Save the Date Wording (UK): What to Write, With 25+ Examples

A save the date is the shortest piece of wedding stationery you’ll ever write, and somehow the one couples overthink most. Good save the date wording does one job: it tells guests to keep a day free. Below you’ll find exactly what to put on a save the date, what to leave off, and more than 25 UK save the date wording examples, from classic to funny, destination weddings to evening guests. Copy the one that sounds like you and swap in your details.

What to put on a save the date

Every save the date needs four things. Anything more is optional.

1. Your names. First names are fine; save full names for the invitation.
2. The date. Include the day of the week if it’s helpful, especially for a Friday or Sunday wedding.
3. Where. The town or region at least, or the venue name if it’s booked.
4. “Formal invitation to follow” (or a relaxed version), so guests know more is coming and don’t book anything yet.

A wedding website address is a useful fifth line, particularly for destination weddings or anyone travelling a long way, because it lets guests start looking at accommodation.

What to leave off a save the date

Do you put the venue on a save the date?

Only if it’s booked and paid for. If it is, the venue name and town is perfect: “The Ashes Barns, Staffordshire”. If you’re still choosing, use the town, county or even the country: “Cheshire”, “the Cotswolds”, “Puglia, Italy”. That’s enough for guests to know whether they’ll need a hotel.

There’s no need for a full postcode on a save the date. It goes on the invitation, where guests will actually use it for directions.

Save the date wording examples

Here are our favourite save the date wording ideas, grouped by style. Every example works on a printed card, and most will fit on a postcard-sized design without crowding the illustration.

Classic save the date wording

Relaxed and modern save the date wording

Funny save the date wording

A little humour works brilliantly on save the dates, because the card is informal by nature. Keep the date and place clear, then have fun with the rest.

Save the date wording for a destination wedding

Guests need the most notice for weddings abroad, so give them the country, the town if you know it, and your website. Many couples also mention the length of the celebration so guests can plan holiday.

Evening save the date wording

Do you send save the dates to evening guests? You can, and it’s thoughtful if your wedding is on a busy summer Saturday. Just make it obvious that it’s for the evening, so nobody turns up for the ceremony.

Long engagement save the date wording

If your wedding is 18 months or more away, it helps to show the year clearly and keep the tone light, so guests know they’ve got plenty of time.

Save the date wording with or without the venue

Bank holiday and wedding weekend wording

Adults-only save the date wording

Most couples leave this until the invitation and let the envelope do the talking. If you have lots of guests with young children who will need to arrange childcare, a gentle line on the save the date gives them more time.

When the couple are hosting, or parents are

Ways to say “formal invitation to follow”

Who gets a save the date?

Send a save the date to everyone you are certain to invite, one per household. A save the date is a promise: once someone has one, they’ll expect an invitation, so leave off anyone you’re unsure about until your numbers are fixed.

• Day guests: yes, all of them.
• Evening guests: optional. Worth it for peak dates, or if they’re travelling; use “save the evening” wording.
• Plus-ones: only if you know who they are. Write both names on the envelope.
• Wedding party and close family: yes, even though they already know. They’ll want one for the fridge.

When to send save the dates

In the UK, send save the dates 9–12 months before the wedding, as soon as your date and venue are booked. For a destination wedding, aim for 12 months or more so guests can book flights and holiday. Our guide to when to send wedding invitations has a full month-by-month timeline, including when to post your invitations and set your RSVP date.

Do you need save the dates and invitations?

They do different jobs. A save the date is an early heads-up with just the date and place. The invitation is the formal request, with times, the full venue address, RSVP card and details card. You always need invitations; save the dates are optional.

Save the dates are worth sending for summer Saturdays, bank holiday weekends, December weddings, weddings abroad, or when lots of guests are travelling. For a small, local wedding less than six months away, you can skip them and send invitations a little earlier instead. Our wedding stationery checklist shows what else you’ll need and how many of each.

Should save the dates match your invitations?

They don’t have to, but it’s a lovely touch. When guests receive an invitation in the same design months later, they recognise it straight away, and your stationery feels like one considered set. If you choose your invitation design early, you can pick a save the date to coordinate with it, or ask us to adapt the colours and wording to match.

Checking your save the date before it’s printed

• Does the date match the day of the week? (Saturday 14th August 2027 is a Saturday.)
• Is the venue definitely booked, or should you just give the town?
• Have you spelled both names the way you want them on every piece of stationery?
• If you’ve added a website, does it work, and is it easy to type?
• Have you ordered enough for every household, plus a few spares?

Ready to send yours?

Our pink floral illustrated save the date is personalised with your names, date and any of the wording above (£1.99 each at the time of writing). Everything is designed and handmade in our UK studio, and you’ll see a digital proof before anything is printed. If you’d like your save the dates to match your invitations, browse our wedding invitations or order a sample pack to see the card and colours in person first.