save the date ideas: a save the date with an envelope, flowers, and a ribbon

Congratulations, you’ve picked a wedding date! Before you go too far down the rabbit hole that is wedding planning, you need to let your friends and family know when the big day is so they can mark their calendars. Giving your guests a heads up as far in advance as possible is crucial to making sure everyone has enough time to plan their schedules and share in your special day.

Save the date cards are generally more informal than the wedding invitation itself, but they do set the tone for your wedding. As a precursor to the actual invitation, choose a design that matches and complements your wedding theme. Whether you’re going for a casual beach vibe or want to customize the invite with an engagement photo, here are some unique save the date ideas to match your wedding.

Destination Wedding Save the Dates

Destination weddings are popular because they give your guests a chance to travel somewhere new. This can be anywhere from a beach resort in Mexico to a vineyard in Italy, but travel is a key component, and your save the date should highlight that. It’s also essential to send your save the dates for a destination wedding earlier than you would for a local wedding. Include luggage tags as part of the wedding invitation for a thoughtful and personalized touch.

Airmail Bunting Save the Date

Save the date ideas: the Airmail Bunting Save the Date design from Greenvelope

Credit: A Fresh Bunch

This announcement reminds your guests to save the date and book flights, and a simple, illustrated airplane immediately lets everyone know that this wedding involves travel. Even if you don’t have the exact wedding venue booked yet, mentioning the city your wedding is going to take place in will help everyone get to work on their travel arrangements.

Postmark Save the Date

Save the date ideas: the Postmark Save the Date design from Greenvelope

Credit: Little Words Design

If your wedding location is someplace special to you (maybe it’s where you met, got engaged, or had a great vacation as a couple), include a picture of you and your fiance at the location to create a custom save the date that’s uniquely yours. The postmark stamp is a fun touch to an otherwise classic save the date.

First Class Save the Date

Save the date ideas: the First Class Save the Date design from Greenvelope

Credit: Clementine Creative

You can fully embrace the travel theme with this luggage tag inspired save the date. By choosing an unusual shape that’s different from the standard square or rectangle, you set your save the date apart. The matching invitation is styled exactly like a boarding pass, down to the tear-away portion and the faux bar code. And, of course, your guests will be “flying” first class.

National Park Wedding Save the Dates

We have no shortage of gorgeous national parks, and if you’re lucky enough to have your wedding in one of these parks, the natural beauty will make a stunning backdrop for your wedding day. Choose a wedding save the date card that highlights the park and gives your guests a glimpse of what they can expect.

Sequoia Save the Date

Save the Date Ideas: the Sequoia Save the Date design from Greenvelope

Credit: National Park Foundation

The majestic redwoods of Sequoia National Park are captured in this illustrated save the date. The swirling text adds a level of formality to the rustic backdrop but doesn’t detract from the awe-inspiring sight of the Redwoods. The matching invitation follows the Redwood theme by featuring the ring of a giant sequoia.

Yellowstone Save the Date

Save the date ideas: the Yellowstone Save the Date design from Greenvelope

Credit: National Park Foundation

The full-bleed photo on this retro save the date features all of Yellowstone’s natural wonders. The bold, gold foil typography makes the name of the park pop, and the distressed quality of the image adds to the vintage vibe. Our favorite feature is the authentic map that lines the inside of the envelope, and it’s small details like this that will make your save the date extra special. The envelope liner continues to be a focus when it comes to the wedding invitation, which features a vintage painted landscape.

Indian Wedding Save the Dates

Multicultural weddings are on the rise, and the key is finding a unique save the date that blends both cultures, customs, and styles into one wedding invitation. If you’re having an Indian wedding, you know that vibrant colors, decadence, and tradition are par for the course, so be bold in your choice for a save the date. The save the date template can also be used as an invite to the other events that typically take place at an Indian wedding, like the henna painting ceremony.

Rangeela Save the Date

Save the date ideas: the Rangeela Save the Date design from Greenvelope

Credit: Kiss by Kohl

This kitschy design featuring peacocks and hearts is the perfect blend of tradition and whimsy for the couple that wants to have a bit of fun. Incorporating traditional design elements in a more offbeat way makes this save the date a good fit for a modern, Indian wedding. The matching wedding invitation takes things to a whole new level with an explosion of peacock feathers.

Marigold Garland Save the Date

Save the date ideas: the Marigold Garland Save the Date design from Greenvelope

Credit: PrettyMeJoy

Marigolds are commonly used as part of the decor in Indian weddings, and a big part of the appeal is the bright orange and yellow hues. This understated yet elegant save the date uses traditional marigold motifs in a contemporary way. You have the option to customize the colors of the flowers, but we love the idea of sticking with the classic colors as a nod to a centuries-old wedding tradition.

Beach Wedding Save the Dates

Some people dream of formal, grand affairs for their weddings, while others want nothing more than to get married on a beach with the waves crashing behind them and the sand in their toes. Beach weddings are all about being casual and intimate, and you want a save the date that reflects that. Choose invites with tropical leaves, seashells, and, of course, ocean waves.

Monterey Bay Save the Date

Save the date ideas: the Monterey Bay Save the Date design from Greenvelope

Credit: Raven Erebus

This sea creature-themed invite isn’t for everyone, but the quirky hand-drawn octopus is a fun way for you to announce your beachside nuptials. It lets everyone know that this wedding is going to be as fun and unique as you are. This would work especially well if you’re planning to have the reception in an aquarium.

By the Seaside Save the Date

Save the date ideas: the By the Seaside Save the Date design from Greenvelope

Credit: Raven Erebus

Simple and understated, this save the date has definite ocean vibes without being too obvious about it. The pastel pinks and blues are soothing, and we love the simple text that states that the couple will be wed by the seaside. Is there anything more romantic than that?

Set the Tone with Your Save the Dates

Save the date cards will help you make sure that everyone you want at your wedding will be there. If you’ve already set up your wedding website, the save the date is also a good time to mention it so guests can bookmark the page and stay up to date with all the logistics, RSVP info, and wedding details. Sending an extra card in addition to your wedding invitation doesn’t have to be a source of added stress though — once you find a wedding invitation design you like, you can easily choose an accompanying save the date to go along with it.