Should I Really Send a Save the Date?

Should you send Save the Date cards for your wedding?  Is a Save-the-Date really necessary? It is—especially if you’re planning a destination wedding, a summer wedding, or a wedding that falls on a three-day weekend. Not only can they allow your loved ones plenty of time to make arrangements to share in your special day (which is especially important for friends and family who will be traveling to your wedding location) they can be a fun way to give your guests a glimpse into you as a couple, and into the kind of wedding you’re planning.

Save the Dates also encourage travelers to take advantage of travel deals, book flights, and make any other necessary plans sooner than later. Don’t send them too late either. The earlier you can notify guests that they are going to be invited to a wedding, the better.

Think carefully before sending out Save the Dates because they must go to people you are actually going to invite to the wedding.

Don’t make it too obscure. The most important thing is that the main information like your names, the date and location are clear. Also, if you definitely know that you want a single guest to bring a plus one at this stage, add this to the Save the Date. If plus-ones and kids are invited, remember to specify “and guest” or “and family” when addressing save-the-dates. Address cards accordingly—and that means waiting until your guest list is set.

Don’t forget to include your wedding website—if you’re going to create one, it’s best to launch it in time for the save-the-date.

Be creative! Your save the date doesn’t have to exactly match the color scheme or wedding theme you’re having—who knows what that will be at this early stage! Just make it personal to you and your groom.  Filmstrips are popular, as are magnets because they go (and stay) right on the fridge, but a garden-party save-the-date might come in the form of a flower seed packet, and a luggage tag could help guests keep track of your destination wedding date and their suitcase.

Aim to send save-the-dates six to eight months before your wedding, especially if you’re tying the knot in a far-flung destination. http://www.eventsplusstyle.com

The importance of the…TIMELINE!

A key element of a successful wedding or event that is sometimes overlooked is simply the timing. Creating a timeline and having someone manage it will result in your guests enjoying every second of the event, leaving saying “Wow, that was a really great time”. When there is not a well-managed timeline, your guests will be left waiting and looking at their watches. If a ceremony starts 30 minutes late, guests will be looking around wondering what is going on. If your photographer takes you to a far away location for photos after the ceremony with no timeline management, it could result in a longer than one-hour cocktail hour. This can lead to guests having a few too many drinks and if no one has updated the catering staff, the expensive meal you have planned could be served cold due to the delay. {Sorry photog friends, just being real here!} We love to manage a timeline to keep things flowing from start to finish, checking in with all vendors to ensure a smooth flow. An “event peave” of mine is when the guests enter the reception room and their is no music on. It’s awkward! Music sets the tone and can create a relaxing ambiance for dinner and more upbeat energized environment to get people on the dance floor. Here’s a snap shot one of our wedding timelines. We kind of love em. ❤