Tips & Advice
When you’re having a destination wedding, a save-the-date card is an essential thing to put on your to-do list. With all the planning, travel arrangements and scheduling issues for everyone involved, it’s important to give your guests plenty of notice if you want them to be able to make it to your destination wedding. Save-the-dates are an easy way to make sure everyone you want to be present at your destination wedding has enough notice to plan ahead, arrange child care, airfare and ask for time off so they can enjoy your special day with you without worrying about what they didn’t get done.
As soon as you know your location, you should make plans to send out your save-the-dates, ideally six to nine months before the wedding; earlier if you’ve planned well ahead and have already signed your hotel contract. But one thing to remember – save-the-dates are almost the same as a wedding invitation – only send them to people you are sure will make the final guest list. Once you’ve mailed them, you can’t take them back.
Avoid any confusion on your save-the-dates by being specific as to who they apply to, so people receiving them know who you expect to come. If you’re inviting your sister but not her on-again, off-again boyfriend, this is the time to let her know – by addressing the save-the-date as specifically as you would the actual wedding invitation. This will save you a lot of time, aggravation and hurt feelings if you are very clear up front with both family and friends so you can contain your wedding guest list to match your actual budget.
Once you’ve got your destination wedding dates and your guest list, it’s time to focus on what kind of save-the-dates you want to send. You can go with a traditional save-the-date card, save-the-date magnets or even save-the-date favors as a preview of what your destination wedding style will be. There are several places you can order a specialized save-the-date card where you can choose paper, font, picture and other details. Be sure to shop around and find one that reflects you and your groom and the destination wedding location you’ve chosen. Examples might be a background of deep blue ocean and white sandy beaches for your beach or Caribbean wedding or a hula skirt or lei for your Hawaii destination wedding. A picture of three amigos in a black-suited band or a glass of beer with a lime wedge might proclaim your Mexico destination, or you could even send luggage tags with your information tucked inside.
If you want to be even more creative, you can send your save-the-dates as a cactus plant with a note settled onto the thorns containing your wedding information for a Mexico wedding, or a pretty tropical plant with a card tied to a ribboned basket to suggest your Caribbean theme. You could use a pair of unisex flip-flops with the information stenciled on the soles or even a pair of sunglasses for your beach wedding or even a fresh pineapple to make your invitees think Hawaii.
There are several ways to share your good news with the friends and relatives you want to join you at your destination wedding. Have fun with your save-the-dates and with planning the wedding for a stress-free and joyful celebration. |
