take their place. When sending out save-the-date cards and not formal invitations, it can come off as rude or give the impression that you may not be seriously planning the event.
It is important to remember that your guests will expect a formal invitation to the event and plan their schedules accordingly.
Is 3 months too late to send save-the-dates?
No, three months isn’t too late to send save-the-dates. In fact, it’s perfectly fine to send them out at any stage of your planning. While earlier is better in order to give guests more notice, save-the-dates can even be sent out right before the actual invitations.
Generally, it’s recommended to send out save-the-dates at least two to four months before the wedding or event, but as long as guests have enough advance notice, it’s perfectly okay to send out the save-the-dates within the three month time frame.
When to send wedding invites If you aren’t sending save-the-dates?
If you are not sending save-the-dates, it is generally recommended that you send out your wedding invitations 8-12 weeks prior to the wedding day. This will give your guests enough time to make travel plans, if necessary, and RSVP.
Additionally, when determining when to send out invitations, consider your guest list. If you intend to include out-of-town guests, you’ll want to give them extra time to make plans to be there.
When sending invitations, be sure that addressing, stuffing, stamping, and mailing them out is completed at least 2 weeks prior to the 8-12 week mark. This will help to ensure your invites reach your guests in a timely fashion.
Finally, be sure to order and send out your wedding invitations with plenty of time to spare. You’ll want to check the proofs to make sure that all of the name spellings, dates, and other details are correct.
Give yourself room to make any changes that may be necessary, if needed.
Do you have to send wedding invitations and save the dates?
It’s ultimately up to the couple getting married to decide if they want to send wedding invitations and/or save the dates to their guests. Sending save the dates is a thoughtful gesture that gives guests plenty of notice, especially if the couple is planning a destination wedding or a wedding on a holiday weekend.
Although they’re not a requirement, they are a great way to let everyone know when your wedding day is coming.
When it comes to wedding invitations, this traditional correspondence is an absolute must. Invitations give guests all the essential information they need to RSVP, such as the time, date, address and what type of attire is expected — along with any other pertinent details about the big day.
Plus, some couples view wedding invitations as a keepsake because they can be saved as a memento of your special day.
Do you have to send save the dates or can you just send invitations?
When it comes to weddings, there is no hard and fast rule that you must send out either save the dates or invitations – you can choose whichever you prefer. However, there are many benefits to sending out save the dates to give your guests plenty of notice of your special day, and to make sure that they don’t already have other plans for the same date.
Save the dates are generally sent out at least six months in advance, preferably earlier, and allow guests to keep the date free and the information about the details to hand. This means that sending out save the dates is useful if you are planning a destination wedding or expecting your guests to travel a long way.
Invitations will typically be sent out around six weeks to two months before the wedding. This is also the time when all the final details such as menu and RSVP cards should be included. As sending out invitations is closer to the date of the wedding, they can often be forgotten or overlooked.
Whether you choose to send out save the dates or invitations depends on your individual circumstances. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but it’s worth taking the time to consider the pros and cons of both before making a decision.
Is 4 months too early to send wedding invites?
It depends on how much time you need for making decisions, booking specific vendors, and having a final guest list. Generally speaking, sending out wedding invites 4 months in advance is usually a safe timeframe.
That gives invited guests enough time to RSVP, adjust travel plans and arrange their schedules. It also gives you enough time to get your seating chart, food selection and décor settled.
For destination weddings and multi-day wedding events, it’s best to give more advance notice, as much as 6-8 months ahead. That way your guests can plan ahead and be clear on the wedding weekend itinerary.
It’s also a good idea to consider the potential for winter weather when planning the date. If your wedding falls during the cold season, you may want to consider sending out the invites a little earlier, so that your guests can make sure their travel plans are sound.
Ultimately, you should determine a timeline that allows for you and your partner to adequately communicate all the details pertaining to the wedding. When in doubt, the earlier the invites are sent the better.
When should you not send Save the Dates?
Save the Dates should not be sent if the date and location of your event is not yet confirmed or you do not have enough details to provide to your guests. Save the Dates also should not be sent if it conflicts with other major events or holidays that your guests may already have plans for.
Additionally, it is unnecessary to send Save the Dates if you plan on making the invitations shortly after. Sending out Save the Dates can also be costly if you are not careful and they can end up being a hassle since they need to be addressed and sent out separately.
Does every guest get a save the date?
No, not every guest typically receives a ‘save the date’. Save the dates are sent to all of the guests who are invited to the wedding in advance to give them time to plan and make travel arrangements.
Unfortunately, not everyone who receives a save the date will be able to attend the wedding due to limited space or other circumstances. It’s usually up to the couple to decide who they want to send a save the date to.
For example, if a couple has a small budget and wants to keep the guest list limited, they might only send save the dates to close family and friends.
Do you indicate plus one on save the date?
When sending out a save the date for your wedding day, it is a personal choice whether or not to indicate whether there will be a plus one or not. If you plan to have guests bring a plus one, you can always make a note when you send out your invitations to indicate who should be included in the invitation.
If you have limited space and would like to invite a select group of people it is perfectly acceptable to send a save the date with just the person’s name and not indicate a plus one. Be sure to specify your plans on your wedding website if you have one, and make sure the date you choose is achievable for all invited guests.
It is best to provide your guests with as much information as possible in advance, so they can make their plans without any surprise last minute questions.
Are save the dates important?
Save the dates are definitely important. They help you notify your guests of when your wedding or event will take place, so they can make arrangements to attend. They also give your guests a chance to ensure they can make it on the day, and gives them an opportunity to plan ahead.
Additionally, save the dates serve as a proactive reminder and can get your guests excited for the big event. It is also a great chance for guests to plan for travel needs, arrange for childcare, and start planning their outfits for the day.
Save the dates give you more peace of mind – once guests receive them, you can be reassured that most people will be able to attend. All in all, save the dates are important for the success of your wedding or event.
How far in advance should you send save the dates?
Generally, save the dates should be sent out 6 to 8 months before your wedding date. However, this timeline can vary depending on your wedding date, the number of guests you are inviting, and distance they may need to travel to attend.
For weddings that take place in a destination locale or involve a lot of travel, you may want to send the save the dates 9-12 months in advance, so that guests have plenty of time to make travel plans and arrangements.
To play it safe, avoid sending them too early as it can be seen as intrusive or annoying to your guests.
Do you send save the dates to immediate family?
Yes, it is common to send save the dates to immediate family. This will give them plenty of time to plan their own arrangements and ensure they can be there. Save the dates are a great way to ensure everyone in your immediate family who is important to you and your partner is able to make it to your special day.
For example, if you know a handful of family members will be travelling, you can give them more time to book hotels and flights. Sending save the dates to immediate family also allows them to schedule other events or plans around your wedding date.
This helps to ensure they can prioritize your day and be there to celebrate with you.
Do people RSVP on save the dates?
No, people typically don’t RSVP to a save the date. Save the dates are generally just a quick way for people to save a date for an upcoming event, like a wedding, so they have time to make travel arrangements.
It usually doesn’t include vital details like time, location, or whether formal attire is required. A separate invitation sent later will provide all the details and an RSVP option. That said, some people may write in their response to the save the date, but unless specifically requested to do so, a save the date usually doesn’t require an RSVP.
