On Trend Save the Date Ideas for 2026

You’ve booked the venue and locked in the date, now you just need your guests to keep it free – that’s where Save the Dates come in! 

While save the date cards may have less information than Wedding Invitations, they’re just as important because they give your guests a chance to ensure they can make it to the big day. 

They’re also another great opportunity to get creative and give guests a flavour of your wedding theme in advance. 

With so many ways to make yours unique, we’ve compiled some trending Save the Date ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

Table of contents

Save the Date ideas

Why send Save the Dates instead of just invitations?

What to write on a Save the Date card

Save the Date ideas

We’ve compiled some trending save the date ideas to help get you started. One of these might be exactly what you’re looking for, or you might want to combine elements of each to make a design that feels uniquely yours. 

Sustainable options 

Many couples are leaning towards more sustainable options to reduce the environmental impact of their celebrations and make their weddings more eco-friendly. Printing your Save the Dates on Seed Paper is a great way to reduce your impact. This planet-friendly paper is made with biodegradable, recycled materials and is mixed with wildflower seeds, meaning your Save the Dates can be planted!

Meaningful destinations 

Couples are increasingly opting for meaningful locations over trending destinations, and this is translating into Save the Date designs. Illustrations of the venue are becoming increasingly popular, while some designs include more subtle nods to the location, like local flowers or regional landmarks. 

Image credit: Fallou Stationery

Tactile and textured 

A textural element adds a special touch to save the date cards. A special finish like embossing or debossing can complement more artistic design elements, take centre stage as bold lettering, or even a mix of both!  

Save the Date magnets

Let’s face it, most save the date cards end up on the fridge! Make the journey from the letterbox to the fridge door easy with a Save the Date magnet. They’re a playful way to get information to guests in a memorable way, and there’s plenty of creative ways to design them. Some popular choices include polaroid pictures, tarot cards or calendar themes. 

Image credit: White Ink Calligraphy

Custom shapes 

Using a custom shape for your Save the Dates adds a unique touch and gives them more visual interest. Choosing a shape other than a traditional square or rectangle can enhance the design, especially with simple styles. At Printed.com, our shapes vary from simple circles to arches and waves. Got something else in mind? Our Bespoke Service can help make your bright ideas a reality. 

Bold typography

Bold, contemporary fonts and typography work amazingly for Save the Dates as they make a big impact with a small word count. Modern typography offers a cool, stylish look without being too fussy, and suits a wide range of themes. 

Image credit: Hooray Party Prints

Why send Save the Dates instead of just Invitations? 

You may wonder what the point of sending a save the date is when the most important information is on the invitations anyway, but they serve an important purpose for your guests. 

Save the Dates are sent further in advance and give your guests plenty of notice to book time off work, organise travel and accommodation. Wedding Invitations are sent a little closer to the big day and formally request your guests’ attendance, including more details about the venue, timings, how to RSVP, and so on. 

While similar, save the dates and invitations serve two different purposes, so it’s always worth sending both to ensure your guests have plenty of time to prepare for the big celebration. 

What to write on a Save the Date card

You might be a bit confused about what to include on your Save the Dates and what to leave for your Invitations. Save the Dates are briefer and more succinct than your Invitations. Plus, depending on whether you are tying the knot locally or further afield, save the dates can be sent anywhere from six months to a full year in advance, while Invitations tend to go out closer to the time. 

With this in mind, make sure your Save the Date cards serve their purpose and include the all-important special date! Make it nice and clear so there’s no potential for confusion. You can include the venue at this point, or just the location. If your wedding is abroad or you know the majority of guests will be travelling, including travel information such as airports or hotels is useful. 

It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to include your names! Guests need to know who they’re saving the big day for. Finish up by adding “invitation to follow” so your guests know that additional information will be on the way. 

Make your Save the Date ideas real with Printed.com

Feeling inspired? Printed.com can help bring your dream Save the Dates to life! We have a range of shapes and papers to choose from, with options to suit every budget. You can also choose Envelopes to make the process of sending your Save the Dates even easier! 

From RSVP Cards to Invitations and everything in between – at Printed.com, we have everything you need to complete your wedding stationery suite.

Ready to make it real?