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.
Mail a Viewmaster
Go old-school with a custom save the date Viewmaster [1] featuring your engagement photos.
Film a Stop-Motion Video
With some blood, sweat, and tears, you can create a crafty stop-motion film [2] that will have your guests grinning from ear to ear.
Tattoo It On
Imprint your wedding day — temporarily, at least — on the bodies of loved ones with these save the date temporary tattoos [3].
Pencil It In
Have your guests "pencil in" your wedding day by providing the writing untensil right there on the save the date [4] card.
Get Arty
Make your own miniature canvas and easel save the date [5] with these easy directions — guaranteed to elicit "awws" from your guests.
Share Your Magnetism
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 [7].
Throw In the Towel
A save the date tea towel is extra sweet tied with bow and tucked in a canister.
Diagnosis Your Love
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."
Take It to a New Dimension
Give your guests something to ooh and aah over with 3D glasses that decode your save the date message!
Blow It Up
Send out printed balloons that show guests the info once they're blown up.
Send a Box of Treasures
A tiny box of knickknacks [12] makes the cutest save the date possible.
Flip-Book It
Create a tiny flip book for a crafty save the date "video" that can be watched without any technology.
Mix and Match It
Combine two clever ideas into one with matchbook magnets [13]. They look like matchbooks, but inside they have tear-away magnets.
Stage a Photo
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 [14]. Here are more ways to save the date with your engagement photos [15].
Send a Scratch-and-Play
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 [16] via Oh So Beautiful Paper [17]
Hand Out a Hankie
These pretty save the date handkerchiefs [18] are miniature works of art. Bonus: guests will have something to dry their eyes with during the ceremony.
Let a Paper Airplane Soar
Make a DIY paper airplane [19] from a map of the wedding location for a save the date that really flies above the rest.
Bookmark It
If you and your betrothed are bookworms, then send a save the date bookmark [21] that lets guests save their place while they make note of your wedding.
Put It on the Calendar
Create a customized calendar with your wedding date marked with a heart, like this printable save the date calendar [23], and mail it to guests.
Pin It On
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 [25] via Oh So Beautiful Paper [26]
Cut Out Paper Dolls
Make personalized paper dolls for your guests to dress. This retro paper doll save the date is DIY [27] delightful.
Build Your Own Teepee
Your guests will be able to channel their crafty side with a save the date that doubles as a build-your-own teepee project.
It's in the Bag
Fill these customized save the date calendar bags [30] with goodies that represent you and your beloved. Your guests will keep your date in mind any time they reuse the bag!
Give a Lift
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.
Send a Video
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.
Postmark a Polaroid
If you're looking for a simple and retro save the date, then send out a Polaroid of the two of you [35].
Say It on Coasters
Adorable letterpress coasters [36] can be used to save the date and protect tabletops from water marks!
Stick It On
Use this simple DIY [37] tutorial to make your own Instagram sticker save the date [38] cards.
Sow Your Seeds
Send out test tubes filled with wildflower seeds for a science-meets-nature save the date.
Mail a Personalized Postcard
Dress up a vintage postcard with embroidery for a true labor of love.
Source: Green Wedding Shoes [41]
Get Comical
We love this comic-book-inspired pop-art save the date [42]. It's perfect for a couple with a geeky side.
Film a Trailer
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.
Print a Poster
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 [44]
Post-It On
Order customized Post-its [45] that guests can stick on their fridge, wall, or corkboard.