What is the difference between save the date and invitation?
Understand when to send each type of ecard and what to include in them.
Plan requirement: Standard or Pro plan
Short answer: Save the dates announce your date early (6-8 months before); invitations are the formal request to attend (6-8 weeks before).
Save the Date
Purpose: Give guests advance notice to mark their calendars
When to send: 6-8 months before the wedding (earlier for destination)
What to include:
- Your names
- Wedding date
- City/location (general)
- "Invitation to follow"
- Optional: engagement photo
What NOT to include:
- Full venue address
- RSVP information
- Detailed event schedule
Invitation
Purpose: Formally invite guests and collect their RSVP
When to send: 6-8 weeks before the wedding
What to include:
- Your names
- Full date and time
- Venue name and address
- RSVP deadline and link
- Dress code (if any)
- Event schedule details
Who receives each
Save the Date:
- Almost everyone you plan to invite
- Maybe not B-list guests (in case you don't have room)
Invitation:
- Only people you're officially inviting
- Everyone who received a save the date
- Plus any B-list guests you're adding
Tips
- Save the date builds excitement, invitation makes it official
- Keep designs consistent between the two
- Don't include RSVP on save the dates
- Invitations should have all logistics guests need
- Both can link to your wedding website