Sending online save the dates instead of traditional paper that is mailed is a growing trend among engaged couples. Digital save the dates work similarly to traditional save the date cards without sacrificing beauty or personality. In fact, online save the dates offer a number of features that traditional save the dates simply can't offer for a detailed look at the differences, see our comparison of traditional vs.

online save the dates. With the continued growth of electronic communication and the decrease in mailing letters, it's no wonder that the popularity of digital save the dates is on the rise and an ideal choice for couples when saving their wedding date.

There are thousands of electronic save the dates to choose from offered by several different companies—each with their own unique features and selection. Instead of mailing save the date cards to family and friends with an envelope and a postage stamp, digital save the dates are delivered electronically —typically via email or SMS text. Your virtual save the dates will have personalized links that can be sent through social media or just about any other messaging service such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and more.

Rather than seeing a paper card with your wedding's details, your wedding guests will see a digital version of a "card" on their computer or phone. Here's a sample of what an online save the date might look like to a recipient:. Your browser does not support the HTML5 Video element. There are many advantages to saving the date for your wedding online that paper simply can't match. This is where digital save the dates begin to shine because the strengths of paper end and the advantages of digital begins.

These advantages of digital save the dates are worth noting when you're trying to decide on whether to send paper or electronic save the dates:. When comparing the various types of save the dates, online is the most affordable format —cheaper than traditional options including cards, magnets, and even postcards. Yes, digital save the dates still cost money, but the savings over paper is substantial to see how the costs of each format compare, see our guide to sending save the dates on the cheap.

Online save the dates require no postage to send them to friends and family. Costs can vary based upon the number of guests you notify, but you'll still save money when compared to mailing traditional save the dates. You'll also save a trip to the post office which is always a win. Saving money doesn't have to mean that your save the dates will look cheap. Virtual save the dates not only look as beautiful as their printed paper alternative, they also offer a host of features that you won't get when sending paper cards or postcards.

Digital save the dates are delivered via email, SMS text messages, social media, or other messaging apps. When you import your guest list and send them to your friends and family they will receive a personalized email or personalized link you can send to guests via other methods such as messaging apps. Most providers will send your messages using your guests' names to convey a personal touch typically found on stationery envelopes. Some services allow you to send you save the dates in batches, so you don't have to commit to sending them out to everyone at the same time.

This means you could start with a key list of guests then decide about other guests at a later time or invite more if some early invites are declined. Though the delivery takes place electronically, the process of guests receiving and viewing your save the date is presented in a way that emulates the traditional process of receiving a card in the mail. You don't need to include the finer details at this stage; all you're trying to do is make sure people plug that date into their iCals and know where they'll be going for your celebration.

Online save the dates are the stress-free way to do that. You can get them out at speed, and usually virtual stationery will be less expensive than printed versions - handy when you're right at the start of the planning process and putting down deposits on big-ticket items like the venue, photographer and dress.

If you're picturing a standard email, stop right now. Professional online save the date templates suit all kinds of wedding styles, from laidback boho to full-on glam, and can often be send by WhatsApp and text. You can even get lined virtual envelopes! We'll show you the most beautiful designs to shop right now, and explain how to get them sent while still following wedding etiquette. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission. Save the dates are very important if you want to avoid your guests getting booked up.

This is particularly true if you're getting married in peak wedding season, when they may be invited to several celebrations. You should also give plenty of notice if you're getting married at time of year when people traditionally go away or organise family gatherings, such as school holidays and the run-up to Christmas.

But even if you're getting married in autumn, winter or on a weekday, it's still important to send save the dates. By doing so, you're showing respect for your guests' time. Childcare, accommodation, travel - all those things can take time to organise, so your loved ones will appreciate having as much notice as possible. Online save the dates are a quick and easy way to give them the when and the where. Once your guests have that key information, you can take your time over the actual invitations.

Online save the dates aren't tacky - that much will become obvious when you take a look at the gorgeous digital designs we've found. Electronic wedding stationery may not be traditional, but then, wedding customs are constantly evolving. In a few years, online save the dates may well be standard.

What's more, by taking at least some of your wedding stationery online, you're having a more eco-friendly, sustainable wedding; what's tacky about that? READ MORE: 15 Beautiful Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Eco-Conscious Brides. As soon as possible after you've booked your venue. Online save the dates are the fuss-free way to send the information to your guests.

Rather than ordering printed versions, tracking down each guest's address, addressing all the envelopes and dealing with postage, you can send online save the dates with a few clicks.

And as the digital designs you can get nowadays are so chic, your electronic save the dates will look good enough to get everyone excited! Saying that, the older generation aren't always totally tech-savvy. If you have any relatives who rarely, if ever, use email, it's a nice idea to order a few printed save the dates for them. There are no rules about save the date wording, but we suggest keeping it simple. Just include the essentials: date and location, and ideally the venue. You could add that a formal invitation will follow.

In addition, you probably have the majority of your guests' email addresses, while gathering home addresses could take more time. Keep in mind, paper or paperless, a save-the-date should be sent out about six months in advance or eight for a destination location. In some cases, bundling your entire set of wedding stationery save-the-dates, invitations, thank-you cards and so on together can be a money saver.

But if you've got your eye on different vendors for different items and bundling may not be an option, digital save-the-dates can cost a fraction compared with paper ones. Older family members will—more than likely—be partial to a hard-copy save-the-date. It's also a possibility that virtual save-the-dates will go right to spam, be looked over entirely or accidently deleted. Some electronic card companies provide you with a status report of who has and has not opened your email, which is helpful, but if the email is opened and then deleted out of sight, out of mind , that could spell out bad news on the RSVP.

If you're choosing the email route, ask your family and wedding party to spread the word so guests can keep an eye on their inbox. Now, after weighing the pros and cons, allow us to introduce some of our favorite virtual save-the-dates to inspire your shopping.

We love sites like Paperless Post or Greenvelope because they "package" the invitation so well. Even though there's no mailbox involved, the recipient will still get the feeling they're opening correspondence complete with envelope liners! Coordinated envelope liners and card designs? Count us in. Rifle Paper Co. always does it right, and with Paperless Post you can choose between digital correspondence and print, which means you can order a few paper save-the-dates to send out to the grandparents in one smooth transaction.

So you can send out this tranquil watercolor design which has us dreaming of a destination wedding , then follow it with invites for the bachelorette party, bridal shower or postwedding brunch. There's something to be said for an understated, but totally elegant design. This save-the-date is also perfect for the environmentally friendly couple, since Greenvelope is on a recycling mission to save "trees, time and money" with part of its profits donated to an organization that helps maintain forests.

Multiple patterns can be overwhelming, but when there's a consistent color scheme to bring them all together, the design looks cohesive and expertly crafted. Enter: a dramatic color combination worthy of a wedding color palette. Something like a classic taxi for a metropolitan city or a landmark motif can get guests excited to travel. Considering a bold black-and-white wedding color palette, but aren't ready to commit to it just yet?

Your save-the-date is the perfect element to test it out: It doesn't necessarily reflect the rest of the wedding style, so you can change your mind later and no one would be the wiser. Main Menu. Find a Couple Customer Service. Log In. Sign Up. Back to Main Menu. Planning Tools. Wedding Vision. Discover Your Vision. Take The Knot's Style Quiz. Reception Venues.

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We do sympathise. If you're a stationery lover through and through, it's hard to embrace the idea of going electronic with something as important as your big day communications. However, we're here to tell you that digital save the dates could save you valuable time, money and stress - not to mention looking incredibly good. The thing about save the dates is that you need to send them as early as possible. You may have seen advice saying 6 months in advance - we say, get them out as soon as you've booked your venue and finalised your guest list, even if that's 18 months before the wedding.

You don't need to include the finer details at this stage; all you're trying to do is make sure people plug that date into their iCals and know where they'll be going for your celebration. Online save the dates are the stress-free way to do that. You can get them out at speed, and usually virtual stationery will be less expensive than printed versions - handy when you're right at the start of the planning process and putting down deposits on big-ticket items like the venue, photographer and dress.

If you're picturing a standard email, stop right now. Professional online save the date templates suit all kinds of wedding styles, from laidback boho to full-on glam, and can often be send by WhatsApp and text. You can even get lined virtual envelopes! We'll show you the most beautiful designs to shop right now, and explain how to get them sent while still following wedding etiquette.

Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission. Save the dates are very important if you want to avoid your guests getting booked up. This is particularly true if you're getting married in peak wedding season, when they may be invited to several celebrations. You should also give plenty of notice if you're getting married at time of year when people traditionally go away or organise family gatherings, such as school holidays and the run-up to Christmas.

But even if you're getting married in autumn, winter or on a weekday, it's still important to send save the dates. By doing so, you're showing respect for your guests' time. Childcare, accommodation, travel - all those things can take time to organise, so your loved ones will appreciate having as much notice as possible. Online save the dates are a quick and easy way to give them the when and the where.

Once your guests have that key information, you can take your time over the actual invitations. Online save the dates aren't tacky - that much will become obvious when you take a look at the gorgeous digital designs we've found.

Electronic wedding stationery may not be traditional, but then, wedding customs are constantly evolving. In a few years, online save the dates may well be standard. What's more, by taking at least some of your wedding stationery online, you're having a more eco-friendly, sustainable wedding; what's tacky about that?

READ MORE: 15 Beautiful Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Eco-Conscious Brides. As soon as possible after you've booked your venue. Online save the dates are the fuss-free way to send the information to your guests. Rather than ordering printed versions, tracking down each guest's address, addressing all the envelopes and dealing with postage, you can send online save the dates with a few clicks.

And as the digital designs you can get nowadays are so chic, your electronic save the dates will look good enough to get everyone excited! Saying that, the older generation aren't always totally tech-savvy. If you have any relatives who rarely, if ever, use email, it's a nice idea to order a few printed save the dates for them. There are no rules about save the date wording, but we suggest keeping it simple.

Just include the essentials: date and location, and ideally the venue. You could add that a formal invitation will follow. Oh, and your names, so your guests know whose wedding it is! READ MORE: Wedding Invitation Wording: 17 Example Templates to Make Your Own. This depends on the price structure of the site you're using. With Etsy, for example, you pay the designer a one-off fee, and then you can customise and send the file. Other sites work on a subscription model, with a monthly fee giving you access to all their online stationery designs.

Some sites charge a per-mailing price, often around £1 per online save the date sent. You'll also find sites offering free online save the dates, but you'll probably need to pay for upgrades, such as RSVP tracking and special design elements. Greetings Island takes a flexible approach to wedding stationery, letting you send online save the dates to your guests by email, text or Facebook, as well as downloading and printing templates at home.

There are some free templates, but you need a premium account for special designs, such as this beautiful floral save the date. Buy It Now. Your save the date is a good way to use your favourite photo from your engagement shoot. Choose a personalised design from Paperless Post and they'll help you track RSVPs and communicate with your guest list. You buy 'coins' to add premium elements to your invitations, such as digital envelope liners and reply cards, and to access some services.

We've known couples to send actual calendars through the post as their save the dates; for a more planet-friendly version that's still super-cute, check out Greenvelope's digital calendar save the date. READ MORE: The Best Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations. This digital save the date combines the minimalist style of classic wedding stationery with the convenience of sending online - genius!

Utterly Printable's save the dates have been designed to fit smartphone screens, so they're ideal for sending via WhatsApp or text. You can send them with an RSVP link, if you want, to log responses. We particularly like the freshness of their jungle-inspired design.

Want to really surprise your guests? Choose an animated save the date, customised with your details. Of course, you could always go totally DIY and shoot a save the date message on your phone. If you have a picture of the two of you that you both love, make it full size with this chic and simple design, part of Paperless Post's range for couples who have rescheduled their weddings. READ MORE: How to Update Your Wedding for a Different Season: 31 Creative Ideas.

Each of their design has a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic - we love the colours in this abstract design. The colours of this save the date make it ideal for announcing your autumn wedding. Add a touch of glamour to your online wedding stationery with this gold design.

Sign up for Punchbowl's trial period and you can send save the dates and invites for free - after that, there's a subscription fee. READ MORE: Gold Bridesmaid Dresses: 20 Glittering Gowns Your Maids Will Love. Having a destination wedding?

This passport-themed digital save the date is just the thing to let guests know you're getting wed abroad. Illustrated wedding stationery is increasingly popular - and you can still get in on the action if you're going digital with your save the dates. Simply send this Etsy seller some photos of yourselves and pets, and anyone else you want to include!

for a unique personalised portrait. For a note of pure prettiness, chose a watercolour design. READ MORE: The 11 Hottest Wedding Invitation Trends for This editable digital template is elegant in its simplicity, and is pared-back enough to go with any wedding theme.

For a twist on the personalised photo save the date, we love the idea of mining your childhood photos for inspiration. Of course, with this chic design you can upload whichever photos you like and it'll still look good. Still in love with the idea of actual wedding invitations? No problem. Get your online save the dates sent out then you're ready to browse some gorgeous wedding stationery , from invites to orders of service and thank-you cards.

Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate. For some couples, the idea of sending online save the dates is, frankly, horrifying. Loading next article. Stationery and Wording Ideas. Unless your day job is organising events, knowing when to send invitations won't be on your radar. We've broken down exactly when you need to send your save the dates and wedding invitations, plus how to save time and money at the post office.

Looking for a save the date template that'll get guests excited about your wedding? These are the gorgeous styles you can download right now, from free designs to paid-for templates. If your wedding has been postponed or you're changing the date, you'll want to let your guests know as soon as possible.

Here's our pick of the 23 best change the date cards to let your friends and family know about your wedding postponement. From save the date wine corks to coasters and balloons, our unique save the date ideas are bound to impress your guests! Looking for an interesting and unique way to DIY your wedding invitations?

We have 10 fabulous techniques that almost anyone can master See More Articles.

Many virtual stationery companies commit to planting trees and taking other steps to offset their carbon footprint and make their products more environmentally conscious. Inside the Vera Wang x The Knot Stationery Collection. Once your guests have that key information, you can take your time over the actual invitations. Advantages of Digital Save the Dates There are many advantages to saving the date for your wedding online that paper simply can't match. Find a Couple's Registry. When it comes to features, digital save the dates clearly have the upper hand. It's also a possibility that virtual save-the-dates will go right to spam, be looked over entirely or accidently deleted.

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