help with save the dates

detroit bride · July 20, 2009

I just got my date confirmed for my wedding at the paradisus riviera cancun my wedding planner told me to go ahead and send out my save the dates but im wondering do i have to send out the std's and invitations or are the std's the invitations? Thanks

sperger · July 20, 2009

Most people send out a save the date notice, and then a separate invitation later on. Most etiquette articles say to send out the STDs as soon as you know the date, ideally a year in advance so guests can plan, save up in order to attend, etc.

hockeymom97 · July 20, 2009

I'm by no means an expert, but I think STD's are typically sent out 6 months to a year in advance, and are more just to give your guests a head's up further in advance so they can start planning/preparing/budgeting. Traditionally the official invites don't get sent until a couple of months before the wedding. But with DW's, it seems like there's a lot more flexibility for you to do what you want. I was just reading a post for a bride who sent out the official invites almost a year in advance (skipped the STD's) and didn't do RSVP cards - and just had everyone RSVP online via their wedding website. That way she was able to save money by not doing STD's or RSVP cards.

I think it's completely up to you and you should do whatever your comfortable with.

azulskies · July 20, 2009

I agree. Do what you're comfortable with. I sent out STD's about a year before our wedding and am also sending out formal invitations later. It was just to give our guests a heads up. We included our wedding website on the STD & kind of wanted to make them RSVP tentatively but after we thought about it, it seemed kind of pointless. People who say they'll go can change their mind and people who say they aren't going may. Lots of things can happen in a year. Anyway, happy planning!