Wedding Save the Date Wording Samples

Save the Date Wording 101: What to Include, How to Say It, and Why It Matters

Save the dates aren’t just the first piece of wedding mail your guests will receive! They’re the warmup, the friendly “Hey, mark your calendar!” that sets the stage for everything to come. But if you’re not sure what to include (or even if you need one!), don’t worry. I’m here to walk you through save the date essentials, from what they are to how to word them so they feel just right.

Once you’ve decided to send a save the date card (smart move, especially if you’re planning a destination wedding or have guests traveling in), the next question is: what exactly should it say? If you’re still wondering whether save the dates are necessary, or what they’re even for, you’ll want to start with this post on save the dates that breaks it all down.

If you’re ready to get writing, this guide will walk you through exactly what to include (and what to leave off), with formal and casual wording examples to match your wedding style.

WHAT ARE SAVE THE DATES?

Save the dates are short and sweet. A simple heads-up to help your guests plan ahead and get a preview of your wedding style. That said, how you phrase it can still set the tone for your celebration. Whether you’re keeping it classic or going playful, this post will help you craft wording that feels like you.

A save the date is a card you mail to guests prior to sending a wedding invitation that shares your wedding date and (optional) location.  Think of them as a friendly heads-up, especially handy if you’re planning a destination wedding, a holiday weekend, or anything that requires a bit of advance planning on your guests’ part. They’re typically sent out six to twelve months before the wedding, giving your nearest and dearest enough time to clear their schedules, book flights, and start counting down the days. It can double as an engagement announcement, and be a chance to introduce your fiancé to family and friends that haven’t met them yet.

Save the dates are a great way to set the tone for your wedding, too! Whether you’re keeping things simple with a classic card or going bold with a magnet or fun postcard, this little announcement lets guests get a feel for what’s to come. Although they don’t need to match your invitations perfectly, it’s nice to keep a cohesive theme such as using the same color palette or fonts.

What to Include on Your Save the Date

Save the dates don’t need all the wedding day details – just the basics! Here’s what to include:

1. Your Names
Make sure guests know who’s tying the knot! Listing just your first names is fine here unless you want to keep things formal and include your last names.

2. The Wedding Date
The main reason you’re sending this out! Add the exact date if you have it set. If you’re still finalizing, you can list the month and year to give guests a general idea.

3. The Location
A city and state (or country, if you’re heading somewhere exotic) is all you need for now. You’ll save venue specifics for the formal invitation, but giving a heads-up about the location helps guests start planning.

4. Save the Date
(or similar: “save our date” “we’re getting married” “hold the date” “mark your calendar”)

5. Formal Invitation to Follow
(or similar: “invitation to follow”)

This line lets guests know that more details are on the way. It also gives you time to finalize your invitation wording and design without feeling rushed.

Optional Extras to Include

While you don’t need much more than the essentials, a few extras can be helpful, too.

–Wedding Website
If you’ve set up a wedding website, add the URL or QR to your save the date! Guests can check in for updates, and if they’re eager to know more, you’ll save yourself a few phone calls or texts.

–Accommodation and Travel Details
If you know you’ll have a hotel block or travel deals for guests, include those here, especially for destination weddings. This will help guests make arrangements early.

-A Photo (or not!)
Many couples like to share an engagement photo (or two!) on the save the date, but it’s not required. You can absolutely send a save the date without a photo.

TRADITIONAL SAVE THE DATE WORDING SAMPLES

For traditional weddings, black tie events, or anything hosted at a historic venue, you may want wording that feels a little more elegant.

These first three save the date wording examples follow traditional wedding etiquette and would be perfect for a formal wedding.

SIMPLE SAVE THE DATE WORDING SAMPLES

These save the date wording examples are a bit simpler – sometimes just the facts are all you need (or want) to share!

Destination Wedding Save the Date Wording Samples

When your guests are traveling, it’s a good idea to confirm that it is a destination event – especially if it’s out of country.

INCLUDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Maybe you want to keep the front of your save the date simple with a photo and the basic details, but you have more information to share with your guests. That’s where the back of the card can come in handy!

Add another photo, details about travel and accommodations, your wedding website, or more.

Save the Date Etiquette: What NOT to Include

Let’s keep you from a few common missteps:

• No RSVP info yet. You’re not collecting replies at this point.

• Skip registry details. Save that for your website or bridal shower invite.

• Don’t get too specific. Venue name and start time can wait until the invitation. Just in case anything changes.

Need help choosing the design too?

If you’re still deciding between a photo save the date, a monogram layout, or something classic with just text, don’t stress—I’ll walk you through the options and help you pick the style that suits your wedding best. Schedule a consultation to get your questions answered.

Want to see how it all looks in print? Order a sample pack and flip through real examples before you decide.

Wording for the rest of your invitation suite

If you’re deep in wording land, you’ll want to see the rest of this series. Think of it as your “wedding wording toolkit”:

• Invitation Wording: Classic, formal, and modern options.

• RSVP Card Wording: For mail in cards and online replies.

• Reception Card Wording: Figure out if you need one and what to write on it.

• Insert Card Wording: The perfect place for your website, itinerary, and all those extras.

Consider this your shortcut to stress-free stationery wording!

Once you’ve finalized your wording, it’s time to see it come to life! Browse examples of letterpress save the dates, see the wording real brides choose for their invitation suite, or schedule a consultation to start designing your suite.