When To Send Save The Dates

The precursor to the wedding invitation, save the dates are both fun and practical. On the one hand, they get friends and family excited for the upcoming festivities, on the other, they give your guests an ample amount of time to block off their calendars and prepare for your wedding.

Much like fitting a wedding dress, when to send save the dates depends on your specifics. There’s a science to sending save the dates—not too early and never too late. Plus, did you know that different types of weddings require sending save the dates at different times? With all these small details, it’s easy to get caught up in the logistics. No worries! Find out exactly when to send yours below.

When to send save the dates

You should send your save the dates 4 to 6 months before a local wedding, and 8 to 12 months before a destination wedding. These timelines will give your guests ample time to make arrangements, but not so much time that it’s too far away for them to keep track of or forget about.

Expert advice: Make sure you have your wedding venue 100% secured on your chosen date before ordering and sending out save the date cards. While including the name of your venue on your cards isn’t essential, having your venue reserved for the date you’ll share on these cards is. Sign the venue contract first to avoid the headache of having to send change the date cards.

Can you ever send save the dates too early?

It's definitely possible to send save the dates too early. If you do, your guests might put your wedding out of mind because they feel like it’s too far away to mentally prioritize. Wedding etiquette states that it’s best to send a save the date card four to six months ahead of your big day.

The exception is if you’re hosting a destination wedding, in which case eight months out is a better time frame. This gives out-of-town guests enough time to plan and make travel arrangements.

Do I have to send save the dates?

Sending save-the-dates for a wedding isn't mandatory, but it's highly recommended. Not only do they let your guests know a formal invitation will follow, but they're useful for giving guests enough time to plan their travel and accommodations, especially if you're hosting a destination wedding.

How do save the dates differ from wedding invites?

Save the dates are optional, but wedding invites are essential. However, save the dates are a great opportunity to show off a cute photo from your engagement photoshoot and share the date and location of your wedding. But don't feel like they have to contain all the details. Save the dates don't have to include the start time, for example, or any other facts you haven’t finalized yet.

How to address save the dates

Aside from knowing when to send save the dates, you’ll also need to know how to address your guests on the envelope.

To a single guest, use their title, e.g “Mr.”, “Mrs.” or “Ms.”

Ms. Lee

12 Maple Street Boston, MA 02115

To a married couple, use titles “Mr. and Mrs.” and the couple’s last name.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee

12 Maple Street Boston, MA 02115

To an unmarried couple, use the titles “Mr. and Ms.” and spell out first and last names.

Mr. David Lee and Ms. Jennifer Kim

12 Maple Street Boston, MA 02115

Who do we send save the dates to?

Many couples have a group A and group B when it comes to sending out wedding invites. Group B is typically made up of those guests who you would love to have at your wedding, but, because of space or budget issues, may not be able to accommodate.

In proper wedding etiquette, never send a save the date to anyone in group B. These people haven’t definitely secured an invite to your wedding after all. Only send save the dates to group A—and only send them to each household rather than to every individual person on your guest list. If they live at the same address, they only need one save the date.

Save the date templates

Looking for some save the date design inspiration? We’ve got plenty of stylish templates to suit all couples.

Talana Photo save the date template

The versatile Talana design features an elegant mix of typography and calligraphy over your custom picture, plus your wedding date in the corner.

Emeline Photo save the date template

Put your favorite snapshot front and center with this Emeline save the date design. It’s a gorgeous choice for any wedding, from urban to rustic.

Violin Photo save the date template

Can't decide on just one photo from your engagement shoot? The Violin Photo template allows you to whittle it down to your top three.

Goundry Photo save the date template

The chic, simplistic Goundry design features leaves and flowers around your initials, plus a timeless mix of typography.

Galata Photo save the date template

Available on luxe paper, this botanical Galata design features a wreath of leafy eucalyptus that frames your wedding details perfectly.

Burke Photo save the date template

Are you a fan of photography? Your family and friends will proudly remember this polaroid-esque Burke Photo save the date long after the big day.

Avila Photo save the date template

The Avila design is perfect for nature lovers looking to showcase a special snapshot, featuring delicate hand-drawn leaves, next to your custom picture.

Brevard Photo save the date template

Put your favorite snapshot on display with the bold Brevard template that places you and your other half right in the spotlight.

Venado Photo save the date template

Make a romantic statement with the delicate Venado design. Better yet, you can edit the silhouette for a unique finish.

Gardner Photo save the date template

Getting married in a garden or other flower-filled setting? You'll love the floral-adorned Gardner template.

Alta Photo save the date template

If you're a fan of bright colors and prints, you'll adore the vibrant Alta design, complete with customizable foils.

Paltz Photo save the date template

We especially love the Paltz save the date for formal weddings, in venues like hotel ballrooms and seaside resorts.

Serene Photo save the date template

Much like its name suggests, this Serene design comes with a gorgeous, serene landscape and space for all the key details.

Celeste Photo save the date template

Choose modern cool with a card that strikes a clean balance between formal and minimalist like this Celeste design.

Vandeburg Photo save the date template

The stylish Vandeburg save the date design comes in a big range of colors, themes, and paper types, ensuring a bespoke finish.

Chesley Photo save the date template

The Chesley template features stunning hand-painted flowers, plus timeless typography. It's perfect for couples who want to add a splash of color to their big day.

Santini Photo save the date template

The upscale Santini design is a classic choice, making good use of gold foil to commemorate your big day.

Colletta Photo save the date template

Arty couples step forward: the Colletta template is both romantic and elegant, with hand-painted watercolor flowers.

Bahama Photo save the date template

This Bahama design features bold typography for a cool, minimalist vibe, complete with your favorite couples photo and dramatic lines.

Overall wedding timeline

While every wedding timeline is different, there are a few tried and true standards for when to send save the dates and other related wedding stationery. As previously mentioned, knowing exactly when to send save the date cards depends on your unique wedding timeline. Here’s a general timeline for a wedding with a year of planning:

• 12 Months in Advance: Reserve the wedding venue and secure a date.

• 11 Months in Advance: Set up a wedding website.

• 10-12 Months in Advance: Take engagement photos. (Optional, but these look great on save the dates!)

• 10 Months in Advance: Collect friends and family addresses. (You can manage your guest list at Zola too!)

• 8 Months in Advance: Send out save the dates for a destination wedding.

• 6 Months in Advance: Send out save the dates for a local wedding.

• 8 Weeks Before Wedding: Send out wedding invitations.

Wedding invitation etiquette: the basic rule

The above timeline ensures that your guests have an appropriate amount of time to block off your wedding date in their calendars. However, every wedding’s details and timelines vary. Whether you secure your location a year in advance or a few months beforehand, there’s one basic rule to follow when it comes to wedding invitation etiquette: Do not withhold scheduling information and wedding details.

As soon as you’ve secured the venue and set a specific date, let your guest list know via physical or digital save the dates. You don’t really need any other details for these, so don’t get hung up on anything else before sending.

In summary

Save the dates are the introduction to your wedding so we understand you want to time it right. To simplify the wedding planning process, send your save the date card or magnet no earlier than 8 and no later than 4 months out and you’ll be perfectly fine.