save the dates for last
Do you really need to send Save the Date letters? When did it start? Who started it? It feels like a guest who came and stayed for good.
I tried to do research on it to see how it began, but all I got were mostly about Save the dates rules, and etiquettes on sending them. I did find out that it began around the mid 2000s and has reached the point where it became a staple of every wedding. Probably started from a destination wedding? I can see the point in there that you want to tell them ahead and remind the people you are inviting that they have to save money for the wedding. Destination weddings are expensive (we’ll get to that later) so giving them a heads up about the time they have to save is a good idea.
For me though, if it’s just a local wedding venue, I don’t see why you have to waste extra money to have those letters made. I’ve seen some that match the invitation exactly so I’m assuming it was a package deal, and invitations alone cost a lot already, what more if you’re including save the dates.
I’ve gotten Save the Date letters from friends and family who got married. The thing is, I already have their wedding date saved before I even got the Save the Date letter. I don’t remember what I did to it. Probably looked at it once, stuffed it somewhere and never saw it again. What a waste of money, if you don’t have enough. Right?
But again, IF YOU HAVE THE BUDGET, I’m jealous of you, go ahead and spend it. But for couples with limited budgets, know that you don’t have to. The people you are inviting to your wedding are people you know: close friends, relatives, and some coworkers. People who I assume you regularly talk to. If they live far away, you can remind them by email, call, text etc. You will send out wedding invitations with RSVP anyway. I think that alone will give them enough time to plan if it’s just a local wedding. If they can’t come, then they can RSVP no.
But I get it if you really want to do it for the purpose of really just reminding people to save the date, especially if it’s a destination wedding. Here are some options to save:
Get a free template online - I love using Canva, for templates. You can also create your own, very user friendly. Once you have your template, just print it off in a cardstock. OR you can just send it via email.
Invite everyone through Facebook groups. I know some people think it’s tacky and not suited for a wedding, but remember, this is just for saving the dates. You still have a wedding invitation to send out.
Be creative by making a video and sending it to everyone - I know a couple who made a really funny, short video of themselves asking people to save the date of their wedding. It was like a 1 minute short story. That should be the maximum limit, because if it’s longer than a minute, people will just skip to the end and you wasted your time and effort.
At the end of the day, it is your choice. If you have the money, then do it. If you don’t try other ways.
