Finding the right save the date cards means balancing design, format, budget, and timing - and getting all three right from the start. Whether you are looking for letterpress elegance, clean digital print, fridge-ready magnets, or postcard-style announcements, this collection covers every style and every guest list. Browse 500+ exclusive designs from independent artists, starting from $1 per card, with a professional designer assigned to every order.
- Starting price: From $1 per card (digital print)
- Formats: Cards, magnets, postcards
- Print methods: Digital print, letterpress, flat foil, white ink, metallic
- Designer proof: Within 1-2 business days
- Edits included: Two rounds at no extra cost
- Rush option: 24-hour production available
- Free delivery: DHL Express on orders over £260
- Sample pack: $5 for seven designs across different print methods
Save the Date Card Formats
Paperlust save the date cards come in four formats - each suited to a different kind of couple, budget, and guest experience.
| Format | Best For | Starting From |
|---|---|---|
| Cards | Classic posted announcement, keepsake quality | $1 per card |
| Magnets | Maximum visibility - stays on the fridge for months | $8 for 10 |
| Postcards | No envelope needed, lower postage, ideal for destination weddings | From $1 per card |
Save the date cards are a newer addition to British wedding tradition - adopted from the US over the past decade or so and now well established, but still a couple's choice rather than an expectation. British couples most often use them when guests will need to travel, book accommodation, or take time off work. Destination weddings both within the UK and abroad rely on them almost universally; for a local ceremony with mostly nearby guests, many couples skip them altogether and move straight to formal invitations. If you do send one, 6 to 12 months ahead is the standard range, with 9 to 12 months recommended for any wedding requiring significant travel. Keep the information simple: names, date, and general location.
Magnets are available as a checkout add-on on any design in the collection - choose your design, customise it with your details, and select the magnet option at checkout. Two formats: pre-applied magnet backing (ready to stick straight on the fridge) and self-adhesive sticker sheets for a lower-cost option.
Print Methods for Save the Date Cards
The print method shapes the feel of your save the date cards as much as the design does. Here is what each option delivers:
- Digital print: The most affordable option. Full colour, sharp photos, fastest production. Works on matte, metallic, linen, kraft, and blush stocks.
- Letterpress: A debossed impression pressed into 300gsm or 600gsm Wild Cotton paper. Tactile, luxe, and handcrafted in our Melbourne studio.
- Flat foil: Real metallic foil in gold, rose gold, silver, copper, holographic, and more. No custom die required - faster and more accessible than traditional foil stamp.
- White ink: Printed on dark or coloured stocks including kraft, vellum, navy, cobalt, and burgundy. Perfect for moody or dramatic palettes.
- Metallic: A subtle metallic sheen built into the printing process. Quieter than foil, still elevated.
Not sure which print method suits your design? Every order includes a professional designer who will guide you through the options - and a designer proof is delivered within 1-2 business days so you can see exactly how your cards will look before production begins. Two rounds of edits are included at no extra cost.
Want to feel the difference between paper stocks before you commit? A $5 sample pack includes seven designs across different print methods. A full swatch kit is also available for $20.
Looking for matching wedding invitations? Browse the full wedding invitations collection - every design is available across both products so your stationery coordinates from the save the date card through to the invitation suite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paperlust save the date cards are 140mm x 107mm (approximately 5.5" x 4.2"), the industry standard for save the dates. Custom sizes including 5x7 and 4x6 are available on request - contact the team before placing your order to confirm options.
Save the date cards start from $1 per card for digital print. Letterpress and foil options are priced higher depending on the print method, paper stock, and quantity. Orders over £260 qualify for free DHL Express delivery. New customers receive $20 off their first purchase when they sign up.
Most couples send save the date cards 6 to 12 months before the wedding. Destination weddings and busy holiday periods warrant the earlier end of that range - 9 to 12 months - to give guests time to arrange travel and accommodation. Local weddings with mostly nearby guests can send as late as 6 months out.
Order one per household, not one per guest. A couple sharing an address receives one card between them. Add 10 to 15 percent extra to your household count for keepsakes, late additions, and addressing errors. Most couples need fewer save the dates than they initially budget for.
Yes. Most designs support photo uploads, and the design team can enhance photo brightness, contrast, and retouching on request. Your designer proof - delivered within 1-2 business days - shows exactly how your photo will sit in the design before production begins. Two rounds of edits are included at no extra cost.
The pre-applied magnet backing means Paperlust applies the magnet to the back of your card before posting - guests receive a ready-to-use fridge magnet. The self-adhesive magnet sticker sheet is a lower-cost option where you apply the backing yourself. Both use the same design and print method. Magnets are a checkout add-on on any save the date design.
Paperlust offers three save the date formats: cards, magnets, and postcards. Cards are the classic choice; magnets stay visible on the refrigerator for months; postcards reduce postage costs and work well for destination weddings. All three formats are produced as physical printed pieces and shipped with DHL Express tracking.
Digital print, letterpress, flat foil, white ink, and metallic print are all available. Digital print is most affordable and fastest. Letterpress is pressed into 300gsm or 600gsm Wild Cotton paper for a tactile, luxury finish. Flat foil adds real metallic foil in gold, rose gold, silver, copper, holographic, and more. White ink prints on dark coloured stocks including kraft, navy, and vellum. Metallic adds a subtle sheen through the printing process.
Yes. Save the date cards are sent first - typically 6 to 12 months before the wedding - to give guests early notice of the date and general location. Formal wedding invitations follow 6 to 8 weeks before the event for local weddings, or 10 to 12 weeks for destination weddings. All Paperlust save the date designs have matching wedding invitations available.
The essentials are: couple's names, wedding date, and general location (city or county - you do not need to name the venue). Most couples also include their wedding website URL. Avoid listing registry details or full event schedules on your save the date - those belong in the formal invitation.
Matching your save the date to your wedding theme creates a cohesive stationery suite. If your style evolves slightly between save the date and invitation, coordinating colours and paper stocks help tie everything together. The most important thing is that the design reflects both of you.
A strong save the date reflects your wedding's style while making the date and location impossible to miss. Good design balances readability with aesthetics - clear typography, a layout that prioritises key information, and a print finish that hints at the level of formality guests can expect. Photo save the dates remain perennially popular for their personal warmth.
Yes. Any save the date can be customised to be double-sided. Some designs already include a second panel; for others, you can add a back in the design tool. The second side works well for your wedding website URL, travel hints, or an engagement photo.
All Paperlust save the date designs have matching wedding invitations in the same collection. Browse the wedding invitations collection and filter by your chosen design style. While some competitors offer a single free RSVP card with invitation orders, we unlock 15% off the entire suite - invitation, RSVP, details, save-the-date, and thank-you - when you order three or more card types in one checkout.
Yes - and in 2026, most couples do. A QR code linking to your wedding website lets guests find accommodation details, travel guidance, and RSVP information without cluttering the card. Make it at least 2cm x 2cm for reliable scanning. Your designer can help position it cleanly within the layout.
Send updated notifications as quickly as possible, clearly labelled "Updated Save the Date - please note our new date." For destination weddings where guests may have booked non-refundable travel, a personal message before the printed update arrives is a thoughtful extra step.
It is not necessary to include guest names on the card itself. Standard practice is to address the outer envelope by name while keeping the card focused on the couple's names, date, and location.
You do not have to, but you can if a guest is confirmed to have a plus one. If your plus-one list is still being finalised, it is perfectly acceptable to hold off and confirm via the formal invitation.
Traditionally the bride's name goes first. Modern couples often choose the order based on personal preference, how the names sound together, or what looks best typographically. Same-sex couples commonly use alphabetical order or whichever name reads better within the design layout.
Yes. Submit your artwork and quantity details via the custom order page for a quote. Custom design orders are handled by the team directly.
Yes. A $5 sample pack includes seven designs across different print methods and paper stocks. A $20 full swatch kit covers all available paper stocks. A $15 custom sample of your exact design is available for most print methods (custom samples are not available for letterpress).
After placing your order, a professional designer is assigned and delivers a digital proof within 1-2 business days. You review the proof, request any changes, and approve before production begins. Two rounds of edits are included at no extra cost.
Yes. 24-hour rush production is available for an additional fee on digital print and flat foil orders. Letterpress and foil stamp take longer due to the handcrafted process - contact customer service to discuss your timeline if you have an urgent deadline.
Yes. Free white envelopes are included with all card orders. Coloured and textured envelope upgrades are available to complement your design.
Paperlust plants a tree with every order. Paper stocks include FSC-certified and recycled options. The Melbourne studio uses responsible sourcing across all print methods and packaging.
If you are not completely satisfied with your order, Paperlust will reprint or refund it. The guarantee is backed by a live chat support team available throughout the design, proof, and delivery process.
Yes. Paperlust ships to the UK via DHL Express. Orders over £260 qualify for free delivery. UK orders typically arrive within 5 to 7 business days after production completes. A $5 sample pack is available if you would like to assess paper stocks and print quality before placing your full order.
The convention in the UK is to send save the date cards only to full-day guests. Sending them to evening-only guests can create confusion, as receiving a save the date implies that a formal invitation to the full day will follow. Let evening guests know about the date through other means closer to the time.
Completely. Save the date cards are optional in the UK, not expected. They make most sense when guests need to book travel, accommodation, or time off work. For smaller, local weddings where most guests live nearby, moving straight to formal invitations is perfectly acceptable etiquette.
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