Save The Date!

Photo: David

Do you need a Save the date card?

Save the Date cards serve several purposes...

- If many of your guests will need to book airfare, hotels and the like, then it is a great gesture on your part to alert them early so that they may watch fares.

-If some very important people to you live very far away or are very busy, then Save the Date cards are a great way to make sure they block off the weekend to spend with you ahead of time.

-It can serve as an engagement announcement (only to those who are invited of course.) 

-It buys you time.  Guests may make all the plans they need while you set about finding the perfect site, time and weekend details.  You can then send formal invitations closer to the event.

 I always felt like 6-8 weeks was not enough notice for people to attend a wedding.  Schedules book up fast and travel plans take much forethought. This way it's not a shock and guests to not have to cancel other plans to be with you.

Photo: Kevin Stuart

Save the Date cards are not...

-"Hey, I'm getting married! Send me a gift!" Do not include your registry or gift requests on any stationary.  It's tacky.

-They are not detailed.  Do not detail out your event on the Save the Date card.  Otherwise your invite can be confusing. "Didn't we already get this invite?" Or it can look like somethings changed and so you had to update guests.

-Save the Date cards are not the last word.  They do not contain enough info to act on.  Plus guests need a reminder 6-8 weeks out.  Papers get lost and people get busy.

Photo: Tree Space Studio

Save The Date cards are...

-A great way to set the tone for your wedding.  They tell guests a bit about your style. (I always advise against doing something very different than you normally would.) Guests will assume that it's your style.  Cowboy plates anyone?

-A great way to get guests excited about your event and talking about plans for the weekend or making a mini vacation out of it.

Photo: William Arthur Fine Stationary

How to...

- Save the Date cards should be durable.  They'll need to be around to remember until your invites arrive.

- They should be creative. Pinterest time!

- Inexpensive is totally fine.  Postcards are awesome because your guests do not have to open them.  It makes them stand out against all the bills in the mail and they can pin them up or post them on their fridge.

-Add a phone number or email so people can contact you with questions or to plan a celebratory get together.

Ideas...

One of our favorite wedding blogs is Wedding Chicks.  

Head over to see some great Save the Date ideas.

We've said it before, we'll say it again... Pinterest!

Have Fun!

Enjoy Your Event!

Destination Wedding- Right Near Home

Photo: Roddy Macinnes

Everyone loves the idea of a destination wedding but sometimes it's not feasible due to budget restraints, guest list (how can grandma come?) or other logistics.

Fear not!

Simply stage a 'destination wedding' right near you!

1. Set the Stage- 

Send out save the date cards early to get people excited.

Save The Date

For our wedding 

and a great vacation in beautiful___________________

We're planning lots of great things for you!

Start watching that airfare!

2. Pick a very cool hotel for you all to stay

One willing to offer a great rate (most) people can afford for a block of rooms.  

(make sure that the hotel sets it up so that guests pay themselves and not through you- you don't want to be out on a limb for unbooked rooms)

Great hotel perks...

• Close to lots of restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream shops and the like.
• Airport shuttle, so that your guests don't have to rent a car.
• Great breakfast area in the hotel so that your guests can mingle every morning.
• A pool, hot tub or steam room always entice.
• A great spa for guests to use and for a fun bridemaids thank you day.
• A great event space for you to rent.

3.Utilize the Hotels event space for a great deal-

Hotels are often willing to offer you great package deals the more you use.

• Book a block of 10 rooms to start (to get the deal) make sure you're not obligated and that the hotel will automatically add rooms as they book so you don't run out.
• Plan to rent their coolest event space for your reception.
• Use their in house caterer.

4. Book a cool restaurant near the hotel for the rehearsal dinner.

Within walking distance is awesome!

Some big cities have free shuttles, which work great too!

5. Make a website of your event weekend

Let your guests know of all the great things they can do!

Plan some things that some guests can do together if they wish, some wedding events and lots of options and time for guests to explore your location on their own.

Make sure to include 1 program for wedding party and other options for those not invited to the rehearsal dinner.

Friday

Rehearsal 5pm

Rehearsal Dinner 7pm

(Those not in the wedding party are invited to Comedy Works @6)

Drinks at Hotel Lounge 8-11pm Come one come all!

Saturday

Free Breakfast in the hotel atrium

Hotel Pool opens at 9 (Bar @11)

Ceremony at 5 pm

Reception 6-10 pm in the ___

Sunday

Meet in the lobby at 8am to go hiking (shuttle provided)

-or-

Colorado Rockies Baseball Game 1pm

Make sure to include contact names and sites to book needed tickets on.

6. Leave your guests a welcome bag at reception

include water, a candy bar, popcorn, an itinerary of optional activities, maps for wedding events and especially a list of great places near to visit- restaurants, ice cream, bars, sport events, art galleries, etc.

7. Book a room for you too!

For as many nights as your guests are there- stay with them at the hotel and enjoy your stay-cation.

(book first nights separately and the hotel will change you to that honeymoon suite for a night or two after your event.- better keep that room a secret!)

8. Relax and Enjoy!