How to Create and Send Destination Wedding Save the Dates

Timing is everything when it comes to sending save the dates. After all, this is the first time guests will learn about your actual wedding date — unless you’ve already gushed to them over the phone about it! And, since it’s a destination wedding where people will have to book travel and hotel rooms to attend, you’ll need to send them a bit sooner than normal.

Read on to learn how to create and send save the date cards for destination weddings. You’ll find tips on timing, design, and how to make the announcement eye-catching. Plus, we’ve included some of our favorite save the date designs for weddings in all kinds of destinations, from a tropical paradise to a mountain top.

When to Send Save the Dates for a Destination Wedding

Wondering when to send save the dates? For a destination wedding, you should send the invite 12 months before the special day if possible. That way, guests have plenty of time to make arrangements like booking your hotel room block, buying plane tickets, and planning for childcare. 

If you are tying the knot in less than a year, you should send the save the dates to guests at least six to eight months before. This is especially important with international weddings since guests may need to apply for a passport, submit information for a visa, and book flights. If you’re crunched for time, consider digital invitations which arrive instantly in your guest’s email inboxes.

What to Include in Your Destination Wedding Save the Date

The purpose of your save the date is to let guests know where and when they should attend. For destination weddings, these are especially important since guests will need more time and information in order to attend.

Here’s what to include on your destination wedding save the dates:

• Your full names
• The date of your wedding day
• The wedding destination (city, state, and country at a minimum if you don’t already know the exact venue)
• Your wedding website (include information for travel tips, hotel details, and a general schedule for the event)
• A note that official wedding invitations and RSVP cards are to follow

If you’re planning the destination wedding of your dreams, you may also want to have some fun with it. That means crafting clever wording to highlight the locale you’ve chosen or to match your wedding theme. 

Here are some destination save the date ideas for wording:

• We’re celebrating our big day on the Big Island and we would be overjoyed if you could join. The wedding ceremony will take place at the Mauna Lani Resort on August 17. Please see our wedding website for travel details and more information. A formal invitation is soon to follow.
• You’re cordially invited to celebrate the culmination of our love story at our nuptials in a 17th-century castle in Provence, France on July 27. Invitation with travel details to follow.
• Our souls have roamed the earth, waiting to find each other. Now that we have, we want to make things official with a wedding in our favorite destination: Bali. Please visit our wedding website for more details on travel arrangements and the schedule.
• Life’s a great adventure and we’re on the biggest one yet. Come bear witness as we ski down the aisle at our destination wedding in the Colorado mountains on February 19. 

10 Gorgeous Destination Wedding Save the Dates

With Greenvelope, you can create bespoke save the dates that capture the essence of the destination. Whether you’re tying the knot in a tropical locale like Hawaii or the Caribbean or saying “I do” in the mountains of Europe, there’s a design to suit your style. 

Each one is customizable so you can adjust the color palette to match your wedding colors and update the typography to reflect the formality of your nuptials. You can even upload your very own designs for a truly unique wedding day announcement. 

Here are some of our favorite destination wedding save the dates to inspire you.

1. Flores Mexicanas Save the Date

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Ideal for a destination wedding in Mexico, this colorful invite sets the scene for a vibrant wedding celebration. The festive save the date features Mexican flowers in several hues and a large photo slot so the happy couple can take center stage.

2. First Class Save the Date

Design: Carmia Jordaan

If you’re planning a travel-themed wedding, this paper luggage tag save the date is the perfect design. The fun design features a clever layout where you can add the wedding date, location, and your names just like they’d appear on a baggage tag. The wedding stationery suite includes a destination wedding invitation that looks just like a boarding pass and a matching thank you card to complete the look.

3. Mt. Rainier Save the Date

Design: National Park Foundation

If your nuptials will take place in a national park like Mt. Rainier or a mountain environment, choose this peak-inspired save the date. Rose gold foil accents on the card and in the envelope liner add a touch of elegance. The supported backside has plenty of room for the event details including the location, date, and travel plans for guests.

4. Sorrento Tile Save the Date

Design: Signature Greenvelope

This whimsical save the date is perfect for couples who want to tie the knot in Italy. The airy design comes in five color palettes including green, blue, gray, and pink to easily match your wedding decor. A matching invitation and thank you note make it easy to create a cohesive wedding stationery suite.

Pair it with destination wedding ideas like asking guests to dress to match the local style. You can also use famous Italian tiles for inspiration in other aspects of your ceremony like signage and place cards to build up your destination theme.

5. Desert Beauty Save the Date

Design: Merimoi Press

Trading vows with a stunning desert as your backdrop? Use this magical destination wedding save the date to let guests know about the big day. The design features a hand-illustrated cactus and subdued color pallet that’s perfect for modern and rustic love affairs.

6. Baroque Shield Save the Date

Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery

Invite guests to join you on a romantic getaway as you say I do in France with this vintage save the date card. The card draws inspiration from antique mirrors and features a baroque shield displaying your wedding date. Upload a photo of the French castle you’re getting hitched in or a snap of you and your partner to share the happy news.

7. Palm Tree Save the Date

Design: Erika Firm

Guests are sure to say yes to this tropical save the date. A gold foil palm tree up top is flanked by your initials and a picture from your engagement photo shoot fills guests’ screens when they open the card. Palm frond detailing on the envelope liner adds a breezy vibe to any beach destination wedding.

8. Birds of Paradise Save the Date

Design: Manu Torres

Whether you’re tying the knot in an exotic garden in South America, the countryside in Southeast Asia, or a tea garden in Portugal, this birds of paradise save the date is a perfect choice. Vibrant colors and bold font instantly grab your attention and the matching invite and thank you note round out the themed design.

9. Ala Kahaki Save the Date

Design: National Park Foundation

Planning a Maui destination wedding where you’ll exchange vows on the shores of Hawaii? This shimmering watercolor invite features golden rays of light at sunset illuminating mountainous cliffs. It’s a dreamy design for couples that love nature and want to plan a beach wedding.

10. Charcoal Vineyard Save the Date

Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery

This vineyard invite is ideal for couples who are tying the knot in wine country, whether the ceremony is planned in Napa Valley, Shenandoah Valley, or a wine region abroad. To align with proper save the date etiquette, send the cards out 12 months in advance when possible or at least six to eight months before the big day.

Send Stunning Wedding Stationery

When it comes to digital stationery, Greenvelope makes it easy for couples to send out everything from save the dates to destination wedding invitations. Browse our collection of designs suited for all destinations and choose one that matches your location or style. Spend a few minutes customizing the stationery, upload your contacts, and hit send to deliver it to your guests — and move on to the next item on your to-do list.

For more wedding planning help, continue browsing our Stationers blog where you’ll find everything from destination wedding ideas, decor inspiration, and practical planning tips.