Save the date cards are your guests’ very first taste of your wedding: they establish its signature style and hint at the feel of the day. You should be able to tell from a save the date whether the wedding will be formal or casual, classic or rustic, and so on. Understandably, you’ll probably feel a lot of pressure to get your save the dates right! So if you’re having trouble deciding on a theme for your wedding stationery, and worrying about those all-too-important reminders that need to be sent out so early in the piece, you might want to consider seasonal save the date cards.
Whether you’re having a magical white winter wedding or planning a warm, relaxed summertime affair, it’s easy to reflect the season stylishly and effectively in the design of your save the date cards. Seasonal save the dates have the added bonus of hinting at what to wear, as well as the style of the wedding. An autumnal save the date, for example, will immediately remind guests that they might need to bring a coat along for later in the evening!
Keep in mind that your save the dates don’t necessarily need to match your wedding invites and other wedding stationery. You may prefer to keep them separate and unique. If you do prefer a matching suite, though, it remains super easy to incorporate key seasonal elements, motifs and colour schemes throughout all your stationery components.
Likewise, you don’t have to incorporate the seasonal theme of your save the dates into your overall wedding décor, since it will remain relevant regardless thanks to the date. So if you don’t have another particular look or theme in mind yet, a subtle seasonal option could be the perfect choice.
Let’s take a look at some save the date cards, for each of the four seasons.
Summer
Key colours:
- White
- Shades of blue and green, from pale sea foam to deep royal blue
- Shades of yellow, from bright gold to subtle sandy shades
Potential motifs:
- Seashells
- Driftwood
- White feathers
- Nautical symbols and materials e.g. anchor, rope
Summer weddings are all about embracing warm weather and enjoying the outdoors. Many summer-loving couples will choose a beach wedding, which is an easy and effective theme to work into your save the date cards. However, the seaside isn’t your only warm-weather option. Garden and vineyard weddings – basically any ceremonies held outdoors – are also popular, and can make for some very pretty wedding stationery.
No matter which type of summer wedding you’re having, it’s best to keep things simple with your save the dates. You don’t want to cross the line into tacky territory by plastering the cards with enough palm trees for a Hawaiian shirt! Opt for a subtle approach, using one or two key motifs and an elegant, carefully considered colour scheme.
Examples of summer save the date cards:
A seaside location or theme can be captured with watercolour blues and greens, or even a ‘driftwood’ look:
Source: https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/194861848/aqua-save-the-date-card-watercolour-save?ref=shop_home_active_2
Source: https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/122915657/seaside-ocean-antique-beach-wedding-save
Letterpress can also be an effective method for a summer Save the Date, as shown on this simple yet effective canvas and palmtree combination:
Source: http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/2012/03/stephanie-treys-tropical-passport-save-the-dates/
As we mentioned before, not every summer wedding has to be hosted at the beach! If you’re throwing a summer garden wedding instead, motifs of trees, fireflies and fairy lights can adorn your save the dates, like so:
Source: http://www.zazzle.com/rustic_old_oak_tree_lights_save_the_date_postcards-239884184183620110
Autumn
Key colours:
- Reds and oranges, from burnt sienna to burgundy
- Shades of brown such as chocolate and coffee
- Hints of sage or forest green
Potential motifs:
- Leaves and trees
- Acorns
- Pumpkins
The crisp air and scenic, leaf-strewn backdrop of an autumn day sets the scene for a beautiful wedding. The season’s naturally rich colour palette is ideal for stand-out stationery, too.
Autumn-themed elements work well in illustrated or photographic save the date cards. For a tactile, handmade effect, why not consider including actual pressed/dried flowers or autumn leaves? It’s the perfect chance to get creative.
Examples of autumn save the date cards:
Create a simple and elegant invitation with beautiful, blended colours and a range of natural elements, such as leaves and acorns:
Source: https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/174022054/autumn-save-the-date-save-the-date-card?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share
If you don’t want to use real leaves but still want a tactile effect, consider using cut-outs from felt or other craft materials:
Source: https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/82451541/120-save-the-date-cards-fall-leaf-seed
Sparse line drawings, splashes of autumn colour and a unique typeface make for a striking save the date:
Source: http://bezigncreative.com/autumn-leaves/
Light up your stationery by including strings of twinkling lights amongst autumn leaves and branches:
Source: http://www.zazzle.com/cute_string_lights_rustic_save_the_date_postcards-239806315387567604
Winter
Key colours:
Potential motifs:
- Snowflakes/snow
- Trees (e.g. bare branches, fir trees)
- Silhouettes
Winter weddings provide the perfect opportunity to create a picturesque, striking aesthetic. From the snow-white wedding dress to the echoes of lace in a delicate snowflake, winter and weddings seem made for each other!
There are plenty of ways to incorporate this season into an elegant set of save the date cards.
Examples of winter save the date cards:
Snowflakes, bare trees and white typeface paint a pretty scene on a wintry blue backdrop:
Source: http://www.brides.com/wedding-ideas/wedding-invitations-stationery/2010/11/winter-wedding-save-the-dates#slide=11
A minimalist approach, such as white and grey fir trees silhouetted against a wood-effect background, allows you to introduce your winter wedding subtly and effectively:
Source: http://www.exclusivelyweddings.com/Weddings/Wedding-Invitations/Save-The-Date/Announcements/Winter-Woods-Save-the-Date-Card?pin1
Add a frosty yet floral touch to your save the date cards with delicate white blooms set against a block of wintry colour:
Source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/81629825/winter-save-the-date-cards-frosty-blooms
Beautiful winter photography overlaid with simple text is an easy way to showcase the stunning season in all its glory:
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/51791464441012560/
Spring
Key colours:
- Pastel, bright or mixed shades of pink, green, yellow, purple, orange
- Contrasting black or white space
Potential motifs:
- Flowers and plants
- Fruits
- Birds
- Insects like dragonflies or bees
Ah, spring. It’s the time of new beginnings and blossoming buds: in other words, the perfect time for a wedding. Flowers are in bloom and the weather is getting warmer, so garden, forest or country field weddings are particularly popular in spring.
Whether it’s to accommodate your locale or simply to commemorate the season, a nature-based theme is perfect for spring save the date cards. Florals are an obvious choice – they offer a wide range of beautifully decorative options, but there are other things you can do if flowers aren’t your style.
Examples of spring save the date cards:
Colourful florals and white text contrast well against a blackboard-style background:
Source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/175468577/spring-weddings-save-the-date-cards?ref=related-7&is_wholesale=0
Watercolour florals are always a beautiful option, and can be used to create an elegant border:
Source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/217316294/watercolor-floral-save-the-date-bridal
Strong, bright botanical illustrations are another effective choice, especially when paired with a bold typeface and plenty of white space:
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/102034747780428385/
For a less ‘girly’, more neutral option,you might like to concentrate on leaves and greenery other than flowers, which can open up a beautiful, minimalistic and earthy colour palette:
Source: http://www.modwedding.com/2015/02/22/perfect-save-date-wedding-ideas-love/
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Whichever the season and whatever the style of your wedding, seasonal stationery is a great choice, especially when it comes to save the date cards. Experiment and have some fun with different styles, materials and colour schemes to really make the most of your seasonal wedding stationery.