The Save the Date Debate

Save the Date cards have been an emerging wedding trend in recent years. They've become quite common and have made their way into a standard piece of the wedding planning process. But I've heard lots of brides debate whether or not to send save the dates to their guests. My fiance and I were on the fence about them for a while. There are certainly several things to take into consideration.

The Cons:
The Cost: Save the dates are an added expense and in the wedding planning process, this is just one more item to pay for. Don't forget to calculate the cost of postage. Step back and decide if there is room for these in your budget.

The Time: When you're planning a wedding there is so much to do. Ordering and mailing save the date cards are another item to add to the list. Adding an addition item to the ever-growing list of things to do can be overwhelming.

The Pros:
Organization: Preparing to send your save the dates is a way to get your guests' addresses in order well in advance of the wedding day. When it comes time to send your invitations, you'll have your addresses ready and that will save you some stress closer to the big day.

Your Guests will Appreciate it: Save the Dates are an expected courtesy for a destination wedding and weddings that occur holiday weekends. Between travel arrangements and busy schedules, sending a save-the-date will increase guests' chances of attending your celebration.


The Excitement Factor: Let's be honest, sending out save the dates builds excitement! It's fun for your guests to receive them in the mail and mark their calendars!


The YOU Factor: Save the Dates can help set the tone for your wedding day. They are a great way you can give a sneak peak at your theme or wedding colors. You can personalize save the dates using photos from your engagement session.

In the end, my fiance and I decided the pros outweighed the cons - we opted to do save the dates!

For more on Save the Dates and etiquette:
Read more: TheKnot.com Save the Date Etiquette