You've got the ring, you've picked a date, and suddenly you're expected to tell everyone about it.

That's where Save the Dates come in.

Save the Dates are one of the first pieces of stationery your guests will receive, giving them plenty of notice to keep your wedding date free before the formal invitation arrives.

But do you actually need them? When should you send them? What should they say? And do they need to match your invitations?

If you're staring at a blank piece of paper wondering where the hell to start, don't worry. This guide covers everything you need to know about Save the Dates, from when to send them and who needs one to what you should actually put on the card.

What is a Save the Date?

A Save the Date is a short, early announcement letting your guests know when your wedding is happening so they can keep the date free.

Unlike your formal wedding invitation, it doesn't need to contain every detail of your day. You likely won't know all of this information at this point anyway. At this stage, your guests mainly need to know who's getting married, when it's happening, and roughly where.

You don't need your final RSVP deadline, complete venue address or meal choices at this point. Those details can wait for your invitation and details card.

A Save the Date can be as simple or as creative as you like, whether that's a beautifully printed card through the post, a digital announcement, or something completely bespoke that gives your guests their first glimpse of what's to come.

Do you actually need Save the Dates?

Not every couple needs to send Save the Dates.

If you're having a smaller wedding, most of your guests live locally, or your wedding date is relatively close, you may be perfectly happy going straight to your invitations.

Save the Dates become particularly useful when you're giving guests lots of notice, getting married during a busy time of year, or asking people to travel.

They're also worth considering if you're having a destination wedding or getting married somewhere where guests may need to arrange accommodation, annual leave or travel well in advance.

The other benefit is that they give you a chance to get your date into everyone's calendar before you have all the finer details worked out.

And if you don't want to send them? That's completely fine too. They're helpful, not mandatory.

When should you send the Save the Dates?

For most UK weddings, somewhere around the 9–12 month mark before your wedding is a good starting point.

If you're getting married during a particularly busy period, such as the summer, or your guests will need to travel or arrange accommodation, sending them towards the earlier end of that window can be helpful.

For destination weddings, or celebrations where guests will need to make significant travel arrangements, you may even want to send them 12–18 months in advance.

There's no need to panic if you're a little later than that, though. A Save the Date is simply about giving your guests enough notice to keep your date free.

As a rough guide:

Local wedding: 6–9 months before
Most weddings: 8–12 months before
Destination wedding: 12–18 months before

If you're sending your Save the Dates particularly early, just make sure your date and location are reasonably certain. You don't need every detail finalised, but changing your wedding date after your Save the Dates have gone out can get rather awkward (and expensive).

Who should receive a Save the Date?

A good rule of thumb is to send a Save the Date to everyone you intend to invite to your wedding day.

This is important because receiving a Save the Date generally means your guests can expect a formal invitation later. It's not something you should send to someone "just in case" if you're not certain they'll be invited.

You also don't necessarily need one Save the Date per guest. Just like with your invitations, you can usually send one per household or couple.

For example, if you're inviting a married couple, one Save the Date addressed to them is enough. If you're inviting an individual guest who lives alone, they'd receive their own.

What about evening guests?

If you're sending separate evening invitations, you can absolutely send Save the Dates to your evening guests too. Though, it's not necessary. If you do, just make sure you're clear about what they're being invited to, particularly if the daytime and evening celebrations are quite different.

What about plus-ones?

If you haven't decided on everyone's plus-ones yet, don't feel pressured to put that information on your Save the Date. Your formal invitation can make it clear who is invited once your guest list is finalised.

The important thing is to avoid sending a Save the Date to someone you later decide not to invite. Once you've told someone to keep your wedding date free, withdrawing that invitation can be incredibly awkward.

When in doubt, wait until your guest list is settled enough that you're confident everyone receiving a Save the Date will also receive an invitation.

What should you include in your Save the Dates?

Keep it simple. Your guests mainly need to know:

• Your names
• Your wedding date
• The general location
• "Save the Date"
• "Formal invitation to follow"

If you already have a wedding website (if you've chosen to go down that route), you can include the URL too, particularly if guests will need information about accommodation or travel.

Like I said earlier, you don't need to include your RSVP deadline, meal choices, dress code or full venue details yet. Those come with your formal invitation and details card.

Do Save the Dates need to match your invitations?

Short answer, no. They don't need to match. Though when they feel like they're part of the same story and they feel like it belongs together, it just works.

If you go down the matching route, your Save the Date doesn't have to be an exact preview of your invitation. You can use different layouts, illustrations, fonts or even colours. What matters is that there's something tying the pieces together.

Maybe it's the same colour palette, a particular font, an illustration, a motif or a little detail that appears again later in your stationery.

Honestly, your Save the Date can be a great place to have a little fun with your design and give your guests the first hint of what's coming.

Printed vs digital

Both work. It really comes down to what suits you, your guests and your budget.

Printed Save the Dates

There's something lovely about receiving an actual Save the Date through the post. It's a little physical reminder that your wedding is happening, and it can be the first piece of your stationery your guests get to hold.

It also gives you the opportunity to introduce your wedding style early, whether that's through beautiful paper, colour, typography, illustrations or those little finishing touches.

Digital Save the Dates

Digital Save the Dates are a great option if you want something quick, simple and easy to send. They're particularly useful if you're working with a smaller stationery budget or need to get your date out to guests quickly.

Or... why not both?

You don't necessarily have to choose. You could send a digital Save the Date to get the date into everyone's calendars, then follow it up with a beautifully printed invitation when the time comes.

There's no right or wrong answer here. Your Save the Date should work for your wedding, your guests and your budget, whether that means beautiful paper, a digital announcement or a bit of both.

What should you write on a Save the Date?

Keep it simple. Again, your guests don't need your entire wedding itinerary just yet.

At a minimum, your Save the Date should include:

• Your names
• Your wedding date
• The general location
• A clear Save the Date message
• A note that the formal invitation will follow

For example:

Save the Date
Charlotte & Henry
21 June 2027
The Cotswolds
Formal invitation to follow

Or, if you want something a little more relaxed:

We're getting married!
Charlotte & Henry
21 June 2027
Cotswolds, UK
Invitation to follow

If you have a wedding website already set up, you can include that too, particularly if your guests will need information about travel or accommodation.

And remember, there's no need to make your Save the Date sound like a formal invitation. This is your chance to let your personality come through a little. If a traditional "Save the Date" doesn't sound like you, say it differently.

Common Save the Date mistakes

Sending them before your date is confirmed

Make sure your date is firmly booked before anything goes in the post.

Sending them to people you're not sure you'll invite

A Save the Date implies an invitation is coming, so don't use them as a "maybe" list.

Trying to include too much information

Your Save the Date isn't your invitation. Keep the important details and leave the rest for later.

Forgetting to keep a record of who received one

This sounds boring, but it can save you a headache later. Keep a list of everyone you've sent a Save the Date to and make sure they receive an invitation when the time comes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should you send Save the Dates in the UK?
For most UK weddings, around 9–12 months before the wedding is a good starting point. If you're getting married abroad or during a particularly busy time of year, you may want to send them earlier.

Do I need to send Save the Dates?
No. Save the Dates aren't essential, but they can be particularly useful if you're giving guests lots of notice, asking them to travel or getting married during a busy period.

Who should receive a Save the Date?
Generally, anyone you are certain will be invited to your wedding. You don't need to send one per guest, either. One Save the Date per household or couple is usually enough.

What should a Save the Date say?
At a minimum, include your names, wedding date, general location and a clear indication that a formal invitation will follow. You can also include your wedding website if you have one.

Do Save the Dates need to match the wedding invitations?
No. They can be completely different, although carrying through details such as your colours, typography or illustrations can help your stationery feel cohesive.

Can Save the Dates be digital?
Absolutely. Digital Save the Dates can be a practical and budget-friendly option, particularly if you need to let guests know your date quickly. You can also combine digital and printed stationery if you'd like to.

Still wondering whether Save the Dates are right for you?

You don't have to follow a wedding stationery checklist just because someone says you should.

Whether you want a beautifully printed Save the Date, something completely digital, or a design that feels like nothing your guests have seen before, we can help you create something that feels like your wedding.