Finding the right save the dates means balancing design, format, budget, and timing - and getting all three right from the start. Whether you are looking for letterpress luxury, clean digital print, fridge-worthy magnets, or no-envelope postcards, 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 and a 100% happiness guarantee on every print.
- 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 shipping: DHL Express on orders over $600
- Guarantee: 100% happiness guarantee - love it or we reprint it
Save the Date Formats
Paperlust save the dates come in four formats - each suited to a different kind of couple, budget, and guest experience.
| Format | Best For | Starting From |
|---|---|---|
| Cards | Classic mailed announcement, keepsake quality | $1 per card |
| Magnets | Maximum visibility - stays on the fridge for months | $8 for 10 |
| Postcards | No envelope needed, lower postage, perfect for destination weddings with overseas guests | From $1 per card |
New Zealand's save the date culture mirrors Australia closely - most couples send 6 to 12 months ahead, with timing shaped by one key factor: the wedding season. New Zealand's peak wedding season runs December through February, which aligns with summer school holidays, popular travel periods, and busy accommodation calendars across popular wedding destinations. If you are planning a summer wedding, getting save the dates out 9 to 12 months beforehand gives guests the best chance of securing flights and accommodation before prices rise. For couples hosting overseas guests from Australia, the UK, or the US, the same 9 to 12 month lead time applies - give international guests the runway they need to plan travel across the Pacific. Your save the date is the starting gun for your guests' logistics.
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 Dates
The print method shapes the feel of your save the dates 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. If you are not completely satisfied with the finished product, the 100% happiness guarantee means Paperlust will reprint or refund your order.
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 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 dates 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 $600 qualify for free DHL Express shipping to New Zealand. New customers receive $20 off their first purchase when they sign up.
Most couples send save the dates 6 to 12 months before the wedding. For summer weddings in December or January - New Zealand's peak season - and for any wedding with overseas guests, 9 to 12 months ahead is the right target. 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 shipping - 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 dates 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 region - 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 for overseas guests, 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. This is particularly useful for New Zealand weddings with overseas guests who need to arrange international travel. Make it at least 2cm x 2cm for reliable scanning.
Send updated notifications as quickly as possible, clearly labelled "Updated Save the Date - please note our new date." For weddings with overseas guests who may have booked non-refundable flights, a personal message before the printed update arrives is a considerate 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 - no questions asked. The guarantee is backed by a live chat support team available throughout the design, proof, and delivery process. Order with confidence knowing your save the dates are covered from proof to postbox.
Yes. Paperlust ships to New Zealand via DHL Express. Orders over $600 qualify for free shipping. New Zealand orders typically arrive 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.
Send them 9 to 12 months beforehand. December and January fall during New Zealand's peak summer season - school holidays, popular domestic travel, and high demand for accommodation in wedding venues all converge at this time. Sending early gives guests the best chance of locking in holiday leave, booking flights before prices peak, and finding available accommodation in your chosen location.
Guests travelling from Australia, the UK, or the US should receive save the dates 12 months or more before the wedding where possible. They will need time to arrange flights, accommodation, travel insurance, and time off work. Including a wedding website URL on your save the date gives overseas guests a destination for all travel planning details from day one.
Continue Planning Your Stationery Suite
Once your save the dates are out, Paperlust carries the full wedding suite from one place. All designed by independent artists, proofed by a professional designer, and printed on heavyweight stock. Browse the rest of the range: cheap wedding invitations, all-in-one wedding invitations, foil save the dates, wedding menus, wedding place cards, information cards, and wedding programs.
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