Too early for save the dates?

Generally, 6-10 months is plenty of notice. More importantly though, I strongly agree with pp's cautions about sending super early and/or to people you might be on the fence about inviting. Even if you're SURE all your details/guest list/etc. are set in stone, sometimes things happen that you don't expect. Once you've sent a STD, it's going to be REALLY hard to not invite that person. Daughter sent STDs about 7 months in advance (close to half the guest list was out of state or international, but most of them already knew the date through email/word of mouth anyway). She only sent the STDs to the wedding party, close family, and other VIPs. She and SIL had some local friends they expected to invite when the STDs went out. Luckily, she decided not to send them STDs. About four months prior to the wedding daughter realized she really wanted to be able to invite four co-workers who she'd grown very close to and their SOs. The best way to add them and keep to the guest list budget was to cut some of those less-close friends, who they cared even less about as the wedding got closer. Luckily, by not sending the STDs they could easily drop people. No matter how excited you are about your wedding, leaving yourself a little wiggle room can be a really good thing.

Did you decide when you will send your STDs out, Helen? Have you started designing them yet?