Save the Date or even Wedding Date Change Cards
There are so many things about wedding planning that can be overwhelming, so let me give you a hand with one of those things. Save-the-Date cards: do you need them? The short answer is no, BUT aren't they adorable? Save-the-Date cards are a great way to use your engagement photos, make sure that your friends and family ask off work for your date, and who doesn't like to get mail? Another great tip: bring your Save-the-Date along with a copy of your wedding invitation to your wedding so that your photographer can get some great photos of all your paper products together with your rings and other details! So the next question is:
When should you be sending out these Save-the-Date cards?
Typically people send them out 6 months before the wedding date, and 8-12 months in advance if it is a destination wedding. This means that you really should be ordering them about 7 months before your wedding, which in turn means that you should be booking your engagement session 8 months before your wedding. Now, since I am located in Central Florida, I encourage you to look at this timeline and think about the weather. June-August is super hot and humid, but the sun goes down later in the day, so we can shoot at 6-7pm after work. August-September we have the rainy/wet hurricane season, so be prepared to have to postpone your session date in case of rain. The best times to take your engagement photos are in the spring and fall months. Be prepared to plan a week day, because most photographers reserve the weekends for weddings.
What do I put on my Save-the-Date card?
Your Save-the-Date is a perfect time to establish who is invited, that way you don't have unplanned plus ones, or under 21 guests if you are wanting a child free wedding. This card is great for sharing your wedding registry, or even better, your wedding website! Your wedding website is a great way to have a lot of information in one place so that you don't have to answer the same questions multiple times. You can just direct everyone to your website. If you have blocked off hotel rooms you can include a link to that hotel and how to book directly from your wedding website.
What if we send the Save-the-Date and then have to change our date due to COVID-19?
It is unfortunate, but this has and can happen, no matter how much planning you've put into your wedding day. Don't stress, it will be ok. The most important thing is marrying your best friend. One option you have is sending out another mailing that explains the dilemma—also known as a "Change the Date" card. If you have already printed and mailed your original Save-the-Date, some printing companies will offer you a discount if you have to purchase cards with the new date. Basic Invite has a "order trouble" form that you can fill out and they will assist you with any COVID related issues. Make sure you update your wedding website as soon as you have the new date, and have your friends and family assist you in making sure all of your guests are updated.
Do our Save-the-Date cards need to match our wedding invitations?
Save-the-Dates are usually much less formal, so this is your opportunity to let your style as a couple really shine, or test out a theme to see how it looks. This is where you can get really creative and have fun with it! Since it is a great opportunity to showcase your new engagement photos you can go big with one image, or include something like a collage, or even a map of the place where your wedding will be! Invitation websites will have so many samples for you to go through for inspiration, and different color combinations to choose from. Now is the time to figure out what style fits you best. Feel free to take a design risk, insert a little humor or choose a bold font. Instant previews allow you to adjust your card until it is just right, and you can even order custom samples to make sure you select the type of paper you would like your Save-the-Date to be printed on. You really can't go wrong! So are you ready to take a stab at designing your own Save-The-Date cards?
Please note this is a sponsored post for all my friends out there who are planning their wedding. This means I was paid a small fee to write a blog that features my partner's products. All photographs in this blog were not taken by me, but provided by my partner Basic Invite.
Here is some info about ordering from Basic Invites:
Free Wedding Websites - Our wedding websites are completely customizable! They're mobile friendly and super easy to use. You can instantly upload all of your wedding details, along with images, and a convenient map with directions for your guests. Choose from 180 custom colors, and a design suite to match your wedding invitations!
Almost Unlimited Colors - Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. You can change the color of each element on a card, with over 180 different color options. The card can be exactly how you want it, down to the littlest detail. This is what sets us apart from any other online stationery company and is our biggest draw.
Custom Samples - Basic Invite allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their invitation so they can see the card’s paper quality and how it will print before they have to place their final order.
Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes - We are just as colorful with our envelopes as we are with our invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different envelope colors so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of our envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be closed quickly and easily.
Over 900 Wedding Invitation Sets - Each of our wedding invitations is part of a set. We have all the wedding stationery you need, like save the dates, wedding invitations, enclosure cards, wedding menus, wedding programs, and even matching thank you cards!
Free Address Collection Service - Use our free address collection service to request your addresses with just three simple steps. Share a link via social media or email, collect addresses, and get free envelope printing.
Seal & Send Wedding Invitations - Our seal and send wedding invitations are an all-in-one wedding invitation with a tear-off RSVP postcard included! The Seal & Send is our newest collection and brides and LOVING them. Currently, we offer them in over 30 designs including our ever-popular foil options, and, like our other products, they are customizable. What's special about our Seal & Sends is that guest's addresses are printed on the front of each invitation so no envelope is necessary! All you have to do is share a link, collect guest addresses, and upload them onto your design. Once you receive your order all you have to do is add postage, fold your invites, and secure them with a sticker! Simple and easy.
Right now the are also having a 15% off sale, and the code is 15FF51
If you are wondering about choosing Basic Invite, I check companies about before linking to them. They have an A+ rating and are an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau. They have a 4.7 out of 5 star rating on WeddingWire.com. The biggest complaint I am seeing is about rush orders not arriving on time. So make sure you give yourself ample shipping time. I am thinking that I might order a few custom samples so that I can write a follow up blog about ease of use of their website as well as my review of the quality that I receive. What do you think? Leave questions and comments below and I'll be happy to follow up!