Skip the Save-the-Date

I would skip it! We just sent our save the dates (6 months in advanced) but I couldn't help but feel like it was a waste. All of our family and friends already know the date because they asked when we got engaged haha We basically did it for a visual reminder for people to put on their fridges and just in case we haven't talked to everyone. If you have all the information people need set in stone, I say go straight to the invite!

If everything has to be booked that far out, I would just send the invite and save the extra money.

No, sending a invite that early will just cause people to put it aside because they don't need to do anything with it yet. Send STD (for DW I'd do 6-8 months ahead of time) and send the invites separately.

@Caitlin, for a DW STDs are very important as people need to play travel.

I have a similar issue. Nearly everyone will have to travel at least a little bit to get to our wedding.

I'd send the save the date when you think makes sense for your crowd & destination, and then include all the details on a wedding website, as you suggested. I could see sending a year in advance if you think that booking hotels etc might be difficult on a holiday weekend or popular spot.

I'd still send regular invites later, but those can maybe be cheaper if you don't have to add extra inserts with all this info. People may want to reserve rooms proactively but won't be able to say for sure that they're coming till closer to the date, and it can be tough to track people down to re-confirm that they're all coming.

I think save the dates are your best option here! Send them a year out with a link to your wedding website with all of the booking information!

I'd still wait to get the official RSVPs until 1-2 months before the wedding, just because plans change!

We sent an email save the date with wedding website info for our destination wedding on a holiday weekend no less, and while everyone opened the STD email, about 5 people total have looked at the wedding website with all the important travel and booking info. All that to say, know your crowd; if they are hardcore traditionalists who aren't going to do a thing until they get a paper invite, then go ahead and send them early and follow up when you get closer to your RSVP date

This is the type of situation in which STDs are crucial. I would still send official invites later because people want to be reminded and their RSVP may change.

Anyone having a celebration back home after DW?

I am having a horrible time figuring out how to write and when to send invitations for both events. We are not inviting everyone for DW - we want small and intimate wedding at the beach and well host a BBQ when we get back.

Help?

I am also not a big fan of save the dates, the people that matter the most will NOT forget our wedding date