Planning a Wedding? How to Save Money on Save-the-Dates

Last updated on 11:14 am

Wondering how to save money on save-the-dates? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up some ideas that might surprise you.

If you’ve ever received “save-the-dates” in the mail, you know they usually go on the fridge for a few months and then they get tossed. And yet couples spend an average of $510 on their full wedding stationery suite, according to The Knot’s Real Weddings Study — and save-the-date cards are a part of that.

So, if you’re planning a wedding, here are some easy ways to spend less on them without sacrificing a thing.

Go Digital

Digital save-the-dates have come a long way. Services like Greenvelope offer beautifully designed cards you can send via email.

Some guests prefer something physical, and that’s fine. But for most guest lists, digital is a total non-issue — and it’s budget-friendly.

DIY Your Design

If you want printed save-the-dates, skip the designer fee. Canva’s free wedding templates are genuinely polished — swap in your photo, update the details, download the file, and upload it to a print service.

Sites like Vistaprint, Canva Print, or even your local Costco photo center will print them for a fraction of what stationery companies charge. 

Choose Postcards Over Cards and Envelopes

This one swap alone can cut your costs significantly. Postcard save-the-dates eliminate envelope costs altogether and qualify for cheaper postage than standard first-class mail. No stuffing, no sealing, no licking 100 envelopes.

And honestly? Postcards look modern and intentional. Plenty of couples are doing this on purpose now — it’s not a budget compromise, it’s a style choice.

Skip the Magnets

Magnet save-the-dates are cute, but they cost noticeably more per piece than paper — and on an order of 100 or more, that difference adds up. Unless it genuinely matters to you that your photo ends up on your aunt’s refrigerator for six months, a well-designed paper card does the same job, with the savings going straight toward something you’ll actually notice on your wedding day.

Ditch the Extra Inserts

Skip the separate details card inside the envelope. A free wedding website — Zola, The Knot, and Joy all offer them — handles hotel blocks, travel info, and RSVPs in one place. One clean URL printed on your save-the-date card is all you need.

Fewer inserts means lower printing costs, lower postage, and way less assembly time.

Watch for Deals and Promo Codes

Wedding stationery companies run sales constantly. Zola has been known to offer 50% off save-the-dates with a promo code, and The Knot runs sitewide sales several times a year.  

Count Households, Not Heads

Here’s something importanat that some couples miss: save-the-dates go to households, not individuals. A family of four gets one card. A couple living together gets one card. Count addresses, not people.

Run through your guest list that way before you place your order, and you might find you need up to 30% fewer cards than you thought. On an order of 100, that’s real savings!

Send Them at the Right Time

Standard guidance is six to eight months out, or eight to 12 months for destination weddings. But if most of your guests are local, four to six months is plenty — and giving yourself more time means you can wait for a sale, avoid rush printing fees, and make changes without paying extra.

Rush shipping and rush printing will eat through your savings fast. Plan ahead and you’ll have options.

The Bottom Line

These tips to help you save money on save-the-dates are honestly some of the easiest budget wins in all of wedding planning. A clean digital card or a well-designed postcard does the same job as the foil-stamped $5-per-card option — and no one will enjoy your wedding any less because of it.

Use at least one tip from this list and your wedding budget will thank you.

Already found a way to save on your save-the-dates? Share it in the comments — other brides-to-be want to know!

Also read:
How to Save Money on Wedding Invitations: 7 Tips
How to Plan a Small Wedding on a Budget: 6 Smart Tips
8 Ways to Take Care of Yourself While Planning Your Wedding

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