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A Simple Guide for LDS Brides

There’s something quietly exciting about sending your very first wedding announcement.

Before the formal invitation, before the details are finalized, there’s this one small, joyful moment where you get to say: it’s happening… and we want you there.

That’s exactly what a “save the date” card is meant to do.

What Is a Save the Date?

Many couples today choose to send save the date cards before their official wedding invitations. These are usually more casual and are simply meant to give your guests a heads-up so they can mark their calendars and make plans to attend your special day.

They often include:

• The couple’s names (bride listed first)
• The wedding date
• The city and state
• Sometimes a wedding website

Think of it as your wedding’s gentle introduction.

Do You Really Need Them?

Here’s the honest answer: they’re completely optional.

Save the dates can be a lovely touch, especially if:

• You’re getting married during a busy season
• Many guests will need to travel
• You want to give people plenty of notice

But they also add to your budget—printing, postage, and design can quickly add up. If you’re trying to keep things simple or affordable, it’s perfectly okay to skip them and send your invitations earlier instead.

Choosing a Style That Feels Like You

This is where things get fun.

Save the dates are typically less formal than your invitations, so you have a little more freedom to let your personality show.

You might choose:

• A favorite engagement photo
• A simple, elegant card
• A magnet guests can keep on their refrigerator

A helpful tip: try to loosely match your save the date to your invitation style—similar colors, fonts, or overall feel. It creates a beautiful sense of continuity without needing to be exact.

What to Include (and What Not To)

Unlike formal invitations, save the dates are intentionally simple.

Include:

• Your full names
• The wedding date
• General location

Leave out:

• Exact times
• Full addresses

Many couples also add a small note like “formal invitation to follow” so guests know more details are coming later.

When to Send Them

Timing matters here.

Ideally, send your save the dates:

• About 6 months to a year before your wedding
• Or at least a couple of months before invitations go out

If your wedding is coming up quickly, it’s best to skip this step and go straight to invitations.

And one very important reminder (big sister moment here):
Don’t send anything until your venue is officially booked. Dates can shift more than you’d expect, even with temple or meetinghouse scheduling.

A Small but Important Detail

Keep a careful list of who receives a save the date.

Anyone who gets one should also receive a formal invitation later. It’s a small detail, but it helps you avoid one of those “oh no” moments during planning.

A Gentle Final Thought

Save the dates are a sweet way to begin your wedding story with the people you love.

But they’re not required. They’re not a rule.

They’re simply an option.

If they bring you joy, use them.
If they feel like one more thing on your list, let them go.

Either way, your day—and your invitation that follows—will still be just as meaningful.