Exactly What to Put on a Save-the-Date for a Destination Wedding

Will you be saying "bon voyage" for your wedding day and hosting a destination wedding? If so, your save-the-dates will be extra important. If you're figuring out what to put on a save-the-date for a destination wedding, you've come to the right place.

Save-the-dates are necessary for most weddings, but especially destination weddings. Guests need ample notice to plan their travel and a save-the-date helps them do so while you finalize the details that go in the invitation. The right save-the-date wording for a destination wedding is important to avoid any questions or confusion from your guests, so we've pulled together this helpful guide full of destination wedding save-the-date wording and some destination wedding save-the-date etiquette to make sure your save-the-date cards go out without a hitch.

What to Put on Destination Wedding Save-the-Dates

Save-the-dates may sound simple at first, but when you start thinking about what goes on save-the-dates, you may start to feel overwhelmed with all the dos and don'ts. There are a few basic elements that should go on all save-the-dates, but especially destination wedding save-the-dates, as your guests will have a lot of travel to plan. We've broken down everything you may want to consider below.

Your Names

While it sounds obvious, including both of your names on the save-the-date is essential. You never know which distant relatives or friends might not remember your partner's name. Or, they may have a couple of weddings coming up and need to keep it all straight. No matter what, don't forget your names.

The Wedding Date

This is the primary reason to send a save-the-date at all. So people know, well, the date! Include your wedding date so that people know that they'll be celebrating you on that day.

The Wedding Location

Aside from the date itself, this is probably the most important thing when it comes to what to include on a save-the-date for a destination wedding. Even if you haven't finalized the venue, including the place you plan to get married in is important. Your guests may need to book flights or travel, so they'll need a general sense of where they're going.

Your Wedding Website

If you have a wedding website, feel free to include the URL on your save-the-dates. As you fill your page with details, guests can check it for extra travel info that would be helpful as they plan.

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Invitation to Follow

Save-the-dates are the little sisters to your wedding invitations. Many save-the-date cards include the phrase "invitation to follow." This is a courtesy to your guests to confirm that a formal invitation with more details, such as the venue, time and how to RSVP, will come closer to the big day.

A Picture of You and Your Partner

This one is optional, but it's always fun to include an image of you and your partner. This can be a picture from the proposal, an engagement snap or just a photo together that you both love. It turns your save-the-date card from simple stationery to a special memento. But, if you don't have a picture you want to include, there are plenty of beautiful and photoless save-the-date card options to choose from.

When to Send Destination Wedding Save-the-Dates

In general, the save-the-date etiquette is to send the cards between eight and 12 months in advance. This is to give your guests ample time to plan ahead without being so early that they forget to mark their calendars or get confused about what year your wedding is taking place. The destination wedding save-the-date timeline is a little different:

Destination wedding save-the-dates should be sent further in advance than 12 months if guests have to travel far or internationally. If you anticipate guests will need more than a year to plan or save for the travel, feel free to send your save-the-dates as early as you have the date and location details finalized. Just be sure to make it very clear what year your wedding is taking place, include your wedding website so guests can stay informed and follow up with a formal invitation closer to the big day. Use your discretion and knowledge about your guests and the location to determine what works best for your wedding.

But, if you know most of your guests will have an easy time traveling, or if you don't have enough details to send out your save-the-dates, waiting for the higher end of the eight-to-twelve-month timeline is perfectly fine. No matter when you send your save-the-dates, rest assured your guests are excited to celebrate with you.