If you're newly engaged and starting your wedding planning journey, you've probably come across both save the dates and invitations. But do you really need both... and what’s the actual difference between them?
Here’s a simple breakdown of what each one does, when to send them, and how they work together to keep your guests informed.
Save the Dates: The Early Heads-Up
Save the dates are sent before your formal invitations... usually 6 to 12 months ahead of the wedding. Their main purpose is to let guests know the date and general location of your wedding, so they can keep it free and start planning travel if needed.
At this stage, you don’t need to include full venue details or timings. Just your names, the date, and a simple note to say that an invitation will follow is enough.
Wedding Invitations: The Full Details
Wedding invitations are the official invite to your day. They include everything your guests need to know... such as the ceremony time, venue address, dress code, RSVP instructions, and any additional information about transport, accommodation or reception plans.
Invitations are usually sent 3 to 4 months before the wedding, or earlier if you’re getting married abroad or during peak season.
Do You Need Both?
Not always. If you’re planning a short engagement or a smaller, local wedding, you may choose to skip save the dates and go straight to invitations. But if your wedding is further away, falls on a popular date, or includes guests who need to travel, save the dates are a helpful way to make sure everyone has time to prepare.
In short... save the dates start the conversation, and invitations give all the details. Together, they help set the tone for your day and keep your guests in the loop from the very beginning.
