Save the date cards are one of the first pieces of wedding stationery you'll send, and getting the timing right makes a real difference to your guests. Send too early and people may forget; leave it too late and diaries fill up. This guide covers when to send them, what to put on them, and how they fit into your wider stationery timeline.
When to Send Save the Dates for a Standard UK Wedding
For most UK weddings, sending save the dates around 12 months before the wedding is a sensible target. This gives guests enough notice to request time off work, arrange childcare, and book accommodation if they're travelling any distance.
If your venue or date is confirmed earlier than that, there's no harm in sending them sooner — 12 to 18 months is a comfortable window for most couples. The key is that your date and venue are confirmed before you send anything, so you're not having to follow up with corrections.
Destination Weddings
If you're marrying abroad or at a venue that requires significant travel, aim to send save the dates 18 months to two years in advance. International flights, passports, and annual leave all take planning, and the earlier your guests know, the better their chances of being there.
For destination weddings, it's especially helpful to include your wedding website URL on the save the date so guests can find travel and accommodation information as soon as they need it.
Bank Holiday and Long Weekend Weddings
Bank holiday weekends are popular for weddings precisely because guests have more flexibility — but that also means they're in high demand. If you're marrying on or around a bank holiday, treat your timeline like a destination wedding and aim for at least 12 to 18 months' notice, ideally towards the longer end. Guests planning trips away or visiting family will appreciate the early heads-up.
What to Include on a Save the Date
Save the dates don't need to carry all the detail of a formal invitation. Their job is simply to hold the date in your guests' diaries. At a minimum, include:
- Your names
- The wedding date
- The general location or town (full venue address can follow with the invitation)
- A note that a formal invitation will follow
Optional additions that many couples find useful:
- Your wedding website URL
- A note if the wedding is adults-only, so guests can arrange childcare early
- Accommodation suggestions or a link to where guests can find them
Keep it concise. The full details — ceremony time, venue address, RSVP instructions — belong on your formal invitation, which typically goes out around six months before the wedding.
How Save the Dates Differ from Invitations
It's worth being clear on the distinction, because the two pieces serve different purposes.
A save the date is an early notice — informal, brief, and sent well in advance. It doesn't ask for an RSVP and doesn't commit guests to attending; it simply asks them to keep the date free. A formal invitation is the official request to attend, and it carries all the logistical detail guests need to plan their day.
Sending both is standard practice for most UK weddings. If you're working to a tighter timeline, some couples skip the save the date and send invitations earlier instead — though for popular dates or guests who need to travel, save the dates are genuinely useful.
Proofing Before You Send
Before your save the dates go to print, you'll receive a digital proof showing your design with your personalised details. Check every element carefully — names, the date, the location, and any website URL. Ask someone else to read it through too, as a fresh pair of eyes often catches things you've missed.
We ask all customers to give written approval of their proof before production begins. Once approved, we proceed to print — so it's worth taking your time at this stage to make sure everything is exactly right.
How Save the Dates Fit Into Your Wider Timeline
If you'd like a full overview of when to order each piece of stationery, our Wedding Stationery Timeline guide covers everything from save the dates through to on-the-day pieces, with a checklist to help you stay on track.
Quick Checklist
- ✓ Date and venue confirmed before ordering
- ✓ Standard UK wedding: send 12 months ahead
- ✓ Destination or bank holiday wedding: send 12–18+ months ahead
- ✓ Include names, date, location, and "formal invitation to follow"
- ✓ Add wedding website URL if you have one
- ✓ Note adults-only early if relevant
- ✓ Proof carefully and get written sign-off before approving
- ✓ Order a small buffer — around 10% extra — for late additions
Browse our save the date collection to find a design that suits your wedding style. If you have any questions about wording, quantities, or timing, get in touch — we're always happy to help.