25 Classic Save-the-Date Ideas

Set the tone of your traditional wedding from the start. These timeless examples are the perfect way to do just that.

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Your save-the-dates are the first official wedding-related item your guests will see. In turn, you'll want to use them to convey your celebration's theme and prepare everybody for what's to come. While we've come across our fair share of unique, modern cards, we also understand the allure of classic paper goods—especially if you intend your event to feature classic details, too. Moreover, we know the word "classic" definitely isn't synonymous with the word "boring." These timeless wedding save-the-dates prove that.

Whether they feature elegant fonts, tried-and-true formats, or color combinations that will never go out of style, the following save-the-date ideas are all entirely faithful to tradition. Simultaneously though, they include fresh and unique design elements—like we said, classic doesn't have to mean boring. They also range from full-on fancy to slightly rustic, because any sort of wedding style can be personified by traditional paper goods if you play your cards right. Consider this first example: a refined white save-the-date in a bright envelope, which was created by Lettered Olive. The text and layout were very standard and befitting of a formal event. Meanwhile, the emerald envelope shade was surprising but still classic. Replicate the idea by commissioning simple cards for your own affair and pairing them with bold-but-timeless colors like green, red, or blue.

For more pretty and creative ways to send out classic wedding save-the-dates, keep clicking through our slideshow of inspiration. These stationery ideas may nod to the past, but they're definitely not stuck there.

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Metallic Save-the-Date

Brklyn View Photography

See More Metallic Wedding Stationery

Make your save-the-date shine with metallic details, as seen on this shimmering Jenna Stempel-Lobell card.

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Calligraphed Save-the-Dates

KT Merry

Get More Wedding Calligraphy Ideas

Opt for something that feels personalized, like these Plume Calligraphy save-the-dates, which resembled handwritten letters.

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Save-the-Date with Navy Text

Anagram Photo

Navy is a classic text color. It looked elegant on this couple's Fine Print Stationery save-the-date.

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Deckle-Edge Save-the-Date

Gianluca Adovasio

See More Deckle-Edged Wedding Stationery

Achieve an Old-World feel by using deckle-edge paper, which appeared on this Seniman Calligraphy save-the-date.

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Wreathed Save-the-Date

Lacie Hansen Photography

Foliage illustrations—like the green wreath wrapped around this Brown Linen save-the-date's text—are always beautiful.

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Simple Save-the-Dates

Edward Winter / READYLUCK

Even the simplest of details can get your theme across. The bride conveyed this wedding's nautical vibe by designing save-the-dates in blue and white.

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Monogram Save-the-Date

Aaron Delesie

Get More Monogram Wedding Ideas

Spruce up a formal save-the-date with a custom monogram. Connor created this couple's.

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Basic Save-the-Date

Alba Rose Photography

Supplement minimalistic text with a standout border. How pretty did one look on this Seeds Paperie save-the-date?

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Bilingual Save-the-Date

Mary Claire Photography

See More Destination Wedding Stationery

Represent your venue abroad by writing your save-the-date two ways: in English and in the language of your destination. That's what this couple, who worked with Ink & Press Co., did.

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Shapely Save-the-Date

Nichols Photographers

Give your save-the-dates an edge by cutting them out in a unique shape, like this example.

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Classy Save-the-Date

Elizabeth Fogarty Photography

An elegant font always looks elevated. Take this Shine Wedding Invitations example.

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Square Save-the-Date

Virgil Bunao

Tie your classic save-the-date up with ribbon that's just as refined, like Studio R did for this square card.

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Contrasting Save-the-Date

Sposto Photography

Love white, but don't want your save-the-date to blend in with the rest of your stationery suite? Pick two different shades. This Minted invite was stark white, while the save-the-date was off-white.