Save The Date Dilemmas

robynjdm

Hi guys.  I'm a longtime lurker, new poster.Two questions regarding STD's.  I am really having a Magnet Dilemma.  I like them; they seem handy, but I kinda sorta think they're tacky.  (sorry to anyone who's used/using them).   We have a LARGE circle.  We have a LARGE family... but the rest are friends and many work colleagues.  When I receive Save the Date Magnets from someone who is not in my "Close Family", I wonder "Do these people really think I want to look at them every time I open my refrigerator???".  In other words, although I really, really like them, I find them to be a little too self-centered (although shouldn't weddings BE that?---debating myself here).   WHat are your thoughts on them, etiquette-wise?  I do think my family would LOVE them but beyond that, I am very hesitant.The second dilemma is this:  With our date (summer wedding), and so many out of towners, we really should be sending out STD's out in Mid-December.  Do we1) Send and hope they dont get "lost" in people's Holiday Greeting mail2) Send a combo- STS/Holiday Greeting Card3) Wait till JanuaryThanks for all your input.

Mrs.B6302007

4) skip STDs completely

arbolita

I don't really have a strong opinion one way or the other on the magnets - I've only gotten them twice and they were from people who I was close with so I was excited to see them.  And typically if there's no save the date, I'll put the invitation on my fridge anyway to remind me.As far as when to send STDs, I'd wait until January because of how much mail people are going to get around the holidays

Mrs.B6302007

Oh, are you getting married over Memorial Day weekend?

laurenclaire1386

You can always send two sets of STD's.  Magnets for family, card or whatever for friends. 

ootmother2

I would probablly skip them

FutureMrsDudley55

Do you have a lot of OOT guests that you want to come? If not, then you don't need to do them really, esp. if you think they're tacky. I have a lot of OOT guests, but I didn't send them. I just told them when it was by word of mouth.

lpstl

Here's my thought on STDs, they are going to go on my fridge every single time. If they don't, they get lost or end up in the trash, and that just defeats the purpose.I did magnet STDs to make it easier on people to keep up with it. The responses were positive, but I also only sent them to close friends and family as opposed to the entire guestlist. I would send the STD separate from your holiday greeting cards. I wouldn't wait until January because you don't think your guests understand how to organize their mail. If they can't do that, there's little hope that they'll even hold on to the STD anyways.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Postcards are cheaper.You also don't have to send STDs to EVERYONE who is invited. Perhaps just OOT family and friends? People you are really close to? (Also, *hint* if you end up going way over budget, you can cut out people from your guest list whom you haven't sent STDs too.)I'd wait until January. They're kind of awkward in holiday cards, in my opinion.

robynjdm

Thanks for all the responses.  We have a ton of out of ton guests, therefore STD's of SOME SORT are necessary.  What I'm hearing so far is:JanuaryNo Magnets (you can't put them on Stainless Steel appliances anyway!)I would prefer to send them to everyone that we intend to invite.

carrieoz_76

Send your STD's in January.  You can send them 6-8 mos. beforehand, so you'll still be ok w/ Jan. I'm personally not in love with magnet STD's, esp. when they have ppl's pictures on them.  I like my fam, but I don't need their faces on my fridge for the next 8 mos.  Instead of a magnet, you could do a postcard STD and send it with a magnet, and they can decide what to do.We're going to do postcard STD's w/ a cool graphic, no pics of us, and no magnet.  If ppl want to put it on their fridge, great, but they'll have to find their own magnet.

squirrly

We did postcard STDs with magnets and stickers.  That way, those that wanted the magnet could use it, and those that didn't (or who are addicted to a paper calendar, like my mom) could put the stickers on their calendar.  Or, they could ditch both and keep the postcard.  Or whatever they want.  And - it was very affordable.  Info in my bio if that's helpful for you.

sudslover

I don't mind magnet STD's at all.  I put them on my stainless fridge with no problem.  Getting one in January is kinda nice because it's a slow month and it's not a bill!  ;-)

ThePinkSuperhero

I wouldn't do STDs to work colleagues.  Work situations change; you don't want to be tied into inviting all those people if you end up working somewhere else, or you lose touch with people, etc.

robynjdm

Thanks all!  Everyone's advice has been so helpful.And @ Pink... when I said work colleagues, I think our situation is a little different.  I am full time freelance journalist (therefore I am an office of 1) and he is a professional football player.  Our "work colleagues" are more people with whom we are in close contact with in both of our professional circles.  These people (agents, teammates, former teammates, coaches, editors & Producers who I've become very close with over the years etc), I consider "work colleagues" but they are very busy, they want to put our wedding on their schedules, and they live all over the country.