You’re getting married. That’s exciting! But once you have a date and venue, the next big thing is letting everyone know. You don’t want to miss this step. Your wedding invitations and save the dates are the first peek your guests get into your big day. And they set the tone. So, how do you make sure they’re perfect?

Let’s walk through it together.

Save The Dates: Start With A Smile

Okay, first things first: save the dates. These go out early—usually 6 to 8 months before the wedding. They’re less formal than invitations and mostly about giving your guests a heads-up so they don’t make other plans.

When writing them, keep it simple:

Your names
The wedding date
The city/town of the event
A message that a proper call will follow

No need to overload with details at this point. Think of it as a teaser trailer, not the full movie. A lot of couples nowadays use magnet wedding save the dates. These stick right onto the fridge and are hard to lose. Plus, they look cool.

Tone It Right: What’s Your Vibe?

Before you write a single word, think about the tone of your wedding. Is it classy and black-tie? Laid-back beach picnic? Rustic barn in the hills?

Whatever it is, the way you write your invitations should match. If it’s a fancy wedding, go formal: “Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the honor of your presence…” That kind of thing. If it’s chill, keep the wording light: “Come celebrate with us!”

Your save the dates can be more relaxed no matter what, but invitations? That’s the time to get serious about your style.

Wedding Invitations: What Needs To Be There?

This is where the real information goes. People need to know:

Who’s getting married
Where and when it’s happening
What time to show up
Dress code, if any
RSVP details (and by when)

Here’s a clean example:

Together with their families
Emma Johnson and Alex Morales
invite you to their wedding
Saturday, August 24, 2025
At 4:00 PM
Willow Grove Barn, Vermont
Reception to follow
Kindly RSVP by July 20 at emmaalexwedding.com

That’s it. Sweet and straightforward. Your guests will thank you for being clear.

Personal Touches: Make It Yours

You don’t have to stick to a script. If you want to add a quote you both love, go ahead. Want a cute illustration of your pets? Do it. Some couples even add a poem or a short story about how they met. It’s your day—feel free to get creative.

Oh, and speaking of personal? Lots of couples are going for wedding invitations with photos. A picture of you two smiling, hugging, laughing—it adds heart and makes your invites feel like a keepsake.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Don’t make these errors:

Spelling mistakes (check everything twice!)
Wrong date or address (triple-check it)
Forgetting RSVP details (people need to know how to respond)
Sending them too late (invitations should go out 6-8 weeks before the wedding)

And try not to overwhelm people. You might want to include every single detail, but too much info clutters the card. If there’s a lot to share—hotel blocks, directions, your wedding website—include a small card that points guests to where they can find all that online.

Design Tips: Looks Matter

What your invitation looks like tells people a lot. Paper type, colors, font—all of it plays a role.

Soft pastels and cursive fonts feel romantic. Bold colors and block letters are more modern. Try to match the invite design to your wedding theme. If your wedding is outdoors in the fall, maybe go with earthy tones and leafy designs. Having a glam indoor evening? Gold foil and elegant fonts could be your vibe.

Pick a layout that’s clean and easy to read. Don’t make your guests squint. And choose envelopes that match—or contrast in a cool way.

Don’t Forget Thank You Cards

This isn’t part of the invitation, but while you’re ordering paper goods, think ahead. You would like to have thank you cards after your big day, so it is wise to match the styling to your invites.

Wrapping It All Up

Writing wedding invitations and save the dates are about capturing a feeling. Your relationship. Your celebration. Your voice.

Keep it honest. Keep it clear. Make it feel like you.

Kick things off with save the dates; they should be brief, charming, and mailed well in advance. Then take your time with the invitations, making sure every detail feels right.

You don’t need to be a writer to make something beautiful. You just need to speak from the heart.

Remember, this is just one detail of your big day, so try not to stress. You’ve got this