What to put on a save the date
A save the date is a heads-up, not the invitation, so it can stay short. Our guide to when to send save the dates recommends five things: the couple's names, the date (or at least the month), the city or region so guests can judge the travel, a line such as "Formal invitation to follow", and, if you have one, your wedding website. The maker above starts with exactly that layout. Type over any line, or click a line on the card itself to edit it.
Leave the ceremony time, the venue street address, the dress code and the RSVP for the formal invitation. Those details can still change, and guests expect to find them on the invitation, not on an early card.
When to send it
For a local wedding, save the dates usually go out 6 to 8 months before the day. For a destination wedding, a holiday weekend or a peak-season date, send them 8 to 12 months ahead so guests can book time off, flights and rooms while prices are reasonable. If the wedding is only a few months away, skip the save the date and send the invitation a little early instead. The invitation timeline calculator turns your wedding date into every mailing date at once.
One rule to keep in mind: everyone who receives a save the date must also receive an invitation, so finish your guest list before you print.
Postcard, card or phone: pick the size first
The size menu above the preview changes the card without losing your wording. Three choices cover most couples:
- 5 x 7 in (A7 card). The same size as most invitations, mailed in an A7 envelope as a letter. A stamped 1-ounce letter is $0.82 under the current USPS First-Class rates.
- 4 x 6 in postcard. USPS charges the lower card price ($0.65 with a stamp) for a single rectangular card between 3.5 and 4.25 in high and 5 and 6 in long, and between 0.007 and 0.016 in thick, so a 4 x 6 card on postcard stock qualifies. Print your names and the date on the front and leave room on the back for the address and stamp.
- Phone story (1080 x 1920 px) or square post (1080 x 1080 px). For a save the date sent by text, email or a messaging app. Download a PNG and send it as a photo.
If you are not sure which paper size you need, the size guide tool shows the bleed, safe area and postage class for each one.
Make it match the invitation
The save the date uses the same 34 templates, colors and fonts as the invitation maker, and your names and template carry over between the two. Design the save the date now, come back in a few months, and the invitation will already match. Use the Wedding date box in the Text tab to write the date for you, and the Photo and QR tab if you want an engagement photo as the background or a QR code that opens your wedding website.
Printing tips
Choose 3x print before you download: a 5 x 7 in card then comes out at 1500 x 2100 pixels, which is 300 dpi at full size. For home printing, the Print sheet PDF button places as many cards as fit on a US Letter page with cut marks. Heavier card stock looks and feels better than plain printer paper, and a print shop can trim the cards cleanly for you.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I send save the dates?
About 6 to 8 months before a local wedding, and 8 to 12 months before a destination wedding, a holiday weekend or a peak-season date. If the wedding is only a few months away, skip the save the date and send the invitation a little earlier instead.
Can I send a save the date by text or email?
Yes. Choose the phone story or square post size, download a PNG and send it as a photo. A digital save the date still does its job of holding the date, and you can mail a paper invitation later.
What size should a save the date be?
A 5 x 7 in card matches most invitations and mails in an A7 envelope. A 4 x 6 in postcard on card stock can mail at the lower USPS card price, $0.65 with a stamp, because it falls inside the card limits of 3.5 to 4.25 in high and 5 to 6 in long set in the USPS Domestic Mail Manual, section 101. The price comes from the USPS Notice 123 price list.
Should I add a QR code to my save the date?
It is optional. A QR code that opens your wedding website helps guests who want to plan travel early. Add it in the Photo and QR tab, print the website address as well, and scan a printed test before you order.
Is the save the date maker really free?
Yes. There is no account, no watermark and no paid tier. You can download as many PNG, JPG and PDF files as you like, and everything runs in your browser.