34 Clever Ways to Save the Date

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.

01
Mail a Viewmaster

Mail a Viewmaster

Go old-school with a custom save the date Viewmaster featuring your engagement photos.

02
Film a Stop-Motion Video

Film a Stop-Motion Video

With some blood, sweat, and tears, you can create a crafty stop-motion film that will have your guests grinning from ear to ear.

03
Tattoo It On

Tattoo It On

Imprint your wedding day — temporarily, at least — on the bodies of loved ones with these save the date temporary tattoos.

04
Pencil It In

Pencil It In

Have your guests "pencil in" your wedding day by providing the writing untensil right there on the save the date card.

05
Get Arty

Get Arty

Make your own miniature canvas and easel save the date with these easy directions — guaranteed to elicit "awws" from your guests.

06
Share Your Magnetism

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.

08
Diagnosis Your Love

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."

09
Take It to a New Dimension
Kellan Studios

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!

10
Blow It Up

Blow It Up

Send out printed balloons that show guests the info once they're blown up.

11
Send a Box of Treasures

Send a Box of Treasures

A tiny box of knickknacks makes the cutest save the date possible.

12
click to play video

Flip-Book It

Create a tiny flip book for a crafty save the date "video" that can be watched without any technology.

13
Mix and Match It

Mix and Match It

Combine two clever ideas into one with matchbook magnets. They look like matchbooks, but inside they have tear-away magnets.

15
Send a Scratch-and-Play

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 via Oh So Beautiful Paper

16
Hand Out a Hankie

Hand Out a Hankie

These pretty save the date handkerchiefs are miniature works of art. Bonus: guests will have something to dry their eyes with during the ceremony.

17
Let a Paper Airplane Soar

Let a Paper Airplane Soar

Make a DIY paper airplane from a map of the wedding location for a save the date that really flies above the rest.

18
Bookmark It

Bookmark It

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.

Source: Ruffled

19
Put It on the Calendar

Put It on the Calendar

Create a customized calendar with your wedding date marked with a heart, like this printable save the date calendar, and mail it to guests.

20
Pin It On

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 via Oh So Beautiful Paper

22
Build Your Own Teepee

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.

23
It's in the Bag

It's in the Bag

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!

24
Give a Lift

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.

25
Send a Video

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.

26
Postmark a Polaroid

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.

27
Say It on Coasters

Say It on Coasters

Adorable letterpress coasters can be used to save the date and protect tabletops from water marks!

29
Sow Your Seeds

Sow Your Seeds

Send out test tubes filled with wildflower seeds for a science-meets-nature save the date.

Source: Mint

30
Mail a Personalized Postcard

Mail a Personalized Postcard

Dress up a vintage postcard with embroidery for a true labor of love.

Source: Green Wedding Shoes

31
Get Comical

Get Comical

We love this comic-book-inspired pop-art save the date. It's perfect for a couple with a geeky side.

32
click to play video

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.

33
Print a Poster

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

34
Post-It On

Post-It On

Order customized Post-its that guests can stick on their fridge, wall, or corkboard.