Planning a wedding is such an exciting season full of big moments, fun decisions, and also a lot of “wait… what are we supposed to do next?” If you’re just getting started, one of the very first things you’ll want to think about (after choosing your date!) is your save the dates.
And I get it... it might feel like just another item on your to-do list. But save the dates actually play a bigger role than most couples expect.
They’re the very first glimpse your guests get into your wedding day. It’s the moment they find out you’re getting married, when it’s happening, and that they should start making plans now. Especially if you’re planning a summer wedding, a holiday weekend, or you have guests traveling in, this little piece of mail makes a huge difference. It gives your people time to request off work, book travel, and make sure they can be there celebrating with you!
Think of it as your official “mark your calendar, we’re doing this!” moment!
The good news is, save the dates don’t need to be complicated. You really just need the essentials: your names, your wedding date, and the general location. You can include your wedding website if you have one, but this isn’t the place to overwhelm your guests with details. That will all come later with your formal invitations. This is just your way of giving everyone a heads-up and building a little excitement.
And if you’re anything like most of my couples (laid-back, fun, and wanting your day to actually feel like you) this is such a great opportunity to show off your personality right from the start.
Save the dates don’t have to be the standard card (unless you want them to be). You can have so much fun with this! I’ve seen couples create retro-style postcards that feel like a little piece of vacation mail, magnets that live on the fridge and don’t get lost in the shuffle, or ticket-style designs that make your wedding feel like the event of the year. Some couples go even more interactive with puzzles or scratch-off cards so their guests get a fun little experience just opening it.
It doesn’t have to be over-the-top but it can be creative, memorable, and completely you. This is also exactly why I include engagement sessions in all of my wedding packages. Because your save the dates become so much more meaningful when they include photos that actually reflect your relationship.
Your engagement session isn’t just about getting “nice photos.” It’s a chance for us to spend time together before your wedding day, for you to get comfortable in front of the camera, and for everything to feel easy and natural when your wedding finally arrives. Instead of wondering what to do with your hands or feeling awkward, you’ll already know what to expect and that confidence shows up in your photos in the best way.
And as a bonus, you walk away with images that are perfect for your save the dates.
Not stiff, posed photos but the kind where you’re laughing, moving, maybe being a little goofy, and just genuinely enjoying each other. Whether you’re walking through your favorite park, bringing your dog along, or just leaning into those candid, in-between moments, your photos end up feeling like you.
That’s what makes your save the date stand out! Your guests aren’t just seeing a date on a card, they’re getting a little preview of your story, your energy, and what your wedding day is going to feel like.
At the end of the day, your save the date doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to feel true to you as a couple. Something that makes your guests smile when they open it and gets them excited for everything that’s to come.
And if you’re in that early planning stage and want photos that feel fun, relaxed, and completely natural—I’d love to be part of that. Because the best wedding days? They start with connection. And that begins long before you ever walk down the aisle!
Check out some highlights from this couple's wedding day...
