by Sharon Naylor (see more from this expert)

Save-the-date cards are a relatively new trend in weddings, and they came about as a way to respect guests' time and make sure they can attend the wedding. In good etiquette, you'll send these as soon as possible, months before the wedding to 'reserve' your big day on their calendars. As with any printed item for your wedding day, there are some etiquette mistakes you'll want to avoid:

1. Sending them out immediately upon your engagement. You're all excited about the wedding plans, you booked the place, you made a guest list that includes everyone you've ever known. But as time goes on, all of those deposits for the band, the videographer, the photographer, the florist, and more add up. You could find yourself in a money crunch that requires you to cut down your guest list...but you can't if you sent everyone a Save-the-date. This is the #1 save-the-date mistake, because you must invite these people to the wedding now. It's bad form to have them reserve a block on their calendars, not take their annual vacation, not register their kids for camp and so on...and then they don't get invited to the wedding. Major rifts happen in families over this one, so take your time, make sure you know the strength of your budget, and send them out when you're sure you can invite everyone on your list.

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