Why Send Save-the-Dates?
These pre-invitations allow your guests enough time to make arrangements to attend your special day. While they are not necessary for weddings taking place close to home, you are welcome to send them out in that case if you want to.
Generally, Save-the-Dates are reserved for destination weddings, where guests will need time to make travel arrangements, or for any that will take place over a holiday or busy weekend, where you will want to get on your guests' calendars before another event. Many couples now plan things to do during the days surrounding the wedding too, making an entire weekend out of the celebration. This would be another good reason to go ahead and send out Save-the-Dates.
When Should They Be Mailed?
Right around 6 months before the wedding date is when you should be mailing your Save-the-Dates. An exception to this is if you will be getting married out of the country. That may require a little more planning for those invited, so you may want to send those out 8-10 months before the date.
What Should They Say?
Right now, only the basics need to be shared with everyone. More details will be included on the actual invitation, and even more can be shared on a wedding website if you choose to have one. Make sure that your Save-the-Dates DO include:
- The names of the bride & groom
- The wedding date
- The wedding location (city & state; the venue information can wait)
- The wedding website address (if applicable)
- "Formal Invitation To Follow" (Most people will realize this, but some do not and may start calling you for more details unless you use this phrase.)
Another thing that you most definitely want to include on your Save-the-Dates is a return address. That way if any don't make it to their destination, you can reach out to those people in another way or re-send it. Now, some things that you should NOT include on this correspondence are:
- Registry information
- RSVP information
- Venue (This information can wait until later, but if your venue is booked and guests can make reservations for overnight stays there, you may want to go ahead and share this with them now.)
Who Gets Them?
Everyone that you will be inviting to your wedding should receive a Save-the-Date, even your bridal party and parents. Address them the same way that you will be addressing the invitations. This will let everyone know if they should also make travel plans for children or "plus ones" that are also invited.
Formal or Funny?
The type of Save-the-Date that you send out is totally and completely up to you. It does not need to match your wedding invitations, but it can if you would like for it to. This is a wonderful place to add in a little bit of your personality as a couple. If you are known for your great sense of humor, inject that into the style.
While postcards are very often used for Save-the-Date cards, you are not limited to that idea. A few fun options that we have seen are: calendar pages, magnets, photos to frame (with the couple holding a sign containing the important information), bookmarks, luggage tags, tickets... The only limit is your imagination. Our scenic Knoxville event venue is surrounded by a warm sense of Smoky Mountain tradition and enchantment. Once they see it, all of your guests will completely understand why you chose our charming country setting to say your "I do's."
Country Jewell is just far enough away from the traffic, noise, and bustle of the cities, yet still close enough for all of your guests to find lovely places to stay and visit while they are in the area. If this sounds perfect to you, give us a call and let us tell you what a beautiful wedding day that we can help you host right here.
A delightfully quaint Knoxville wedding
& event venue.
6550 Hickory Valley Road
Heiskell, TN 37754
865-494-0552
Visit our website: www.CountryJewell.com
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