Electronic Save the Dates: The Ultimate Guide

The Basics of Electronic Save the Dates From Bliss & Bone

Electronic Save the Date notifications are a modern way to let your friends and family know about your upcoming wedding plans without the expense of printing and mailing these notices. An E Save the Date is sent using email, which can make it a green-friendly option for environmentally conscious couples. Sending an electronic Save the Date for wedding plans can also allow you to manage the planning process more easily with online responses and convenient communication options for you and your guests.

At Bliss & Bone, we make it easy to create your electronic Save the Date online and to send it to everyone on your planned guest list. Your E Save the Date can reflect the aesthetic you want for your wedding, which can allow your guests to prepare for the type of ceremony and reception you are planning. By designing your electronic wedding Save the Date online through our interface, you can access the best backgrounds, images and font choices for your E Save the Date. This can allow you to create the best electronic Save the Date and wedding invite for your upcoming celebration.

Is It OK to Send Electronic Save the Dates?

Email and online communications have become part of the fabric of society over time. As a result, electronic Save the Dates have become much more popular among couples who want to communicate directly with their guests and wedding party. Even specialists in wedding etiquette like Emily Post have warmed to the idea of E Save the Date and digital invitations as a way to cut costs and reduce environmental impacts caused by printing and transportation of wedding notifications.

So, is it OK to send electronic Save the Dates? The answer depends on the personal preferences of you and your partner and the availability of email addresses for those on your guest list. If you are looking for ways to save money on your wedding and to save a few trees into the bargain, electronic Save the Dates could be the perfect choice for your wedding celebration.

Etiquette for Your Electronic Save the Date and Wording Examples

Since it is perfectly acceptable to send out electronic Save the Dates, you can move on to the wording of this special piece of stationery. Digital Save the Dates are more informal than your wedding invitations, but there are a few recommended guidelines. These include: 

• Be specific about how long you will celebrate. If you are hosting a multi-day series of events, you want to make that clear in your electronic Save the Date. You can include language like, “Save the Weekend” or “Save the Dates” to feature the length of time guests should prepare to spend with you.

• Make a decision about plus-ones. For many wedding couples, they want their friends and family to have the best possible experience. If a single person is invited to a wedding, you can opt to give them the option of bringing a plus-one. This is optional, but you should address your electronic Save the Dates accordingly.

• Do not include registry details. Your formal invitation will mention any registry-related details, so you can leave it off of your digital Save the Dates. One alternative is to also share your wedding website, which could potentially direct them to your registry.

If you are curious about how creative or formal to get with your digital Save the Dates, here are few wording examples to review with your partner:

Electronic Save the Date Example #1:

For a traditional, formal style, you can write something that details everything and follows proper etiquette guidelines. Note that the day and year should be spelled out.

Save the Date

for the wedding of

Jane Elizabeth Smith

and

John David Anderson

Saturday, the ninth of December

two thousand and twenty-three

New York, New York

Formal invitation to follow

Electronic Save the Date Example #2:

You can have some fun with your electronic Save the Date, and this example proves that. You are madly in love, so spread the word accordingly!

Adrian & Bridgette are madly in love.

They are getting married.

Save the Date

November 20, 2023

Delray Beach, Florida

Electronic Save the Date Example #3:

Hosting a wedding weekend? Here is how to detail that clearly for your guests. Other ideas may include “Save the Dates,” and you want to specify the exact dates guests should mark on their calendars.

Save the Weekend

For the Wedding of

Audrey & Gregory

July 21-23, 2023

Airlie Beach, Australia

Formal Invitation to Follow

Understanding the etiquette for electronic Save the Dates can serve as a helpful primer as you enter the world of stationery creation. However, you should not feel obligated or required to follow every single “rule.” You and your partner should be aligned and comfortable with the wording in your digital Save the Dates.

Advantages of Electronic Save the Dates

Deciding on electronic Save the Dates for your wedding celebration can offer some important benefits for you and your partner in planning your wedding. Some of the most important reasons to consider electronic Save the Date wedding invites are listed here:

• Environmental responsibility: Sending a Save the Date and wedding invitations through the mail requires printing and mailing of these items. This consumes resources that can be conserved more easily by sending an electronic Save the Date. Even if you send only some of your wedding notifications as electronic Save the Dates, you can reduce the impact of your wedding on the environment. If you and your partner are committed to a green-friendly lifestyle, electronic Save the Dates could be the perfect option for you.
• Lower costs: The costs of printing and mailing printed Save the Dates can far exceed the expense of designing and emailing your electronic Save the Date. By opting for electronic Save the Dates and wedding invites, you can save money on these communications that can then be spent on catering, venues or other features of your wedding that matter more to you and your partner.
• Faster delivery times: While traditional Save the Dates can take weeks or months to arrive at their destinations, electronic wedding Save the Date notices typically arrive in email inboxes within minutes. This can allow you to be more flexible with timing when sending out your electronic Save the Dates compared with conventional mailed notifications.
• Lower chance of loss in the postal system: Every year, pieces of mail are lost in the system and never reach their intended recipients. If an email happens to go astray, you will receive a notification that your electronic Save the Date did not go through successfully. These bounce notices, as they are called, will provide you with the opportunity to correct the problematic email address immediately. This can set the stage for sending your wedding invitations digitally later on in the planning process.
• Ability to link directly to your wedding website: Another major advantage of opting for electronic Save the Date and wedding invites is the ability to include a link to your wedding website. Creating an online presence for your wedding and including a link to this website on your electronic Save the Date can allow you to communicate with your guests and wedding party at every stage of the process from proposal to exchanging your vows.

By opting for an electronic Save the Date rather than a printed one, you and your partner can enjoy some real benefits for the environment and for your budget. Linking your electronic Save the Dates with the website for your wedding can also allow for easier communications about changes to your wedding plans between you and your guests.

How Much Do Electronic Save the Dates Cost?

The average cost of a wedding in 2020 was almost $34,000. Your electronic Save the Date and wedding invites, however, will only make up a small percentage of this amount. While printed Save the Dates are surprisingly affordable, your E Save the Date will cost even less to create and send.

When planning your wedding budget, the venue you choose and your catering will often make up almost half of the expenses of your entire wedding. Compared with those costs, your electronic Save the Dates will constitute a much smaller financial investment on your part when planning your wedding.

At Bliss & Bone, we offer electronic Save the Date and wedding invites that can allow you to manage your stationery expenses more effectively. By sending these communications by email, you can also avoid some of the delays associated with sending items by mail.

Different Wedding Decisions That Can Inspire Your Electronic Save the Date Design 

As you consider what type of venue and theme you want for your special day, you should remember that it will inform your choices for electronic Save the Dates, decor and much more. There are several pieces to the puzzle that make up your wedding day and so much that goes into it. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you seek out inspiration for your electronic Save the Date.

• Your wedding venue: There are so many decisions you will make that hinge upon one of your biggest wedding choices: the venue. Where you get married can serve as all the inspiration you need. Not only does it account for about 40 percent of your budget, but it also sets the scene for your event—literally. You can choose a cool blue color palette  for your electronic Save the Dates that has a similar look to an oceanside hotel in Rhode Island, or match the pops of pink at a modern event space in the California desert. 

• Your wedding date: The season can also help you choose specific colors and decor to incorporate into your day. For instance, a mountainside wedding in December will look a lot different than an event hosted at the same place in June. Think about the weather and feel of the space during the exact time that you plan to get married. Hint: Pine cones and leaves work so well with electronic Save the Dates for mountain weddings hosted in the fall or winter.

• Your wedding theme: Some event spaces and cities have consistent surroundings throughout the year. If that is the case, you can choose almost any wedding theme you would like. From a classic black tie affair to a more casual event, you can come up with anything that fits your style and aesthetic preferences. After that, you can easily find chic electronic Save the Dates that match your desired vibe.

• Your wedding dress or suit: Some couples can build an entire wedding around one piece. For example, you could opt for a floor-length pearl-encrusted veil and add pearls throughout your event. From table settings to the jewelry your wedding party wears, there are so many ways your attire can inform future decisions. 

• Your wedding color palette: While all of the items listed above can help you map out your color palette, you should not feel limited in this area. If blue is your favorite color and does not exactly “match” your event space, that is OK. You should love every aspect of your wedding, and the color palette is a key part of this. That being said, you should find a color scheme that does not clash with the space or season. To give you an idea, you will likely want to avoid bright, summery colors at a snow-covered winter wedding. However, electronic Save the Dates with navy blue and burgundy are well-suited for an event hosted during that time of year.

There is so much to look forward to as your wedding day approaches, and your stationery should not keep you up at night. With these components above, you can more easily picture the electronic Save the Dates of your dreams. It is also important to scope out your favorite templates online before building your very own.

Building the Best Electronic Save the Date and Wedding Invitation

At Bliss & Bone, we make it easy to create the best electronic Save the Date and wedding invitations and to coordinate all elements of your wedding stationery to create a cohesive and coordinated look. Because we offer printed and E Save the Date and wedding invitation options, we can allow you to create a wedding stationery suite that works perfectly for your needs. Here are the most important steps to follow when creating your electronic Save the Date for a wedding celebration:

• Collect email addresses: Before you can send your electronic wedding Save the Date to your guest list, you must first collect the email addresses of those to whom you wish to send your E Save the Date. You will need this information to create a mailing list for your electronic Save the Date.
• Create your E Save the Date: At Bliss & Bone, we offer an extensive array of backgrounds, textures, images and fonts that can allow you to create not only an electronic Save the Date but also matching wedding invitations and a wedding website. Our gallery of electronic Save the Date examples can provide you and your partner with inspiration for creating your own unique design.
• Include all key information: Your electronic wedding Save the Date should include, at a minimum, the date and city of your wedding and the names of you and your partner. If you have already chosen a venue, you can choose to include this information or omit it until all your plans have been completed and finalized.
• Build your wedding website: Once you have a design and theme in mind for your electronic Save the Date, you can use the same ideas to build a wedding website that will allow easy communication between you and your guests. Your wedding website can be used to provide information about accommodations, transportation and other arrangements related to your wedding. By adding a link to your website on your electronic Save the Dates, you can make it easy for your guests to access this information in a convenient way.
• Pay for and send your electronic Save the Dates: When you are ready to send your electronic Save the Date for a wedding, you can upload your email addresses through the Bliss & Bone interface. Once you have paid, you can then send your electronic Save the Dates immediately to those you wish to attend your wedding.

It is that easy to create the best electronic Save the Date wedding notice and to make sure that everyone on your guest list receives advance notification that you and your partner are planning to wed.

Electronic Save the Dates and Wedding Websites

If you plan to send electronic Save the Dates or digital wedding invitations, a wedding website is a must-have for communicating with your guests. Your wedding website should incorporate a few key elements to provide the best possible experience for those invited to your wedding. Some of the most essential components of your wedding website include the following:

• Basic wedding information like the date, time, venues and expected attire should all appear on the home page of your wedding website. You can often accomplish this by incorporating your electronic Save the Date as part of your website. Once you have finished designing your wedding invitation, you can also add this item to your online presence.
• Information on wedding registries can make it easier for your guests to purchase a gift you and your partner will love.
• Added help for transportation and accommodations, including maps and information on blocks of rooms reserved for your wedding, can be useful for your guests when making plans to attend your wedding.
• Personal connections can be made even stronger by sharing a little of your love story, photos of you and your partner and other stories on your wedding website.

• Photos: Though not a compulsory addition to your wedding website, you can share sweet photos of you and your partner there as well. Your guests will love seeing a page dedicated to pictures of you and your love, and you can pull some of your favorites over the years or select a handful from a recent engagement photoshoot.

• Collect RSVPs: In most cases, you will not ask guests to submit their responses for your wedding day when you send out electronic Save the Dates. Those are generally requested with your formal wedding invitations, but it does not hurt to provide a space on your wedding website for guests to reply at their leisure.

By linking your website to your electronic Save the Date for a wedding celebration, you can provide guests with the information they need to plan effectively for your upcoming wedding. This can make it easier to collect responses to your electronic Save the Dates and can ensure that your own planning process goes as smoothly as possible in the lead-up to your wedding day.

Inspiration for the Best Electronic Save the Date Wedding Notice

Designing and creating electronic Save the Dates can be challenging. One rule of thumb when creating an E Save the Date is to consider the overall theme, color scheme and decor planned for your wedding. If you are interested in an upscale and modern wedding, for instance, your electronic wedding Save the Date should reflect this aesthetic rather than featuring rustic designs.

You can find inspiration for your own electronic Save the Date in many different arenas. Friends and family members can sometimes have an influence on the type of wedding you choose. When considering the designs for your electronic Save the Dates, you may also find ideas in magazines, television shows, movies and online. This can provide you with added help in planning your wedding and creating an electronic Save the Date for a wedding your guests will remember for years to come.

Below, you can review some of the most popular electronic Save the Date themes that are available now. These examples and ideas can help inform the decisions you make for your E Save the Date, invitations and much more.

• Modern minimalist electronic Save the Dates: One of the more trending styles today, modern-minimalism emphasizes chic, luxurious events. You will often see smaller or less bold text, a more modern serif font and more. The Aubrey electronic Save the Date, for example, has a transparent-looking card with only the couple’s first initials, the date and city. It keeps it simple, while also providing guests with the pertinent information they need. 
• Classic electronic Save the Dates: You can never go wrong with a classic. The quintessential classic electronic Save the Date brings romance with floral accents and other thoughtful touches. For instance, the Blair E Save the Date has a script font that showcases the couple’s first initials and first names, and a simple serif font is there for the other details.
• Black and white electronic Save the Dates: Black and white is the ultimate combination for weddings. From casual backyard mini-weddings to formal black tie galas, a black and white electronic Save the Date is perfect for any occasion. Couples often gravitate toward the Kinsley electronic Save the Dates because of the unique marbling pattern and bold black background.
• Garden-inspired electronic Save the Dates: If there is one thing all weddings need, it’s flowers. And your electronic Save the Dates can match or coordinate with your floral design. From bright pink and orange blooms in the Lulu template to moodier peony-filled options like the Raitha design, there is definitely a floral electronic Save the Date that will work with your vision. 
• Vintage electronic Save the Dates: Sure, this might feel a bit contradictory. However, you can combine the vintage aesthetic with your modern electronic Save the Dates. There are plenty of digital designs that come with deckle edges and other elements that make your Save the Date feel like it was made in a totally different era. For instance, the Serena electronic Save the Dates have the appearance of a delicately and beautifully worn card. 
• Colorful electronic Save the Dates: Many templates are available that prioritize fun colors. These are commonly associated with spring and summer weddings, but you can bring a pop of color to any event at any time in the year. A dreamy example of this concept is the Cameron electronic Save the Date, which combines a peach background and bright orange font. For a whimsical and romantic appeal, sticking with a color that stands out is your best bet.

There are so many interpretations of electronic Save the Dates, and a plethora of unique designs to explore. We encourage you and your partner to sit down together and review your options. Determine your overall wedding theme, and then decide which template will work best for you.

Bliss & Bone offers an extensive gallery of electronic Save the Date examples that can provide you with the ideas and inspiration you need for your upcoming wedding celebration. Designing the right electronic Save the Date for the wedding theme you have selected can allow you and your partner to create electronic Save the Dates that are precisely right for your needs.

Features of an Electronic Save the Date

Understanding the elements of electronic wedding Save the Date design can allow you to create your own unique work of art when planning these notices. Here are some of the basic parts of electronic Save the Dates to assist you in creating these important notifications for your invited guests:

• Backgrounds: Your electronic Save the Date should feature a background that offers an elegant backdrop for the other images and text you choose. Backgrounds for your electronic Save the Dates can be designed to complement your chosen color scheme and to reflect the theme chosen for your entire wedding. For example, looking through pink wedding invitatations and other stationery items is ideal for those who gravitate toward a warm color palette.
• Images: The gallery of images available from Bliss & Bone can provide you with options for enhancing the beauty of your electronic Save the Dates. You can also choose to upload your own images and adjust them to create the perfect electronic Save the Date for the wedding of your dreams.
• Textures and effects: For an even more customized appearance for your electronic wedding Save the Date, you can incorporate the text effects, textures and other features available from Bliss & Bone. See all these tropical save the date or boho save the date examples. Your electronic Save the Dates can offer many of the same visual cues that are featured on printed invites and Save the Dates. This can create a positive impact on those who receive your electronic Save the Dates by demonstrating your own unique aesthetic in these wedding communications.
• The wording you choose: How the notification is phrased can also make a difference in the effectiveness of an electronic Save the Date for wedding celebrations. In general, less is more when writing the text for electronic Save the Dates. Simply listing your name, the name of your partner, the city and state in which you plan to marry and the date you have chosen can complete the wording needed for your electronic wedding Save the Date.
• Translation capabilities: One of the exclusive features Bliss & Bone offers for electronic Save the Dates is support for a variety of languages. This can come in very handy when sending your electronic Save the Date for a wedding to those in other countries who may not be conversant in English. Bliss & Bone is one of the only companies to offer foreign language support for electronic Save the Dates and wedding invites. This feature can make a big difference in the impression your electronic wedding Save the Date will make on those who receive it.

At Bliss & Bone, we offer exclusive features and easy-to-use templates and interfaces to help you create electronic Save the Dates you and your partner will love. We are here to help when you are ready to begin letting your friends and family know about your upcoming nuptial events.

When to Send Your Electronic Save the Dates

One of the first things on your wedding planning checklist should be designing and sending your electronic wedding Save the Date. This can allow your guests plenty of time to prepare to attend your special celebration. By sending your electronic Save the Date as soon as possible after you have secured a venue for your chosen date, you can increase the chance that your guests will be available on the big day. At a minimum, however, you should send your electronic Save the Dates between eight and 12 weeks before your wedding for weddings in your home country. The general rule of thumb is to send them about six to eight months prior to the big day. 

You should also add extra time for destination weddings or those with complex transportation requirements. Giving your guests nine months to a year will allow them to renew passports, purchase plane tickets and more. Remember that your loved ones have a lot going on, and you can respect their time and money by providing them with lots of time to figure it all out. In addition to your digital Save the Dates, you also need to make sure to cross other stationery-related items off of your list. These to-dos include: 

1. Have an honest conversation about your budget. Before you can make any big or small decisions about your wedding, you and your partner need to be on the same page about how much you intend to spend on your venue and all of your vendors. You should get together with your partner, plus anyone else who has offered to contribute financially, and discuss everything. 

2. Bring on a professional planner, if possible. If there is room in your budget, wedding experts always recommend enlisting a trusted planner. From start to finish in this sometimes daunting process, your wedding planner will help you do practically everything. They can weigh in and give their expert opinion, and they can even connect you with other vendors who they know and trust.

3. Figure out who you want to invite to your wedding. Whether you want a microwedding with a handful of your favorite people or a large affair with everyone you know and love, you need to come up with an estimate of your guest list. Venues and vendors will not be able to give you a price estimate without this number, so it is important to tackle this part early on. To help you come up with an idea, you should expect that 85 percent of your invited guests will ultimately attend your celebration.

4. Decide where and when you want to get married. Do you dream of getting married in your hometown, or are you setting your sights on a luxurious European elopement? There are so many places where you can say, “I do,” and it is important to narrow it down as soon as possible. You will also want to research various locations and see all of your favorites in person. This might be challenging if you are planning a destination wedding, but it is a top priority to visit every site you are interested in.

5. Book your venue. Once you have visited your top spots and confirmed that your first choice has a date available that works for everyone, submit your deposit. There is a high demand for all things related to weddings, and that is especially true for venues. 

6. Design your wedding website. Your wedding website and electronic Save the Dates goes hand-in-hand. Your electronic Save the Dates will go out to your guests and in it, you can include the link to your cohesive website with even more details.

By this point in your wedding planning timeline, you should customize your electronic Save the Dates. These will detail the basics of where and when your event is happening, and then your formal invitations will provide even more details. Those are sent out six to eight weeks before your wedding, and everyone who received an electronic Save the Date should get one too. When you send out your invitations, you should also prepare to give your guests at least a month to respond. In your invitation, make sure to ask them to submit their RSVPs by two to three weeks prior to the main event.

What Not to Include in Electronic Save the Dates

Electronic Save the Dates are typically very minimal in the text chosen and the information provided for your guests. There are some things you should not include in your electronic Save the Date card, however. Incorporating the following items and information should be saved for your wedding website or for inserts in your printed wedding invitations:

• Because electronic Save the Dates are so versatile and easy to use, it may be tempting to include all types of information about your wedding plans on these notifications. Keep your electronic Save the Date as simple and easy to read as possible, however. This will allow your guests to focus on the date you have set aside to exchange your wedding vows.
• Maps and instructions for transportation are also best reserved for your wedding website. This information could also be included in electronic or printed wedding invitations as added content for these important communications about your wedding.
• Links to or information about your wedding registries can be appropriate to add to your wedding website, not your electronic Save the Date or invitations. Adding this info to your electronic Save the Dates could be construed as impolite, pushy or downright tacky. By contrast, your wedding website is the perfect place to share this information with friends and family.
• Information that is intended only for members of your wedding party or immediate family and close friends should not be part of your electronic Save the Dates nor your invitations. Wedding websites can be set up to allow tiered access to various areas, which can ensure that those with the need to know are aware of upcoming events and rehearsals at which general attendance is not requested.

In general, your electronic Save the Date should include only the information your guests need to plan to attend your wedding. Saving some surprises and design elements for your wedding invitations can allow you and your partner to delight your guests and to generate added excitement about your upcoming nuptials.

Matching Your Electronic Save the Dates to the Rest of Your Stationery Suite

One of the perks of designing your electronic Save the Dates at Bliss & Bone is that you can easily find a full set of stationery that matches it. When you shop by collection, you can review a variety of templates that have been designed as stationery sets. There are several components that make up each collection, and in addition to your electronic Save the Dates these include:

• Wedding website: Your information hub will serve as an extension of your electronic Save the Dates and invitations. Here, you can provide photos of you and your partner, details about transportation and lodging and much more. Guests can even submit their RSVPs on your website after receiving their formal invitations. 

• Wedding invitations: A few months after receiving your electronic Save the Dates via email, you can decide whether guests should open their inbox or mailbox to receive the invitation. Both are popular options, but if you want to stick with the online templates, there are several to choose from.

• Rehearsal dinner invitations: While your rehearsal dinner invitations do not necessarily need to match the rest of your stationery suite, it is a thoughtful way to connect everything. Even if this event is hosted by a family member or friend, you can suggest using one of the designs in your chosen stationery collection.

• Wedding menus: At each place setting at the reception, guests should have a wedding menu waiting for them. These can detail the various courses coming up in the meal, and you can even add a unique logo or monogram.

• Wedding logos or monograms: If you want to customize your entire stationery set, you can also order a personalized logo or monogram. These are made by a dedicated designer who can prepare it for use on any Bliss & Bone products, including your electronic Save the Dates. Or, you can even request that it is made into a print-ready file that you can use to personalize cocktail napkins, signage and more.

With these existing templates, you can take the guesswork out of designing your own custom electronic Save the Dates and other stationery items. There is so much you need to do in the leadup to your celebration, and this is one aspect that we have covered for you. 

Why Choose Bliss & Bone for Your Electronic Save the Dates?

At Bliss & Bone, we make the process of creating the perfect electronic Save the Date easier for you and your partner. One of the best reasons to choose us for your electronic Save the Dates is the ability to customize these communications to meet your needs. We can even help you to create a wedding logo or monogram to create a recognizable brand for your wedding and your electronic Save the Dates. Unlike some other cookie-cutter sites, Bliss & Bone offers comprehensive customization options for electronic Save the Dates that can allow you to create your own unique work of art.

We also make it easy to send your electronic Save the Date, to create wedding invites and to accept RSVPs for your wedding through our easy-to-use interface. By designing and sending all your wedding communications, including your electronic Save the Date, through Bliss & Bone, you can create a connected wedding stationery suite that will make your planning process much easier. Your guests may even be able to respond to your electronic Save the Date online, which can make the process of planning your wedding much more accurate for you and your partner.

Finally, the Bliss & Bone team has the experience you need to assist you with designing an electronic Save the Date that will wow your guests. Our extensive lineup of backgrounds, images and font choices can provide you with the options you need to create electronic Save the Dates you and your partner will be proud to send to your friends and family. We can make your electronic Save the Date something truly special.

To review our gallery of elegant electronic Save the Dates or to begin designing your own unique electronic Save the Date, you can visit our website or email us at hello@blissandbone.com. We make it easy for you to create a suite of wedding stationery that will reflect the aesthetic preferences of you and your partner and that will alert your guests that your once-in-a-lifetime wedding is on the way.