Wedding invitations typically are mailed six to eight weeks before a wedding. In the past, this gave guests ample time to fit the wedding into their schedules.
But as friends and family have become busier and more overscheduled, and wedding guests are spread across the country, save-the-date cards have grown in popularity.
There are distinct advantages to using save-the-date cards over just mailing wedding invitations earlier.
Cost is a large factor. There have been occasions where a last-minute change has to be made to the wording of an invitation, whether a clergyman must be replaced or the venue has to be changed.
If invitations were mailed early, there could be a large cost in reprinting new invitations with the correct information and subsequently resending them.
Human carelessness is another factor. It's much easier for guests to misplace an invitation if they receive it far in advance of the wedding. Then they might not accurately remember ceremony and reception times and might not have the directions to the venue.
Save-the-date cards can be mailed several months in advance of a wedding. They're often used if a wedding is being held during the peak season or close to the holidays and it is anticipated that guests will have to pick and choose among events to attend.
These early reminders also are useful if a destination wedding is being held, or if out-of-town-guests have to make travel arrangements. Having extra notice might help them secure a discount on a flight or apply for a passport, if necessary.
Some couples simply choose to send save-the-date cards just as an added announcement that the wedding will be coming and they're excited about it.
Just as wedding invitations are as varied as the couples who choose them, save-the-date cards come in a variety of styles, as well. In fact, they don't have to be cards at all.
Here are some creative ideas to consider:
Magnets: To help guests keep save-the-dates in a visible spot, magnets that display your photo with wedding date or some other variation are quite handy. They can be affixed to the refrigerator or another conspicuous spot for easy reference.
Calendar: With the advent of personalized calendars, you can create a keepsake item that counts down the days to the wedding. Each month can feature a different photo or inspirational quotation.
Everyday items: Save-the-date information can be printed on bookmarks, pens, playing cards or even stick-on notepads.
Scratch-offs: For those who enjoy the thrill of suspense, save-the-date scratch-offs play on the public's love of lottery games. Guests get interactive action by scratching off the silver box to uncover the wedding date.
Food items: Have candy bar wrappers printed with the save-the-date information, and guests will be offered an added treat.
Use your imagination: Save-the-date information can be printed or added to anything you desire. For example, if you are planning a beach-themed wedding, glass bottles filled with colored sand can be tagged with the wedding date. For weddings around the holidays, mail gingerbread men that announce your wedding date.
— Metro Editorial Service
