A question brides have asked us is, “What are save the date cards and announcements?” While we Kincannon Photography photograph weddings and engagements, with that, comes designing save the date cards.

Save the Date cards have a purpose, and that purpose is to announce your wedding date to your guests officially. This way, they can put the date on their calendar.

The best time to send save the date cards

Benefits of Save the Date Announcement Cards

Many couples send out save-the-date cards once they’ve decided on a date for their wedding. Still, you may be wondering whether or not sending out announcements about your engagement is a good idea or, “why do couples send out save the date cards” or “what’s the benefit to sending save the dates.” Well, we’re here to give you the reasons why it’s always a good idea to send Save the Date Announcement Cards.

As a professional photographer, this is one of the services we offer to all of our engagement and wedding clients.

While today, many people’s way of announcing an engagement is through a social media post, etiquette experts say not to ditch the formal announcements. An engagement is a huge once in a life event that deserves proper attention.

Who should be sent a Save the Date?

We tell anyone you plan on inviting to the wedding should be notified personally of the engagement.

Essentially, there should be four pieces of “wedding mail.” The first being the engagement announcement, followed by the save-the-date cards, the wedding invitation, and thank you notes.

Keep the announcement simple.

What info should a save the date card have on it?

Save the Date announcement cards should state:

• Exactly what is happening, that you and the love of your life are getting married.
• The date of your wedding.
• That wedding details will follow. Save the dates are just that, to allow people a chance to save the date on their calendar. Save the dates are not wedding invitations and rarely ever have any details about the wedding on them. That’s what wedding invitations are for.
• A photograph of you and your significant other that fits your guys’ personality.
• If the wedding is going to be larger and more formal, you should send the announcements to people who know your parents also, including the names of both sets of parents. For example, John and Anna Jones are thrilled to announce their daughter Mary’s engagement to Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel Smith. If you are planning on having a smaller wedding, include people in the list of those receiving announcements that won’t be invited to the wedding as a way to make as many people as possible feel included in your special day.

Ready for another idea? You may also want to submit your announcement to the local newspaper! It’s a great way to share the news with both of your hometowns without feeling obligated to send everyone you’ve ever known an announcement. It makes for a beautiful keepsake as well. A wedding is a significant moment in someone’s life, but so is the moment they decide to do it! Immortalize this very special day by making a public announcement of your decision.