October 29, 2026
Save the date wording: what to say, when to send it, with samples
What a save the date says (and leaves out), when to send one, sample wording from formal to playful, and lines for a destination wedding or a weekend.
A save the date has one job: get the date on calendars before anything else does. It comes before the invitation and says much less. Here’s what to include, what to leave for later, when to send it, and wording to borrow.
What to include
- Your names. First names are fine; full names on a formal one.
- The date. The whole point.
- The city and state (or the country, for a destination wedding).
- “Invitation to follow,” so guests know the details are coming.
- Your wedding website, if you have one, for travel and hotel notes.
What to leave out
- The time and the exact venue. Those can still change, and the invitation carries them.
- The registry. It belongs on the website, never on the save the date.
- RSVP requests. Guests reply to the invitation, not the save the date.
The one firm rule: anyone who gets a save the date must get an invitation. Only send them to people you’re certain to invite.
Who gets one
Send one to every household you’ll invite to the wedding, addressed the way the invitation will be: a couple together, a family together. If a guest will get a plus-one, say so now (“[Name] and guest”), so they can plan. Guests you’re unsure about wait for the invitation, or don’t get one; a save the date can’t be taken back.
When to send it
- Most weddings: six to eight months before.
- Destination weddings, or a holiday weekend: nine to twelve months, so guests can save and book.
- A short engagement: as soon as the date and city are set; a save the date three months out still helps.
Sample wording: classic
Save the date for the wedding of [Name] and [Name]. [Date]. [City, State]. Invitation to follow.
Please save the date. [Full name] and [Full name] are getting married [date], in [City]. Formal invitation to follow.
Together with their families, [Name] and [Name] ask that you save the date of [date] for their wedding in [City].
Sample wording: warm and simple
We’re getting married! Save the date: [date], [City]. Details to come.
Mark your calendar: [Name] and [Name], [date], [City]. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
Save the date. [Name] and [Name] said yes, and we hope you’ll say yes too.
Sample wording: playful
Don’t make plans. [Date], [City]. We’re getting hitched.
Pencil us in. Actually, use a pen. [Name] and [Name], [date].
Our dog says save the date. [Date], [City].
Finally! [Name] and [Name] are tying the knot on [date].
Sample wording: a destination wedding or a weekend
Pack your bags! Join [Name] and [Name] for their wedding in [Place], [dates]. Travel details at [website].
Save the weekend: [date] to [date], [City]. A welcome party, the wedding and a farewell brunch. Invitation to follow.
Passport ready? [Name] and [Name] are getting married in [Country] on [date]. More details on our website.
Lines for the practical parts
- The website: “Travel, hotels and our story: [website].”
- Hotel blocks: “We’ve reserved rooms nearby; book by [date] at [website].”
- Adults only: save it for the invitation or the website; a save the date is too early for it.
- A second event: “The celebration continues at a brunch on [date].”
Should the save the date match the invitation?
It doesn’t have to, but a save the date in the same look as the invitation, and the website in it too, makes the whole wedding feel like one thing. Many couples pick the design for the whole set at once.
In letsparty, the save the date is its own party (pick Save the date when you start a wedding), with the date ready to add to each guest’s calendar and early answers giving you a first count. When it’s time for invitations, copying it keeps the same guest list, so nobody is missed. A wedding weekend can put every event, the cover and the wedding website in one look with One look for everything.
Wording tips
- Write the date clearly, with the day of the week if you like: “Saturday, [date].”
- Keep it short. If it needs a second paragraph, it belongs on the invitation.
- Include the website address in full, and check it works before you send.
- Send it only to the people who’ll be invited.
The free wording ideas tool has more lines for weddings and every event around them.