When I was in the thick of wedding planning … 8 years ago … Save the Dates were not very popular. But this was well before scrapbooking, scrapbooking stores and Pinterest. If you were getting married you’d send an invite. Done. Now with Facebook and its likes, everyone and their grandmother knows you are getting married as soon as you’re engaged. This is by no means a bad thing but it questions whether a Save the Date is a necessary expense in the already expensive big day.

I’m a print girl and a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to weddings. I strongly believe in mail-back RSVPs and fully support Canada Post when it comes to inviting people to such an important event, however with this being said, these days I’ve been suggesting an email Save the Date for the following reasons.

1. Time. Once your Save the Date is designed and your contact list is ready you can send them all out in one click.
2. Expense. You can have the same look but save on stamps, envelopes and printing.
3. Formality. If you are going to skimp on something, I’d suggest the Save the Date as it are not required and it really doesn’t say much more than the obvious ‘Save the Date’. With the overload of banners, photo booth props, signs, table numbers, the program, an information card, the invite, a rsvp card, a guest book, favours and flags, you will have plenty of opportunities to present your theme.

But… do you really need one (print or email)? That is totally up to you. I’d say a definite YES if you are having a destination wedding or inviting a lot of out of town guests. It gives people plenty of time to book hotels and make travel arrangements. Although a Save the Date can be a great way to introduce your theme, it does not have to match your invite set. A Save the Date is a perfect opportunity to have fun and be casual. Here are some things to consider before you make your final YAY/NAY decision.

1. Timing. Are you ready? It is six months before your wedding. At this point you should have your venue booked so it is safe to say you can send out a Save the Date but if there is only four months until your wedding, you should probably hold off and allow your invite to be responsible for getting your guests to the event.
2. Expense. Regardless of the format (print or email), you still have to get it designed. Depending on your arrangement, it is an added cost.
3. And in the end, if you are a NAY on a print or email Save the Date, please be a NAY on a Facebook Wedding Group Event!

I did make a Save the Date (magnet) and it was mailed out but as I said at the beginning, I am a print girl. I cut costs in other areas and had the resources to do the design and printing myself. I think every bride needs to take the time to decide what they want, and not what everyone else is doing online. Budgeting is crucial when planning and can easily be overlooked so before any decisions are made, write a list all all the items you need / want / would like / don’t really need and start from there.

Enough chitchat already… lets see some Save the Date ideas!

• You hired a photographer and the package includes engagement shots, why not use one for your Save the Date? I recently made this Save the Date for a couple who already had lovely photographs to work from:

• Think out of the box … or better yet, make a box. Catherine, designer extraordinaire, made this for our friends Jessica and Matt (and it still sits on my shelf … hence its condition).

And here are some fun ideas found online:

A. Tie it / B. Consider Yourself Booked bookmark / C. Hang tag with heart thumbprints / D. Sticker / E. DIY Matchbox / F. TYPE / G. WOAH / H. Photo booth Magnet / I. They Met Card / J. Bad Dancing Guaranteed

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