Wedding Invitation News, Etiquette & Planning Blog » save the date

Engagement Photo Props

Katie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:22:44 +0000

I love the rustic charm of this elegant photo shoot from Photorange Photography. Kylee and Austin used simple props to transform the shoot from cute and sweet to chic and charming as well.

I absolutely adore the chalkboard “Love” sign and think it would be the perfect motif for a multi-photo save the date card like this one from Wedding Paper Divas:

Did you use any fun props in your engagement photos? What are your favorite ideas for props?

Creative Save the Date Ideas

Lea — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:05:09 +0000

Some of my friends have expressed to me that they find the pressure of creating the perfect save the date cards can be too much early on in the wedding planning. When this comes up, I always suggest that they use their engagement photo shoot as an opportunity to work with their photographer to come up with some unique shots that can be the centerpiece of the save the date. After all, this makes the session a lot more fun and it gives you the opportunity to test out your photographer’s creativity before the big day.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for a fun save the date, here are some great photos that we found on the web and added into some of our favorite save the date designs. Also, be sure to use the code SAVE15 on any save the date order over $99 before 10/12/09 to receive 15% off at Wedding Paper Divas.

Photo from Abdiel Faith

Photo from Erica May

Photo from Brooklyn Bride

Photo from Stephanie Williams

Photo from Creative Envy

New! Sweet Save the Date Cards

Katie — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:30:01 +0000

We love photo save the date cards. We love everything about them, from the chance to get all dolled up for a photo shoot to the lasting memories you create by placing your favorite snapshots into a sweet, modern design.

We particularly love the chance to bring you some fresh ideas for your save the dates by adding new designs to our collection each week! If you’re ready to set the date, check out some of our latest additions below:

Big City Destination Weddings

Lea — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:47:01 +0000

Wedding Paper Divas recently launched a line of destination save the date cards that focus on major metropolitan areas. These are a great idea if your planning with have a big city wedding with lots of out of town guests. Check out some of my favorite designs below:

From L to R: Image from Art Posters International, London Ferris Wheel; Ferris Wheel Save the Date; Chicago Theater Save the Date; Chicago Skyline

From L to R: Golden Gate Bridge; Golden Gate Save the Date; Lady Liberty Save the Date; New York Skyline

For more ideas on planning the perfect big city wedding, check out this Urban Wedding Inspiration Board.

Unique Ways To Do Your Save The Date Announcements

Contributors — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:08:39 +0000

Get creative with your Save the Date cards! If you’ve decided to send a photo save the date announcement, have fun with it. Whether you hire a professional photographer or decide to have a friend take your photo, here are some unique ways to send your save the dates.

1. Great for Save the Dates or Thank You cards, this photo just requires two plain t-shirts and stick-on vinyl lettering which you can get everywhere from Office Depot to various online stores. (MarthaStewart.com)

2. Another idea is to have your photo taken during certain holidays. Dress up in costumes as a bride and a groom, or dress up your pets (costumes from Buycostumes.com) for a funny and certainly unique Save the Date Card.

3. If you are lucky enough to have your proposal on film, use it in your save the date cards as a creative way to introduce friends and family to your engagement and your upcoming wedding.

Here are a few unique cards to ask that your guests save the date!

Picture Perfect Save the Date Cards

Katie — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:08:12 +0000

Save the date cards are your first chance to let the world know that you are getting married. They offer a sneak peek of the soon-to-be newlyweds’ style, set the tone for your entire wedding celebration and provide friends and family with important information regarding your big day. They should be joyous, stylish and seemingly effortless. One of the best ways to achieve this blend of sophistication and fun is with a photo save the date card.

To make sure that you pick the picture perfect save the date card to land that all-important spot in the middle of the refrigerator, follow these simple steps:

1. Use a plain background. Backgrounds that are too busy tend to lose focus. Instead of choosing a photo set in front of hundreds of people at a concert, for instance, take one on an empty beach or in front of a grassy lawn.

2. Maximize your lighting. Use your flash even when taking pictures outdoors to minimize shadows and give both of you a healthy glow.

3. Dress the part. Wear coordinating, but not necessarily matching, colors. Often black and white come out the best, as in the examples below. Also, if you plan to make your photo black and white, wear a shade that contrasts with your hair–blondes really shine against brown or black, while brunettes look amazing in white.

4. Get a genuine smile. Some of the most spectacular photo cards come from intimate moments captured on film. For the best Save the Date photo, start talking to your soon-to-be spouse during the shoot, sharing inside jokes and fond memories so you can capture a genuine moment to share with friends and relatives.

Save the Date Cards – Picking the Right Design

Lea — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:47:39 +0000

Many brides wonder whether or not they should send save the date cards. While they are not absolutely necessary they are a great way to announce your engagement to friends and family. They are also especially important when you are planning a wedding that falls on a holiday weekend or is considered a “destination” for most of your guests. So, while not required they are a nice touch!

Often sent 4-5 months before your event, save the dates are also the first piece of stationery being sent to your guests. So, your card can really help set the tone for your event. When picking your save the date card, think about the theme that would best reflect your wedding:

Cultural Wedding

On/Near the Ocean

Traditional & Romantic

Modern & Contemporary (this also works for those of you who are undecided)

It’s finally here…

Contributors — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:17:32 +0000

I have to honestly say this whole wedding business at the beginning felt so overwhelming! There were decisions to be made that prior to being engaged I didn’t know ever existed such as my wedding colors, what kind of flowers I liked, or how many buttons my fiancé’s tuxedo should have. I guess these are the details that you don’t usually see as a guest. When everything comes together on that big day, all you notice is the anticipated looks, smiling faces, and teary eyes. But all of this wedding planning may have stirred up a little anxiety in me. Just the other night I woke up in a cold sweat. I had a nightmare that everything that could go wrong with my wedding did! I kept asking people in my dream if I could do it over. Well thank goodness I woke up! And I woke up to happy thoughts and the sound of my doorbell ringing with a little present for me on my doorstep. I got my wedding save the dates! Somehow getting them makes the wedding seem so much more real and I’m actually back on track, happily looking forward to my wedding day. It even got my fiancé in the mood. He actually began desperately calling friends and family for their addresses. I was so proud! I didn’t even have to ask.

Save The Date Card Etiquette

Contributors — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:26:48 +0000

Save the Date cards are announcements viewed as a preliminary invitation to your wedding. They should be sent at least 4-6 months before your wedding day and at least 2 months before your wedding invitations. Save the Dates aren’t formal or even a necessity so feel free to personalize them creatively. They’re important primarily if many of your friends and family need to travel to your wedding, if your wedding date falls on or near a holiday or if your wedding location is seasonally busy or a popular vacation destination.

Ideally, sending Save the Date cards 9-12 months in advance is recommended if your wedding falls into any of these categories.Save the Dates provide your guests with ample time to request days off from work, to make travel arrangements and to organize babysitters or house sitters. With proper notice, your guests will be able to make your special day an extended special vacation. A thoughtful gesture is to provide them with additional information to help facilitate their travel, about local special events and points of interest and any group discounts available. Your guests will appreciate the advance notice of a Save the Date card as well as cherish it as a unique keepsake of your unforgettable event.

Save the date

Contributors — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:53:10 +0000

So I finally decided it was time, time to choose the all-important save the dates! Since the majority of my friends and family are coming from overseas, deciding to include these cards was a necessity. Not only is it fun to send out early announcements of your wedding but it is also out of common courtesy. Your guests will need the extra time to make flight and hotel arrangements and take off from work. I know because as soon as I got engaged my family was eager to know all the details of my wedding. The sooner you can get those out, the better! This will increase the chances that the people you love will be able to join you on your wedding day.

Wedding Paper Divas has a lot of chic choices to pick from. After perusing the site for several days, I finally decided to choose a photo card. This is a great way to make use of any engagement photos you have and add personality to your save the date cards. There were so many out there to choose from, some with juicy colors great for summer like the Canna photo cards and others with perfect nature scenes great for spring such as the new Little Bird Save the Dates.

Canna

Little Bird

But I finally selected a simple card that perfectly suits my fiancé and I am completely happy with my choice. I was a little indecisive at first. But who could blame me with all the great new designs? After a lot of flip flopping though, I finally made my decision. Can you keep a secret? Guess which one I chose? I couldn’t resist the new Wild Grass photo save the date cards in Sage.

Wild Grass