In the history of wedding traditions, save the dates are relatively new. But since invitations are typically mailed just six weeks before the big day and guests need to make travel arrangements, these wedding date reminders come in handy, mailed at least six months prior. Plus, they're a good excuse to do something clever and fun amid the sometimes boring, often stressful wedding hubbub. Here are some nontraditional ways to save the date.
Go old-school with a custom save the date Viewmaster featuring your engagement photos.
With some blood, sweat, and tears, you can create a crafty stop-motion film that will have your guests grinning from ear to ear.
Imprint your wedding day — temporarily, at least — on the bodies of loved ones with these save the date temporary tattoos.
Have your guests "pencil in" your wedding day by providing the writing untensil right there on the save the date card.
Make your own miniature canvas and easel save the date with these easy directions — guaranteed to elicit "awws" from your guests.
I usually end up putting the save the date cards I receive on my fridge, so why not make it easy for your guests and just put the date right on the magnet? I love this woodland-themed save the date magnet.
A save the date tea towel is extra sweet tied with bow and tucked in a canister.
Add a cheeky medical touch to your save the date with X-ray cards marked confidential. Love the line: "looks like a case of true love."
Give your guests something to ooh and aah over with 3D glasses that decode your save the date message!
Send out printed balloons that show guests the info once they're blown up.
Create a tiny flip book for a crafty save the date "video" that can be watched without any technology.
Combine two clever ideas into one with matchbook magnets. They look like matchbooks, but inside they have tear-away magnets.
Take a photo with your future mate and include the text of the date that needs saving. Then turn your photo into an inexpensive DIY card. Here are more ways to save the date with your engagement photos.
A fun idea for a destination wedding would be this scratch-off save the date, which asks guests to guess the location before revealing it under the scratch-off section.
Designed by Swiss Cottage Designs via Oh So Beautiful Paper
These pretty save the date handkerchiefs are miniature works of art. Bonus: guests will have something to dry their eyes with during the ceremony.
Make a DIY paper airplane from a map of the wedding location for a save the date that really flies above the rest.
If you and your betrothed are bookworms, then send a save the date bookmark that lets guests save their place while they make note of your wedding.
Create a customized calendar with your wedding date marked with a heart, like this printable save the date calendar, and mail it to guests.
Your friends and family won't forget about your big day if it's pinned on them with a cute little button.
Designed by The Indigo Bunting via Oh So Beautiful Paper
Make personalized paper dolls for your guests to dress. This retro paper doll save the date is DIY delightful.
Your guests will be able to channel their crafty side with a save the date that doubles as a build-your-own teepee project.
Fill these customized save the date calendar bags with goodies that represent you and your beloved. Your guests will keep your date in mind any time they reuse the bag!
For a Winter wedding, take a cue from your setting and send ski-pass save the dates that'll have your guests doing a double take.
This bride and her fiancé created a short video and then sent out the most adorable DVD and packaging as a save the date. Talk about memorable.
If you're looking for a simple and retro save the date, then send out a Polaroid of the two of you.
Adorable letterpress coasters can be used to save the date and protect tabletops from water marks!
Use this simple DIY tutorial to make your own Instagram sticker save the date cards.
Send out test tubes filled with wildflower seeds for a science-meets-nature save the date.
Dress up a vintage postcard with embroidery for a true labor of love.
Source: Green Wedding Shoes
We love this comic-book-inspired pop-art save the date. It's perfect for a couple with a geeky side.
Film buffs can put their schooling to use by creating a video to email out to friends. If you're feeling extra ambitious, then take a cue from Jeff and Erin, and "preview" your event with a faux movie trailer.
Another option guests can hang up, a concert-style poster announcing your special event is a particularly rockin' way to go, especially if one of you is artsy enough to pull it off.
Source: Flickr user Dvanhorn