Save the dates?

Invitations get mailed approximately 6 weeks before the wedding. Save the dates go out 6-12 months before the wedding, and are sent so that guests are aware of your wedding date and can put it on their calendars so they don’t schedule anything else on that day (ie, they “save the date”). So if you would like to make your guests aware of your date more than 6 weeks prior to your wedding, I would send out STDs

Save The Dates are totally optional! It is not rude at all if you decide to skip them. And since your wedding is next summer, you still have time to send them if you choose to. Save The Dates are usually sent out 6-8 months before the wedding (or 6-12 months for a destination wedding), and invitations are sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding. So for a wedding in June 2023, I would send the Save The Dates (if you decide to do them) anywhere between now and January, and then send the formal invitations in April 2023. People do not typically RSVP to Save The Dates, only invitations.

While I agree that save the dates are optional, I personally as a guest prefer them especially magnetic ones. I like save the dates because they give guests several months notice of when the wedding will be so guests can make travel and hotel arrangements if necessary. Whereas invites typically go out 8-6 weeks prior to the wedding which means guests have less time to plan. The reason I prefer magnetic ones is because I can hang it on my fridge and it's then guaranteed not to get lost.

Save the dates are optional only, and they are a relatively new trend actually. They usually go out about 6-8 months ahead of schedule so you're in good time.

Save-the-dates are optional, and you have plenty of time if it's something you want to do! They usually go out 6-8 months ahead of time so guests have some advanced notice. They're a good idea so guests reserve the date on their calendar AND so out of town guests can start to book accommodations.

Invitations usually don't go out until 6-8 weeks prior so guests don't lose them or forget.

Save the dates have existed forever. The part that is “new” is that it takes the form of a magnet or postcard instead of a traditional phone call, which was commonplace in past generations for decades without any confusion. They are generally are spread via word of mouth between 6-12 months before the wedding when the venue has been secured (and the guest list set in stone before that) so that guests have a heads up to arrange travel plans and time off from work, regardless if they are local or not. Once they are sent, an invitation must follow at 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

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That's what I sent and EVERYONE absolutely loved the idea! Plus, they were beachy and pretty LOLOL And yeah, they went out Monday and I have been getting "OMG" texts all week. Wedding is May 2023, and 80-90% of the guests will be flying in from out of state so the advanced notice, with our wedding website listed (and QR code) was really appreciated. ~sigh~ $hits gettin real, folks. LOL