Sending Save The Date Announcements By Natalie Katz

Planning a wedding can be a huge project in itself with so many details which need attention. Below are important tips on how to let your guests know about your big day, and help them plan themselves.

WHEN SHOULD SAVE THE DATE ANNOUNCEMENTS BE SENT

Save The Date announcements should be sent out 6-8 months in advance. Couples with weddings set during the holiday season, or planning a destination wedding should send theirs 1 year in advance.

If you have guests traveling from out of the country, please give them ample time to get their passports in order. Family and Friends who are probably already asking you when the big date is so they can mark their calendars, should receive their Save The Date announcements at least 3 months in advance. Generally, people like to know your wedding date as far in advance as possible. Particularly now when many of us juggle very busy schedules. If they have to make travel arrangements to attend, guests are more likely to attend if they have time to plan.

Another good reason to send Save The Date announcements, is to learn in advance who will be able to attend and who will not. Guests who will not be able to attend, due to a previous engagement, will let you know, thus helping you plan and update your guest list. You can still send them an invitation, just so that they can have a momento of your special day. Save The Date announcements are generally less expensive than wedding invitations and are a cost-effective and useful tool in wedding planning.

The design that you choose for Save The Date announcements and invitations may be similar in style, but does not necessarily need to match. They may have complimentary motifs or you may alternate colors.

EXAMPLES OF SAVE THE DATE WORDING

Your wording should be based on the formality of your wedding. If you are planning a formal wedding, a more formal style of wording is appropriate.

Following are some examples of verbiage for Save The Date announcements:

STANDARD

Save the Date!

Kathryn Covington

and

David Berlin

are getting married.

August 11, 2009

Invitation to follow

FORMAL

Please Save the Date

for the wedding of

Kathryn Covington

and

David Berlin

August 11, 2009

INTIMATE/LESS FORMAL

Boy meets Girl ...

For the rest of the story

please join us

August 11, 2009

for the wedding of

Kathryn Covington

and

David Berlin

Invitation to follow

ANOTHER FUN EXAMPLE

Our day is quickly approaching,

and we can hardly wait!

We hope that you can join us.

Be sure to save the date!

Kathryn Covington

and

David Berlin

will be married on

August 11, 2009

Invitation to follow

Whatever wording you choose, be sure to include (a) who is getting married; (b) the date; and (c) if your wedding is set somewhere other than your hometown, please indicate the city and state, island or providence.

WHO RECEIVES SAVE THE DATE ANNOUNCEMENTS

When determining how many announcements to order, be sure to take into account that most guests are couples, which means that you will only need to send one announcement per household. Use our guideline below for ordering and mailing your announcements. Always order a little more than you think you will need. These are good as momentos of your day and should there be any last minute additions to your guest list, you will have them on hand. This will save you the time and effort of having to place another order.

As a general rule, Save The Date announcements should be mailed as follows:

* One announcement to married couples, couples living together
* One announcement to each roommate not living together as a couple
* One announcement to each family with children
* One announcement to each child over 18 living with their parents
* One announcement to each unmarried guest
* One announcement to each person in your wedding party
* One announcement to your officiant and their spouse

Careful planning results in a more organized and memorable event.

Natalie Katz is the Client Services Coordinator at Elegant Handmade Creations, Inc., and has extensive experience working closely with brides with all their wedding stationery needs. From Save The Date announcements, to invitations, thank you cards, programs, menus and place cards, Natalie offers her design expertise for themed weddings and events - both formal and less formal. Products can be viewed at http://www.eleganthandmadecreations.com