Save the dates should generally be sent 6 to 8 months before a local wedding, and 8 to 12 months in advance for a destination wedding or one that falls during a holiday weekend. Getting the timing right helps guests plan travel, request time off work, and secure the date on their calendars well ahead of the formal invitation that follows later in the planning process.
The Standard Timeline for Local Weddings
For a wedding taking place in or near where most guests already live, sending save the dates 6 to 8 months before the event strikes the right balance, early enough that guests can plan around it, but not so early that details might still change. This timeline typically falls right after a couple has locked in their venue and officially set the date, since save the dates shouldn’t go out until those core details are finalized.
Destination and Holiday Weddings Need More Lead Time
If a wedding involves significant travel, whether it’s a destination wedding abroad or simply a celebration far from where most guests live, save the dates should go out 8 to 12 months in advance. The same extended timeline applies to weddings scheduled around major holidays or long weekends, when guests may need extra notice to secure time off work, book flights, or arrange accommodations before prices rise or availability disappears.
What Information to Include
A save the date should include the couple’s names, the wedding date, and the general location, typically just the city or region rather than the exact venue, since that level of detail comes later with the formal invitation. Many couples also include a wedding website link at this stage, allowing guests to find travel information, accommodation recommendations, and RSVP details as they become available closer to the event.
When Not to Send a Save the Date
Save the dates aren’t strictly necessary for every wedding, particularly smaller or more casual celebrations where formal invitations sent 6 to 8 weeks in advance provide sufficient notice. Couples planning a short engagement, where there simply isn’t enough lead time between getting engaged and the wedding date, often skip save the dates altogether and move straight to formal invitations.
Who Should Receive a Save the Date
Save the dates should only go to guests who are definitely on the final invitation list, since sending one to someone who is later cut from the guest list can create an awkward and uncomfortable situation. Many wedding planners recommend finalizing a firm guest list before printing or sending any save the dates, precisely to avoid this scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should save the dates be sent for a local wedding? Generally 6 to 8 months before the wedding date. When should save the dates go out for a destination wedding? Ideally 8 to 12 months in advance, to give guests time to arrange travel and time off. Do I need to send a save the date at all? Not always; smaller or more casual weddings, or those with a shorter engagement period, can often skip save the dates and move directly to formal invitations.
The Bottom Line
Timing save the dates correctly comes down to how much advance notice your specific guests will realistically need, factoring in travel distance, holiday scheduling, and the overall formality of the event. When in doubt, erring on the side of sending them a bit earlier rather than later tends to be the safer choice, particularly for weddings that involve significant guest travel or fall during a busy time of year when flights and hotels book up quickly.