The basics of save the date wording
Almost every good save the date follows the same pattern. You can say it formally or with a wink, but the building blocks stay the same:
- A headline: "Save the date", "Mark your calendar", "Keep this day free" or something playful.
- Who and what: "Emma and Daniel are getting married", "Mia turns 40", "Class of 2007 reunion".
- When: the date, written out. For weekends the full range ("August 20 to 22, 2027").
- Where: city and state or country, venue optional.
- What's next: "Invitation to follow" plus a website if there is one.
Tip: Write dates in a way nobody can misread. "06/07/2027" means June 7 in the US and July 6 in the UK and Australia (Canada uses both). "June 7, 2027" or "7 June 2027" is always clear.
Not sure if you need one at all? Our page on what a save the date is covers meaning and etiquette. For timing, see when to send save the dates.
Wedding save the date wording
Classic and formal
Please save the date for the wedding of
Olivia Grace Bennett
and
James Michael TurnerSaturday, the twelfth of June
two thousand twenty-seven
Charleston, South CarolinaFormal invitation to follow
Save the date
Hannah and Lucas
are getting marriedSeptember 18, 2027
Lake Placid, New YorkInvitation to follow
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes
request that you save the date
for the marriage of their daughter
Claire to Ethan BrooksMay 22, 2027
Savannah, GeorgiaInvitation to follow
Together with their families
Priya Shah and Noah Kim
ask you to save the dateOctober 2, 2027
Toronto, OntarioFormal invitation to follow
Modern and simple
We're getting married!
Sophie and Marcus
08.14.2027 · Denver, CO
Invite to follow
Save the date
Ava & Leo
June 5, 2027 · Brighton, UK
Details to follow at avaandleo.com
Ten years after a terrible first date at a bowling alley, Jess and Tom are getting married.
Save the date: July 10, 2027
Portland, MaineInvitation (and better bowling) to follow
Save the date
Alex and Sam
are tying the knotApril 24, 2027
Sydney, AustraliaInvitation to follow
We said yes, now let's celebrate!
Maya and Chris are having a small wedding and an even bigger party.
Save the date: Saturday, August 7, 2027
Backyard of the Millers, Madison, WisconsinInvite to follow
Save the weekend!
Grace and Daniel are getting married
September 24 to 26, 2027
Napa Valley, CaliforniaWelcome drinks, wedding and Sunday brunch.
Formal invitation to follow.
Destination wedding save the date wording
For a destination wedding, the save the date has an extra job: it gives guests enough time and information to book travel. Add the full date range, the location and a link with travel details. Guests usually need more lead time here, often 8 to 12 months.
Pack your bags!
Lily and Ben are getting married in Tulum, Mexico
March 18 to 21, 2027Travel and hotel info: lilyandben.com
Formal invitation to follow
Please save the date
for the destination wedding of
Charlotte Evans and William ParkLake Como, Italy
Saturday, June 19, 2027Accommodation details and travel tips
are on our wedding website.
Formal invitation to follow
Toes in the sand, rings on our hands 🌊
Mia and Jordan
Maui, Hawaii · May 8, 2027Book your flights early, details at miaandjordan.com
Invite to follow
We're getting married where it all began!
Anna and David
Vienna, Austria · July 3, 2027We know it's a long trip, so here's your early heads-up. Travel tips, hotels and a little Vienna guide are on our website. Invitation to follow.
Tip: For destination weddings, put the room block or hotel suggestions on your website before the save the dates go out. Guests who get excited and book right away will thank you.
Birthday and milestone save the date wording
Milestone birthdays (30, 40, 50, 60 and beyond) often come with a trip, a big party or guests from far away. A save the date a few months ahead makes sure the people who matter most can come.
Save the date! 🥂 Sophie turns 30 and we're celebrating on Saturday, March 6, 2027, in Chicago. Keep the night free, invite to follow.
Forty and fabulous ✨
Save the date for Jordan's 40th
Saturday, May 15, 2027 · Austin, TexasInvitation to follow
Half a century calls for a party.
Please save the date for Mark's 50th birthday
Saturday, October 9, 2027
Columbus, OhioDetails to follow
Save the date
Linda is turning 60!
Join us for dinner and dancing
Saturday, June 26, 2027
Melbourne, VictoriaInvitation to follow
Save the weekend! 🏖️ For my 35th I'm renting a house on the coast and I want you there. August 13 to 15, 2027, Outer Banks, NC. More details soon, just block the dates for now.
Shhh 🤫 Save the date for Rachel's surprise 40th: Saturday, April 17, 2027, in Seattle. Please don't mention it to her! Invite with details to follow.
If you're planning a surprise, read our surprise party planning guide for cover stories and how to coordinate guests secretly. For the invitation itself, our birthday invitation wording page has many more examples.
Save the date wording for other events
Save the date
Join us in celebrating
Margaret and Paul's 50th wedding anniversary
Saturday, September 11, 2027
Halifax, Nova ScotiaInvitation to follow
Class of 2007, it's been 20 years! 🎓
Save the date for our reunion
Saturday, October 16, 2027
Omaha, NebraskaDetails coming soon. Spread the word!
Save the date for the Garcia Family Reunion!
July 23 to 25, 2027
Lake Tahoe, CaliforniaBring the cousins, the stories and your appetite. Details to follow.
Save the date, bride tribe! 💃 Kate's bachelorette weekend is happening in Nashville from June 4 to 6, 2027. Flights and plans to follow, just block the weekend for now.
Mark your calendar 🎄 Our holiday party is on Friday, December 11. Invite with all the details coming soon.
Save the date for a little celebration 🍼 Baby shower for Emily, Sunday, March 21, 2027, in Brooklyn. Invitation to follow.
She did it! 🎓 Save the date for Ella's graduation party on Saturday, June 12, 2027. Details soon.
Funny save the date wording
Funny save the dates work best when the joke is about you, not your guests. Keep the date and place easy to find, even if the rest is silly.
We're getting married, so clear your calendar, buy something nice and start practicing your dance moves.
Ryan and Zoe
June 19, 2027 · San DiegoInvitation to follow (with food details, we promise)
After 9 years, 2 dogs and 1 very patient grandma, it's official.
Sarah and Mike are getting married!
October 23, 2027 · BostonInvite to follow
Save the date and your appetite.
Tara and Josh
August 28, 2027 · Austin, TXWe'll feed you, there will be dancing and Josh's uncle will give a speech nobody asked for.
Invitation to follow.
Save the date! I'm turning 40 and plan to act like I'm 25 for one night. Saturday, May 1, 2027. Details to follow, ibuprofen not included.
Save the date: Dave is turning 50 and still refuses to use the stairs quietly. Celebrate with us on Saturday, September 4, 2027, in Phoenix. Invite to follow.
We're tying the knot, so don't get tied up!
Lucy and Max · April 17, 2027 · Bristol
Invitation to follow
Digital save the dates: email and text message wording
A digital save the date is perfectly fine, especially for casual events and younger guests. Keep the message short, put the date on its own line and make it easy to put into a calendar.
Subject: Save the date: Emma and Daniel, June 12, 2027
Hi everyone,
We're getting married and we'd love for you to be there! Please save the date:
Saturday, June 12, 2027
Asheville, North CarolinaA formal invitation will follow in the spring. Travel tips and hotels are already on our website: emmaanddaniel.com
Love,
Emma and Daniel
Big news! 💍 We're getting married on Saturday, June 12, 2027, in Asheville. Please save the date, the invite follows in the spring. Can't wait to celebrate with you! Emma and Daniel
Save the date 🎂 My 30th: Saturday, March 6. Keep the evening free, details follow! Please put it in your calendar now so nobody books a work trip that weekend 😅
Save the dates! 🏕️ Our cabin weekend is locked in: July 9 to 11. Please block it, I'll send the house and the packing list soon.
Quick reminder: Saturday, May 15 is Jordan's 40th. Invitation coming next week, just keep that night free 🥳
Before you send: pick the date with the right people
A save the date is only as good as the date on it. For birthdays, reunions and weekend trips, the date is often still open when you start planning. Before you announce anything, check it with the people who really have to be there. A quick day poll lets them mark the days they're free, and you'll see right away which day or which weekend works best. Then send the save the date with confidence.
Free toolFind the best date before you announce itMore ideas for invitations and events are collected in Parties & planning.
psst … this makes it easier
Find the day that works for everyone
- Create a poll and drop the link in the group chat
- Everyone taps the days they're free and the best one shows up instantly
- Free, no account, no app
Frequently asked questions
What do you write on a save the date?
The names of the hosts or the couple, the occasion, the date, the city or venue and "invitation to follow". If guests have to travel, add a website or link with details. Keep it to a few lines, the invitation carries everything else.
Do you put "formal invitation to follow" on a save the date?
Yes, or a casual version like "invite to follow" or "details coming soon". The line tells guests this is not the invitation and they don't need to reply yet. Without it, people often start asking about times and RSVPs.
How do you word a save the date for a birthday?
Name the person and the milestone, add the date and the city, and say that details follow. For example: "Save the date! Jordan turns 50 on Saturday, October 9. Keep the evening free, invitation to follow." Add the place if guests need to travel.
Can I send a save the date by text?
Yes, especially for birthdays, reunions and casual weddings. Keep the message short, put the date on its own line and ask people to add it to their calendar. For older relatives a call or a printed card may still be nicer.
Should the save the date mention kids or plus-ones?
Not in the text itself. Make it clear through how you address it: write the exact names of everyone who's invited, or "and guest" for a plus-one. If needed, the invitation or website can say "adults only" kindly.