Save the Date Wording: 30+ Examples for Every Wedding Style | Paperlust

Pictured above: the Sophia Kaplan save the date with a vellum overlay.

The wording on a save the date card doesn’t need to be complicated. But it does need to feel like you. Whether you’re planning a black-tie ceremony, a relaxed backyard celebration, or heading somewhere tropical with 30 of your closest people, the words you choose set the tone before the formal invitation ever arrives.

This page is a shortcut. Find your vibe, copy what works, and tweak from there.

What Must Appear on Every Save the Date

Before the examples: every save the date should include these essentials.

• Both names (in whatever order feels right to you)
• The date (even an approximate one works if you’re early in planning)
• General location (city and country is enough at this stage; you don’t need the venue name yet)
• “Formal invitation to follow” or a variation (this tells guests they don’t need to RSVP yet)

What you don’t need: venue details, dress code, registry info, or RSVP instructions. All of that lives on the formal invitation.

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Quick Reference: Wording Length by Wedding Type

• Formal local wedding: 4-6 lines, traditional phrasing, no nicknames
• Casual or backyard wedding: 3-4 lines, conversational, first names only
• Destination wedding: 5-7 lines, include city/country and weather note
• Elopement announcement: 2-3 lines, often past-tense after the fact
• Photo card save the date: 1-2 lines, let the image do the work

Formal and Elegant Save the Date Wording

For traditional ceremonies, black-tie events, and couples who love a timeless look.

Sophia and James
request the pleasure of your company
to celebrate their marriage
on [Month Day], 2027
New York City, New York
Formal invitation to follow

Together with their families
Alexandra and William
invite you to save the date
for their wedding celebration
[Month Day] | London, England
Invitation to follow

Please save the date for the wedding of
Claire and Benjamin
[Month Day], 2027
The Cotswolds, England
Formal invitation forthcoming

Natalie and Edward
are to be married on [Month Day], 2027
Charleston, South Carolina
Kindly save the date. Invitation to follow.

Catherine and Michael
joyfully invite you to save the date
for their wedding ceremony and reception
[Month Day], 2027 | Paris, France
Formal invitation to follow
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Casual and Warm Save the Date Wording

For couples who want something friendly, modern, and approachable.

Hey, we’re getting married!
Save the date for
Maya and Tom’s wedding
[Month Day], 2027 | Austin, Texas
Invite coming soon

Mark your calendars.
Zoe and Luke are tying the knot!
[Month Day], 2027
Napa Valley, California
More details to come

We said yes. Now say you’ll be there.
Priya and Jake
[Month Day], 2027 | Chicago, Illinois
Formal invitation coming your way soon

Save the date!
Ruby and Sam are getting married.
[Month Day], 2027 | Nashville, Tennessee
We’d love for you to celebrate with us. Invite to follow.

It’s happening.
Emma and Liam | [Month Day], 2027
Portland, Oregon
Formal invitation coming soon

Grab your calendar and save this date.
Mia and Noah are getting married!
[Month Day], 2027 | Denver, Colorado
Invitation to follow

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Romantic and Heartfelt Save the Date Wording

For couples who want something poetic, sentimental, or beautifully understated.

Two hearts, one beautiful day.
Isabelle and Finn
[Month Day], 2027 | Santorini, Greece
Invitation to follow

From this day forward, forever.
Please save the date for the wedding of
Amara and Sebastian
[Month Day], 2027 | Florence, Italy
Formal invitation to follow

They found their forever in each other.
Now they want to celebrate with you.
Layla and Connor | [Month Day], 2027
Savannah, Georgia | Invitation to follow

Some dates you just never want to forget.
This is one of them.
Hannah and Oliver
[Month Day], 2027 | Edinburgh, Scotland
Invitation forthcoming

The adventure begins.
Grace and Ethan | [Month Day], 2027
Queenstown, New Zealand
We’d love for you to be part of it. Invite to follow.
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Funny and Punny Save the Date Wording

Because not every wedding has to take itself too seriously.

We’re getting hitched, no glitch!
Save the date for
Chloe and Marcus | [Month Day], 2027
Brooklyn, New York | Invite to follow (pinky promise)

Put a ring on the date.
Jade and Tyler are getting married.
[Month Day], 2027 | Miami, Florida
Formal invite on its way

We finally decided to make it official.
(It only took us a few years.)
Ava and Ryan | [Month Day], 2027
San Diego, California | Invitation to follow

She said yes. He’s still in shock.
Nora and Matt | [Month Day], 2027
Boston, Massachusetts
Formal invitation coming soon

Better save this date before someone else does.
Lily and Jack | [Month Day], 2027
New Orleans, Louisiana | Invite incoming

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Destination Wedding Save the Date Wording

When your guests need extra notice, and possibly a passport.

Start packing your bags.
Stella and Kai are getting married in Tuscany.
[Month Day], 2027
Invitation and travel details to follow

Your presence is requested somewhere beautiful.
Jasmine and Rafael
[Month Day], 2027 | Bali, Indonesia
Formal invitation with travel information to follow

Adventure awaits, and so does a wedding.
Save the date for
Tara and Leo | [Month Day], 2027
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Accommodation details and invitation to follow

Sun, sea, and a wedding.
Please save the date for
Nina and Carlos | [Month Day], 2027
Tulum, Mexico
More details coming soon. Start planning your trip!

We’re taking the party somewhere warm.
Eva and Daniel | [Month Day], 2027
Mykonos, Greece
Formal invitation and travel info to follow

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Elopement and Intimate Wedding Save the Date Wording

For micro-weddings, small celebrations, and couples keeping it close.

We’re keeping it small and making it beautiful.
Please save the date.
Sophie and James | [Month Day], 2027
[City, State]
Intimate celebration, invitation to follow

A small wedding. A big love.
Mara and Cole | [Month Day], 2027
[Location]
We’re celebrating with our closest people. Details to follow.

We eloped! And we want to celebrate with you.
Join us for an intimate reception.
Leah and Ben | [Month Day], 2027
[City] | Invitation to follow

Just us, a handful of people we love, and a beautiful day.
Save the date.
Isabel and Hugo | [Month Day], 2027
[Location] | Invitation to follow
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Photo Card Save the Date Wording

When your engagement photo is doing half the talking, the words just need to do the rest.

[Photo]
We’re engaged, and we’re getting married!
Zara and Finn | [Month Day], 2027
[Location] | Formal invitation to follow

[Photo]
Save the date
Anna and Will | [Month Day], 2027
[City, Country] | Invite coming soon

[Engagement photo]
She said yes. He cried a little.
Maya and Jordan | [Month Day], 2027
[Location] | Invitation to follow

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Mix and Match Phrases

Not finding exactly what you need? Build your own from these pieces.

Opening lines:

• Save the date
• Please save the date
• Mark your calendars
• We’re getting married!
• It’s official
• The date is set
• We said yes
• An adventure is beginning
• Two become one
• We finally did it

Middle connectors:

• Together with their families
• With joy in their hearts
• With love and excitement
• Along with their families
• Surrounded by those they love most
• In the company of the people who matter most

Location phrasing:

• [City, Country]
• In the heart of [City]
• Somewhere beautiful in [Region]
• Join us in [Destination]
• Celebrating in [Location]

Closing lines:

• Formal invitation to follow
• Invitation forthcoming
• More details to come
• Save the date, details on their way
• Invite coming soon
• We can’t wait to celebrate with you
• Please hold this date, we’ll be in touch
• Details and RSVP info to follow
• Kindly save the date

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Save the Date Wording: Tone Comparison Table

Tone	Voice example	Best for
Formal	“Please save the date for the marriage of [bride] to [groom] on [date]”	Black-tie ceremonies, traditional venues, family-led weddings
Casual	“Save the date! [name] and [name] are getting married [date]”	Backyard, brewery, and weekender weddings
Punny / Funny	“He put a ring on it. Save the date.”	Casual second weddings, elopement announcements, photo cards
Destination	“Pack your bags! [name] and [name] are tying the knot in [city] on [date]”	Destination weddings, holiday-weekend ceremonies

When to Send Your Save the Dates

For most weddings, 6-8 months before the date is the sweet spot. It gives guests enough notice to request time off work, make travel arrangements, and block the date before anything else claims it. For local or low-travel events, you can stretch toward the 6-month end.

For destination weddings or peak-season dates (holiday weekends, summer Saturdays in popular venues), aim for 9-12 months. If you’re asking people to book international flights or commit to a multi-night trip, earlier is always better. The same logic applies to weddings during major holidays, when flights and accommodation fill fast.

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Once your wording is ready, the next step is finding cards that do it justice. Browse save the dates at save the date cards including photo cards, magnets, postcards, and destination styles. Over 500 exclusive designs, free white envelopes with every order, and free shipping on Australian orders (free DHL express internationally on orders over $350 USD).

Browse save the dates

Photo card save the dates

Save the date magnets

Save the date postcards

Destination save the dates

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How to Choose Your Save the Date Wording Style

Three factors decide which wording template fits your wedding: the formality of your ceremony, how much guests already know about your plans, and how soon you need to lock the date.

1. Match formality to the venue and dress code

If your wedding is black-tie at a heritage hall, traditional phrasing keeps the tone consistent from save the date to invitation. A backyard or brewery wedding reads more naturally with casual or punny copy. The save the date is the first signal guests get about what kind of event to expect. Make it match. Browse formal save the date designs if you want to see how the layout supports the wording.

2. Decide what guests already know

If you’re inviting close friends and family who already know the city and date, you can keep the card minimal. If you have out-of-town guests or a destination wedding, add weather, airport hint, or a dedicated wedding website URL on the card itself. The fewer questions the card raises, the fewer follow-up texts you’ll get.

3. Lock copy 6-8 months out (8-12 for destination)

Save the dates exist to give guests time to book travel and request leave. Send any later and you defeat the purpose. Set a printing deadline 8 months before the wedding (12 if international guests are involved) and work backwards from there. See the full timing guide for month-by-month examples.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do save the dates need to include the venue?

Including the venue is optional. Most couples list only the city and the wedding date on the save the date itself, then save the venue address for the formal invitation. This gives you flexibility if the venue changes and keeps the card uncluttered.

Can save the date wording be funny or punny?

Yes, humorous wording works well for casual weddings, second weddings, and elopement announcements. Match the punny tone to your invitation suite so guests aren’t surprised when the formal invite arrives. If your wedding ceremony is traditional, keep the save the date warm but understated.

Should both partners’ names appear on the save the date?

Both names should appear unless you have a specific reason otherwise. The traditional order is bride’s name first, but modern couples list names alphabetically, by who knows the recipient better, or simply by sound. There is no etiquette breach in choosing your own order.

How early can save the dates be sent?

Save the dates can be sent up to 12 months in advance for destination weddings and 8 months for local weddings. Sending earlier than 12 months risks guests forgetting and is generally not recommended unless the wedding involves significant travel or holiday planning conflicts.

Do save the dates replace the formal invitation?

No, save the dates only reserve the date. They do not include RSVP information, venue address, or ceremony time. The formal wedding invitation arrives 6-8 weeks before the wedding with full details. A save the date that promises ‘invitation to follow’ sets the right expectation.