The sole purpose of save-the-date cards is to give the people you intend to invite to your wedding plenty of advance notice. If, for example, you are planning to marry during the holiday season or a holiday weekend, you'll want your guests to reserve you wedding date on their calendars months in advance. If you will be inviting guest from out of town who will need to fly in for the wedding, they will need time to make the necessary travel arrangements.
You should send save-the-date cards to all of your intended guests when either of these circumstances fit your situation. Even friends and family members who you already know will attend should be sent a card.
On the other hand, if you are not sure whether a particular person or couple will be invited to the wedding, don't send them a save-the-date card. And there is really no reason, and it's a waste of your precious money, to buy and send these notices when all of your guests live relatively nearby or the wedding will not occur during a busy time of the year.
Planning and Sending
Once you know all of the basic details about your wedding plans, place your order with your stationer. As with invitations, having these cards printed can take up to several weeks, so give your stationer plenty of time. You can mail these cards out up to six months before the wedding date.
Save-the-date cards can be designed to match the rest of your wedding stationery and ordered at the same time, or they can have a completely different look.
Getting your guests' attention
Some brides-to-be really want these cards to be eye catching so that they truly standout and serve as a visual notice. If this is what you have in mind, look for something unusual, such as scratch-off cards or magnets (that can be posted on your guests refrigerators). Maybe you will want to make your own cards, incorporating one or more of your wedding colors, a graphic design, or a photo.
You can buy save-the-date cards through most wedding stationery manufacturers and retailers. If you want to create your own cards or save money, look for a card-design software program. Michael's arts and crafts stores sells a good software program called "Wedding Invitation Kit" that costs under $25. The program is designed mainly for making your own wedding invitations, but it does include note cards.
What you should do
Since this will be your first written contact with most of your guests, it's important that they make a good first impression. Make sure that you spell each guest's name correctly. If you are unsure about the spelling of someone's name, look it up or contact someone reliable.
In your save-the-date, include the date, time, and place of the ceremony along with any other information that your guests will need.
Here is a sample of how your notice might read:
"Please save the date of Saturday, June 25, 2005, 2 PM, for the wedding of Karen Hinkley and Brian Nelson in Minneapolis, MN. Invitation and directions to follow."
Always follow up with the expected wedding invitation, which should be mailed about six weeks before your wedding date.
A nice touch that can truly be helpful to your guests is to list your web site address-assuming you will be updating it with more details.
What you should not do
Keep in mind the purpose of these cards. Don't include unnecessary or inappropriate information such as directions, the rehearsal dinner location and time, or registry information. (Incidentally, if you do list your name with a bridal registry, the only place that information can be included is in a shower invitation. Generally, good etiquette demands that you rely upon friends and relatives to circulate such details by word of mouth and only if asked.)
Since you are not trying to elicit a response, do not include a reply card. And last but not least, you should not e-mail your save-the-date information. Of course, there is always an exception to every rule, but try not to break this one.
About the Author
Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, the founder of Bachcroft and Aloha Labels, and the publisher and editor-in-chief of Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels, you can visit her web sites at http://bachcroft.com and at http://bachcroft.com
For http://bachcroft.com visit Town and Country Shopping Bargains.
after renovation cleaning Northbrook ..Jealousy has often been called the "green-eyed monster," and with... Read More
Communication plays one of the most important roles in any... Read More
Even though it's a great tradition with a long history,... Read More
Thank You, Merci, Arigatou, Gracias, Xie-Xie?Gratitude is a universal emotion.... Read More
Selecting a wedding photographer can be a daunting task. Not... Read More
Ben* has been happily married for 19 years. He recently... Read More
An outdoor wedding reception can be host to an almost... Read More
While signing a prenuptial agreement can be one of the... Read More
It's safe to say that of all the important events... Read More
Looking for beach theme wedding cake ideas?When it comes to... Read More
Remodels are tough on everyone. The house is out of... Read More
For a bride, shopping for bridesmaid dresses can be one... Read More
Wedding dresses are literally the icing on the cake on... Read More
Over the past years I have performed at many, many... Read More
Exactly what should your disc jockey be doing in the... Read More
How to get a spouse's attention so that he or... Read More
Honeymoon is the most wonderful time of every couple's life.... Read More
Wedding Invitations should be ordered when you have all the... Read More
Brides have always worn white, right? Not so. In ancient... Read More
When you're married, the boundaries between yourself and your spouse... Read More
Getting hitched, taking the plunge, tying the knot, jumping the... Read More
Almost there! This is the third lesson of my "Invitation... Read More
One of the most beautiful of the bride's adornments at... Read More
Just like weddings, receptions are often theme based as well.... Read More
Moissanite is fast becoming the new diamonds. The newest jewelry... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Lake Forest ..One of the most elegant rituals you can choose for... Read More
Did you know that an emotional affair can be just... Read More
How many times has your anniversary come around and you... Read More
The purpose of a wedding shower is to celebrate the... Read More
Here follows suggestions and tips that will help you determine... Read More
Let's think about what goes into your wedding budget. Your... Read More
Her dreams of marriage and collected marriage values disintegrate when... Read More
You invitation is a reflection on the type of wedding... Read More
"Las Vegas theme weddings are the envy of the world.... Read More
A woman once visited a counselor to ask a question... Read More
Diamond engagement rings for many years typically came in the... Read More
Every bride wants to look perfect on her wedding day.... Read More
Being chosen as a maid of honor is a great... Read More
You've been engaged for months, you've made it through planning... Read More
When it came to love-making, Napoleon, that short plump bundle... Read More
When it comes to choosing your wedding decorations, you must... Read More
Prescription for a happy marriage: one cup of tea or... Read More
Have you heard enough about the "Runaway Bride" yet? Well,... Read More
Wedding Invitations should be ordered when you have all the... Read More
He's popped the question. You've chosen a date. And now,... Read More
No one said that you had to follow the rule... Read More
Inviting your possible guests on your wedding day can be... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com & Bookpleasures.com is pleased... Read More
Perhaps the biggest worry of a bride-to-be, is picking out... Read More
Planning a wedding should be fun and exciting. However, if... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |