Save-the-dates are a great way to let people know that you are planning a wedding. Generally save-the-date’s are sent out six months before the actual wedding to give people plenty of time to make plans and travel arrangements before your big day. If you are planning a destination wedding where everyone will be travelling, you should give people even more notice, if possible.
It used to be that save-the-date’s were just cards that people sent to announce their wedding plans. Not anymore. Now there are many creative ways you can create a save-the-date that your friends and family will surely enjoy and use to remember your wedding date.
Postcards
Postcards are very versatile. Place your favorite engagement photo on it along with the wedding date. What’s great about these is that there is no envelope and postage for postcards is much less expensive than for traditional cards.
Magnets
Magnets are a great way to share your wedding date with family and friends. They get a photo of you to place on their refrigerator and they also won’t forget your wedding date. You can find many sources online for making custom magnets. If you want to make your own, Avery actually has a free template you can use to make your own. All you do is type your information and place your photo into their template and then you print them out on their magnetic business cards. Easy!
Creative Photography
There are some really creative people out there who have thought of great ways to use photography to ask people to “save the date”. One idea that has recently been popular is to use a Scrabble board to spell out the wedding date. The bride and groom are photographed next to the Scrabble board.
Video
Ah, technology. Couples are actually creating their own save-the-date videos. If you need some inspiration, there are many different sample videos you can view online, just do a search on YouTube. Again, there are some very creative people out there. Some people have put a lot of efforts into these videos. If you don’t want to use a video camera, you can also use photographs to create a simple video slideshow.
Puzzles
Some couples are opting to send out their save-the-dates in the shape of small jigsaw puzzles that have been created from the save-the-date information. This option is a little more pricey, at about $5.00 a piece, but there are many companies online that will make them for you, and they are definitely a unique idea.
Maps
You might have to be a little more creative for this one, but it is a great idea. Design your save-the-date card so that it shows a map of where the wedding will be located. You could either hand draw the map, or photocopy a real map and circle the destination on the map.
Handkerchiefs
If you are planning a vintage style wedding, then you might like the idea of having your wedding date printed on an old-fashioned handkerchief. There are many companies online that will create just the look you want.
Calendars
Create a mini desk calendar to send out to your guests that has the wedding details on the top of the calendar. Your guests will see the calendar on a daily basis, keeping your wedding date fresh in their minds.
If you are planning a wedding, then give some thought to creating a memorable save-the-date to send out to your wedding guests. In today’s busy world it’s hard to keep even the most important dates in mind when people have so many events on their calendar to remember. Make sure that your important date gets on their calendar and that they have something in front of them to remind them of your big day. The more creative your save-the-date is, the more memorable it will be.
Elena Lang works with the finest jewelry at Primestyle. She sells engagement rings at a low cost and helps women find the perfect wedding sets.
