15 save the date ideas to announce your special day in style

Save the dates aren’t just early announcements for your big day; they also set the tone for the entire celebration. Whether you’ve decided on a theme for your wedding or the details are still up in the air, you can use a save the date Card or animated Flyer as a chance to experiment with different colors and styles before sending out the formal invitations. And with so many unique save the date ideas out there, choosing one that suits your wedding style can be as easy as a piece of (wedding) cake—especially when using our curated collection of save the dates that cover every theme and style.

1. Photo save the dates

Is there a picture of you and your future spouse that captures your relationship perfectly? Use it to customize one of our designs, or find inspiration from one of these unique save the date photo ideas. 

• Monochromatic portrait: A simple design like “Portrait Outline” highlights your photo with a simple white frame and bold text overlay to create a clean, modern look.
• Laid-back love story: For a more casual vibe, go for the “Modern Script Overlay (Photo).” This design has splashy, handwritten text over a photo that shows off the playful side of your romance. 
• Photo-friendly: Let your save the date highlight your relationship when you use “Locked In.” In this template, text and a complementary color palette frame a photo of you and your sweetheart. 

2. World traveler save the dates

“Meridian” by Paperless Post; Image via Magnolia Rouge.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, your save the date is especially important—it’s what gives your guests advance notice to start planning their trip. Bonus points if you choose a design that shines the spotlight on your chosen wedding location to get your guests excited to pack their bags ASAP.

• Old-world Italian charm: Try “Arezzo,” a charming design perfect for an Italian wedding—or a vineyard wedding closer to home. A mini-illustration like this can elevate your save the date from a notification to a work of art. 
• State pride: Brighten inboxes and pay homage to your wedding destination with “Sunshine State” by Florida-based Rifle Paper Co. 
• World map: Where in the world is your wedding? Let your guests know with a customizable world map like “Meridian.” Place the heart marker wherever your wedding will be held.

3. Golden glamor save the dates

If you’re looking to set a romantic, traditional tone for your special day, opt for a save the date with lustrous gold accents or foil embossing.

• Magic garden: A beautiful save the date design like the “Magic Garden Photo” by Carolina Herrera frames your favorite photo with gleaming gold foil blooms. Do you have other wedding accents that you’d like to add in? Play around with Page Styles to add more colors or change the font for a more personalized touch. 
• Gilded typography: Keep it simple and modern with “Valencia,” which focuses on graceful, golden lettering. Bold typography and a clean aesthetic are a match made in heaven. 
• Elegant embellishment: Going for a luxe tone? Choose a design like “Upstroke” by Crane & Co. featuring heavily embellished gold lettering on a creamy background and a coordinating gold-lined envelope.

4. Black-and-white save the dates

Planning a black-and-white-themed wedding? Start with a timeless black-and-white save the date.

• Photo frame: The clean, symmetrical design of “Truffaut” is the perfect way to frame a black-and-white photo of you and your spouse-to-be, while setting a sophisticated tone for your event.
• Black-and-white debossing: Simple and refined, “Fleurit” pairs a modern typeface with a subtle floral motif and a debossed appearance—a perfect way to set the mood for a black-tie wedding.
• Two-tone flourish: Crisp black text on a textured white background with just a few understated flourishes make the “Save the Date Flourish” Card by Bernard Maisner a stand-out choice for an elegant affair.

5. Classic script save the dates

One design choice that will never go out of style for wedding stationery is the timeless elegance of beautiful calligraphy. Consider these options to add some script to your save the date.

• Statement script: Classic calligraphy stands out in “Love in Lettering” by Stephanie Fishwick, setting the tone for an opulent affair. Choose between one of two color palettes for a distinct look. 
• Swirls of script: When you send the “Effortlessly” Card, your guests won’t be able to stop staring at the deep blue script that accents your favorite romantic portrait. You can also customize it with your initials or upload a monogram for added polish. 
• Modern twist: For a contemporary look, try a monochromatic image of you and your beloved with a script overlay in “Tamara.” The juxtaposition between a bold image and a soft script creates a marriage of modern and traditional elements. 

6. Animated save the dates

With a Paperless Post Flyer, you can create an eye-catching animated save the date in minutes. 

• Autumn leaves: Perfect for a fall wedding, an autumn-inspired design like “Orange Leaves” offers plenty of room for extra information, especially when you add Blocks for your registry, travel, and accommodation details. Then, add a Photo Gallery Block to feature even more special moments or pictures from your engagement photoshoot that your guests can click through as they learn more about your upcoming event.
• Wedding whites: Announce your wedding date with a subtly animated white rose bouquet in “Rose Rows.” Bring it to life with stickers and Magic Fonts.
• Love in bloom: A dazzling display of flowers, “Our Date” includes an animation of roses, daisies, lilies, and more on a simple, draped fabric background. Once you customize this Flyer to include everything you need, send it your way through email, shareable link, or text.

“Our Date” Flyer by Paperless Post.

7. Novelty save the dates

Celebrate your relationship with a save the date as unique as your love story. Whether it’s an unexpected shape, color palette, script, or design, Paperless Post has a number of save the dates that fit novel weddings, celebrations, and relationships. 

• Telegram: Retro charm meets modern technology in “Save the Date Stop,” one of several vintage-inspired save the dates by acclaimed film prop designer Annie Atkins. Typewriter font, telegram language, and an old-school desktop background create an eclectic feel. 
• Front page news: For a save the date idea that’s the talk of the town, try “Nuptial News and Report” by Cheree Berry Paper & Design. Your wedding details take the form of a headline news story, including a front-page photo of the soon-to-be newlyweds. 
• Picture perfect: Sweet and nostalgic, this “Snapshot” save the date allows you to highlight one of your favorite moments in the style of a vintage photograph. Edit the text to make the font look handwritten for an authentic feel. 

8. Die-cut save the dates

9. Watercolor save the dates

Subtle yet impactful, watercolor save the date designs paint a romantic picture of your wedding day, whether it’s in a casual or opulent setting. 

• Oceanic hues: Ocean blue watercolor artwork in this “Tides” Card sets the stage for a wedding near the water. Customize your announcement message in a contrasting white font to emphasize the seascape background. 
• Brushstroke border: “Watercolor Frame” by Linda and Harriett is a clean, simple announcement framed by deep navy watercolor brushstrokes for a fresh take on an artistic invitation. 
• Splash of color: “Selene” features a wash of watercolor in several color combinations. Paired with metallic accents and calligraphy, this save the date is a work of art. 

10. Bold typography save the dates

Set the tone with bold typography and a stylish, minimalistic design. 

• Simple and strong: Let the details speak for themselves with “Simple Romance,” a combination of gilded and black typeface featuring a timeless photo of you and your beloved.
• Text-forward: Typography is the star—second to the wedding announcement, of course—in “Quai I,” a striking two-color template. Keep the cherry red font for an unexpected presentation, or customize it with colors that match your wedding theme. 
• Bold and bright: The bold fonts, bright colors, and eye-catching details in “So Much Love” stand out to get everyone excited for your big day. 

11. Floral save the dates

You’ve picked the most perfect petals for your special day—your save the date should be no different, especially with the abundance of floral save the date design ideas from Paperless Post.

• Floral accents: For a save the date that echoes your wedding day décor, opt for “Floral Heptagon Border.” Colorful bouquets and golden geometric details are accentuated when paired with a gold-lined envelope. 
• Romantic florals: Greenery and powder blue blossoms wind around wedding details to form “Tender Tendrils” by Stephanie Fishwick. This Card is perfect for an outdoor or countryside wedding destination. 
• Dripping floral: Leafy green designs and watercolor brushstrokes in this “Dripping Floral” Card frame your event details. Upload your own monogram to add an old-school touch. 

12. Minimalistic save the dates

Minimalistic save the dates embrace the contemporary with bold text, a sleek color palette, and a simple, elegant layout. Let the details do the talking when you use a save the date card with a simpler design.

• Minimalistic metallic: Gold, silver, and rose gold shine in “Remnant.” With two layout options, you can choose between a rectangle or square format to set your announcement within. 
• Simple and sleek: “Simply Said” is just that. Add your upcoming wedding details in shades of black and white or green that are simple, straightforward, and sophisticated. 
• Hand-signed: A meticulously designed text and script combination, the minimalist “Sincerely Yours” save the date has maximum impact. 

13. Modern save the dates

Modern save the dates combine a refined color palette with bold shapes and a touch of the unexpected—whether it’s a creative layout, unconventional font, or a metallic accent. Try these save the date designs for your modern romance.

• Clean and modern: The sleek shapes, trendy text, and classic black-and-white converge in “Interplay” are perfect for couples who love clean lines and modern vibes. Carry your modern theme into the save the date delivery by creating a Custom URL that can be password protected.
• Strong stripes: “Vintage Book” by kate spade new york takes the traditional elements of a save the date and modernizes it with black-and-white stripes, a monochromatic photo, and lowercase lettering. 
• Color pop: Make your wedding date unforgettable with “Counting Down” by Goods Gang, which forgoes the traditional photo and wedding imagery and focuses on the main date itself. Choose a black-and-white motif or go with unexpected combinations for major visual appeal. 

14. Greenery save the dates

Leafy, vibrant greenery sets the stage for an outdoor wedding. Greenery can also function as a neutral to an extent, accenting your wedding colors in a fresh way. 

• Fresh ferns: A verdant design like “Verde” gracefully pairs lush garland with gold script. A matching envelope with a watercolor inlay creates a picture-perfect pairing. 
• Elegant arrangement: Greenery is featured in this “Herrgarde” save the date as a saturated green bouquet set against a parchment background. Accented with gold lettering, the combination is luxurious yet grounded. 
• Evergreen: Embrace a twist on traditional wedding greenery with “Rainier,” featuring towering pines and a forest backdrop. A tree-lined envelope insert completes the pairing. 

15. Embellished save the dates

When a save the date calls for a little something extra, embellishments are a perfect option. Add texture, dimension, and contrast to make yours more memorable. 

• Trimmed with ribbon: “Sealed with Love” by Cheree Berry Paper & Design is a timeless save the date, finished with luxe layers of velvet ribbon and a wax seal. 
• Laced with love: In “Embossed Lace” by Carolina Herrara, an intricately embossed lace pattern surrounds your wedding information, which stands out in contrasting text. 
• Romantic touches: For a subtle yet artistic approach, try “Floral Applique” by Oscar de la Renta. Delicate touches like gold foil font and embossed florals can be customized to your specifications. Go for a subdued white design, or make your flowers a bit brighter with red or navy color options. 

Save the date and make a statement with Paperless Post

A save the date is your first chance to set the tone for your entire wedding celebration. Fortunately, finding the perfect save the date is easy with Paperless Post. You’ll find all the inspiration you need to create save the dates that are as memorable as the big event itself. With an endless array of stylish, customizable designs and Blocks to organize the important information, your save the dates can do much more than just announce the day you’ll say “I do.” 

Once you find your save the date design, brush up on etiquette and tips for when to send save the dates and how to address them. Paperless Post knows your wedding day deserves the best, which is why we’re here every step of the way with the information you need and the designs everyone will remember even after the festivities are over.

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