We all love to receive fun mail, and we sure love to send it when we can! While we know that your guests will be thrilled to receive their "Save the Date" from you + your honey, it's also important to recognize that, while sometimes time consuming, sending these Save the Dates can be just as fun - as long as you stay on track! Not to mention, the excited feedback about the Big Day, how gorgeous the stationary is, etc., that comes soon afterward can really get you buzzing!
In all honesty, staying on track is as easy as you want it to be. To ensure that you start off on the right foot, make sure to keep the following details in mind when you begin this process!
Not only are there incredible local vendors that can make your Save the Date cards to your every specification, but there are also options that allow you to create them online! Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Shutterfly
2. Vista Print
The online resources utilize very easy-to-use templates that allow you to enter your information, select custom fonts, and even use your own photos! There is plenty of room to add your own flair, or to follow the template and keep it simple. It is totally up to you!
Katie's Custom Decor will help you pick something that fits your style, budget, and will customize it for you. I also love that she can do it all from design, to print, to sending so it's so easy! Also, she's available to meet with you if you're local to the Tulsa area.
Once you have designed your save-the-dates, you need to make sure that you have finalized your guest list so that you know how many you need. We recommend ordering a few extra, just in case in the hubbub of planning you accidentally forgot someone. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Make sure to only order one per household (or address) instead of one per person! It's an easy mistake a lot of couples make.
In addition to having your guest list ready, make sure that the cards are ready and you are pressing that "order now" button 2-4 weeks in advance of your send-out date. Start working on them a little early because there are nearly endless options and details to work through when designing these! There's a good chance you will change your mind a time or two, so give yourself a little bit of room in your timeline for this.
Once you have created, ordered, and received that beautiful stack of Save the Dates, you will want to get ready to send them out! Make sure to send them to your guests at least 6-9 months in advance of your big day. This gives your friends and family adequate time to mark their calendars and make arrangements so they can attend your wedding!
Some websites actually send them out for you. You enter the addresses of all of your guests, and they mail them out. This definitely saves some time, but it depends on the company and on whether or not you have other plans! You can also hand-write your addresses on envelopes, create labels in Word, or even hire a calligraphist to do them for you!
Lastly, let's consider cost! Every save the date is a little bit different, and each detail comes with a different price. On the sites of our recommended vendors, postcards can range anywhere from .45 cents per card, to $3.00, and regular cards with envelopes can range from .65 cents to $5.00 per card.
But, do not forget about your stamps! Stamps for regular cards are .50 cents, and postcards are .35 cents. Make sure to consider this detail when working through your stationary budget. If you're going to hire a calligraphist, costs will rise considerably. If you would like to print labels instead of hand writing, there are a variety of label sheets at a range of prices to consider as well.
While they take a little bit of work, in the end, Save the Dates are so much fun to put together and a great avenue for formally informing your guests of your upcoming wedding day!
Have any questions, comments, ideas, or maybe you need some help through your wedding planning process? Please don’t hesitate to contact us.We would absolutely love to help you make all your wedding day dreams come true!
Want more wedding planning tips? Click here!