It is advised that couples announce their wedding date to guests about six months in advance of the wedding date - 12 months in advance for destination weddings. Do-it-yourself magnets provide a fun way to do so that is also cheap and easy to create.
Why Save-the-Date Notices Are Recommended
Most couples send out some form of a save-the-date announcement to guests in advance of wedding invitations, and this trend is starting to become expected as a courtesy to guests to ask them to hold that day open. Furthermore, creating fun and personalized save-the-date notices is a way to introduce the theme and formality of a wedding to guests, and get them excited for the big day. Creating magnets makes it easy for guests to put the save-the-date notice is a spot that they will see every day, such as their refrigerator.
How to Make Personalized Save-the-Date Magnets
To make magnets announcing the wedding date, purchase the following from any office supply store. Be sure to purchase adequate supplies to create one magnet per household.
- Self-adhesive business-card sized magnets (2” x 3.5”)
- Blank business card stock (8.5” x 11” sheet of eight 2” x 3.5” tear away cards)
- Ink jet cartridges for the printer that will be used (if running low)
Using any desktop publishing program (Microsoft Word or Publisher) or graphic design program (Adobe Illustator or InDesign), design the save-the-dates to fit the business cards. Most Microsoft programs should have a pre-set template with the correct size and layout for the business card stock.
In the design, be sure to include:
- The date of the wedding
- The name of the bride and groom
- If applicable, the URL of the wedding web site for more information
- Since this is not an invitation, RSVP instructions should not be included
Be sure to word the announcement in a pleasant way, such as “Please save May 1, 2010 for the wedding of John Doe and Jane Smith,” or some variation. Feel free to customize the wording to reflect the personality of the couple and the formality of the wedding. But remember this is a “save the date” and not the invitation, so do not use wording such as “You are invited to…”
Also, be sure to personalize the cards further by using colors and graphics that match the wedding theme and formality, and/or photographs of the couple.
Once the design of the cards looks good, test them out by printing on a blank sheet of paper, and then hold that blank sheet in front of the blank business cards to make sure everything is lined up properly and looks good. If it does, go ahead and print on the business cards.
After the cards are printed up, separate them, and then begin adhering them to the magnets using the adhesive backing. Be sure to make one magnet for each household that will receive an invitation, including the people in the wedding (parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc). They may already know the date, but would probably appreciate receiving a memento!
How to Distribute the Magnets
Mail is easiest way to distribute the magnets. Purchase some nice envelopes, and perhaps blank card stock to fit in the envelope, to give it more sturdiness in the mail. Address the cards first - one per household, but on the envelope, only include the names of only those that will be invited to the actual wedding. Then, stuff each envelope with one magnet, and if using them, one sheet of cardstock. Stamp each envelope, and mail it out!
For cost savings, if sending the save-the-date magnets around the holidays, feel free to send them out with seasonal greeting cards.
Remember that these are just the save-the-date notices. The actual invitations should be sent approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding date.
Maggie Wolff - Maggie has over seven years of experience in public relations and marketing in the fields of healthcare, performing arts, and professional ...
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