Save the Date cards as invitations... what do you think?

Question

Ok, so I have been looking at really cute invitations online. Where the invitations are $2-3 each, the save the date cards are only 1.50 each. My wedding will be small (50 or less) and casual so I like the simplicity of the save the date cards.

What do you think think of getting save the date cards.. but instead of saying invitation to follow, just saying "details are enclosed" and printing the details on cardstock my self... that way I get pretty invites but don't spend as much?

Also, second question... the wedding will be 3 hour drive for more than half of those attending... how early should i send out invitations...

Answer 1

I wouldn't do that. It can be confusing for your guests. They'll see save the date and assume an invitation is coming and when it doesn't they'll think they weren't invited or you forgot them.

I would just make my own invitations to cut costs. Actually that's what I plan to do for my wedding next year lol. Save the date cards are also not required. The wedding books state you don't have to send them. They even say you can do save the date emails. They can be informal while the invitations themselves can be formal. I would not send them to save money and make the invitations.

Answer 2

Save the Dates are usually sent 6-8 months in advance - far too early to be sending out invites (you don't know what could change in that time). Invites are sent out approx. 2 months ahead of time.

Honestly, if you're going to take the time to print info on cardstock, you can just DIY your invites with the same method a few months later. We are also having a small wedding (approx. 35 people; 50 invited) and I DIYed our invites. It was much cheaper than getting them from somewhere and all I needed was some cardstock and a little accent paper. Get two colors of cardstock, layer them and put the wording on it. Then include separate pieces of cardstock with info on hotels, directions, rsvp, etc.

Think about this option instead.

Answer 3

It's your wedding, if you think save the dates would be good invites then its perfect! Do whatever you want to make your wedding YOURs. You should send your save the date/invites I'd say about 4 or 5 months in advance... not only does this give them time to get the day free.. but also short enough to remember the date. That's what I'd do anyway. Good luck!

Answer 4

Hi

Why don't you try making the invites yourself if you are only inviting 50 or so. You will find some ideas on the site below.
If I were you I would send out a save the date so that family and friends secure the date in their diaries. Perhaps you could also send out details on hotels near your wedding venue, as perhaps people would like to stay overnight.

Then nearer the time send out your invites. If you make them yourself, you can save lots of money.

Answer 5

Save the date cards are sent months in advance before the big day, so in my opinion, save the date cards wouldn't be very appropriate as wedding invitations.
Why not, get some pretty paper, and make the save the date cards, send those out, and then purchase nice wedding invitations, that you should send out at least one month in advance.
I made my own wedding invitations, and they came out really nice, I got a lot compliments. Go online and search for wedding invitation websites, maybe you can get ideas of invitations that you might be able to make yourself.

Answer 6

Invitations are sent out 6-10 weeks before the wedding.

Have you seen this save the date card in person, or only online? I have seen some in person after liking them online, and the paper quality, in person, was so disappointing.

Honestly, adding cardstock and all that is going to make them just as expensive as the $2-3 invitations.

Since you have so few invitees (50 people means approx 25 invitations), why don't you just order the Save the Date cards you like, BLANK, and then hand-write the invitations, using them as stationery? Writing them by hand is actually very chic! (Do not print them out on home computer-- use your handwriting). Let me see if I can find an etiquette-appropriate letter example for you to use...

I've seen better ones (in Miss Manners' books- check your library) but this example will do--

Dear Aunt Diane and Uncle Oliver,

Kate and I are getting married soon -- on June 20th. We would like to invite you to the wedding. It will be at my parents’ church here in Chicago, at 2:30pm, and there will be a party afterwards, starting at about 4pm. Please let us know if you are able to attend.

Hope to see you then,
Best wishes,
Giorgio

Answer 7

Just go to walmart and pick up a box of blank invitations and print them yourself. They look very clean, and not chintzy like save the date cards with no invitation. The invitation is something that family members are going to hold on to for years. STRONGLY URGE get invitations. Costs $15 for a box of 40. Come with envelopes and thank you cards, too. All invitations should be sent out app. 6 weeks before the big day. Congrats!

Answer 8

I would make your own invitations instead of using save the dates as your invitation. But that is just me.

Box of 50: $40

Answer 9

I personally don't see anything wrong with "save the date" invitations. To each his own. Plus that is money that you could spend on the reception. The invitataions should be sent out a month in advance, I think. That way people have enough time to schedule or reschedule if need be. Best of luck to you.

Answer 10

You could do that but how far in advance do you plan on sending out the save the date cards? Those are usually very far in advance....if you ask people to RSVP for a wedding that is months away that might be hard for people to plan that far ahead.