Wondering when to send your save the date cards — and what to include? Discover expert tips, timing guidelines, and elegant design inspiration from Lilac & White’s collections.
The First Step in Your Wedding Story
Your wedding stationery journey begins here — with the save the date card. Before the invitations, menus, or place cards, this simple yet beautiful piece is the first thing your guests will hold in their hands (of view on their phone).
At Lilac & White, we believe its a lovely way to set the tone for your celebration. Elegant design, quality paper, and thoughtful details create a lasting impression that feels personal and refined.
In this guide, we’ll share exactly when to send save the date cards, what to include, and how to make them feel beautifully aligned with your wedding style.
When to Send Save the Date Cards
Timing your save the date is key — send it too early and guests may forget; too late and diaries may already be full.
Here’s a simple guide to help:
- Local Weddings: Send your save the date cards around 6 to 8 months before your wedding day.
- Destination Weddings: Give guests more notice — ideally 9 to 12 months ahead.
- Peak Season or Holiday Weekends: Consider mailing even earlier to help guests plan travel and accommodation.
✨ Tip: If your venue is abroad or remote, add your wedding website or QR code to make it easy for guests to find details and start planning.
What to Include on a Save the Date Card
Your save the date doesn’t need to say much — just the essentials, presented beautifully.
Here’s what to include:
1. Your Names – Keep it formal (“Amelia Williamson & James Patterson”) or relaxed (“Amelia and James are getting married!”)
2. The Date – Clear and prominent; this is what guests need most.
3. The Location – City, region, or venue if it’s confirmed.
4. A Short Line – “Formal invitation to follow” keeps things simple and traditional.
5. Optional Extras:
- A wedding website URL or QR code for travel details.
- Accommodation info if your date is during a busy season.
- Design elements like your monogram or motif that will carry through the invitation suite.
Design Inspiration: The Beauty of Simplicity
For couples who love understated elegance, our Tara Collection is a perfect starting point. Its clean layout, balanced typography, and soft neutral palette work beautifully for any theme — from modern city weddings to romantic countryside settings.
Ideas to make your save the date feel special:
- Foil Finishes: Add subtle gold or rose-gold foiling for a touch of luxury.
- Textured Papers: Cotton rag or linen card adds beautiful depth and tactility.
- Vellum Overlays: Create layering with translucent paper printed in soft ink or line art.
- Envelope Details: Matching liners, wax seals, or ribbons add an elevated finishing touch.
Each of these details helps your stationery tell your story — elegantly, quietly, and intentionally.
Save the Date Special Finishes
As couples in both the UK and USA look for ways to personalise their stationery, 2025 trends are leaning toward timeless quality and modern detail.
Current favourites include:
- Botanical line illustrations for a natural, delicate feel.
- Foil accent typography — shimmer without overpowering.
- Sustainable materials — recycled or plantable paper stocks.
- Die-cut shapes — arched or scalloped edges that feel unique and tactile.
- Digital companions — a QR link to your website or RSVP form.
Final Thoughts
Your save the date card is the first chapter of your wedding story — an introduction that should feel thoughtful and beautifully designed.
Whether you prefer timeless minimalism or modern luxury, take the time to make it feel like you. A refined design, printed on quality paper, becomes more than an announcement — it’s a keepsake.
Explore our save the dates to discover elegant finishes and themes designed for modern couples, each of which having matching on-the-day stationery and invitations for a cohesive wedding theme. We also offer a bespoke service, get in touch for details.