Do You Need Both Save-the-Dates and Invitations? Etiquette and Ways to Save
Discover whether you need both save-the-dates and invitations for your wedding. Learn the differences, etiquette, and cost-saving tips to help you make an informed decision without breaking the bank.
When planning a wedding, there are countless small expenses that add up quickly. Many couples are surprised to learn how much stationery costs – especially if you factor in both save-the-dates and invitations.
If you’re on a budget, you might be wondering why you would need to send your guests both save-the-dates and wedding invitations. They both tell people where and when your wedding will be, right?
While there are some differences between the two, you can decide whether you want to use both. It’s your wedding, so you can make the call regardless of tradition.
If you’re on the fence, read on to learn whether you should have both save-the-dates and invitations, plus some ways to save money while upholding the tradition.
What Are Save-the-Dates?
Save-the-dates are cards couples send six to eight months before their wedding to tell guests what day the ceremony will be. They allow guests to mark their calendars well in advance so they don’t plan anything else that day.
Sending save-the-dates several months in advance gives guests time to plan, especially if they will need to travel and make accommodations. At the same time, the save-the-date does not typically have every detail, as the couple may still be nailing down things like the time, hotel discounts and provided transportation.
If you receive a save-the-date, that means you’ve been invited to the wedding, but the official invitation and RSVP card will arrive once all the plans are solidified.
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How Are Wedding Invitations Different?
Wedding invitations differ from save-the-dates because they contain specific information guests need at least 1-2 months before the big day. It provides the date, venue and city, plus information guests must know for their trip, such as the following:
- The hotel hosting the couple’s discounted rooms
- Room rates
- Any pre- or post-wedding activities
- Dress code requirements, when applicable
Invitations also include an RSVP card for guests to fill out, indicating how many from their party are attending and if anyone has food allergies. This information is usually necessary closer to the wedding because the couple’s vendors prefer to finalize things like catering 1-2 weeks before the ceremony.
Do You Need Both?
Traditionally, couples use save-the-dates to give guests enough time to decide if they can come to the wedding. Invitations typically have all the finalized information, like timing, addresses, transportation information and more. A save-the-date can be useful if you want to tell guests to mark their calendars while you’re still planning out those final details.
However, having save-the-dates will not make or break your wedding. You can choose to send only an invitation with all of the necessary information, as long as you can send it out a few months in advance.
The main reason why couples might skip the save-the-date is the added cost. Invitations printed on specialty paper can be expensive, so save-the-dates are an unnecessary expense.
Few people would be upset if you don’t do save-the-dates, so long as the invitations are mailed with plenty of time to make arrangements. It’s your wedding, so you can make the best decision for yourself. While most traditions do serve some purpose, you should feel free to pick and choose which ones fit your budget.
Ways to Save Money on Save-the-Dates
If you do want to have save-the-dates, there are budget-friendly ways to make them work. Here are five ways to save money on this wedding tradition.
1. Send Digital Cards
Sending an email is always an option when creating save-the-dates. While some people like to have physical invitations to keep as a memento, going virtual with the save-the-dates is a great financial compromise.
Draft the information as a standard email or add engagement photos for extra flair. Guests can click on a hyperlink to access additional information about your venue, date and anything else they need to know from your wedding website. It’s instantaneous and effortless and skips the costly process of mailing individual cards.
2. Design Your Own Stationery
Sites like Canva make designing stationery simple. Choose from endless free invitation templates and add your wedding’s specific details in text boxes. You can then print and mail copies in hand-written envelopes or email them to your guests. Couples often choose this option if they love designing cards or have a unique vision for their wedding theme.
If you have a smaller guest list, you could even send handwritten notes as save-the-dates. Pick out some cute cards from a stationary store and write a heartfelt message to each person you intend to invite.
3. Record a Video
Videos are another great way to communicate save-the-date or invitation information to wedding guests. Take a quick clip of you and your partner asking guests to save your wedding date.
You can email or text the video to your friends and family. Either way, they’ll enjoy a nice surprise hearing you personally announcing your wedding date.
3. Add It to Your Wedding Website
If you want to create a fun design on Canva but don’t want to mail it, you can upload it to your wedding website. Send your guests the link, and they can admire you save-the-date without potentially losing a physical copy.
It can be convenient to store all of your wedding information in one place. Sometimes evites get lost in a full inbox. If you have it uploaded to your website, guests can bookmark the page and go back to it anytime.
4. Make Good Old-Fashioned Phone Calls
If you loved calling up friends and family to announce your engagement, then this option is for you. For a smaller, more intimate wedding, it can be extra meaningful to call your loved ones and ask them to save the date.
You can still include the information on your wedding website, but the phone call will show your friends and family just how much you’d love to have them attend your special day.
Save The Date Without the Price Tag
It’s important to give your guests enough time to plan to attend your wedding. While mailing save-the-dates traditionally serves that purpose, it’s not the only option. Whether you stick with invitations only or find an affordable alternative, save-the-dates don’t have to break the bank.
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