Save the Date Postcards – The Best Way to Announce Your Wedding in 2022?
In this article, I explore why postcard save-the-dates have become the preferred choice for many couples, along with some of my top picks for 2022.
The big day is set and it’s time to choose your save-the-dates! Choosing a striking design is one consideration, but give some thought to the format of save-the-date you want to send such as a classic 5″ x 7″ card, magnet, foil-pressed, letterpress, or a postcard.
Minted was our go-to online stationery store. And even though I’m married now, I get excited each new year to check out their latest collection of wedding stationery designs. When they asked us to write a sponsored post about their new collection of save-the-dates, I jumped at the chance. After all, I’d already been on their site, swooning over foil-pressed save-the-date designs and fresh postcards.
Let’s dive into why a postcard save-the-date is such a great option for your wedding announcement and some of the fantastic new designs recently released on Minted.com.
Guide to Save The Date Postcards
Choosing save-the-dates can be daunting for some couples. As a first teaser guests get about your wedding, you want them to be just right. From a purely practical standpoint, the save-the-date provides the essential information your guests need to calendar in your wedding and start making their travel plans. Beyond practicalities, however, the save-the-date is also your first chance to set the stage for what guests might expect from your wedding.
From this standpoint, it’s worth taking some time to consider whether you want to go with a standard save-the-date or change it up with a fun, stylish postcard. If you’re not sure whether a postcard the way forward, read on!
Should You Send a Postcard Save the Date?
Choosing a format for your save-the-date cards is one of many, many decisions you’ll make over the coming months. To help determine whether to send postcard save-the-dates, you’ll want to take the following into consideration:
They’re a Money Saver: Due to their smaller size (tyipcally 6″x 4.25′”), postcards tend to be the least expensive option available. They are cheaper than classic (7″ x 5″) and magnet options, which can translate into postage savings if you decide to send them without an envelope. In the US, the cost to send a postcard is almost 40% less than sending a standard letter. Depending on the number of guests you’re inviting, these savings could add up. Trust me, you’ll want to save lots of pennies when planning an entire wedding!
You Can Save on Paper. If you’re torn between going with a digital save-the-date and the traditional printed version because you’re eco-conscious, a postcard is a great middleground. Smaller in size and requiring no envelope, they’ll create less paper waste while still offering your guests a tangible reminder of your upcoming wedding.
Postcards Can Emphasize a Theme: Any final decision may well depend on the theme of your wedding. For example, a postcard save-the-date would be a great teaser for a destination wedding, or if you and your beau love to travel. It would be equally suitable for a vintage, whimsical, rustic, or semi-casual wedding.
Information To Include on a Postcard Save-the-Date
The purpose of the save-the-date is to make sure your guests have the key information necessary to make plans for your wedding. Remember, you’ll follow it up with a more detailed invitation, so keep it sweet and simple for now! Here’s the information you should include on your save the date postcard:
- Names of your and your spouse. If you wish to mention the parents’ names, the wedding invitation is the appropriate place to include them.
- The wedding date, including the year!
- The town/city and state where you’re getting married
Optional items to include:
- Wording to indicate a formal invitation will follow
- Your wedding website url
Helpful Tips for Save the Date Postcards
If you’re still reading, I suspect you’re convinced that a postcard save-the-date is the way to go. Here’s a few more things to keep in mind:
Envelope or no envelope: Yes, one of the perks of going with a postcard is that you save money on postage and cut down on wasted paper. That being said, if you’re worried they may get damaged in the mail, it’s worth considering envelopes. Personally, I like to think that any wear or tear on the postcard simply adds to its character. An alternative option is Minted’s petite format, which is the same size as a postcard, but has a different backer (not postcard style) and comes with an envelope.
Choose a photo that fits: Some of Minted’s postcard designs come in landscape orientation, while other come in portrait. If you have your heart set on personalizing your save-the-date with a certain photo, make sure you’re only looking at designs in the same orientation.
This brings me to another neat feature. You can text Minted the photo you want to use for your save the date, answer a few style questions and their design experts will send you a few suggested designs with your photo. What a great way to narrow down your search and find the best design for your photo!
Add a customised stamp: Give your postcard save-the-date an extra shot of personality with a customised stamp. I don’t know about you, but I always find myself taking an extra close look at postcard stamps, probably becuase they are often sent from faraway places. Your guests will love discovering that you’ve created a stamp just for the your big day!
Save The Date Postcard Picks
As I mentioned, Minted has a huge selection of save-the-date post card designs. Each design has been created by an independent artist or designer that belongs to the Minted community. That means that no matter what design you choose, you can feel good about supporting a creative and talented individual.
I’ve taken a dive into the newest collection of save-the-date postcards for 2022, as well as some that have stood the test of time. Check out some of my absolute favorite designs from their new collection:
1. Modern Save the Date Postcard
Keep it beautifully simple with this new save-the-date, where your photo is the focus. Fittingly called ‘The Announcement’, this design is well-suited to any wedding theme – just be sure to pick a photo that gives a hint of what to expect. For example, if it’s a destination wedding, use a photo of you and your beau at the chosen destination or, perhaps, with luggage in hand!
2. Playful Typographic Save-the-Date
This fun, fresh design conveys an easy-going and playful sentiment. While the front is all about the details and typrography, you can still include a photo of you and your spouse on the backer!
3. Hip Minimalist Save-the-Date
I love this minimalist postcard that juxtaposes the text vertically against the horizontal photo. This is definitely a great option for hip couples that want to keep it simple-yet-stylish with their save-the-dates!
4. Colorful Destination Save-the-Date
While this design isn’t from Minted’s collection, I think it’s stood the test of time very well. A postcard save-the-date is very befitting for a destination wedding and this Pack Your Bags design brilliantly combines a personal photo with colorful illustrative elements!
5. Rustic or Boho Save-the-Date
Calling all couples planning a boho or rustic-themed wedding! Minted has loads of designs to suit your chosen theme. I love the fun fonts and illustrative elements in this particular design.
Minted.com Save the Date Collection
An extensive collection of stunning wedding stationery that supports independent designers makes Minted a top choice for online stationery. In addition, I love Minted for their excellent user experience. Keep the below features in mind as you search and use them to your advantage:
- Free Samples: You always have the option to get a free sample of your favorite save-the-date(s) before ordering. Very helpful, especially if you’re a bit on the indecisive side.
- Style Filter: If you’ve decided on a style/theme, you can narrow your design search down by using Minted’s handy style filter. Select from modern, rustic, bohemian, illustrative, and many other styles. You can also filter by color, price, printing type, font, and more.
- Free Digital Address Collector: I love this idea! Instead of sending a plain text email to your guests (or a Facebook message, for that matter) to request their mailing address, you can enlist Minted’s free address collector. All you have to do is select your favorite address collector design and input your guests’ email addresses. Minted will send out your collector card (see samples below) and, voila, you’ve got a database of addresses to send your save-the-dates, wedding invites, and thank-you cards!
Postcard format not your thing? No problem. If you’re planning a formal wedding, a classic card format may be more appropriate. Minted’s new collection includes many elegant, luxe foil-pressed designs in a classic 5″ x 7″ format.
Learn more about foil press printing and check out two of my favorite designs below from the new collection. True, they’re not postcard save-the-dates, but I’m not here to tell you there’s one save-the-date format that fits every wedding!
In the end, it’s your choice as to whether a postcard save-the-date jives with your wedding theme. One of the things I absolutely love about Minted’s save-the-date collection is that many designs can be tailored to your preferred format. I’m talking formats like postcard, petite, classic, magnet or grand. That means you’ve got plenty of design choices, no matter what format you decide to go with!
Choosing save-the-dates can be a fun adventure. Minted is a wonderful solution to find your perfect design — whether it’s a postcard, foil-pressed classic card, magnet, or other format. In the end, your guests are will be delighted with whatever save-the-date you send!
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Meredith
Despite her dreamy wedding blogger lifestyle, Meredith's day job is running ClassicVeils.com and a full-time mom to an active toddler. If she could, Meredith would spend her days taking cruises, helping animals in need, and watching Big Brother!
