Martha Stewart Weddings

22 Creative Save-the-Dates to Kick Off Your Wedding

By Sarah Schreiber
July 27, 2011
Credit: Christina Holmes

These inspired notes will have everyone marking their calendars.

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Credit: Allen Tsai Photography

Save-the-dates are a lot like first impressions. In fact, that's exactly what they are—your guests' first introduction to the style, theme, and overall vibe of your big day. It's important, then, to send out notes that feel true to who you are as a couple and relevant enough to the big day itself (even if you don't have all the details worked out yet!).

Enter the following ultra-creative save-the-dates from real weddings. Some are bold, others are refined, but all are incredibly inspired. From illustrations of the couple and acrylic slabs to flip books and paper dolls (yep!), these pretty paper goods prove that there are so many ways to ask your wedding's attendees to make room for your celebration on their schedules—and that the best save-the-dates often go above and beyond traditional paper stock. 

Since these notes also function as a way to let people know you're tying the knot, it's just as fun to make them all about you. Send your wedding date (or weekend!) details on a Polaroid photo of you and your love, or enlist the help of an illustrator to generate pretty watercolor portraits. However you decide to ask your friends and family to pencil in your wedding date, the following examples will have your guests super-excited to see the full invitation, and just as ready for the big day.

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Viewfinder

Credit: Bryan Gardner

To get guests excited about traveling to Minnesota for their wedding, the couple put together a viewfinder reel of the state's best sights. On each slide was a line or two of text, which conveyed details about the proposal and general event info.

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Acrylic

Credit: Kelsea Holder

Lovelyfest created these lucite slabs, featuring rose gold-lettering and a quirky trailer graphic.

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Animal Caricatures

Credit: Hannah Hudson Photography

This duo scrapped life-like portraits and went for something a little more animalistic instead. They enlisted the help of an illustrator for the stag and fox designs.

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Retro Graphic

Credit: Keepsake Memories Photography
Here's What to Wear to Your Engagement Photo Sessions

Retro-inspired save-the-dates, designed by Orange81, invited guests to save the weekend for their nature-inspired nuptials.

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Destination-Themed

Credit: Amber Vickery Photography
Destination-Themed Save-the-Dates You'll Love

A palm-leaf printed card was the perfect backdrop for a destination wedding's save-the-date.

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Ornate Map

Credit: Kina Wicks

An artist sketched a map of the couple's alma mater (Princeton), featuring all of their favorite places and landmarks. They also included two important spots—where they met, and where they'd be tying the knot.

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Dyed Fabrics

Credit: ali + julie

These two wrapped their boxed save-the-dates in shibori fabrics and printed belly bands with dip-dyed edges, and sent them out with stamps by the Mexican artist, Martín Ramirez. Some guests fashioned the fabric into bow ties and pocket squares for the big day.

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Minimalist Photo

Credit: Erin McCall

The bride designed all of her paper goods, which included a sweet and simple "Save Our Date" and a similarly-styled invitation. A peachy-pink envelope added a punchy pop.

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Little Airplane

Credit: Larissa Cleveland Photography
Even More Super-Unique Save the Dates

Since the groom was in the Air Force, this couple decided to use small wooden airplanes as their save-the-dates.

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Garland

Credit: Greatest Story Creative

This bride enlisted the help of Brett & Jessica Photography to help her create this garland, which featured photos of the couple and their wedding venue, and the date of their nuptials.

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Watercolor

Credit: Shannon Collins
Love Watercolor? Check Out These Artistic Wedding Ideas

For her save the date, this super-cool bride drew portraits of her and her future husband, dressed in their absolute best.

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Egyptian Roots

Credit: Christina Zen

The true star of this note, crafted by Gubba Gumma, wasn't the unusually shaped paper, but the intricate, Egyptian-inspired envelope liner, complete with hieroglyphics. 

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Paper Dolls

Credit: Shannon Eileen

This creative bride photoshopped her and her future husband's heads onto vintage paper dolls, and printed them on reusable adhesive fabric (so guests could peel off the dolls and stick them anywhere they wanted).

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Engagement Photo

Credit: Melissa Jill Photography

This duo put their engagement photos to use by featuring one of their favorites on their save-the-date.

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Pantone Chips

Credit: Emily Steffen
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The bride stamped out the couple's names, wedding date, and venue on Pantone color chips she snagged from a local hardware store.

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Woodsy

Credit: Aaron and Jillian Photography

Wedding Paper Divas designed these wood-effect paper goods, complete with minimal and clean lettering.

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Geode

Credit: Bia Sampaio
Even More Modern Save-the-Dates for a Contemporary Celebration

Moody blues and a geode-inspired illustration made these Minted save-the-dates decidedly modern.

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Pencil Us In

Credit: Smitten on Paper

We loved this literal save-the-date, inviting guests to actually "pencil in" the couple's nuptials.

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Viewfinder and Flip Book

Credit: Shannen Natasha Weddings

What's more nostalgic than a viewfinder? This couple sent their guests the below plastic toy—plus a flip book!—as a creative save-the-date.

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Fancy Footwork Save-the-Date

Credit: Christina Holmes
Make This Fancy Footwork Save-the-Date

Partygoers will be a step ahead thanks to announcements showcasing dance-step basics. Tease a 1930s-style affair with a fox-trot how-to (pictured here), or offer instructions for the cha-cha, salsa, or waltz.

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Spinning Puzzle Save-the-Date

Credit: Bryan Gardner
Make This Spinning Puzzle Save-the-Date

Take your guests for a spin with this dizzyingly awesome wedding save-the-date that spells out your news when the circles are lined up. 

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Cube Save-The-Date

Credit: Bryan Gardner

A cube on the outside, a hexagonal personal note on the inside: There's no question that these save-the-dates will stand out among the rest. Oh, and did we mention they're super easy to make? Download our template and follow the simple how-to here.

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