subject: Save The Date Cards: Creative Ideas [print this page] Wedding stationary is the first impression your friends and family will have of your wedding. Before the showers, before the ceremony, and before the reception, save the date cards set the tone and theme for your wedding. Since the cards are more informal than the invitations they can be selected before you have made your final choice for your wedding stationary. Of course, it is always a good idea to send them out as soon as you have completed the guest list and chosen the date.
Just to be clear: save the date cards are sent to individuals you are inviting to the wedding. That may be obvious, but a save the date card is not an announcement of your engagement or the fact you are getting married. Those who receive the save the date card will expect to receive an invitation in the coming weeks. Feel free to send out an engagement announcement that does not include the wedding date to those you will not be inviting or are not sure you will be inviting. You can follow up later with an invitation if a spot on the guest list opens up.
In addition to the save the date card other wedding stationary includes: the invitation, reception card (separate from wedding invitation), place card, announcement, response card, program, menu card, multi purpose cards (directions, accommodations) and thank you card.
Many couples decide on the date but have not booked the location of either the ceremony or reception. It is a courtesy to your guests to let them know as far in advance when your wedding will be so they can make arrangements for travel, pet sitting, and taking vacation days from work. Save the date cards save the day.
Informal fun
"Save-The-Date Cards Green Card with Pink Accents," these playful cards announce your wedding day in a sweet but not saccharin way. Other more informal choices are the "Couple," with a hand drawn bride and groom popping up to announce the date. The "Flower Bouquet," says it with flowers in pink, green, and lilac. "In Love" is bordered with a green band on the bottom of the card and L O V E with each letter in a different color, yellow, bright pink, green, and aqua.
Are you having a beach theme or beach wedding? If so, choose "Seashell Hearts Save-The-Date" cards with a photo of an incoming wave on the sandy shore, complete with the words "Save the Date" written in the sand. Another choice is the "Beach Theme" with hand drawn sea shells in yellow, blue, and pink on the sand.
If you have a photograph of the two of you, that photo can be scanned into a digital file and used as the background of a save the date card printed on your own computer printer. Print the card on standard size note card stock and buy envelopes separately. If you are on a tight budget print on card stock and use the back of the card to address as a postcard. You will wind up saving money on postage and on envelopes.
Formal But Fun
If you haven't chosen the theme of your wedding yet simple, save the date cards with classic font on grey card stock look perfect. A more contemporary look are the "Double Hearts" Design of pale pink on white and the "Forever and Ever" of bright pink on white and "Twin Hearts" a simplistic design on light grey card stock.
Personalization
Of course the save the date cards are personalized with the names of the bride and groom and the date. The city and state can be included on the card as well if you know the wedding will be held in that city.
Personalization can go much farther with a selection of 33 colored inks and 36 solid color envelope liners and five prints.
Since the backs of the cards are blank why not take a few extra minutes and write a note on each card with a short message about how much you are looking forward to having them join you on your special day.
If you are one of those couples who have everything organized and chosen right from the get go, make the save the date cards part of your wedding stationary package.
Kick Off the Wedding Festivities
Save the date cards are fun, creative, and start you on your way to a wonderful wedding day.
