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Just Said Yes October 2019

Save the Dates for Elopement?

Samantha, on February 21, 2019 at 3:18 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 2 17

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Hi! My fiance and I started wedding planning as soon as we got engaged, however, we recently decided that instead of having a formal ceremony/reception, we would both prefer a much smaller and more casual wedding. We are going to elope in California (we're both from Michigan) in the beginning of September. Our cocktail party celebration will be in mid October. We had originally planned on sending our Save the Dates to our family and friends that are invited to the party, some of which are coming in from out of town, about 5-6 months before the party. My question is if we should send out Save the Dates before we elope or if we shouldn't send them at all and just wait until 10 or so weeks before the party to send out invitations? We both really liked the idea of sending out Save the Dates so that our friends and family were aware that we set a date but we're going to keep it vague, something like "Save the Date for Samantha and Kyle on October 19, 2019. Invitation to follow", and then explain in the invitation what we're planning on doing and the type of celebration we're having. The invitations will be sent sometime in August. I've researched online and everything I've come up with is for elopement announcements and invitations together as one, but not much information on Save the Dates. Thanks in advance!

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17 Comments

Latest activity by Alicia, on February 1, 2021 at 10:50 AM

Master January 2019
FutureMrsKC · on February 21, 2019 at 3:23 PM
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I'd just elope, then send out an elopement announcement with an invite to the reception you are planning in October. No sense to send a confusing save the date explaining the situation.
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Just Said Yes October 2019
Samantha · on February 21, 2019 at 3:27 PM
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The issue is that there will only be about 4 weeks between the time we’re getting married and the party. Either way, we will have to send out something to our guests prior to eloping.
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VIP May 2019
Mandy · on February 21, 2019 at 3:27 PM
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Unless you're inviting them to your elopement, I wouldn't send out something that said invite to follow. You could send out a Save The Date and then you could send an invite to the reception, but if you mention the invite in the STD, I'd expect to be invited to the ceremony. Even so, STD's aren't a necessity to me. If most of your guests are coming from out of state, need to make flight/travel/hotel arrangements, then yes, I'd send out a STD. Otherwise, I'd just send the invite to the reception.
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Just Said Yes October 2019
Samantha · on February 21, 2019 at 3:27 PM
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The issue is that there will only be about 4 weeks between the time we’re getting married and the party. Either way, we will have to send out something to our guests prior to eloping.
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Master September 2019
Sarah · on February 21, 2019 at 3:30 PM
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I think save the dates are going to make people think they’re witnessing your wedding. If you’re going to send save the dates, I’d try to make it clear it’s a reception only.
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Champion October 2018
Kelly · on February 21, 2019 at 3:35 PM
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If you do save the dates I would make sure they say save the date for our celebration of marriage. Otherwise people will be confused.
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Devoted October 2018
Mozabrat · on February 21, 2019 at 3:36 PM
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You are already married at this point and it is just a celebration party you are throwing yourselves. Save the Dates are not for this purpose and I wouldn't send them. If there are out of town guests, then maybe send off their invites a little earlier.
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Master June 2019
Danielle · on February 21, 2019 at 3:41 PM
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Personally I would just omit the STDs and send out the invitations earlier. You can even send your invites out earlier than 10 weeks, if you wanted to give your guests more time.
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Lady · on February 22, 2019 at 4:10 PM
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You definitely don't need save the dates. Have your elopement announcement/party invite ready and mail them the day you get married. 4 weeks is plenty of notice for a party.
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Just Said Yes September 2019
Leah · on February 22, 2019 at 4:28 PM
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You can always change the wording of your invitations to say something like "Will be married in a private ceremony" or "We're eloping" and then "please celebrate with us on October xx, 2019" or something similar. That way you're guests aren't expecting to attend the ceremony, but you're still giving plenty of notice to plan for attending your celebration. Then you don't need a Save the Date
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Just Said Yes August 2021
Jenny · on November 5, 2020 at 11:37 AM
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I am curious what you ended up doing?! My fiancé and I are doing something similar and I can't find the right words or any examples online. You might be the trendsetter on this as small weddings are becoming more popular/necessary in 2020. Regardless, I think if a bride and groom want to send save the dates for a reception only then they should do it!
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Super October 2022
Michele · on November 5, 2020 at 1:51 PM
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Guests don't attend elopements. So skip the save dates and send announcements to everyone who would have been invited to a large wedding.
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Just Said Yes September 2023
Alicia · on February 1, 2021 at 10:19 AM
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Absolutely!! We are planning on doing the same. We were always going to elope and then have a celebration party after with our closest family and friends. Something really casual, hire a venue space or a bar- nothing fancy! We are planning on sending save the dates in an email format to all on our guestlist, explaining that we ARE eloping and celebrating with a party after. We'll probably do this 3 months before the party. You need to know numbers to prepare for food, cake etc, and to let the venue know in advance. Then whoever RSVPs to the save the date we are sending proper invites out in the post
Everybody's saying you don't need save the dates... it's your bloody elopement- if you want save the dates then you do save the dates!!!!!! :')
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Just Said Yes September 2023
Alicia · on February 1, 2021 at 10:19 AM
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Some elopements have guests?
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Champion December 2022
Michelle · on February 1, 2021 at 10:27 AM
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Elopements don't have guests, only the couple and their witnesses. Just send announcements to everyone afterward.
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Champion December 2022
Michelle · on February 1, 2021 at 10:30 AM
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Actually they don't. A wedding with 1-20 guests is a regular wedding, not an elopement.
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Just Said Yes September 2023
Alicia · on February 1, 2021 at 10:50 AM
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I think the term 'elopement' has changed a lot over the years. Once upon a time it was running away somewhere just the two of you, grabbing a couple of witnesses from wherever, and getting hitched. I've read about many elopement stories on various wedding photographer blogs where the couple might have their parents or best friends present
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