Table of Contents
- Save the Date Definition & Meaning
- What Is a Save the Date?
- 10 Types of Save the Date
- Save the Date Uses, Purpose, and Importance
- What’s in a Save the Date? Parts?
- How to Design a Save the Date Card
- Save the Date vs. Invitation
- What is the Difference Between a Save the Date, an Announcement, and a Postcard?
- Save the Date Sizes
- Save the Date Ideas & Examples
- Save the Date FAQs
Save the Date
Save the date cards serve as an excellent reminder for all types of special occasions, not just weddings. With most people busy with their own life and responsibilities, sometimes a little reminder is just what people need.
Save the Date Definition & Meaning
Save the date is a card or any form of design or media that acts as a precursor to an invitation to an event.
A save the date can either be printed or electronic and should generally be just one page.
What Is a Save the Date?
Save the dates usually come in the form of invitations and cards but you shouldn’t let that limit your creativity. In any case, you want to create a unique, creative, and memorable save the date for your event. Whether it is a wedding, company event, or birthday party, a save the date can be used for various kinds of affairs and events.
10 Types of Save the Date
Floral Save the Date
A floral design is one of the most popular and traditional designs for save the date cards, particularly wedding save the date and invitation cards. And why not? Flowers are beautiful, delicate, sophisticated, and come in so many unique and different species. Feel free to customize and download the floral save the date template for your upcoming wedding or engagement party.
Elegant Save the Date
The elegant save the date is perfect for formal events and affairs like weddings or corporate events. If you are organizing the latter, you can incorporate the company logo in your design as well. It is recommended to use dark and subdued colors, like the example below, if your aim is to exude professionalism and sophistication.
Save the Date Invitation
The unique color and geometric design on this save the date invitation can be used for all types of occasions, not necessarily weddings. But if you are planning a wedding, you want to stick to formal and elegant fonts. It is important to keep in mind the theme of your event when choosing elements of design (font, color, etc.) if you want to achieve consistency all throughout.
Bohemian Save the Date
Bohemian style and culture has permeated mainstream society in recent decades. Even in art, bohemian themes remain a popular option among designers and creatives. For example, the Bohemian save the date template below incorporates a rustic and natural vibe.
Save the Date Photo Collage
If you cannot decide on a favorite photo for your save the date card, why not incorporate several? The gallery opening save the date photo collage below boasts a modern and contemporary design. When picking out images, make sure to use good quality and high resolution pictures for optimum results.
Minimalist Save the Date
When it comes to minimalist designs, less is definitely more. The free and editable minimalist save the date invite below makes use of a simple border, modern font, and a classic white background. If you want to achieve a minimalist look, go for a clean and understated theme always.
Electronic Save the Date
These days, a traditionally printed save the date card or invitation basically means higher cost. But thankfully, a digital or electronic save the date is sufficient and acceptable. What is interesting and unique about the design below is the golden circle set against a deep maroon background.
Save the Date Boarding Pass
If travel and tourism is your event theme, you can design a unique save the date boarding pass instead of just an ordinary card. The customizable template below uses a world map as its background and even has a barcode to mimic a real passport. On an additional note, your boarding pass design can either have a landscape or portrait orientation.
Save the Data Polaroid
Even if the polaroid camera was created decades ago, it has become fashionable again in recent years, particularly among the younger generation. With hundreds of graphic design apps and photo editing tools available today, it is easy to create a polaroid-inspired picture even without the use of an instant camera. For instance, the wedding save the date polaroid example uses a single image as its main focal point.
Save the Date Silhouette
Whether it is a business conference, a graduation dinner, or a Christmas party, sending out a save the date gives your guests the opportunity to mark their calendars in advance. Feel free to use the save the date silhouette template below, it is versatile enough to be used in cards, ecards, and other formats. Its design is effortlessly simple, elegant, and classic.
Save the Date Uses, Purpose, and Importance
A save the date functions just like an invitation, but it often precedes it. The following reasons describe some of the main purposes and advantages of a save the date card.
Serves as a Reminder for Guests
As already explained in the previous sections, a save the date acts as a reminder for guests and participants to reserve a particular date. The name itself is self-explanatory; it is meant to alert people about an upcoming event or activity. Those in the preliminary guestlist are often sent a save the date months before the actual event date.
Provides Basic and Important Event Details
A save the date contains key information, which obviously includes the date of the event. However, other details such as the venue or dress code may or may not be provided in the save the date because it really depends on the personal preferences of the sender. Other important details and instructions may follow in the official invitation.
Stirs Excitement and Anticipation
There is no doubt that sending out or receiving a save the date stirs some excitement. For both the sender and the recipient, it creates a sense of enthusiastic anticipation and expectation. Even if the event is months away, there is a slow build-up of eager anticipation as the event draws nearer.
Promotes Creativity and Innovation
Much like designing an official invitation or greeting card, creating a save the date helps exercise one’s creative imagination. Of course, you can use ready-made templates but it hits different if you craft a DIY or do-it-yourself save the date card. You can treat it as a work of art and imprint your own unique brand on it or add a personal touch to it.
Allows Guests to Plan Ahead
In a fast-paced modern society, people are becoming busier and busier as they juggle different responsibilities and deal with daily demands. With this in mind, you give people the space to plot their calendar and reserve the important date so as to avoid making plans on that day or committing to other priorities. With a save the date, you are essentially giving your guests a heads up and letting them know you want them to be a part of your special event.
What’s in a Save the Date? Parts?
Title
Whether it is a card or an ecard, the ‘Save the Date’ title should be written in clear and bold text. The ideal alignment would be centered and you can choose the style and font of the title according to your personal tastes and preferences.
Name of the Event
Since you are informing other people to save the date, they need to know the reason behind it. Make sure to always include the name of the event or affair (e.g., Company Ball, Wedding Anniversary).
Date
Because it is a save the date card, the date is the most important bit of information. You can decide on the format as well, if you prefer numerals or to spell out the date.
Graphics
It is crucial to come up with a visually appealing save the date design. You can exercise your creativity freely in this department; you can incorporate different elements such as borders, clipart, background vectors, or even calligraphy.
Contact Information
At the bottom of the page, you can include your contact details in the same way you would in an official invitation. A mobile number and an email address should be sufficient enough.
Venue
As mentioned in the earlier sections, you may choose to include additional information or save them for the official invite. If you have already finalized the event venue, feel free to provide the exact location in your save the date.
Time
Along with the venue details, you can also include the specific time of day. Again, this is optional and you can provide these important details at a later date.
How to Design a Save the Date Card
1. Select a save the date size according to your needs
2. Determine the main objective of your save the date
3. Choose and customize a save the date template of your choice
4. Provide the specific date, name of the event, and other basic details
5. Customize the graphic design of the save the date template
Save the Date vs. Invitation
A save the date is a preliminary but formal announcement that is distributed to guests to inform them of a date of an upcoming event or occasion.
An invitation is a formal or official request that enjoins other people to attend or participate in an event or activity; it usually contains more detailed information than a save the date card.
What is the Difference Between a Save the Date, an Announcement, and a Postcard?
A save the date is a card, ecard or any form of announcement that informs people to reserve a particular date and it is usually sent months in advance before the actual event date.
Meanwhile, an announcement is any formal statement that aims to inform or educate a particular individual or group about a certain subject.
A postcard is a rectangular card that contains a message prepared by a sender and sent via mail or electronic mail (digital postcard) to a recipient.
Save the Date Sizes
A save the date, just like an invitation, can come in different formats and sizes. However, there are several save the date sizes that are recommended for most occasions and events.
Save the Date Ideas & Examples
Crafting and designing a save the date card is made easier with the use of a ready made template. With the many options and save the date ideas listed below, you will never run out of creative inspiration.
- Save the Date Ideas and Examples
- Bridesmaid Save the Date Ideas and Examples
- Save the Date Ecard Ideas and Examples
- Photo Save the Date Ideas and Examples
- Save the Date Magnet Ideas and Examples
- Save the Date Video Ideas and Examples
- Business Save the Date Flyer Ideas and Examples
- Save the Date Illustration Ideas and Examples
- Save the Date Mobile Wallpaper Ideas and Examples
- Save the Date Background Ideas and Examples
Save the Date FAQs
What to include on your save the date?
The information to include in your save the date card are the name and date of the event, graphics or images, and you can also include the venue and time of the event although it is optional.
Do you put the attire on a save the date card?
You may but it is not necessary to include the attire, dress code, or event motif on a save the date card, as these are usually reserved for the actual invitation card.
Whose name goes first on a save the date?
In many cultures and traditions, the name of the bride comes first followed by the groom’s name in a save the date card or invitation.
Does a save the date have a picture?
A save the date may or may not have a picture, depending on the needs and personal preference of the sender.
How far in advance should you send save-the-dates?
As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to send a save the date reminder or announcement at least 8 to 12 months before the scheduled event date.
When should you not send save the dates?
You should not send out save the date cards only a few weeks or months leading up to an event, it is best to just send out the actual invitations instead.
What to know before sending save-the-dates?
Keep your save the date announcement short, sweet, and simple; do not include unnecessary information especially if it has not been finalized yet.
Can you mail save the date magnets?
Yes, you can mail save the date magnets using your local postal service.
Should save the dates be matte or glossy?
For save the date cards and invitation cards, most people prefer using a matte paper instead of glossy paper just because it is easier and cleaner.
What is a save the date for a wedding?
A wedding save the date is an announcement and antecedent to an invitation that is sent to guests months before the wedding date.
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