Save-the-Dates have become almost an obligatory part of the wedding planning process. Shortly after one’s engagement, as key details of the wedding have come together, a bride and groom send word of their wedding and ask guests to mark their calendars. I generally encourage brides to keep the Save-the-Date consistent with the rest of the wedding stationery, as it is the first impression and taste guests will have of their event and it helps to set the tone for the wedding.
Recently, I have found that more and more brides are turning to electronic Save-the-Dates — something I used to cringe at. E-Save-the-Dates make sense for many brides for a lot of reasons:
E-Save-the-Dates can point guests seamlessly to your wedding website, if you have one.
They are a green alternative to mailing out paper Save-the-Dates.
If you are pressed for time, you can prepare and send out E-Save-the-Dates relatively quickly.
It saves on postage — particularly if you have a lot of international guests — and is more economical all-around.
It allows guests to more readily reach out to you with congratulations or questions.
New E-Save-the-Date companies are a radical departure in quality and aesthetics from E-vite and what we are used to seeing with respect to electronic invitations.
I am still an old-fashioned gal when it comes to wedding stationery and almost always prefer to send out paper Save-the-Dates, but with this laundry list of pros for the electronic version, I might be convinced that it could be appropriate in certain circumstances.
If you are doing an E-Save-the-Date for your wedding, PLEASE, PLEASE do not use E-vite. The ad-laden, clunky, outdated site is not the first impression you want to give your guests. Further, there are so many competitors to E-vite now — many with more modern template options and user-friendly features — that it is worth going with one of them over ubiquitous E-vite.
Two of my favorite E-invitation sites are Paperless Post and Cocodot. Both offer a great selection of modern, cleanly-designed options and are sure to impress guests as they click to open them given their significant departure to what they are used to seeing with E-vite.
Classic Save-the-Date from Paperless Post
Other alternatives for E-Save-the-Dates (some are definitely better than others…) are Socializr, anyvite, pingg, Purple Trail, and mypunchbowl. Yes, some of these sites charge, but in comparison to what you would spend on paper Save-the-Dates, it is worth it. Even if you don’t use these sites for your wedding Save-the-Dates, you may want to keep them in mind for invitations to informal parties you might be hosting.
Mark your calendar to check out some of these E-Save-the-Date sources!
I came across these playful, fun invitations by Checkerboard today. How fun would these be for a SuperBowl party? I love how the invitation comes complete with an origami football, football field, and bright yellow upright — getting folks in the competitive spirit even before the Big Game!
I am totally crushing on the letterpress invitations and other stationery offered by Linda & Harriett, a Brooklyn-based custom letterpress house. Don’t you just love this wedding invitation?
crescendo invitation suite from Linda & Harriett
And this one?
handwriting invitation suite from Linda & Harriett
And this one?
heirloom invitation suite from Linda & Harriett
You get the idea! The designs are crisp, clever, and thoughtful, right down to the envelope liners. The rest of their work is equally impressive. What about this Save the Date that mimics a Ben & Jerry’s lid? Adorable!
Save the Date from Linda & Harriett
And this paper doll-themed birth announcement is equally charming.
paper doll baby announcement from Linda & Harriett
Just in time for the holidays, Linda & Harriett is offering some adorable holiday gift tags and other items.
moose tags from Linda & Harriett
2010 Calendar from Linda & Harriett
There’s nothing better than amazing letterpress — and these ladies have it down pat! What talent!
This morning I played golf with some friends and was reminded of how much I miss playing. I was also reminded of how few women I see when I am out on the course or at the driving range. My friends and I felt a little like a rare species being watched at a zoo… Thirty-something women on the golf course? Not partnered with men? They didn’t know what to do with us.
I am not a great golfer, but despite its challenges and frustrations, there is no sport I enjoy playing more. And I wish more of my girlfriends would join me on the links. Come to think of it, I think a golf outing would make for a fabulous party with the gals. Golf weekends… golf bachelorette parties… golf wedding showers. The possibilities are endless!
Thinking back, one of my all-time favorite parties was when my husband (boyfriend, then) threw a surprise golf birthday party for me — complete with adorable trophies for the longest drive and best putt. And while that party was co-ed, it would work just as easily with women only.
A golf party doesn’t have to mean 18 holes on a PGA course (though that would be fun!). You could:
Reserve spaces at a driving range;
Play nine holes at a local executive course; or
Arrange for a pro to give a group lesson
Whatever you organize, just make sure guests know you are out to have fun. Pair patient golfers with less-experienced ones, and don’t put too much emphasis on scoring (unless you want to!). Award prizes for traditional milestones like longest drive or putt, but also incorporate lighthearted awards like “Most Original Swing” or ”Biggest Shank.”
This invitation package would be a great way to pique friends’ interest in the gathering while providing all the details they need.
Golf-themed invitation
Oh, and wouldn’t these make great party gifts — especially if they were monogrammed?
A client reached out to me recently and shared that she is pregnant. We worked on her wedding together a year ago and I am so excited for her and her husband! They are a wonderful couple and I know their new family will be beautiful.
She and I brainstormed some fun baby shower ideas which reminded me of these gorgeous baby announcements and shower invitations I saw on Armato Design.
Armato Design and Press
Given how beautiful their pre-designed Baby Collection is (I am a particular fan of the “Playtime” design”), I can only imagine how pleased one would be with one of their custom designs.
