Design Discrepancies Between Save the Dates and Invitation Suites

Experts describe the design differences in two of the most important mailed items of your wedding.

Design Discrepancies Between Save the Dates and Invitation Suites

By Megan Simpson

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Photo: Ira Lippke Studios

With all of the big elements of your special day to consider, it’s easy to forget about the little things – though, sometimes, the smallest of items can be some of the most important when it comes to your wedding. Your paper products – namely, your mailed elements, such as your save the dates and your invitation suite – may be small in stature, but they’re pertinent in the organization process. Luckily, before all of the stress that may come with writing and sending these notes properly comes the fun part: selecting a design. Some brides and grooms question whether or not to order save the dates and invitations in the same style, as the former will likely be sent out before a lot of the décor is decided upon. 

To gain some clarity on the design differences between the two, we spoke with Lauren Staley of Nico and Lala, an expert design studio focusing on branding custom weddings, on the subject. "The save the date is where we encourage brides to show some personality,” says Lauren. Wanting to provide a real-life example, Lauren explained a recent bride with whom they worked (see photos below). “For this wedding, our couture bride Stephanie really wanted a Slim Aarons-inspired postcard feel for her Palm Beach save the dates, and arranged for a vintage photo shoot. However, when it came to designing the black tie wedding invitations, we wanted a more elegant feel, while still keeping it cohesive. This was captured perfectly by using her custom-designed wedding monogram, which we embossed at the top of the invitations, the text in full script of gold foil, and the most fabulous palm frond-lined envelopes."

Stephanie’s Save the Date:


Stephanie’s Wedding Invitation:

Photos courtesy of Nico and Lala

As you may not be entirely aware of your chosen motif or colors yet, you should design your save the dates with a little playfulness in mind. This is your chance to get a little quirky and have some fun with this element of your wedding. Remember: for many of your guests, this will be the first official indication of their requested attendance at your vow exchange, so make it enticing! If you’re leaning toward having a more formal affair, it may be important to you to have personality-infused details such as this in order to keep you and your sweetheart excited. Though your invitations should also accurately represent you as a couple, it’s important that they match the level of formality you’ve selected for your wedding, as it acts as a beacon to friends and family regarding what to wear, what to bring, etc.

Your paper products are such important parts of your “I dos,” so enjoy the process of creating them!

Read up on what information goes on a save the date, what you can include in your invitations, see a paper goods checklist for brides and grooms, and find out what should be on your RSVP cards.

Opening photo by Ira Lippke Studios

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