Save the Date Cards: The Basics

First impressions do matter: Give your guests something to talk about by sending creative save-the-date cards! This doesn't mean your save-the-date cards can't be simple and sophisticated, but they should have an added touch of something uniquely you, something seasonal, or something off-the-cuff that makes the card so remarkable and memorable that your guests cannot possibly forget to save the date.

Why You Need 'Em

Plain and simple: Save-the-dates are sent out well before your invitations in order to inform guests of the upcoming wedding date and, in most instances, the locale. Save-the-dates are key if you have friends and family on your guest list who will be making a big trip to attend your wedding. They are also important for weddings taking place over a holiday weekend or in a seasonally busy locale where it's necessary to book travel arrangements and accommodations well in advance. But these days, more often than not, save-the-date cards are sent regardless of any of the above factors. Most likely, couples aren't marrying in the towns where they grew up but instead are tying the knot in faraway destinations like Hawaii, at their college or university chapels, or in new cities where the bride and groom are now settled and have made their lives. So make save-the-date cards a must-have on your list of wedding to-dos, and think of them as a courtesy to your guests.