Anyone skipping Save the Dates?

CLTKate

What is recommended time line for sending out save the dates and invites?  I'm considering skipping the Save the Dates (more eco-friendly to skip) and sending only invitations.  Since we're having a destination wedding, guests need to plan far in advance.  Do you think it's okay to send invitations now?  10 months before the event?

ChickenOnSunday

I made a save the date using powerpoint. I then converted it to a jpg and sent it via email.

Cheap and good for the environment.

meredithl618

Save the Dates should be sent out anywhere from 6-10 months out from the wedding. If you don't want to send out STDs on paper, you should send out STD emails and link to your website where people can find out info and make plans.

I do not think you should send out invitations now. It is wayyy too early.  Plus, people will just lose the invitations or forget.  You can still send them out early, but it should be at maybe like 3 months (12 weeks to go).  The normal time frame is 10-8 weeks before the wedding.   

Also, another STD mailing alternative that is cute is to send out christmas cards that also have info about the wedding.  So, if you usually send out xmas cards, this could be a cute way to inform everyone of the wedding, and still be 5-6 months out. 

brokenhallelujah

I think an email save the date would be a good compromise. I think 10 months is a little early to send out a full invitation. I think even for destination weddings, 3 months in advance is around the norm. I think a save the date would be nice for your guests to begin making travel plans & making sure they can get time off from work, etc. before being formally invited.

I made my own save the dates and simply printed them on card stock & sent them out in smaller envelopes. Everyone loved them & told me they had them hanging on the fridge.

TinyTRex321

I am sending save the dates this week via email.  I thought about making my own ones and then having my fiance convert it to HTML but then just decided to buy one on etsy. For $15 it was worth it.  I used seller finelinestationary. We will email it to 95% of our guest and then will print and mail it to the older people who do not use email. The seller sent me the save the date in HTML and JPEG format. We included our wedding website on it so they can get the details there.

shigaites

Yep, I would do an email STD and send out a paper version to people who don't use email.  People are going to misplace the invites if you send them now.

pirategal03

In your situation, I agree with PPs, sending the invitations now is too soon.  Invitations should go out around 8 weeks before the wedding. 

E-mail or postcard save the dates would be more eco friendly than photo or magnet or ones in envelopes.  You could have them printed on recycled paper, or biodegradable paper with flower seeds embedded in it to be even more eco-conscious.

I do think that it's appropriate to let your guests know about the date now, but the actual invitation is not the way to do it. 

GirlieGirl27320

I only sent STD's to my WP.  I couldn't justify paying money to send them out to over 200 people when I was going to turn right around and send them an invite in a couple of months. 

CLTKate

Thanks for all of the wonderful suggestions!  The email option sounds perfect!  If I email them, I can design my own photo STDs.  I think I would prefer doing that so I can make them match our wedding invitations. 

Amber598

I got my STD's from vistaprint and just got them in the mail the other day and they turned out great!  I got 30 for only $10 and they come with white envelopes.  You can also search for any coupons for free shipping, etc.  I don't think you should spend a lot of money, but I do think you should inform your guests ahead of time when to expect a wedding