What "Save the Dates" are, and how to use them.

by Natalie Lawy

"Save the Date" cards are a pretty new idea, and they're quickly replacing the dated tradition of sending formal engagement announcements.

The purpose of Save the Dates is to let your guests know they'll be invited, and the date. It's an especially good idea if your wedding falls during the holiday season or on a long weekend, or if your guests will need to travel. You should send them about eight months or a year ahead - if your date is farther away it's best to hold onto them so it doesn't slip people's minds.

The one pressure that comes from Save the Date cards is that you'll want to send them early, but you probably won't have finalized your guest list yet. It's OK if not all your guests receive a Save the Date card, so the easiest solution is to draw a cut-off where you know all those who receive one will be invited.

It's a good idea to include the line, "Invitations to follow" in small type. People sometimes confuse Save the Dates with wedding invitations - and of course, that leaves them wanting more information! These three little words will save you from fielding puzzled guests' phone calls.

There are tons of ways you can prepare your Save the Dates. Here are a few ideas that will hopefully inspire you.

A SIMPLE CARD

The easiest thing is to prepare no-fuss cards on your home computer. Creatively decorate the front, or leave it blank and attach a photo of yourselves. Inside, the card can simply say something lighthearted like, "Chris and Jess will be tying the knot on April 23, 2005. We hope to see you, so please Save the Date!"
You could even combine it with your Christmas cards, and include a little "Save the Date" note with each card you're sending to a wedding guest.

A CALENDAR

Another fun idea is to print a small calendar for each guest. Prepare a little booklet, folder, or pamphlet with your names on the cover, a message on the first page, and a calendar of your wedding events in the back. You can personalize each calendar - mark your engagement party, shower, bachelor & bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinner, gift opening, and all the rest of each guest's events!

A MAGNET

Find a printer who will prepare them for you, or do them yourself at home using materials from an office supply store. Keep the wording short because the space is small. For example:

Please save the date for Lana and Carter
June 3, 2006

If you want to have a picture, something simple like a pair of intertwined hearts or rings, or a bouquet of flowers, could work. A photograph of yourselves, a wedding chapel, or your own ceremony location would be romantic. Or, if you've already chosen your invitations, you could design your magnets to coordinate.

A BOOKMARK

It's easy to make bookmarks at home. Print them onto cardstock, cut them apart, and thread a nice piece of satin ribbon through a hole punched at the top. They're simple and inexpensive, and something your guests will see each night!

BY EMAIL

There's nothing wrong with preparing an email save the date. They'll cost you nothing in paper or postage. You can create a beautiful message, as elaborate as you like. Emails are wonderful because they're hard to lose, so nobody can forget your date.

ONLINE

Wed-sites are becoming very popular. You could send an email or paper mailing with your web address for guests to stay in the know with dates, maps, and all the other important information they'll need.

If you're hosting a destination wedding or if you have a lot of out of town guests, there's lots of information you can include. Consider preparing a newsletter style message for your guests, including hotel information and dates of family activities before or after the wedding. Also put together a list of local numbers like taxis, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Anything you can tell your guests will be welcome.