Weddings can get expensive quite quickly; when it’s your special day, it’s not surprising that you want the very best, but you don’t want to begin your life together by declaring bankruptcy! Between the wedding invitations, the caterers, and the dress, sometimes a wedding on a budget needs to have a few creative ideas thrown in that cost little to nothing at all. One of the ways you can save a little is to issue unique, homemade Save the Date reminders.
Save the Dates are usually sent out between four and six months before the actual wedding, if not before, as a reminder for your guests to block off that day on their calenders. The formal invitations usually follow several weeks later, which is the point at which guests can RSVP and get the full details of when and where the ceremony will take place. Save the Dates are especially important for destination weddings, since guests will need to book flights and secure their hotel reservations.
When planning on a budget, you can still send out immensely creative, beautiful save-the-date cards. One idea is to take a picture of the bride and groom-to-be and design a card online using software that can be purchased or found for free. A simple card, printed at home on mass-bought card stock, which says “We’re getting married on this date! Invitation to follow” will get the message to your guests for the cost of supplies and postage.
Another idea is to make a video announcing the date and post it on a video site such as YouTube; by emailing it to your guests (and marking the video as private so it can only be viewed by those to whom you send the link) you’ll provide a unique, fun reminder that is only a click away. Of course, there are also numerous websites which offer cheap wedding invitations and other announcement cards, and may be able to secure you a package deal. Whatever you choose, your family and friends will be delighted to hear that you’ve set a date!

