Digital or printed? For most couples it comes down to timeline, budget, and how formal the wedding feels. Digital save the dates are faster, cheaper, and better for last-minute sends or international guest lists. Printed cards carry more weight, literally and figuratively, and suit formal weddings better. Many couples use both. This guide breaks down exactly how the two formats compare and which scenarios call for which choice.

Digital vs. Printed Save the Dates

The honest answer is that neither format is universally better. They solve different problems for different couples. Here is how they compare across the factors that matter most:

Who Benefits Most from Digital Save the Dates

Eco-conscious couples

If reducing your wedding’s environmental footprint is a priority, save the dates are a meaningful place to start. Paper production, printing, envelopes, stamps, and delivery all carry a carbon cost. Digital save the dates eliminate most of that entirely. You can still have a beautifully designed announcement, just delivered as a file rather than a physical object.

Couples who want printed stationery but with a lower footprint can also look at Paperlust’s save the date cards, which include seed paper stock, plantable cards embedded with wildflower seeds that guests can grow after the wedding. Paperlust also plants a tree with every order placed.

Destination weddings

Destination weddings are one of the strongest use cases for digital save the dates, for two reasons. First, your guest list is likely spread across multiple countries, collecting reliable mailing addresses from international contacts is genuinely difficult, and international postage is expensive and slow. Digital removes both problems entirely.

Second, destination wedding guests need more lead time to arrange travel, accommodation, and time off work. If your timeline is already a little tighter than ideal, digital lets you send the announcement within days of finalizing the details, rather than waiting for a print run. Earlier notification means more guests can commit to coming.

A useful approach for destination weddings: send digital save the dates immediately to all guests, then follow with full printed invitations closer to the date for the guests who have confirmed they are coming. The printed invitation becomes a formal keepsake rather than the first practical piece of communication.

Last-minute senders

If your wedding date crept up faster than expected, or if a venue change pushed your timeline, digital save the dates are the fastest way to get the news out. Paperlust’s design team turns around your JPEG or PDF files within 1-2 business days, and you can forward them to guests the same day they arrive. No print run, no envelopes, no postal delays.

For genuinely urgent situations, a digital send now followed by printed invitations on your normal timeline is a clean solution. Your guests get the essential date information immediately, and the physical stationery suite follows when it is ready.

What to Include in a Digital Save the Date

The content requirements for a digital save the date are the same as a printed one. The format changes; the information does not.

• Both names: stated clearly at the top
• Wedding date: the single most critical piece of information
• Location: city and state is sufficient at the save the date stage; full venue address belongs in the invitation
• Wedding website URL: if you have one set up, include it. It gives guests somewhere to go for travel information, accommodation options, and updates before the formal invitation arrives.
• “Formal invitation to follow”: a standard line that manages expectations and signals this is not the full invite

What to leave out: registry details, dress code, and ceremony specifics all belong in the invitation, not the save the date. Keeping the save the date focused makes it easier for guests to absorb and act on the one piece of information they actually need right now: the date.

For a full walkthrough of save the date wording, including formal, casual, and destination wedding variations, the save the date wording guide covers every scenario.

Thinking About the Full Stationery Picture

Digital save the dates work best as part of a broader stationery strategy rather than as a standalone decision. Many couples send digital first, then follow with printed invitations that set the tone for the wedding in a more tangible way. Printed save the dates and magnets remain the stronger choice when you want that first piece of communication to feel like a preview of the day itself.

The Paperlust save the dates collection covers all formats: printed cards, postcards, magnets, and digital files (available via customer service). Every design is available across multiple print methods: digital print, letterpress, flat foil, white ink on dark stock, and metallic. Whether you are going fully digital, fully printed, or running a hybrid approach, your design stays consistent across formats.

If you are also planning your invitation suite, browse the wedding invitations collection to find designs that coordinate with your save the date. Matching stationery across the suite creates a cohesive guest experience from the very first announcement through to the day itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it acceptable to send a digital save the date instead of a printed one?

Yes, for most weddings. Digital save the dates are widely accepted and expected for casual to semi-formal celebrations, destination weddings, and eco-conscious couples. For very formal or black-tie weddings, printed cards are still the more traditional choice. A hybrid approach, digital to most guests, printed to immediate family and elderly relatives, covers both bases comfortably.

How far in advance should I send a digital save the date?

The same general timeline applies as printed save the dates: 6-12 months before your wedding date. For destination weddings or events on peak holiday weekends, 9-12 months is recommended to give guests maximum lead time for travel planning. One advantage of digital is that resending an updated version is easy if details change after you have already sent, which requires a reprint with physical cards.

Should I send a digital save the date if I am also sending printed invitations?

Yes, many couples do this. The save the date and the invitation serve different purposes at different stages of the planning process. A digital save the date gets the date onto people’s calendars early and efficiently. A printed invitation, sent closer to the wedding date, delivers the full event details in a format that doubles as a keepsake. The two formats complement each other rather than compete.

The post Digital vs Printed Save the Dates: Which Is Right for Your Wedding? appeared first on Paperlust.

Choosing between paper save the dates and magnets comes down to one practical question: do you want your announcement on the fridge for the next six months, or in a drawer? Magnetic save the dates stay in plain sight, giving every guest a daily reminder of your date. Paper cards get opened, admired, and filed away. Neither format is wrong, but for couples with destination weddings, guests who need travel lead time, or anyone who wants a stationery piece that keeps working after it arrives, magnets do more work. Here is exactly how the two formats compare and when magnets are the better choice.

Why Save the Date Magnets Work

Paper save the dates do their job well, but their lifespan in your guests’ daily life is short. They get read, maybe shown to a partner, and then filed away. Magnets behave completely differently. A magnet on the fridge is a piece of household furniture for the next six to twelve months. Every time a guest reaches for the milk, they see your names, your date, and your design.

For guests who need to arrange time off work, book flights, or coordinate travel with other family members, that constant visibility is genuinely useful. It turns your save the date into a planning tool, not just an announcement.

There is also a keepsake dimension. Couples regularly hear from guests years later that the magnet is still on the fridge. A beautifully designed magnetic save the date becomes a small, permanent fixture in the homes of the people who matter most to you, which is a lovely thing to have sent.

The format also works particularly well for destination weddings and long-weekend celebrations where guests need a visual daily prompt to actually book travel. If your wedding requires any kind of advance planning from guests, magnets do extra work that paper cannot.

How Paperlust’s Magnet Add-On Works

Most companies that sell save the date magnets sell them as a separate product: a different collection, different SKUs, limited designs. Paperlust works differently. The magnet option is a checkout add-on that applies to any design in the entire collection of save the date cards.

That means you are not choosing from a stripped-down magnet range. You are choosing from 500+ exclusive designs, letterpress, flat foil, white ink on dark stock, classic digital print, and then simply opting into the magnet format at checkout. The design, the print method, and the paper all remain exactly what you chose. The magnet backing is added by the Paperlust production team before shipping.

Two Magnet Formats

When you select the magnet option at checkout, you can choose between two formats:

• Pre-applied magnet backing: Paperlust applies the magnetic layer to the back of each card before it ships. Guests receive a ready-to-use fridge magnet. No extra steps required on your end or theirs. Priced from $8 for 10, approximately $80 for 100.
• Self-adhesive magnet sticker sheets: A more budget-friendly option where the magnetic backing ships separately for you to apply. The cards and magnets ship together; you peel and stick. Ideal if you are managing a tighter stationery budget and are comfortable doing a small bit of assembly.

Size and Quantities

Paperlust save the date magnets are approximately 5.5″ x 4.2″ (140mm x 107mm), a generous size that sits prominently on a fridge door rather than getting lost among business cards and school schedules. The size is optimized for photo designs and layouts that carry design detail well at scale.

Order quantities follow the same household-not-headcount rule as paper save the dates: one per household, plus 10-15% extra for late additions and keepsakes. Most couples find magnets require fewer units than they initially plan for.

Design Tips for Save the Date Magnets

Because magnets are displayed rather than stored, design choices matter more than on standard cards. A few things worth considering as you build your order:

Photo designs work especially well

A magnet is a miniature portrait of the two of you that lives in your guests’ homes. Engagement photos translate beautifully to the magnet format, they give guests a recognizable image to associate with your names and date, and they tend to prompt more conversations at gatherings when other guests see them on the fridge. Photo designs in the save the date magnets range can be customized through the design tool, with Paperlust’s team available to enhance photo brightness and contrast on request.

Match your print method to your suite tone

If your invitation suite leans formal, letterpress on Wild Cotton, or foil stamping, matching that print method on your magnets sets a consistent first impression. If you are going for relaxed and modern, digital print on matte or linen stock is clean and cost-effective. The same print method options available across the wider collection are available for magnets.

Keep the essential information clear

Your names, wedding date, and location are the three non-negotiables. A website URL is useful if you have one set up. For a magnet that will be seen from across a kitchen, make sure the date reads clearly at a glance, avoid overly ornate scripts for the key line of text.

When to Send Save the Date Magnets

The general guidance for save the date timing applies to magnets: send 6-12 months before your wedding date. For destination weddings or events on long holiday weekends, err toward the earlier end of that range, 9-12 months, so guests have adequate time to book flights and accommodation.

Magnets have a slight advantage here. Because they stay visible rather than getting filed away, earlier is genuinely better, a magnet sent 10 months out will be seen more often and act as a longer-running travel prompt than one sent at the 6-month mark. If your timeline allows it, lean earlier.

For wording guidance on what to include in your save the date, the save the date wording guide covers everything from formal to casual language, what to include, and what to leave for the invitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order save the date magnets as an add-on to my paper save the dates?

Yes. The magnet option works alongside a standard paper order or as a standalone order. Many couples send a mix: magnets to guests who live in different cities or need more travel lead time, paper cards to local guests. Both use the same design and print method, so the suite stays cohesive.

Are save the date magnets the same size as the cards?

Paperlust save the date magnets are approximately 5.5″ x 4.2″ (140mm x 107mm). This is the standard magnet size optimized for fridge display and photo layouts. The card and magnet share the same design file, the magnet backing is simply added to the card during production.

How long does production take for save the date magnets?

Your designer proof is delivered within 1-2 business days of placing your order. Two rounds of revisions are included at no extra cost. Production and shipping timelines depend on your chosen print method and destination. A 24-hour rush print option is available for an additional fee if you need to move quickly. US orders typically arrive within 2 to 4 business days after production. Orders over $350 USD ship via DHL Express at no extra charge.

Related Reading

• Magnetic save the dates
• Wedding invitations
• Complete wedding stationery suites

The post Save the Date Magnets vs Cards: Pros, Cons, and When Magnets Are Worth It appeared first on Paperlust.

Save the date cards do one job: claim a spot on the calendar before life gets in the way. They go out months before the formal invitation, carrying just enough information to let guests plan travel, request time off work, and book accommodations. The wording is intentionally simple, no venue details (those come on the invitation), no dress code, no RSVP. Just the date, the couple, and the most important instruction in wedding planning: save the date. Below are examples for every style, from classic and formal to playful and poetic.

For couples still working out send timing, our guide to when to send save the dates walks through the full 6 to 8 month rule, destination exceptions, and the 2027/2028 month-by-month calendar.

Classic Save the Date Message Wording

Classic save the date wording is clean, direct, and timeless. The couple’s names are the focal point; the date and location follow. “Formal invitation to follow” completes the card.

Formal Save the Date Wording (Parents Hosting)

For traditional or formal weddings where the parents are the formal hosts, third-person wording on the save the date mirrors what guests will see on the invitation.

Modern and Minimal Save the Date Wording

A single statement, a date, a city. Modern save the dates strip everything back to the essentials. White space does the work; the message is direct.

Minimalist save the date cards →

LinearDigital printing

Raise a ToastFlat foil

ProteaDigital printing

Passionate RedDigital printing

Fun and Playful Save the Date Wording

For couples with a sense of humor or a playful dynamic, a fun save the date sets expectations perfectly. Guests know immediately what kind of celebration this is going to be.

Fun save the date cards →

MarthaDigital printing

SommerDigital printing

CaramelLetterpress

WinterwaldFoil stamp

Destination Wedding Save the Date Wording

Destination save the dates need to go out earlier (12 months) and need to include more information upfront so guests can plan travel. A wedding website link is almost essential for destination events.

Rustic and Romantic Save the Date Wording

Barn weddings, vineyard ceremonies, and garden events call for wording with texture, something that evokes place and feeling as well as information. Our rustic save the date cards are designed for exactly these settings.

Save the Date Magnet Wording

Save the date magnets use the same wording as card-format save the dates, the difference is only the format. Any Paperlust design can be turned into a magnet at checkout: guests choose pre-applied magnetic backing or self-adhesive magnet stickers. Magnets measure approximately 5.5″ x 4.2″ (140mm x 107mm).

Magnet wording tip: keep it slightly shorter than card wording, since magnets tend to display on fridges rather than being read and put away. Fewer words, bolder design, bigger date.

Save the date magnets →

Flowering GumDigital printing

Garden windowDigital printing

EucalyptusDigital printing

Medinilla PostcardDigital printing

What to Include on a Save the Date, and What to Leave Out

Save the dates are intentionally lightweight. They hold space on the calendar; the formal invitation does the heavy lifting. Here’s exactly what goes on and what stays off.

Always include

• Couple’s names, first names are sufficient; full names for formal events
• Wedding date, written out or numeric, your choice
• City and state, full venue address saved for the invitation
• “Formal invitation to follow”, prevents confusion about whether more details are coming

Include for destination weddings

• Wedding website URL with hotel blocks and travel information
• General destination (country, region, or city) so guests can start researching flights

Leave off

• Venue name and full address
• Ceremony time
• RSVP instructions or deadline
• Dress code
• Registry information

Browse wedding invitations at the same time as your save the dates, ordering both from the same collection ensures your stationery suite is cohesive from first impression through the invitation itself. Paperlust designers can match fonts, color palettes, and design motifs across the full suite.

For couples who want to plan the complete post-wedding experience, ordering your wedding thank you cards alongside your save the dates locks in the design consistency before anything changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you write on a save the date?

The essentials: couple’s names, wedding date, city and state, and “formal invitation to follow.” That’s all that’s required. Optionally add a wedding website URL (especially for destination weddings), a short tagline, or a quote that reflects your relationship. Keep it brief, the invitation is where full details go.

When should you send save the dates?

For local weddings: 6-8 months before the wedding date. For destination weddings or holidays when guests need to book travel: 10-12 months. For small or intimate weddings with primarily local guests: 4-6 months. Order your cards 2 to 3 weeks before you plan to mail them (6 weeks if you choose letterpress or foil stamp) to allow for proof review and printing.

Do save the dates need to match wedding invitations?

They don’t need to match exactly, but they should feel like part of the same visual family. Using the same color palette, font style, or design motifs creates a cohesive stationery experience from first mail to wedding day. Many couples order both from Paperlust at the same time to lock in the design relationship.

Is “save the date” one word or three?

Three words, no hyphens when used as a noun: “save the date” or “save-the-date” when used as an adjective (as in “save-the-date card”). Both are correct. In wording copy, “Save the Date” is the standard heading format.

Should you put the wedding website on the save the date?

Recommended for most weddings, essential for destination weddings. A wedding website lets guests find hotel blocks, travel information, and your story before the formal invitation arrives. Place the URL at the bottom of the card in a smaller font size.

Can save the dates be sent digitally?

Yes, digital save the dates are a practical option, especially for large guest lists or destination weddings where you want to reach people quickly. At Paperlust, digital save the date files are available through customer service for $35 flat: you receive a JPEG or PDF of your design to send yourself via email or text. They are not orderable directly at checkout. Many couples send a digital save the date first, followed by a printed formal invitation.

Do you put an RSVP on a save the date?

No. RSVPs come with the formal invitation, not the save the date. The save the date is an advance notice only, guests are not expected to respond to it. If you include your wedding website, some guests may find a contact form there, but a formal RSVP process belongs on the invitation.

What is the difference between a save the date and a wedding invitation?

A save the date goes out early (6-12 months before) with minimal information, just the date, names, and general location. A wedding invitation goes out 6-8 weeks before with all the details: venue address, ceremony time, RSVP deadline, accommodation information, and dress code. They serve different purposes at different stages of wedding planning.

Once your message is written, browse the full collection of wedding save the dates to pair your wording with a design your guests will keep.

The post Save the Date Message Examples: 35+ Wording Ideas for Every Style appeared first on 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.

A note on the “formal invitation to follow” line: do not skip it. Without it, guests may assume the save the date is the only communication they will receive, and they will wait for RSVP instructions that are not there. Common variations: “Invitation to follow,” “Details to follow,” and “Invite coming soon.”

If you have a date but no venue yet: that is completely normal. City and state is sufficient on a save the date. Couples routinely send save the dates before a venue contract is signed. Include a wedding website URL so guests know where to check for venue details once confirmed.

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

When Parents Are Hosting

For traditional or formal weddings where parents are the formal hosts, third-person wording on the save the date mirrors what guests will see on the invitation.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hartley
and
Dr. and Mrs. David Chen
are pleased to announce
the forthcoming marriage of their children
Emma and James
[Month Day], 2027
New York City, New York
Formal invitation to follow

Together with their families
Emma Hartley and James Chen
invite you to save the date
for their wedding celebration
Saturday, the eleventh of October
Two thousand and twenty-seven
New York City
Invitation to follow

Modern and Minimal Save the Date Wording

A single statement, a date, a city. Modern save the dates strip everything back to the essentials. White space does the work; the message is direct.

Emma + James
11.10.27
NYC

Save the date.
Emma & James
October 2027, New York

It’s happening.
Emma & James | October 11, 2027
New York City
Invitation to follow

Mark your calendar.
We’re getting married.
Emma & James
October 11, 2027, NYC

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

Story-Driven Casual Wording

A few extra words about your relationship can make the card feel personal rather than generic. Keep it to one line.

After five years, four cities, and one very persistent dog,
we finally said yes.
Emma & James | [Month Day], 2027 | Portland, Oregon
Formal invite incoming

Big news: we’re getting married!
Emma & James
[Month Day], 2027 | Portland, OR
More details on the way

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.

Rustic and Barn Wedding Wording

Barn weddings, vineyard ceremonies, and garden events call for wording with texture, something that evokes place and feeling as well as information. Browse rustic save the date cards designed for exactly these settings.

Among the wildflowers
Emma & James
will celebrate their love
September 20, 2027
The Barn at Willow Creek, Vermont
Invitation to follow

Save the date
for a wedding at the vineyard
Emma & James
October 11, 2027
Napa Valley, California
Formal invitation to follow

Emma & James are getting married
October 11, 2027
Asheville, North Carolina
Details to follow

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

Block your calendar,
book your babysitter,
dust off your dancing shoes.
Emma & James are getting married!
[Month Day], 2027 | New York City
More details coming soon

Warning: a wedding is coming.
Emma & James
[Month Day], 2027
New York, NY
Clear your schedule. Invitation to follow.

He popped the question.
She said obviously.
Emma & James are getting married
[Month Day], 2027 | New York City
Invitation to follow

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

Domestic Destination and Weekend-Away Wording

Not all destination weddings involve international flights. A road trip to a cabin, a weekend at a mountain resort, or a long weekend in a coastal town all deserve a heads-up so guests can plan travel and accommodations.

Road trip, anyone?
Emma & James are celebrating in
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
August 22, 2027
Check [yourwebsite.com] for lodging recommendations
Invitation to follow

Save the weekend
Emma Carter and James Brooke
are getting married in
Sedona, Arizona
Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, 2027
Hotel block and itinerary at [yourwebsite.com]
Formal invitation to follow

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

Post-Wedding Reception Wording

If you eloped privately and are now planning a celebration with a wider group, a save the date still does the job. Lead with the news so guests immediately understand the context.

We did it!
Emma & James got married and now we want to celebrate with you.
Save the date for our wedding reception
[Month Day], 2027 | Portland, Oregon
Invitation to follow

Emma Carter and James Brooke
exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony earlier this year.
They invite you to join their wedding celebration
[Month Day], 2027
Portland, Oregon
Formal invitation to follow

Save the Date Wording for a Second Wedding

Second wedding save the date wording is generally simpler and warmer than first-wedding conventions. Skip the formal parent-hosting lines unless your circumstances specifically call for it. Lead with names and the date. If children or a blended family are part of the celebration, a brief mention can be lovely; otherwise, let the invitation carry those details.

Emma Parker and David Chen
invite you to save the date
for their wedding celebration
[Month Day], 2027
Nashville, Tennessee
Invitation to follow

Emma and David
are getting married.
[Month Day], 2027 | San Francisco, California
We’re celebrating with our families and closest friends.
Invitation to follow

Second chapter, same great cast.
Emma and David | [Month Day], 2027
Austin, Texas | Invite to follow

Small ceremony. Close friends and family.
Emma & David
[Month Day], 2027 | Portland, Oregon
Formal invitation to follow

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

Short Notice and Long Engagement Wording

Not every engagement follows the standard timeline. If you are sending save the dates less than three months out, acknowledge the short notice, it removes awkwardness and helps guests prioritize. If you are announcing very early (18 months or more), a brief note sets expectations and explains the long lead time.

Short Notice (Under 3 Months Out)

We know this is short notice, but we hope you can make it.
Emma & James are getting married
August 2, 2027
Portland, Oregon
Formal invitation to follow, details at [yourwebsite.com]

Surprise! We’re doing this fast.
Emma & James | August 2, 2027 | Portland
We hope you can join us, more details incoming!

We’re getting married in 8 weeks!
Emma Carter and James Brooke
August 2, 2027 | Portland, Oregon
If you need to arrange travel, please visit [yourwebsite.com]
Formal invitation to follow shortly

Long Engagement (18 Months or More Out)

We wanted to give you plenty of time to plan!
Emma & James
are getting married on
October 3, 2028
Portland, Oregon
Formal invitation to follow closer to the date

Postponed and Rescheduled Wedding Wording

If your wedding was postponed or rescheduled, a save the date that clearly notes the change prevents confusion. Lead with “Updated Save the Date” so guests immediately understand the context.

Updated Save the Date
Emma & James have rescheduled their wedding to
September 12, 2027
Portland, Oregon
(Previously scheduled for May 3, 2027)
Invitation with full details to follow

Direct the couple to a wedding website for any questions. Keep the tone warm and clear; most guests will be understanding, and a direct card prevents confusion about whether the original date still stands.

Save the Date Wording With a Wedding Website URL

Including your wedding website URL on the save the date is now standard practice. It gives guests a place to find accommodation recommendations, travel logistics, and your story long before the formal invitation arrives. Keep the URL brief and easy to type.

Clean URL Placement (Formal)

Save the Date
Emma Carter and James Brooke
[Month Day], 2027 | Portland, Oregon
emmanandjames.com
Formal invitation to follow

With Website Intro Line (Casual)

Emma & James are getting married!
[Month Day], 2027 | Portland, Oregon
Find us at emmanandjames.com for all the details
Invite coming soon

Website on Its Own Line (Minimalist)

Save our date
[Month Day], 2027
Portland, Oregon
emmanandjames.com
Invitation to follow

Website CTA Format (Modern)

Emma & James | [Month Day], 2027 | Portland
RSVP and travel info at emmanandjames.com
Formal invitation to follow

Formatting tip: Write your website URL in lowercase and without “www” for the cleanest visual result. If your URL is long, consider shortening it with a service like Zola’s free custom URL or a short domain you purchase just for the wedding.

Save the Date Magnets

Save the date magnets use the same wording as card-format save the dates. At Paperlust, any design can be turned into a magnet at checkout: guests choose pre-applied magnetic backing or self-adhesive magnet stickers. Magnets measure approximately 5.5″ x 4.2″ (140mm x 107mm).

Save the Date
Emma & James
[Month Day], 2027 | New York City
Formal invitation to follow

Magnet wording tip: keep it slightly shorter than card wording, since magnets tend to display on fridges rather than being read and put away. Fewer words, bolder design, bigger date. Browse save the date magnets to see the full format range.

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

Save the Date Wording: Tone Comparison Table

Save the Date Templates: How to Use Them

A save the date template is a fixed structure with named wording slots. Every good save the date follows the same five-slot skeleton regardless of tone or format. Templates make the wording problem straightforward: fill in your slots, choose your register, and you have a card.

The Five Wording Slots

Slot 1: Names line. “Emma and James” or “Emma Carter and James Brooke”, first names for casual, full names for formal. For second weddings, first names plus last names is common. Order is your call: alphabetical, by who knows the recipient better, or whichever sounds better out loud.

Slot 2: Date line. Spell out the month for a formal look: “Saturday, the Fourteenth of June, Two Thousand and Twenty-Seven.” Use numeric or abbreviated format for modern styles: “June 14, 2027” or “14.06.27.” Always include the day of the week so guests can immediately assess travel logistics.

Slot 3: Location line. City and state is enough at this stage. You do not need to commit to a venue name if the contract is not signed. “Portland, Oregon” or “Tuscany, Italy” is sufficient. If the venue is confirmed and adds excitement, include it.

Slot 4: Save-the-date call to action. The phrase “save the date” or “save our date” should appear prominently, ideally as a header. For casual cards this becomes a sentence opener: “We’re getting married!”

Slot 5: Invitation-to-follow line. Do not skip this. Without it, guests assume the save the date is the only communication they will receive. “Formal invitation to follow,” “Invitation to follow,” or “Invite coming soon” all work.

A note on downloadable templates: Paperlust does not offer a separate printable or downloadable template file. What we offer is a fully customizable designer-assisted card. Browse the save the date collection, fill in your wording slots directly online, and a designer proofs it before printing. Every design in the collection works as your starting template. Browse wedding invitations at the same time to lock in a cohesive stationery suite from the start.

What to Include on a Save the Date, and What to Leave Out

Save the dates are intentionally lightweight. They hold space on the calendar; the formal invitation does the heavy lifting.

Always include

• Couple’s names: first names are sufficient; full names for formal events
• Wedding date: written out or numeric, your choice
• City and state: full venue address saved for the invitation
• “Formal invitation to follow”: prevents confusion about whether more details are coming

Include for destination weddings

• Wedding website URL with hotel blocks and travel information
• General destination (country, region, or city) so guests can start researching flights

Leave off

• Venue name and full address
• Ceremony time
• RSVP instructions or deadline
• Dress code
• Registry information

Browse wedding invitations at the same time as your save the dates, ordering both from the same collection ensures your stationery suite is cohesive from first impression through the invitation itself. For couples who want to plan the complete post-wedding experience, ordering your wedding thank you cards alongside your save the dates locks in the design consistency before anything changes.

Save the Date vs Formal Invitation: Key Differences

Couples frequently overthink save the date wording because they conflate it with invitation wording conventions. The two serve completely different purposes.

One practical difference the table does not cover: formal wedding invitations traditionally open with a host line (“Together with their families, Emma and James…”). Save the dates do not need a host line. The couple’s names front and center is completely sufficient at this stage.

Addressing tip: send save the dates to specific named guests, not “and Guest,” unless you are certain you will extend that plus-one on the formal invitation. Using “and Guest” on a save the date creates an expectation that is difficult to walk back once you finalize your guest list. Address the envelope to the exact people you know you will invite.

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. See the full when to send save the dates guide for month-by-month examples and destination-specific timelines.

Once your wording is ready, the next step is finding cards that do it justice. Browse save the date cards including photo cards, magnets, postcards, and destination styles. Over 500 exclusive designs, free white envelopes with every order, and 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

Custom stickers and labels complete your stationery. Browse custom stickers and custom labels at Paperlust Print Shop, from $0.08 each.

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

What do you write on a save the date?

The essentials: couple’s names, wedding date, city and state, and ‘formal invitation to follow.’ That’s all that’s required. Optionally add a wedding website URL (especially for destination weddings), a short tagline, or a personal line that reflects your relationship. Keep it brief, the invitation is where full details go.

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.

When should you send save the dates?

For local weddings: 6-8 months before the wedding date. For destination weddings or holidays when guests need to book travel: 10-12 months. For small or intimate weddings with primarily local guests: 4-6 months. Order your cards 2 to 3 weeks before you plan to mail them (6 weeks if you choose letterpress or foil stamp) to allow for proof review and printing.

Do you have to say ‘formal invitation to follow’ on a save the date?

Yes, some version of this phrase is strongly recommended. Without it, guests may assume the save the date is the only communication they will receive, which leads to confusion about RSVP deadlines and event details. Common variations include ‘Invitation to follow,’ ‘Details to follow,’ and ‘Invite coming soon.’

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.

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.

Do save the dates need to match wedding invitations?

They don’t need to match exactly, but they should feel like part of the same visual family. Using the same color palette, font style, or design motifs creates a cohesive stationery experience from first mail to wedding day. Many couples order both from Paperlust at the same time to lock in the design relationship.

Is ‘save the date’ one word or three?

Three words when used as a noun: ‘save the date.’ Hyphenated when used as an adjective: ‘save-the-date card.’ Both are correct. ‘Save the Date’ is the standard heading format on wording copy.

Should you put the wedding website on the save the date?

Recommended for most weddings, essential for destination weddings. A wedding website lets guests find hotel blocks, travel information, and your story before the formal invitation arrives. Place the URL at the bottom of the card in a smaller font size.

Can save the dates be sent digitally?

Yes, digital save the dates are a practical option, especially for large guest lists or destination weddings where you want to reach people quickly. At Paperlust, digital save the date files are available through customer service for $35 flat: you receive a JPEG or PDF of your design to send yourself via email or text. They are not orderable directly at checkout. Many couples send a digital save the date first, followed by a printed formal invitation.

Do you put an RSVP on a save the date?

No. RSVPs come with the formal invitation, not the save the date. The save the date is an advance notice only, guests are not expected to respond to it. If you include your wedding website, some guests may find a contact form there, but a formal RSVP process belongs on the RSVP card sent with the formal invitation.

What is the difference between a save the date and a wedding invitation?

A save the date goes out 6-12 months early with minimal information, just the date, names, and general location. A wedding invitation goes out 6-8 weeks before with all the details: venue address, ceremony time, RSVP deadline, accommodation information, and dress code. They serve different purposes at different stages of wedding planning.

Can I use casual wording on a formal wedding save the date?

Your save the date sets the tone for your stationery suite, so it should loosely match the formality of your wedding. A black-tie event calls for formal wording and traditional formatting. A casual backyard reception can absolutely use conversational wording. That said, the five essential elements (names, date, location, save the date call, invitation to follow) are required regardless of tone.

What do I write on a save the date for a destination wedding?

For a destination wedding save the date, include the country or region rather than just a city, since guests need enough information to research flights and accommodation. Add your wedding website URL so they can find a hotel room block or travel recommendations early. A brief note acknowledging the travel involved helps set expectations warmly, something like “We hope you can join us in Tuscany.”

Can the save the date wording be different from the invitation wording?

Yes. The save the date does not need to mirror your invitation wording exactly. Many couples use first names only on the save the date and full names on the invitation, or a casual tone on the save the date and more formal language on the invitation. Consistency in design ties the suite together even if the wording register shifts.

What should I write on a save the date for a postponed wedding?

If your wedding was postponed, lead with ‘Updated Save the Date’ so guests immediately understand the context. Include the new date, location, and a note about the original date in parentheses. Direct guests to your wedding website for any questions. Keep the tone warm and clear, most guests will be understanding, and a direct card prevents confusion.

Do save the dates need to go to everyone on the guest list?

Yes. Send a save the date to every person you plan to invite to the wedding. Only invite guests for whom you have sent a save the date, since a save the date creates an implicit social commitment. If circumstances change before the formal invitation and you need to trim numbers, navigate that directly rather than by simply not sending an invitation to someone who received a save the date.

How do I word a save the date for an elopement reception?

State upfront that you already got married and are now inviting guests to a celebration or reception. Include the reception date and location. A warm, excited tone works well here since the news is happy even if the context is different from a traditional pre-wedding announcement. Example: “We did it! Join Emma and James for a wedding celebration on [Month Day], 2027 in Portland, Oregon. Invitation to follow.”

The post Save the Date Wording: 30+ Examples for Every Wedding Style | Paperlust appeared first on Paperlust.

Sending your friends and family save the date cards is the first formal step in announcing your wedding day. Of course, you probably excitedly called your nearest and dearest and posted on social media as soon as that sparkly diamond was on your hand.

The save the date card lets your guests know the date you plan on getting married and that a wedding invitation will follow after you have settled plans like venue and timings. They will mark the date in their calendars and keep it free.

Evite save the dates are a modern, efficient and fast way to make the announcement. You can design the card online and email it to loved ones in one easy click. The other way is printing the card and sending it in the mail. Let’s look at the pros and cons of both methods to see which one might be best for your big news.

E-save the dates versus physical mail

Evite save the dates have many advantages to printed and posted save the dates.

Whether you go digital or printed, send timing matters: see our full guide on when to send save the dates for the month-by-month calendar and destination exceptions.

The first major plus to sending evites is the speed. Once you have approved the card proof, your guests can have your save the date card within minutes. You probably have most people’s email addresses already, so the card can be delivered to inboxes within moments. There is a slight chance of some going into junk boxes, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on who has acknowledged the message. You can also send evites over social media like Facebook messenger or WhatsApp chat.

If you post the save the date cards in the mail, it can take three days to three weeks or more. There’s always the chance of mail being lost or damaged.

Do we really need to send a save the date card?

These days some couples skip save the date cards and just send the invitations. If you are feeling like you aren’t sure about sending save the dates, here are some points to consider:

Save the dates build excitement and anticipation for your wedding day. Why not create some hype around the best day of your life? People love weddings and there are not many events in life more fantastic than a wedding.

Save the dates let people know early when your wedding will be. Many people live busy lifestyles and will appreciate knowing your wedding day as soon as possible. For some, they will want to start shopping for outfits and shoes. For others, they will be grateful to know in advance about the date so they can decline other invitations or responsibilities that might land on that day. For example, people with jobs that require travel or work weekends will always be pleased to get a save the date card while their calendar is still free.

You don’t risk someone else in your circle setting their wedding date on the same day if you were first. If you are getting married on the weekend and in the summer, there are limited time slots, and if someone takes your day, it will be frustrating. Get in early with a save the date evite. Giving dibs on the date makes your intentions clear and is socially polite.

So while a save the date card isn’t essential, you can tell there are many great reasons to have one. A digital save-the-date card is quite easy and effortless to create and send out. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, we think save the date cards are the best!

Free versus paid: does emailing the save the date make you look cheap?

Another wonderful feature about digital save-the-date wedding cards is the cost. Apart from the cost of buying the design, which through Paperlust is wonderfully affordable, distribution is free. When you send a traditional save the date card, you need to factor in the cost of printing and postage. While printing and postage are not expensive, the costs do add up when it comes to weddings, and if you are having a large wedding or have guests overseas, those costs can creep up. If you are looking for the most inexpensive way to send save-the-date cards, evites are the way to go.

You might wonder if it makes you look cheap. The answer is no. Emailing save the date cards doesn’t make you look like a cheapskate.

We are living in modern times and it is normal and trendy to send a save the date evite card for your wedding. If you scroll through the gorgeous designs on this page, you will see nothing cheaply looking about what your guests will receive. The elegant and chic designs look luxurious and expensive, or stylish and minimalistic.

These days the thought that might first come to mind is that you are being eco-friendly and environmentally conscious by sending digital save the date cards. While that is true, you might not realize how eco-friendly our printed options are also. We are proud of our strong environmental credentials and proactive ways we care for our planet, such as planting a tree for every order. You can read about how we consciously strive to protect our world here.

Finding an e-save the date that matches your physical stationery

If you have already decided on your wedding day theme or color palette, it will be easy to match your save the date card with your physical stationery.

Your physical stationery could be the wedding invitation and complimentary stationery that you send together with the invite, such as envelopes, maps, information on pre and post-wedding day events and other relevant details.

It can also be stationery guests receive on the wedding day such as programs, place cards, menus, and thank you cards.

Let’s say you are that wonderful early bird bride or groom who knows the date, but other details are still unfolding. In this case, it’s best to keep your save the date invites basic. With beautiful fonts and meaningful wording, it can still be a stunning piece of sentimental wedding stationery. You can add the gold accents or the rustic greenery designs later.

Black and white is timeless and classic and will be cohesive with any design you might choose later. Adding a photo of the two of you to the save the date card is a modern and fun way to present the news. Also, it won’t matter what style or design you go with later for your physical stationery, as photography will match anything from feminine pastels to funky bright colors.

Digital Save the Date Formats: Email, Text, Digital Card, and Platform Options

Not all digital save the dates are the same. In 2026 there are several distinct formats, each suited to different wedding styles and guest demographics. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right delivery method for your specific situation.

Email (most popular)

Sending a designed JPEG or PDF directly from your own email account is the most straightforward approach. You stay in control of timing, the message looks personal coming from your address, and there is no third-party platform involved. The main risk is spam filters, so ask guests to add your address to their contacts before the send.

Text message (SMS)

If your guest list skews younger and mobile-first, a high-resolution image sent via SMS lands in the native messaging app with near-100% open rates. Design a portrait-format card (roughly 1080 x 1920 pixels) so it displays well on phone screens. Keep the visual simple so it reads at thumbnail size before guests tap to expand.

WhatsApp or iMessage

For friend groups that already communicate via WhatsApp or iMessage, sharing the save the date image in a group chat can feel natural and even celebratory. Guests can react and congratulate you immediately. For a formal wedding this may feel too casual, but for a relaxed or intimate celebration it works well.

Digital card platforms

Platforms like Paperless Post and Greenvelope let you design a digital card and track opens and RSVPs. They add a layer of polish because the card displays in a virtual envelope. There is typically a small per-envelope fee or credit system, so factor that into your budget. These platforms are a good middle ground if you want the feel of a “real” save the date but without printing costs.

Paperlust digital save the dates

Paperlust offers a digital save the date option via customer service for $35 flat. You choose any design in the collection, a designer customizes it with your details, and you receive JPEG or PDF files to send yourself however you like, via email, text, or WhatsApp. This is the best of both worlds: professional designer quality and full design suite consistency, without the printing cost. To order, reach out to the customer service team directly. Note this is not available as a self-serve checkout option.

Are Digital Save the Dates Tacky? The Honest Answer

This is the question couples Google at 11pm after the engagement party euphoria settles. The honest answer: no, digital save the dates are not tacky in 2026, provided they are done with care. Here is a more nuanced breakdown for different scenarios.

The “tacky” perception almost always comes from execution, not the medium itself. A thoughtfully designed digital card that uses your wedding colors, a clean font, and a real photo of the two of you reads as intentional and stylish. A generic Google Docs template with Comic Sans reads as an afterthought, regardless of whether it was sent digitally or printed.

Wedding etiquette has evolved significantly in the past decade. Most guests now receive far more digital communications than postal mail in their daily lives. A digital save the date that arrives beautifully in their inbox or phone feels appropriate and modern, not cheapskate. The key is to match the design quality to the overall tone of your wedding. For more context on timing and etiquette expectations, see our companion guide: Save the Date Etiquette 101.

When to Choose Digital (and When Printed Wins)

Neither format is universally better. The right choice depends on at least four factors: budget, wedding formality, guest demographics, and your own values around sustainability and keepsakes.

Choose digital when…

• Budget is a priority. Printing and postage for 150 guests can run $150-$400 USD depending on method and postage rates. Digital eliminates the postage cost entirely and reduces per-unit production costs to near zero once you have a design.
• You need to move fast. Short notice weddings or couples who need to get dates out before travel booking windows close benefit from the near-instant delivery of digital. You can go from approved design to guest inboxes in hours, not weeks.
• Your guest list is tech-forward. If your guests are under 50 and comfortable with smartphones and email, they will open a digital save the date without a second thought.
• Eco-consciousness matters to you. Digital produces zero paper waste. If sustainability is part of your wedding brand, this decision reinforces that story.
• You are having a destination or international wedding. Getting international guests to book flights early is critical. A digital send with your wedding website link enables faster action than waiting for mail to arrive.
• You want to update the details later. Sending a digital card first means you can follow up with a printed invitation that includes final venue, timing, and accommodation details when those are confirmed.

Choose printed when…

• You are hosting a formal or black tie wedding. Printed stationery signals the formality of the event. A beautifully letterpress-printed or flat foil save the date sets the tone before guests even see the venue.
• A keepsake matters to you or your family. Many couples frame their save the date alongside wedding photos. A printed card is an heirloom; a digital file rarely is.
• Your guest list includes older family members without smartphones. This is the most practical argument for printed cards. If 20% of your guest list would genuinely miss a digital send, printed is the safer choice.
• Your wedding has a strong stationery suite identity. If you have commissioned a custom illustration or a specific print method (letterpress, flat foil, metallic) for your full suite, having the save the date match that suite creates a cohesive branded experience that is worth the extra cost.

For a deeper look at all the stationery options in your suite, the complete digital save the dates guide covers design tips, timelines, and platform comparisons in detail.

Digital Save the Date Wording Examples: 10 Ready-to-Use Options

Wording for a digital save the date follows the same conventions as a printed one: names, date, location, and a note that a formal invitation follows. The tone can be formal or casual depending on your wedding style. Use these examples as starting points and adjust names, dates, and locations to fit your own wedding. For a broader range of options, see our full save the date wording examples guide.

Digital Save the Date FAQs

Below are the most common questions couples ask before deciding to go digital. For more on etiquette rules that apply to both digital and printed save the dates, see our full etiquette guide.

Is it rude to only send digital save the dates?

No. In 2026 digital save the dates are widely accepted across all wedding styles. The only exception worth noting is guests who genuinely do not use email or smartphones – typically older family members. For those guests, a quick phone call or a printed note is a thoughtful supplement, not a requirement.

Do digital save the dates look cheap?

The medium does not determine the quality – the design does. A professionally designed digital save the date using your wedding colors, a clean font, and a beautiful image looks just as intentional as a printed card. A low-effort generic template looks cheap regardless of whether it was printed or emailed. Invest in design quality and the medium is irrelevant.

When should I send digital save the dates?

The same rules apply as for printed: 6-8 months before the wedding for local guests, 9-12 months for guests who need to travel, and 12+ months for destination weddings. Digital does not change the timing convention – it just removes the lead time you would need for printing and mailing.

Can I send a digital save the date and a printed invitation?

Yes, and this is an increasingly popular approach. A digital save the date goes out early to lock in the date, then a beautifully printed invitation arrives closer to the wedding with full details. It splits the cost: you spend on digital for the save the date (near-zero), and reserve your printing budget for the invitation suite where tactile quality matters most.

What format should a digital save the date be?

JPEG or PDF both work well. JPEG is best for sharing via text, WhatsApp, or inline email. PDF is cleaner for email attachments and preserves print-quality resolution if a guest wants to print it out. If you order through Paperlust, you receive both formats and can choose whichever suits your send method.

What details should I include on a digital save the date?

The essentials are: both names, wedding date (including day of the week), city or region, and a note that a formal invitation will follow. Optional additions include your wedding website URL, the general venue name (useful for destination weddings to help guests start flight research), and a photo of the couple. Do not include registry links at this stage – save those for the invitation.

Can I use Canva or a free template for a digital save the date?

You can, but the results vary significantly. Free templates are often generic and lack the design quality that signals care and intention. If budget is tight, a Paperlust digital save the date at $35 flat gives you access to 500+ professionally designed templates with a designer customizing the text and details – the quality difference over a free DIY template is significant.

Should the digital save the date match my printed invitation suite?

Ideally, yes. Using the same design family, color palette, or design style creates a cohesive experience for guests. With Paperlust, since your digital save the date uses the same design collection as the printed invitations, achieving that consistency is straightforward.

What about guests who don’t use email?

Text or WhatsApp is a good fallback for smartphone users who do not check email regularly. For guests who are not comfortable with either, a phone call followed by a mailed note covers all your bases. This situation applies to a small minority of most guest lists in 2026, but it is worth thinking through before committing to 100% digital.

Are digital save the dates better for the environment?

From a paper and postage perspective, yes. Digital eliminates paper, ink, and fuel emissions from shipping. If sustainability is important to your wedding, going digital for the save the date (then printed for the invitation, where the keepsake value is higher) is a reasonable middle ground. Paperlust also plants a tree with every order, so even printed options offset some of their impact.

Can I include an RSVP link in a digital save the date?

You can link to your wedding website, but formal RSVPs at the save the date stage are not conventional etiquette. The save the date is a hold-the-date notification – it does not request a response. RSVPs come with the formal invitation. Including a wedding website link so guests can find travel and accommodation information is fine and useful.

Does Paperlust offer digital save the dates?

Yes. Paperlust offers digital save the dates via the customer service team for a flat fee of $35. You choose any design from the full collection, a designer personalizes it with your details, and you receive JPEG and PDF files to send yourself. This option is not available as a checkout item – contact customer service to order. It is a great option if you want professional design consistency with your printed suite but prefer to skip the printing cost for the save the date.

The post Digital Save the Dates: Pros, Cons, and When to Use Them appeared first on Paperlust.

Save the dates are usually sent out a couple of months after the engagement party and 6-12 months before the wedding date, you do not need to send out save the dates if you are planning an early wedding (say 3 months from engagement) as you should be sending out your wedding invitations by now! Other than that, is it proper wedding etiquette to send out a save the date to your guests. It is not only a wonderful way to allow your guests plenty of time to make arrangements to attend your special day, it’s also a peak into what your wedding style would be like and what your guests may expect.

Before you finalize the design, check the calendar. Our guide on when to send save the dates covers the 6 to 8 month rule, destination exceptions, and a month-by-month timeline.

The other reason why some to-be-married couples question whether or not save the date cards are necessary is due to budget, I mean, afterall all the information is going to be on the wedding invitations themselves. Not to worry, for those who can’t have a save-the-date card due to cost, there are plenty of other ways to still have it and not make a dent in your wedding budget.

Get a free save the date template online
There are plenty of designs websites that will offer free save the date templates online for you  to download and print, or simply download and send. The free ones are typically a bit more simpler in design terms and you will be limited to what you can and can’t do and there are plenty of pros and cons if you go choose these options.

Pros:

• Free of any design fees
• Usually easy to use and comes with instructions most of the time
• Plenty of options online (Can also be a con)

Cons:

• Can be seen as less formal and tacky
• Might get lost in junkmail
• Not a good idea to send to someone who is not computer savvy
• If you are printing this, the quality may not be as good as it looks on screen

Get an Electronic save the date card
There is also never harm in asking a wedding stationer whether they can do a digital version of their save the dates. Paperlust as well as plenty of other wedding stationary vendors offer a digital version of their save the date design for a small fee. Once you have your finalized electronic save the date card, you can then send them out using email or text messaging (yay no postage cost), sending your save the dates out with this method is also more environmentally friendly.

Designing your own save the date cards
This doesn’t mean you have to be or know a designer, there are many online tutorials that teach you how to create beautiful designs using save the date clip arts, font types and programmes to put them together. We also covered some cool crafty ways to save the date in this article.

What to watch out for when creating your very own save the date cards:

Do use high quality save the date pngs
There will be plenty of free illustrations or calligraphy clip arts offered online and these can usually be fine to use if you are only sending your save the date electronically.

However if you are printing, you will want to ensure that the save the date image is at least 240dpi to 300dpi or if you have no option to do this, the image size will give you an idea of the quality, anything under 1mb will generally mean it’s not going to print well.

Do get a sample printed
If you are printing with a local printer, get a test print done to save you from having to readjust and reprint all your cards,  you will be able to check the color, the size of the fonts and the quality.

Do get good quality paper
If you choose to print, get paper stock that is at least 250gsm so that your card will have some weight and do not feel too flimsy.

Do not download random images
Firstly, most images found online are compressed for screen and usually do not print well. There is also a chance if you download from an unknown source you may get a hidden virus. Secondly, there are some images online that have copyright and it’s license is particular for certain functions. It is best to look for save the date images that are vectors and pngs with transparent backgrounds. For best results, going to a trusted stock website to pay or get free clip art and images to guarantee quality.

Do not forget the important details
Focusing too much on the design, you may get carried away and forget that this is a wedding announcement! Be sure that the name of the couple, the date, location (optional) and other minor details such as the wedding website if you have one, are on the card!

Design your own stunning save the date cards using some save the date free clipart provided by Paperlust. Here are some free save the date images, free save the date pngs and free save the date clip arts that you are welcome to download and add to your very own card design:

Other design tips:

Like any project, research is always the best starting point. Download as many free save the date clip arts as you like and tidy them up via theme, there will be some that look great but do not suit your wedding theme and some aren’t as pretty by themselves but may look great when combined with other elements. Mix and match different save the date clip arts and different save the date images, bin the clip arts you do not like, make a few options and be sure to get your partner’s opinions!. Once you think you have the final design, sleep on it and take another look the following day, if you are still happy with the final outcome that’s when you know you’ve got your perfect save the date template!

The post 8+ Free PNG Save the Date Clipart Resources & Images appeared first on Paperlust.

Save the dates are the first official piece of communication most guests receive about your wedding, and there’s more strategy behind them than most couples realize. Send them too early and guests file them away and forget. Send them too late and people have already made conflicting plans. This guide walks through every rule, timing question, and wording scenario so you can handle save the dates with confidence.

Who Gets a Save the Date?

The rule is simple: anyone you plan to invite to the wedding gets a save the date. No exceptions, no gray areas. Sending a save the date is a commitment, you are essentially telling that person they have a spot at your wedding. If there’s any chance they won’t make the final guest list, do not send them a save the date.

This matters more than it seems. Guests who receive a save the date may book flights, arrange childcare, or request time off work. If they’re later dropped from the guest list, that’s a serious social misstep that can damage relationships.

Common situations that trip couples up:

• “We might invite them depending on budget”: Don’t send one yet. Wait until you’ve finalized your guest list.
• Work colleagues: Only send save the dates to colleagues you’re definitely inviting. Your guest list may shift, but save the dates lock you in.
• Children: If the wedding is adults-only, send the save the date to parents only. You’ll clarify the adults-only policy when the formal invitation arrives.

Gold foil save the date from Paperlust. Browse the full save the date collection.

Timing: When to Send Save the Dates

Local and regional weddings: Send 6-8 months before the wedding date. This gives guests adequate time to mark their calendars and arrange any necessary travel without being so far in advance that the date loses urgency.

Destination weddings: Send 10-12 months in advance. International travel, passport renewals, accommodation booking, and time-off requests all take time. The earlier you send, the better. See the full save the date timeline guide for a complete breakdown by wedding type.

Holiday weekends: If your wedding falls on or near a major holiday (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving weekend), send save the dates even earlier. Guests often plan holiday weekends months in advance.

Short engagements: If your engagement is less than 6 months, skip the save the date entirely and go straight to invitations with extra lead time. A save the date sent only 4-6 weeks before the wedding serves no real purpose.

Long engagements (18+ months): Send the save the date at the 8-12 month mark before the wedding, not the day you get engaged. Sending it 18 months out is too early, people can’t realistically plan that far ahead, and many will simply forget.

When do you send out a save the date?

The standard rule is 6 to 8 months before your wedding date. That window gives guests enough time to request time off, compare flights, and block their calendar, without so much lead time that the card gets filed away and forgotten. The right timing shifts depending on your circumstances, so use this as your guide:

• 6 to 8 months out: Standard for local or regional weddings where most guests drive or take a short flight
• 8 to 10 months out: When a significant share of your guest list needs to book interstate travel or arrange hotel stays
• 10 to 12 months out: International destination weddings, peak-season dates (summer Saturdays, holiday weekends), or any scenario requiring guests to book well in advance
• Short engagement (under 4 months): Skip the save the date and send formal invitations straight away, there is not enough runway for both

The single most important rule: only send your save the dates once your date and venue are confirmed. Sending before either is locked in creates confusion and follow-up questions you cannot yet answer.

When should the save the dates go out?

Think of it this way: save the dates go out the moment you have two things in writing: a signed venue contract and a confirmed date. After that, the sooner the better within the 6-to-12-month window. Waiting past 6 months out means guests may have already committed that weekend to something else.

• Minimum lead time: 6 months before the wedding (for local guest lists with no travel required)
• Recommended for most weddings: 8 months out
• Recommended for destination or high-travel weddings: 10 to 12 months out
• Upper limit: Sending more than 14 to 16 months before the wedding is generally too early, guests are unlikely to retain the information across that span

If you are using printed save the dates, factor in design, proofing (1 to 2 business days), and production time when setting your mail date. Build in at least 2 to 3 weeks from order to mailbox.

When should you send out save the dates for a destination wedding?

Destination weddings need a longer runway. Guests are not just blocking a date; they are researching flights, booking accommodation, applying for or renewing passports, and requesting extended leave from work. The earlier you let them plan, the better your attendance rate.

• International destinations: 10 to 12 months ahead, earlier if flights book quickly (European summer, Caribbean peak season, Asia Pacific)
• Domestic destination (beach resort, mountain venue, wine country): 8 to 10 months ahead
• Always include your wedding website URL so guests can start researching accommodation and flights immediately
• Consider a separate travel insert or a short note pointing to your hotel block, giving guests a booking link removes one more barrier

For a full breakdown of what to include on a destination save the date, see the Destination Wedding Save the Date Etiquette section below.

What to Include on a Save the Date

Keep it simple. The save the date is not the invitation, it exists only to reserve the date. Required information:

• Both names (and/or engagement photo)
• The wedding date
• General location (city and state, or destination country)
• “Formal invitation to follow” or “Invitation to follow”
• Wedding website URL (optional but highly recommended)

What to leave off the save the date:

• Full venue address (that goes on the invitation)
• Start time
• Dress code
• Registry information
• RSVP instructions (save the dates don’t require RSVPs)

If your wedding website is live, include the URL. Guests traveling from out of town will immediately start researching accommodation, and a website with hotel blocks and travel tips is enormously helpful from the moment they receive the save the date.

Put your engagement photo front and center with photo save the date cards.

Wording: Formal, Casual, and Destination

For a full library of wording examples across every style and format, visit the save the date wording examples guide. Here are the core templates to get you started.

Formal:

Modern/Casual:

Destination wedding:

With engagement photo:

Let the photo do the visual work. Keep text minimal: names, date, location, website URL. The photo conveys tone and personality better than words.

Plus-Ones on Save the Dates

This is where couples make costly mistakes. The rule: only include a plus-one on the save the date if that person is definitely invited to the wedding.

If a guest’s partner is on your guest list, address the save the date to both of them by name: “Sarah Lin and David Kim.” Do not use “and Guest” unless you genuinely don’t know the partner’s name.

If a guest is single and you haven’t decided whether to give them a plus-one, address the save the date to them alone. You can add a plus-one later on the formal invitation if your headcount allows for it. Removing a plus-one after the save the date has been sent is awkward and hurtful.

If a guest is in a long-term relationship and you plan to give them a plus-one, try to find out the partner’s name before sending the save the date. A quick message to a mutual friend or family member is worth the effort.

Destination Wedding Save the Date Etiquette

Destination weddings carry additional responsibilities for the couple. Send save the dates at the 10-12 month mark, and include:

• Your wedding website URL with full travel information
• The general destination (city and country at minimum)
• A note about accommodation blocks if they’re already arranged

For international destinations, add a note about passport requirements if relevant: “Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond our wedding date.” It’s a small detail that saves guests a last-minute scramble.

Consider sending a separate “accommodation and travel” card alongside the save the date for destination weddings. This is becoming standard practice and is enormously appreciated by guests planning international travel. Browse the destination save the date collection for designs built for travel-themed announcements.

Digital vs. Physical Save the Dates

The same principles that apply to invitations apply here. Physical save the dates are still the standard for formal weddings and any event where you want guests to treat the date as a genuine commitment. They’re tangible reminders that guests can put on the fridge, and that’s exactly the point.

Digital save the dates work well for:

• Casual or informal weddings
• Environmentally-conscious couples
• Destination weddings where you need to supplement physical cards with immediate travel information
• Budget-constrained situations where print and postage add up

A practical middle path: send physical save the dates to all guests, then follow up with a digital communication (email or wedding website notification) that includes direct links to accommodation blocks, travel guides, and the online RSVP portal.

QR Codes on Save the Dates

QR codes on save the dates are increasingly common and widely accepted. A small QR code that links to your wedding website is practical: guests can immediately access travel info, accommodation links, and your wedding story without having to type a URL.

Design tips for QR codes:

• Place in a corner, not as a centerpiece of the design
• Make sure it’s large enough to scan easily (at least 1 inch x 1 inch)
• Test the QR code thoroughly before finalizing your print order
• Use a URL shortener with a custom slug for a cleaner look

When NOT to Send Save the Dates

Not every wedding needs a save the date. Skip them when:

• Your engagement is under 4-5 months: Go straight to invitations with extra lead time
• Your guest list is very small (under 20): A personal call or text covers it adequately
• You haven’t finalized the venue or date: Never send a save the date without a confirmed date, if things change, you’ll have to un-save the date, which is confusing and awkward
• Venue capacity is uncertain: If your guest list is still in flux, wait until it’s stable

Browse the full save the date collection to find the right design for your style, from modern minimalist to floral and botanical. Also worth exploring: beach and coastal save the date designs for coastal and island weddings. For guidance on how to address your save the dates, see the complete addressing guide.

The 8 Save the Date Etiquette Rules Every Couple Must Know

Whether you are planning an intimate backyard ceremony or a multi-day destination celebration, these eight rules cover every etiquette question you are likely to face when sending save the dates.

Rule 1: Send to Everyone on Your Invite List, No Exceptions

Every person you intend to invite to the wedding should receive a save the date. This is not a soft preview list, it is a formal commitment. If someone is on the fence about making your final headcount, hold their save the date until you are certain. Sending and then rescinding is far more damaging than a late notice.

Rule 2: Confirm Your Date and Venue First

Never send a save the date before your date and venue are locked in with a signed contract. If either changes after guests have received their cards, you are responsible for a follow-up notification to every single person who already received one. That is a logistical and social headache that is entirely avoidable by waiting until both are confirmed.

Rule 3: Match Your Timing to Your Wedding Type

The right send date depends on how much planning your guests need to do:

Rule 4: Address Save the Dates Correctly

Address each save the date to the specific people who are invited, not to households in general. If a couple is invited, list both names. If a guest is single and not receiving a plus-one, address the card to them alone. Addressing to “The Smith Family” or “[Name] + Guest” when you have not confirmed those guests are invited creates expectation problems you will need to walk back later.

Rule 5: Only Include Plus-Ones Who Are Confirmed

If you have not finalized your plus-one policy, do not include unconfirmed plus-ones on save the dates. Address the card to the primary guest, then add the plus-one on the formal invitation once your headcount is set. For more on navigating this gracefully, see the save the date plus-one etiquette guide.

Rule 6: Keep the Content Simple

A save the date needs: both names, the wedding date, the general location (city and state or country), and a line that formal invitations will follow. That is all. Save the venue address, start time, dress code, and registry information for the formal invitation. The save the date is a placeholder, not a full information package.

Rule 7: Handle Plan Changes Promptly

If your date, venue, or guest list changes after save the dates have gone out, notify affected guests immediately. Send a follow-up card, email, or personal phone call explaining the change. “Un-saving” someone, removing them from the guest list after they received a save the date, requires a personal conversation, not just silence.

Rule 8: Match Formality to Your Wedding Tone

Your save the date sets the tone for the entire wedding communication suite. A playful illustrated card signals a relaxed celebration. An engraved letterpress card with foil on cotton paper signals a formal black-tie event. Couples who mix signals here, sending a casual digital notice for a formal venue, create confusion about dress expectations, gift formality, and whether children are included. Choose a design that honestly reflects the event you are planning.

Watercolor greenery design. Shop save the date cards ready to personalize.

Digital Save the Date Etiquette vs. Printed Cards

The choice between digital and printed save the dates carries real etiquette weight, not just aesthetic preference. Here is how to navigate it properly.

When Printed Save the Dates Are Expected

For formal weddings, black-tie events, or any celebration where you want guests to treat the date as a serious commitment, a physical printed card is the right choice. Printed cards signal formality, permanence, and the level of care you are extending to your guests. They also serve a practical purpose: guests can put them on the refrigerator or pin them to a board, keeping your date visible across months of planning.

Printed save the dates from Paperlust start from $1 per card for digital print, with designer proof delivery in 1-2 business days. Browse save the date designs across formats including flat foil, letterpress on Wild Cotton paper, and metallic options.

When Digital Save the Dates Are Appropriate

Digital save the dates are appropriate for:

• Casual or informal weddings where printed formality is not expected
• Eco-conscious couples who want to minimize paper waste
• Very tight timelines where printing cannot be completed fast enough
• Supplement communication, sending a digital notice immediately after locking your date, before printed cards arrive

Paperlust offers a digital file option (JPEG or PDF) available via customer service for $35. This is not a self-serve checkout item, contact the team directly to arrange. The digital file uses the same design as your printed card, so your communication suite stays visually consistent.

The Hybrid Approach

Many couples do both: send a brief digital notice (email or text with the date and city) within days of confirming the venue, then follow up with printed cards 2-3 weeks later as the formal record. This approach works especially well for destination weddings where guests need to start researching flights immediately, but you still want the printed card to serve as a lasting keepsake.

Digital Etiquette Rules

• Use a proper email, not a group text, for digital save the dates at formal-leaning events
• Include a subject line that clearly identifies the message as a wedding save the date
• Do not use social media posts as a substitute for personal save the dates, not everyone follows your accounts or checks them regularly
• If using a wedding website platform, send a direct personal email with the link rather than expecting guests to find it

Plus-One Etiquette: What to Do When You’re Not Sure Yet

Plus-one decisions are one of the most stressful parts of guest list management, and save the dates are where the stakes are highest. Once you send a save the date addressed to “[Name] and Guest,” you have effectively extended an invitation. Rescinding it later is far more awkward than never having offered it in the first place.

For the full tactical breakdown of plus-one decisions by guest relationship type, budget tier, and how to communicate changes, see the save the date plus-one etiquette guide.

The Core Rule

Only include a plus-one on the save the date if you are certain that person will be on the final guest list. If you are still finalizing headcount or budget, address the card to the primary guest alone. You can always add a plus-one on the formal invitation. You cannot subtract one without a difficult conversation.

How to Address the Save the Date for Different Plus-One Scenarios

If Your Plus-One Policy Changes After Sending

If you sent a save the date with a plus-one included and your headcount later forces you to retract it, do not handle this by silence or by listing only one name on the formal invitation. Call or text the guest directly to explain the situation before the invitation arrives. Most people will understand a genuine capacity issue if communicated respectfully and personally.

Children and Plus-One Etiquette

If your wedding is adults-only, do not address save the dates to “The [Family] Family” or include children’s names. Address them to the parents only. You will communicate the adults-only policy on the formal invitation, but the addressing on the save the date already sets the expectation clearly.

What to Do If Your Guest List Changes After Sending Save the Dates

Even with careful planning, guest list changes happen. A venue capacity reduction, a budget reallocation, or a family situation can force difficult decisions after save the dates are already in people’s hands. Here is how to handle each scenario properly.

If You Need to Remove Someone from the Guest List

This is the most difficult scenario. If someone received a save the date and is later cut from the guest list, they deserve a direct, personal conversation, not a form email and definitely not silence followed by no invitation arriving. Call or text them to explain the situation honestly. Whether you cite venue capacity, budget changes, or a restructured guest list, be straightforward. Most people will respect honesty far more than vague excuses or avoidance.

Key points for this conversation:

• Make contact before the formal invitations go out to other guests
• Be direct but warm, this is a genuinely uncomfortable situation for both parties
• Do not offer alternative consolation (“We’ll have you over for dinner instead”) unless you mean it
• Accept that the relationship may be affected, at least temporarily, and allow space for that

If Your Wedding Date or Venue Changes

If the date or venue changes after save the dates have gone out, send a correction notice to every person who received a save the date as quickly as possible. A brief email or printed “change the date” card works well. Include:

• The corrected date and/or venue city
• A clear note that this supersedes the previously sent save the date
• Your wedding website URL where the most current details are always available
• An apology for any inconvenience, guests who already booked travel on the original date are in a genuinely difficult position

If You Sent Save the Dates Before Your Guest List Was Final

If you sent save the dates broadly before your guest list was fully confirmed, and the list later contracts significantly, the etiquette issue compounds. This is why the rule to finalize before sending is so important. If you find yourself in this position, prioritize personal outreach to anyone who may have started making arrangements (booking hotels, requesting time off) and handle the retraction conversation directly.

If Circumstances Force a Postponement

Postponements, whether due to illness, family emergencies, or vendor issues, require immediate, direct communication. Send a “postponement” notice via email and, if time allows, a printed card. State that the wedding will be postponed, that a new date is forthcoming, and that all previous RSVPs or plans guests have made are noted and appreciated. Follow up with the new date as soon as it is confirmed.

What to Do If You Haven’t Booked a Venue Yet

One of the most common questions couples ask is whether they can send save the dates before confirming a venue. The short answer is: wait. Here is why, and what to do if you are eager to get something out quickly.

Why You Should Wait for a Confirmed Venue

Guests who receive a save the date with a date but no confirmed location cannot do the most important thing a save the date asks them to do: plan. They cannot research flights, find accommodation blocks, or determine whether the date works for international travel without knowing at minimum the city or region. A save the date that says “somewhere in Europe, TBD” creates anxiety, not anticipation.

Beyond the guest experience, sending before you have a venue locked in carries a real risk: venues in high demand on popular dates can fall through even after preliminary discussions. If your venue falls through and you have already sent save the dates with a date attached to that location, you are now managing corrections on top of a venue search during an already stressful period.

What You Can Do While Venue Hunting

• Tell your closest circle verbally. Parents, siblings, and your wedding party can be informed of the approximate date range without a formal card. They are unlikely to make hard commitments until an official save the date arrives.
• Set up your wedding website early. A “date to be confirmed” wedding website lets guests know a celebration is coming and gives them a central place to watch for updates.
• Send a digital notice once the date is set, even before printed cards arrive. If the venue is confirmed but printed cards are still in production, a brief email with the confirmed date and city is perfectly appropriate, just follow up with the printed card when it is ready.

The One Exception

If you are planning a destination wedding in a location with very limited accommodation (a small island, a remote resort, a historic villa with limited room blocks), you may need to give guests a “heads up” earlier than the venue confirmation allows. In this case, a personal phone call or message to key guests (especially those who need to book international travel) with an approximate date is acceptable. This is not a save the date, it is advance notice that allows them to hold the window in their calendar without making firm bookings.

Save the Date Wording: 10 Examples for Every Style

Wording sets the tone before guests see a single detail about your venue. These examples cover formal, casual, playful, destination, and family-friendly scenarios. For a full library of 50+ examples across formats, visit the save the date wording examples guide.

Classic Formal

Modern Minimal

Casual and Warm

Destination Wedding (International)

Destination Wedding (Domestic)

Photo Save the Date

Rustic or Nature-Themed

Black-Tie Formal

Intimate Celebration (Under 30 Guests)

Elopement Follow-Up Celebration

Save the Date FAQs

Quick answers to the most common questions couples ask about save the date timing, etiquette, and edge cases.

When do you send out a save the date?

Send save the dates 6 to 8 months before your wedding for a local or regional wedding, and 10 to 12 months ahead for a destination wedding. The most important rule: only mail them once your date and venue are both confirmed.

When should the save the dates go out?

As soon as your venue contract is signed and your date is set, you are ready to send. Most couples target 8 months out for a standard wedding. Waiting past 6 months risks guests having already committed that weekend to other plans.

When should you send out a save the date for a wedding?

Six to eight months before the wedding date is the standard window. If your wedding falls on a popular holiday weekend or requires guests to travel, push that to 10 to 12 months to give everyone enough planning time.

When should you send out wedding save the dates?

Plan to mail your wedding save the dates 6 to 8 months before the date for a local wedding, 8 to 10 months for a wedding that involves travel for most guests, and 10 to 12 months for a destination or international wedding.

How early is too early to send save the dates?

Sending more than 14 to 16 months before your wedding is generally too early. Guests are unlikely to hold on to a card for that long, and the date may not feel real to them yet. The sweet spot is 8 to 12 months, depending on how much travel is involved.

Can you send save the dates the same week as invitations?

You can, but there is little point. If your invitations are ready, skip the save the date entirely and mail the invitations. Save the dates serve one purpose: reserving the date when the full invitation suite is still weeks or months away from being ready.

Do you have to send save the dates if you already sent invitations early?

No. If your invitations are going out 6 or more months before the wedding, they serve the same function as a save the date. You do not need both. Save the dates only add value when they go out well ahead of the formal invitation.

Do save the dates go out before engagement photos?

Not necessarily. Many couples prefer to include an engagement photo on their save the date, which means waiting until the shoot is done and edited, typically 4 to 8 weeks after the session. If waiting for photos would push you past your 6-to-8-month window, you can skip the photo or use a different design element instead.

What happens if you send save the dates too late?

Guests who need to travel may already have commitments for that date. Late-arriving save the dates also reduce the gap before invitations go out, making the save the date feel redundant. If you are less than 4 months out, go straight to sending invitations and skip the save the date entirely.

Can you send a digital save the date before the printed one arrives?

Yes, many couples send a quick digital notice (email, wedding website link, or digital card) immediately after locking in their date, then follow up with printed save the dates as the formal record. Just make sure the details are consistent across both.

Do out-of-town guests get their save the dates earlier than local guests?

Traditionally, everyone receives their save the date at the same time. If you want to give far-flung guests extra runway, a brief personal message or email with the date and location, sent ahead of the printed card, covers the same ground without creating a two-tier system.

Is it okay to send save the dates by email or text?

For casual or small weddings, yes. For formal weddings, a physical printed card remains the standard. Some couples do both: a quick digital notice when the date is set, followed by a printed card. Paperlust offers a digital file option (available via customer service at $35) for couples who want design consistency without a separate print run.

Do you send a save the date to the wedding party?

Yes, your bridal party and groomsmen are guests too and should receive a save the date along with everyone else. You likely will have told them the date in person already, but the formal card lets them know the official date and location are locked in.

Can you add a plus-one to the save the date if you are not sure yet?

Only include a plus-one on the save the date if that person is definitely invited. Addressing a save the date to “Name and Guest” implies an invitation, removing that plus-one later can feel like a retraction. When in doubt, hold off and address the invitation once your final guest list is set.

What do you do if you sent a save the date but can no longer invite that person?

Contact them directly and personally before the formal invitations go out. Explain the situation honestly, whether it is venue capacity, budget, or a restructured guest list. This conversation is uncomfortable but necessary. Silence followed by no invitation is not an acceptable substitute.

Can you send a save the date if you don’t have a venue yet?

It is best to wait until both your date and venue are confirmed. At minimum, you need a confirmed date and a confirmed city or region so guests can start planning travel. Sending a save the date with no location information is not practical. If you are eager to give guests a heads-up, a personal message or email with an approximate date is an acceptable informal notice, just follow it with the official save the date once everything is locked in.

The post Save the Date Etiquette: 8 Rules Every Couple Must Know appeared first on Paperlust.

For those of you who are in need of wedding save the date cards (if you are unsure, check out our enlightening article about whether you fall into this category or not) but cannot be satisfied with just sending the card out, I implore you to keep reading.

Traditionally, save the date cards are the pretty piece of paper that informs your guests not to book anything on that special day because their presence is required at your wedding. There are no details about the day given to guests yet (such as reception or dress code), only that the date is off-limits because they will be doing something important.

However creative your design, the send window still matters. Our guide on when to send save the dates covers the 6 to 8 month rule and a month-by-month calendar.

Yet there are some who want to do more than send a simple invitation to their friends. They want something extraordinary, and fortunately enough I have researched four of the most ingenious ways to save your date so you don’t have to.

The five most common fun ways to create a cool save the date:

1. Save the date Postcards – Save the date postcards are a fun and easy to send way of letting your guests know what’s happening and when, so they can make their plans accordingly. You can even save time without having to pack them into indivdual envelopes.
2. Photo save the dates – Include a photo of you, your family or even both partners and your dog!
3. Save the Dates with Magnets – Add a magnet sticker to the back of your save the date cards so your guests don’t misplace the special date.

Other cool crafty ways to Save the Date

THE PARCEL

• Cute boxes
• Party Poppers
• Balloons
• Shredded paper (obviously this is something you don’t need to buy if you work in an office!)
• Love Heart Lollies
• Anything else you think would be a cute addition!

THE PUZZLER

It takes a bit of planning when designing the word search card, or having the guts to cut up your beautiful Save the Date card, but you don’t come across an interactive Save the Date card everyday! Besides, it provides many fun times as the guests solve their way to your wedding.

THE ADORABLE CARICATURE

It doesn’t have to be a traditional ‘illustration’: maybe a cute cartoon of you two in the different poses one would normally assume in a photo booth situation. You may already have one that you would love to translate to pencil, or you can be more creative. But slide this in with your Save the Date card with an appropriately coloured paperclip and it’ll have secured its path to the fridge.

THE SCRATCH AND WIN

After finding such a magnificent recipe (which will become mandatory usage for all of my future invitations), we at Paperlust decided to make sure the recipe for the homemade scratchy was indeed doable.

Let’s just say it is completely doable, but it’s a slight test of patience as it needs each layer to dry COMPLETELY before adding another, otherwise it scratches away the previous work. As per recommendation of the tutorial, it’s best to do this in batches of invitations to save you many hours waiting to apply the next layer. If you have a hairdryer handy, you’re more prepared than we were.

There you have it, the most satisfyingly crafty and interactive ways to spice up your save the date cards. Of course there is nothing wrong if you want to send out just the cards –in fact there are some designs that you would hate to distract from! But some people just crave something different, and this post is for them.

More Creative Save the Date Ideas

Beyond the four DIY concepts explored above, there’s a whole world of creative save the date formats that couples are using in 2026. Here’s what’s resonating.

Foil-stamped cards: Gold or rose gold foil on a clean white or deep navy card feels genuinely luxurious for a save the date – and because save the dates are smaller than invitations, the per-card cost of foil is manageable even on a moderate budget. The metallic detail catches light differently at every angle and photographs beautifully when guests share them. Browse Paperlust’s save the date collection starting from $1 per card.

Photo save the dates: A couple photo on the front with the date and “save the date” text on the reverse. Simple, personal, and something guests are likely to display on their refrigerator or pinboard for months. The key is choosing a photo that feels genuinely like you – a natural moment rather than a stiff posed shot.

Destination-themed postcard: For destination weddings, a postcard-format save the date styled to look like a travel postcard from your ceremony location is both functional and exciting. Vintage stamp artwork, hand-drawn map details, or a watercolor landscape on the front – the wedding details on the reverse.

Mini calendar card: A small card with a mini calendar showing the month of your wedding, with the ceremony date circled. Clean, practical, and unmistakably clear. Guests often pin these up as a reminder – which means your date is visible every day until the wedding.

Seed paper save the date: A plantable save the date embedded with wildflower seeds. Guests receive a beautiful card and a growing reminder of your wedding day. Pairs naturally with an eco-conscious wedding aesthetic.

What to Include on a Save the Date

Save the dates are deliberately minimal – they’re advance notice, not the full invitation. Here’s what to include and what to leave out.

Always include: Both names, the wedding date, the general location (city/state is enough – you don’t need the full venue address yet), and a brief note that the formal invitation will follow.

Optional but helpful: A wedding website URL for guests who want more information. For destination weddings, a general indication of the venue or region helps guests begin planning travel.

Leave out: The full venue address, RSVP details, dress code, and accommodation information. All of that comes with the formal invitation. Keep the save the date clean and focused on the single call to action: block this date.

Save the Date Timing

The timing of your save the date depends heavily on your guest list and wedding format.

Local wedding (guests mostly nearby): 4 to 6 months before the wedding. Earlier if your date falls on a long weekend, public holiday, or peak summer/autumn period when guests’ calendars fill fast.

Destination or interstate wedding: 9 to 12 months before. Guests need time to book flights, accommodation, and time off work. Some international guests may need even more lead time for visa arrangements.

Send save the dates to everyone on your final guest list – not your A-list only. Last-minute additions after initial save the dates have gone out create social awkwardness. If your guest list has fluctuated, finalize it before sending. For a coordinated stationery experience, pair your save the dates with matching wedding invitations from the same design family. And for added personal touches like custom envelope seal stickers, custom stickers from Paperlust Print Shop tie the suite together beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes on a save the date?
Both names, wedding date, general location, and “formal invitation to follow.” Optional: wedding website URL. Keep it minimal – full details come with the invitation.

How early should they be sent?
4 to 6 months before for local weddings. 9 to 12 months for destination or interstate weddings.

Are save the dates mandatory?
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended for any wedding more than 4 months out or any wedding requiring travel. They give guests maximum opportunity to prioritize your date.

How much do they cost?
Paperlust save the dates start from $1 per card. Premium options like foil stamping cost more but remain very manageable.

The post Cool & Crafty Ways To Save The Date appeared first on Paperlust.

Flag-Themed Save the Dates:

For the full effect, try a flag on one side, and your information on the other. This one is a great and simple way to introduce the guests to the country they’re heading to. Don’t be afraid to splash out on your paper either; think foil stripes and letterpress stars.

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/222646775303421278/

Save the Date Postcards:

On the rare occasion that I’ve received one, I’ve always thought of postcards as really charming. If you’re doing a scout trip to your wedding destination, why not pick up some authentic postcards from the country! It’ll make your save the date that little bit extra special. Imagine the look on your Nana’s face when she gets one of these beauties in the post. You’ll also save with these ones, as you don’t have to worry about envelopes.

Source: http://www.hellolucky.com

Source: https://www.flickr.com/

Source: paperlust

Smelly Save the Dates

Save the date cards with incense sticks. You read that right, incense. We have five senses, after all. There’s no reason why you can’t add the element of smell to your save the date or your invitation. Is your wedding taking place on the luscious beaches of the Barbados? Or maybe inside the ancient palaces of India. Both of these places are beautiful in their own right, and have a distinct smell. I once received a save the date for a Bali wedding that had incense sticks inside. As soon as I opened the box, I was hooked. It was such a lovely surprise. You could include cinnamon sticks, lavender, ginger, rosemary, garam masala or bay leaves just to name a few. Bind them together with a simple piece of string and send them off with your save the dates; and look forward to your friends calling you up to gush over how original you are.

Bilingual Save the Dates

Write the details in English and the native language of your destination in your save the date cards. Again, you’re giving your guests a peek of the culture that they can discover if they decide to join you on your wedding day. For an extra flair, include another card that has a few handy phrases in the other language. This one also gets points for being easy to organise and cost effective.

Source: https://www.etsy.com/

Source: http://www.courtneyprice.com/

Travel-Themed Save the Dates

A passport as a save the date card! If you want to make the message loud and clear that we’re taking flight, send your guest a makeshift passport (completed with a stamp from your destination inside, of course!). If you’re making a custom design, feel free to include some other small details. For the coat of arms on the front of the passport, add an iconic animal from your destination; an elk for Canada, a tiger for Thailand, a bull for Spain and so on. These details are small, but will be appreciated by those with a keen eye. A map also pairs up nicely with the passport theme. Whether that’s a world map or country map is up to you.

Source: paperlust

Source: Etsy

Remember; this is your wedding! You want to get the guests enthusiastic from the start. A clever save the date will have them waiting on your full invitation. We at Paperlust also recommend that whatever theme you go with for your save the date, you carry on through your invitation and onto the day. It’s also great to finish off with thank you cards.

For more on this, check out our article ‘Why Have a Save the Date?’ And don’t forget that we have some great tips on wording your save the dates. We’ve got you covered!

The post Save the Destination: Setting the Scene for Your Destination Wedding appeared first on Paperlust.

Save the date cards are not always necessary, but they are one of the pieces of wedding stationery many couples don’t want to skip. You want to let people know you’re getting married, but isn’t that what a wedding invitation is for? Well, not entirely.

Why a Save the Date Card?

So generally, the save the date is something simple sent out well in advance of the big day to give guests the opportunity to make travel and accommodation plans. This is especially important if they are traveling far for a destination wedding, or if the wedding falls on a holiday weekend when hotels book up fast.

That means a save the date may not be necessary if you are only planning a few months ahead and the invitations are going out soon anyway.

Still not sure whether you need one? Read through the scenarios below, we break down when save the dates are essential, when you can skip them, and what they accomplish that invitations alone cannot.

Convinced you need one? The next question is the send date: see our full guide on when to send save the dates for the 6 to 8 month rule and destination exceptions.

Destination wedding
You must have a save the date if you are asking people to travel, especially overseas, so they can organize their trip. For a destination wedding consider sending it out four to eight months ahead so guests have a chance to research flights, accommodations, and time off from work. Later, the wedding invitation will give them all the details of the day itself. It is a good idea to include basic accommodation and travel information with the save the date for the destination wedding card, rather than waiting for the invitation. The invitation can then focus on the day’s finer details.

Well planned
You have planned your wedding on a perfectly timed schedule and there is a three to four month window where you want to let people know you are getting married, but it does not really make sense to wait for the invitations to go out. This is the perfect time to send out the save the date. In this case, it is as simple as a card with the date and place, with a note that more information will follow. Maybe you are not much of a traditionalist and you do not really want to send a save the date. That is fine too, just make sure you are not asking anything of guests that they need time to plan for.

The international wedding
In a global society, it is more than likely that at least one of your guests lives overseas. Whether it is grandparents from the home country, cousins from interstate, or friends who have moved abroad to study or work, it is extremely common that several guests will need to plan an international trip. Many of these guests would love the opportunity to share your big day, but like everyone else they need time to organize flights and accommodation, particularly if it involves 30 or more hours of travel. If you expect that one or several guests fall into this category, send a save the date.

There just isn’t time
With only two or three months until your wedding day, you can save time and energy by sending out the wedding invitation at the eight-week mark with your other wedding stationery and skipping the separate save the date card.

The Basics

You have decided you do need a save the date card for your wedding. Who needs to receive one? What should you send? When do you send it? How do you word it?

Who to send it to
Send your save the date cards to everyone on the wedding invitation list. There is no point in sending one to people you have no intention of inviting, and there is no reason to leave anyone off the guest list if you plan to invite them officially anyway. Do not panic if you forget someone, the invitations will follow.

When
Save the dates should be sent at least three to four months ahead of time for a local wedding. Destination weddings and weddings where you expect a number of guests to travel from overseas should aim for four to six months in advance, depending on how far guests will need to travel.

What to send
Traditionally, the save the date card matches the wedding stationery suite that will follow in a few months. But there are alternatives, see the section below on digital vs. printed options.

How to word it
The save the date follows many of the same principles as a wedding invitation. The key is to:

• Maintain a tone that is consistent with the kind of wedding you are planning;
• Say who is getting married;
• Include where and when the wedding is, along with any specific details guests need to plan around; and
• Note that more information is to follow, so guests are not left wondering what to do next.

The best save the date cards are simple. Keep it to the basics: who, where, when.

Our Five Favorite Save the Date Designs

Stuck for save the date ideas? Here are some of our favorites. If you are looking for something themed, take a look at our beach themed wedding invitations for coastal inspiration.

Save the date 1

Something decorative on the front and text on the back, with a little geometric shape for relief. This is a great example of an understated, elegant save the date.

Save the date 2

Following on with some more geometric print, softened by the gold decorative font through the middle. The combination of fonts and simple decoration works beautifully.

Save the date 3

This simple, black and white save the date shows how letterpress can create visual interest on textured paper. It is also a great example of keeping the wording concise.

Save the date 4

Mostly text with a vintage feel, created by the warm colors and varied typeface choices.

Save the date 5

If you prefer something decorative, this subdued floral watercolor design is beautiful on thick, textured card.

Things to Remember

• Send the save the date to everyone on the guest list;
• As we mentioned in our Wedding Invitation Do’s and Don’ts, specifically address the people you want to attend by name, so there is no confusion about who is invited;
• If you are sending a printed card, maintain consistency with your wedding invitation stationery set; and
• Try not to include information on the save the date that you are going to repeat verbatim on the invitation, unless it is absolutely necessary, like the names, date, and location.

Alternatives to the Printed Save the Date Card

Magnets

Save your guests the trouble of hunting down a spare magnet for the fridge. At checkout you can add a pre-applied magnet backing (from $8 USD for 10), so any save the date design becomes a ready-to-display fridge magnet your guests will keep long after the wedding.

Postcards

Destination postcard

Standard postcard

A postcard with a photo of the destination on the front makes a lot of sense for destination weddings. Postcards work just as well for any kind of wedding, a photo of where you are getting married, or something more personal like a photo of the couple.

Photo strip

You get to have a little fun in a photo booth, and once it is scanned and printed, the wedding details go on the back. This format feels spontaneous and personal.

3 Wedding Scenarios Where Save the Dates Are Non-Negotiable

Some couples wonder if save the dates are really worth the extra stationery investment. For most weddings, they are genuinely helpful, but for these three scenarios, skipping them would be a mistake.

Destination and overseas weddings

If you are asking guests to travel internationally or even across the country, they need lead time to book flights, request time off work, and arrange accommodation. Sending a save the date 9-12 months out for an overseas wedding (or 6-8 months for a domestic destination wedding) gives guests a fair chance to plan without breaking the bank. Last-minute airfares are significantly more expensive, and popular accommodation near scenic venues books out fast.

The save the date for a destination wedding does not need to cover every detail. At minimum, it should include the wedding date, the general location (city or resort name), and a note that full details are coming. Many couples include a brief line about nearby accommodation options so guests can book early at lower rates.

Holiday weekends and popular travel dates

A wedding on or near a major holiday weekend (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July) creates a logistical challenge for guests. Hotels and vacation rentals in many areas fill up months in advance around these dates. If guests do not know your date early, they may already have competing plans locked in by the time the invitation arrives.

Even for a local wedding, a holiday weekend means more guests are making decisions about family obligations, travel, or pre-existing events. An early heads-up via save the date gives them the best chance to prioritize your celebration.

Weddings with a significant share of long-distance guests

If a meaningful portion of your guest list lives more than a few hours away (family across the country, college friends in different cities, or international guests) save the dates do real work. They allow people to start comparing dates with partners, arranging childcare, and scoping travel options early, well before prices surge.

A good rule of thumb: if more than 20-30% of your guest list needs to travel overnight or further, send save the dates.

When You Can Skip the Save the Date (Honestly)

Not every wedding needs one. Here are situations where save the dates are genuinely optional, and skipping them is a reasonable choice.

Small, intimate weddings with a close guest list

If you are having a micro wedding or elopement with 20 or fewer guests, the people you are inviting are almost certainly people you speak with regularly. A phone call, a text, or a quick conversation does the same job. Formal save the dates add cost and lead time without much practical value when everyone already knows and is in close contact.

Short engagement or fast-moving timelines

If your engagement-to-wedding timeline is six months or less, save the dates and invitations will overlap uncomfortably. With only four months, for example, sending a save the date and then a full invitation within weeks of each other creates unnecessary paperwork for guests. At that point, send a compelling invitation with all the details at the eight-to-ten-week mark.

Casual celebrations with local guests

A backyard ceremony and barbecue with mostly local guests, little required travel, and no complex logistics is a case where save the dates are nice to have but not essential. If everyone is within a 30-minute drive and you have a flexible guest list (the kind where guests can attend or not without complicated RSVP math), you can likely skip the pre-notification step.

Weddings during low-demand seasons in low-demand destinations

If your wedding is on a quiet Tuesday in November at a venue with no competing demand nearby, accommodation and flights are not a concern. Guests who want to attend will have no trouble arranging it on short notice. This scenario is less common, but it does exist.

Save the Date vs. Invitation: What Each One Does

Couples sometimes wonder why they need two pieces of stationery for the same event. The answer is that save the dates and invitations serve genuinely different purposes, and confusing the two leads to either missing information at the wrong time or sending guests so much detail upfront that the invitation feels redundant.

The save the date buys time. The invitation closes the loop with everything guests need to actually show up.

One thing to note: once you send a save the date, you are committed to inviting that person to the wedding. Do not send one to someone who is on your “maybe” list. The save the date is an informal but real promise of an invitation to follow.

Want to know more about what goes on each piece and the etiquette around who receives what? Our save the date etiquette guide covers every rule in detail.

Digital vs. Printed Save the Dates: Which Is Right for You?

In 2026, couples have more flexibility than ever in how they notify guests. Both options are legitimate, the right choice depends on your priorities.

Printed save the dates

A physical save the date card is a tangible piece of stationery that guests can put on the fridge, pin to a noticeboard, or tuck into a planner. For couples who care about their stationery suite being cohesive and memorable, printed save the dates set the tone from the first touchpoint.

Paperlust save the dates start from $1 per card. You can choose from designs in digital print, flat foil (available in gold, silver, rose gold, copper, and other metallic shades), letterpress on Wild Cotton paper, white ink on dark stock, and metallic print. Orders include free white envelopes, and a designer proof is delivered within 1-2 business days. See the full save the date collection to browse by style, format, and print method.

For orders over $350 USD, DHL Express shipping is free (US delivery in 2-4 business days after dispatch).

Digital save the dates

A digital save the date is a designed JPEG or PDF file you send yourself via email, text, or social media. Paperlust offers digital save the dates from $35, available via customer service (not directly at checkout). You choose any design from the site, the designer finalizes your wording and layout, and you receive the file to send to your guest list however you prefer.

For more on how digital save the dates work and the best approach for sending them, see our digital save the dates guide.

Which should you choose?

Many couples do both, sending digital save the dates early, then following up with printed invitations for the tactile impact at the 8-10 week mark. This is a practical approach when you have a mixed guest list of tech-forward friends and older family members who appreciate paper.

10 Save the Date Wording Examples

A save the date does not need much copy, names, date, location, and a line about invitations to follow. But getting the tone right for your wedding style matters. Here are 10 wording examples across different styles.

For the full library of templates and guidance on what to include, see our dedicated save the date wording examples guide.

Classic and formal

Modern and minimal

Destination wedding

Casual and warm

Rustic or countryside wedding

Elopement announcement (after the fact)

Intimate wedding

Beach or coastal wedding

Holiday weekend wedding

Photo save the date

Note: photo save the dates let the image carry the emotion, the wording can be very brief. A single photo of the couple works beautifully.

Save the Date FAQs

Do you need to send save the dates?

Not for every wedding, but most couples benefit from sending them. They are non-negotiable for destination weddings, holiday weekend weddings, and weddings with a large share of out-of-town guests. For small, local, casual weddings with a short planning timeline, they are optional.

How early should you send save the dates?

For a local wedding, 4-6 months before the date is standard. For a destination wedding or one with many long-distance guests, 9-12 months in advance is recommended so guests can plan travel and request time off work.

What information do you put on a save the date?

Keep it simple: the couple’s names, the wedding date, the city or venue (city is enough if the venue is not yet confirmed), and a note that a formal invitation will follow. Do not include RSVP details, that belongs on the invitation.

Do save the dates have to match the wedding invitations?

Traditionally yes, but modern couples often mix complementary styles, same color palette or typographic family without being identical. What matters most is that the save the date gives guests an accurate impression of the wedding’s tone and formality.

Can you send a digital save the date instead of a printed one?

Yes. Paperlust offers digital save the date files (JPEG or PDF) from $35, available via customer service. You receive the finalized design file to send yourself via email or text. Many couples send digital save the dates first, then follow with printed invitations. For full guidance see our digital save the dates guide.

What is the difference between a save the date and an invitation?

A save the date is an early informal notice, names, date, location, more to follow. An invitation is the official event communication, with full venue details, ceremony time, dress code, and RSVP instructions. They serve different purposes and go out at different times.

Can you send a save the date before you have a venue?

Yes. If you have the date locked and a general location in mind, you can send the save the date with the city or region and a note that full venue details will be on the invitation. This is better than waiting and missing the early planning window for your guests.

Do you have to send a save the date to everyone you invite?

You should send one to everyone you intend to invite. Do not send a save the date to anyone who is not on your confirmed invitation list. Once a save the date goes out, the expectation of a formal invitation follows.

How much do save the dates cost?

Printed save the dates start from $1 per card at Paperlust. Total cost depends on print method (digital print is most affordable; flat foil and letterpress cost more per card), paper stock, and quantity. Digital save the date files are a flat $35 via customer service, regardless of guest list size.

Can any save the date design become a fridge magnet?

Yes. At checkout, you can add a pre-applied magnet backing to any design. The standard size is approximately 5.5″ x 4.2″ (140mm x 107mm). Self-adhesive magnet stickers are also available as a lower-cost alternative if you prefer to apply them yourself.

Are save the dates necessary for small weddings?

For micro weddings of 20 or fewer guests made up of close family and friends you are already in regular contact with, save the dates are optional. A personal call or message often does the same job. For anything larger or more logistically complex, save the dates are a worthwhile investment.

Where can I find save the date wording ideas?

Our dedicated save the date wording examples guide covers templates for formal, casual, destination, elopement, and every other style, with guidance on what to include and what to leave off.

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