Looking for a creative way to let guests know about an upcoming wedding? Consider a growing trend: save-the-date wedding magnets. These magnets serve the same purpose as traditional save the date announcement cards–these wedding announcements let guests know when the wedding will be so that they hopefully will have lots of time to clear their calendars.
Why Send a Save the Date Wedding Magnet?
Like all save-the-date announcements, wedding save-the-date magnets let people know about the wedding months in advance. This is especially handy if the wedding is going to be at a busy time, like during the holiday season or the summer, or if the wedding is going to be at a location that requires travel for some or all of the guests.
Save-the-date notices are useful because they can be sent out before important wedding plan details are finalized, such as the venue and the exact time, which is information that is needed before invitations can be finalized. They're also useful because sending out an actual invitation months ahead of time comes across as tacky. It's hard to say what's "too early" to send a save the date card, but generally, people won't be too surprised to receive them up to year before the wedding date.
So why a magnet? For one thing, magnets are harder to lose. If guests really want to remember the date, all they have to do is stick it on a fridge or filing cabinet. They're also practical, since, after all, who doesn't use refrigerator magnets? In addition, they're a nice memento.
Information on a Save the Date Magnet
So what information should be on a save-the-date magnet? In most cases, save-the-date magnets should be as simple as possible. The name of the couple and the date of the event is mandatory. Unless the guest list is very small, last names are a good idea. After all, third cousins might not have a clue who Katie and Mike are.
It's not necessary to include the actual location (which the couple might not know at this point), but it's helpful to give the city of the event to let guests know if travel will be required. A statement such as, "Invitation to follow" is often included, although most guests can figure this out without being told. (Obviously, not sending an invitation after sending a save the date announcement is pretty rude.)
One piece of information that's becoming more common on wedding save the date invitations is a URL for the wedding website. While some guests will ignore this, others may be curious and keep up with the wedding plans. It's also nice to include a statement such as, "We sure hope to see you there!" Some guests might find the whole concept of a save-the-date message pretentious, and a friendly message might soften this perception.
Save the Date Magnet Trends
One popular trend for save-the-date magnets is to include a photo on the magnet. This can the be the engagement photo, or a fun and less formal shot (since, after all, this is going on someone's fridge).
Another fun touch is to design the magnet to look like the invitation itself, and/or to include the wedding colors. Of course, this can be expensive, and it's entirely possible the couple doesn't know the colors this early. However, this stylish touch can be fun.
Enjoy crafts? Crafty brides (and grooms) can purchase save-the-date magnet kits and make their own fancy magnets. This is a cost effective alternative to ordering magnets from a store or website, especially elaborate magnets.
Of course, simple save-the-date magnets are just fine too, As long as the names and date are on the magnet, everything else is just decorative.
Save the Date!
Save the date wedding are a convenient and fun way to announce an upcoming wedding. Couples can make these announcements as simple or elaborate as they want, and know that their big day is reserved on their guests' calendars – or, at least, on their refrigerators.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
