We sent save the dates, and I would only do them for a wedding. Ours were done via email (specifically evite has a section for Saves). Partly for many reasons like: I wanted to get the info out including our wedding website, many of our friends and family use calendars on their pc so it was easy for them to add it to their calendar, I didn't want to send more paper out into the world (we did send them to grandparents in a paper form), I didn't want to spend extra time in the post office getting stamps, and finally because my DH wanted to send our wedding invites via email. I said no but he went through and picked out the Save we used so he was reflected and I thought it was a good way to involve him.

I think save-the-dates are good for out of town guests.

Shannon
The Virtual Bridesmaid
http://blog.viddia.com
www.viddia.com

We're sending save the dates, for a couple reasons. 1) I had a great design idea for them, and I refused to let it go. 2) We're getting married in the city we're currently living in, but it's a destination wedding for 99% of our guests, and on Memorial Day weekend, so we wanted to make sure people DID save the date. 3) We have a wedding website, and I think the save the date is a great place to share that URL with people -- it can't go on the invitation, after all. I would consider doing electronic save the dates to be sure, but we compromised on paper and stamps and went with a postcard.

You know, I'd have to say that I'm pretty on the fence about it too, mostly because my fiance and I will have been engaged for a really long time by the time our wedding day rolls around. We haven't really announced it to anyone other than immediate family, so it might be nice to send them out. We're thinking about doing postcards because magnets are just too overdone. On the other hand, I think they're kind of goofy because we're getting married close to home, and the out of towners are only about half of the guest list.

I think destination weddings would be the only time to do this. If most of your guests have to make out of town arrangements, they may need to start saving for the trip. Most of the people you want to be at the celebration will know by word of mouth!!!!

We are getting married in November and sent our Save the Dates in late May. A primary reason was to get the hotel block rolling. We did not send them to my mom's friends, though, as she feels they are trendy and unnecessary and all of her guests already know about it through her.

From a quest perspective, I LOVE getting save the date cards!

First, with how little "real mail" arrives nowadays, it's nice to get a non-bill in the mailbox. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about green, but it's a little touch than can mean a lot.

Second, I've been a victim of lost computer data: I'd definitely recommend a paper version of the save-the-date. Postcards can be sent for much cheaper than first class mail, just review the guidelines from the USPS to be on the safe side. Cards can be hand-delivered to people as well to save on sending. The recipient can take the 10 seconds to put it into their electronic calendar if that applies.

Lastly, regardless of how save-the-dates are sent, I feel it's just courteous to the guests. If you really want them to be able to make it, it's not up to the couple to decide how busy the guests might be. Nowadays commitments pull people in so many directions, I appreciate when someone sends me a save-the-date with plenty of notice: it shows that they really want you there and have the courtesy to give you enough time to make that happen.

We're sending save-the-dates to a little over 1/3 of our guests list--basically, everyone who would have to book a flight and/or hotel room to go to our wedding. I think save-the-dates are a nice courtesy to out-of-town guests, especially when your wedding falls during a weekend that people frequently go on vacation or request off from work (ours is around New Year's). I picked the cheapest, simplest design and included little inserts with accommodations info/directions that were given to us by the hotel we booked.

Save the date cards make me think Bridezilla and look to plan something else for the date. Get over yourself, those close to you and/or interested in your plans, will ask the date and mark their calendars. The rest of us are not counting the days to your wedding, nor will we be counting the days to the birth of your first child, which you announced three days after conception.

I say, go all out! I love the concept of branding your wedding. It creates a cohesive look and what better way to start with Saving the Date. It especially comes in handy when you're having a destination wedding. It gives your guests time enough to plan around the blessed event. Whether it's a DIY postcard or a highly sophisticated email blast, you can't wrong with asking someone to save the date.

Unfortunately, I think that Save-the-Date cards are somewhat of a necessity for now. It is a very nice idea to use the internet and save paper, money, and time, but often Grandpa or even Dad still don't know how to operate the computer, let alone check their e-mail regularly. Also, with families becoming more and more spread out it seems that Save-the-Date cards are still the most efficient way to spread the word.

I believe there are a necessity in three cases:

1. Out of town guests
2. When the date is close to a major holiday
3. When you have more people on the invite list than the reception site can hold - meaning people can respond more quickly if they know about it in advance

Although I like getting Save the Dates, we are not going to bother with them. For one thing, the people that REALLY matter already know the date and will save it. For another thing, there are so many things to spend money on with wedding planning, and this seemed like an easy thing to cut and spend the money elsewhere. Finally, I'll do anything I can to save paper!

I love stationery and think save the dates can be fun and helpful. Ultimately I do not think they are necessary, with some exeptions i.e. destination, etc. What did the world do before save the dates? I figure you (personally or through family/friends) should be communicating with the people you are inviting sometime prior to your wedding. Otherwise, why are they being invited? We sent our wedding invitations 10 weeks prior to the wedding and will be using the money we saved on STDs for something else.

I think it is a necessity when you have guests that will be traveling from far away destinations or they themselves travel for business frequently for extended periods of time. Especially if your special day wouldn't be all that you dreamed of without their presence.

I personally chose not to send save-the-dates. One reason was to save money, but the other was because I knew the people I really wanted to be there already knew the date of our wedding.

I think if it's a destination wedding then by all means. Let people have time to start saving, make sure they have time off work and possibly find a sitter for the kids. But if your having your lovely day just a couple of blocks down the street then save that money! You'll be spending enough money on postage stamps, invites, RSVP, thank you's. It all adds up, QUICK!