EXACTLY How to Plan Your Save The Date Timeline

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, and one of the most important things you’ll craft is your save the date timeline. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or a local celebration, timing is crucial to ensure that your guests have enough time to plan and make arrangements to attend. 

In this post, we’ll share some tips on when to send save the dates and invitations, regardless of where your wedding is taking place.

Choosing the Right Save the Date Timeline

When choosing the right timing for your save-the-dates and invitations, it’s easy to get overwhelmed early in the process.

Before you even start worrying about designing and printing your save the dates, make sure you have your wedding date completely nailed down and finalized with important family members.

If you’re having a local wedding, you’ll want to send save the dates 6-8 months in advance.

Once you’ve sent your save the dates, it’s time to plan sending out the formal invitations. We recommend sending formal invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to RSVP and make any last-minute arrangements.

Of course, these are just general guidelines, so feel free to adjust your timing based on your unique circumstances. If you’re having a short engagement, you may need to send your save the dates and invitations closer together. And if you’re having a long engagement, you may want to send save the dates further in advance.

Just remember, the earlier you send them, the more time your guests have to plan their schedules.

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Save the Date Timeline for Destination Weddings 

Contrary to local or even stateside weddings, destination weddings are a whole different ballgame.

Luckily, your guest list for a destination wedding will be smaller – meaning you have less to work with and fewer people to juggle throughout this process.

It may seem excessive, but save the dates for a destination wedding should be sent out 8-12 months in advance. Guests need to request a longer period of time off of work, figure out what to do with any children, and book flights and accommodations.

Throughout this process, take note of when peak travel season is. If you’re planning your wedding to be during that time, make sure you send your save the dates closer to the 12 month mark.

With destination weddings, we can’t emphasize the importance of sending out your save the dates as early as possible. Pick a date, and get those save the dates in the mail!

Peak Wedding Season and Your Save the Date Timeline 

Peak wedding season (typically May through October) is kind of a nightmare to have a wedding during. Every venue is booked pretty far in advance, caterers are slammed, and your guests will probably be attending more than just your wedding.

If you’re planning your wedding to be during peak wedding season, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get all your ducks in a row.

While peak wedding season is May through October, most weddings during this time take place in June and September. First, try to avoid holding your wedding within these months. If you’re set on these months, consider being flexible with your wedding date. Additionally, holding your wedding on a weekday can make sure you get the venue and vendors of your choosing.

Similar to a destination wedding, send your save the dates for weddings during peak wedding season 9-12 months in advance. This gives you better chances of your guests being able to attend and find accommodations.

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Picking the Best Save the Date Timeline

Your wedding isn’t just a celebration of your love. It’s also a celebration of the people who matter most to you.

Make sure your guests have plenty of time to make accommodations. The earlier you send your save the dates, the better for your attendance rate.

If you have a short engagement, send a digital version of your save the dates before getting them in the mail. This gives everyone as much time as possible to begin planning, even with your short engagement.

Wedding planning is known to be stressful. Give yourself some grace, and remember that bumps along the way are to be expected. Check those save the dates off your checklist, and enjoy moving on to the next task. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!