25 Modern and Unique Save the Date Card Ideas

Save the date cards will make a great first impression on your wedding guests. They set the tone for your wedding because it's the first place to tell your guests that you are an engaged couple. It also lets them know what to expect on your big day. Since it should reflect your personalities, a classic save the date is not always the right choice. There are many options to help get you inspired, from the unique and unexpected to conventional and traditional.

Personalize your cards

Unique save the date cards that showcase your personality are sure to fit your individual style and flair. If modern is your thing, you can always find a remarkable selection of contemporary cards. With timeless vintage cards, old world meets new, and if you're planning a country or barn wedding, look for rustic ideas. Traditional, modern, formal and unique cards are all an ideal way to provide advanced notice for your guests to clear their schedules on your wedding day. Here are the top 25 unique and modern save the date card ideas.

  1. Magnets. Whether you choose large, square, heart, calendar or small, you can find a variety of magnet shapes and sizes to complement your design.
  2. Cards. From size and shape to paper stock, cards are available to fit your unique style and budget.
  3. Postcards. For style and convenience, postcards are easy to address, stamp and mail and as an added bonus, are cost-effective.
  4. Wood. For a rustic wedding, set the tone with a custom carved balsa wood notice.
  5. Timeline. Map your love story with an original timeline, pinpointing the significant moments in your relationship, starting with first date all the way up to your wedding date.
  6. Bookmark. You can ask friends and family to mark the date with a letter pressed bookmark for a more formal vibe. 
  7. Laser-cut. The Mexican-inspired art form of laser cutting is a stunning technique that will set the tone for a classic wedding.
  8. Photo. Engagement photos are an ideal way to personalize the save the date. Display your best pose with a perfect photo card highlighting a bold date on the bottom.
  9. Scratch-offs. Use scratch-off paint to expose the location for a surprise destination wedding or date.
  10. Tying the knot. For a play on words, use a rustic rope that ties into a knot as the card is opened.
  11. Plant markers. Handmade paper embedded with different seeds will germinate when the paper is plated in soil. Include a plant marker with your wedding details on it.
  12. Infographic. Fashionable and trendy infographic save the dates allows you to display all of your memories in a stylish way.
  13. Printed balloon. Include a printed balloon with the save the date card that announces the date, location and place for your wedding.
  14. Library card. Get literary and copy an old-fashioned library card. Use the lines to fill your important events.
  15. Tattoo. Imprint your wedding day on the bodies of loved ones with save the date temporary tattoos.
  16. Mini pencil. Have your guests pencil in your wedding day by providing a mini pencil with the card.
  17. Decoder card. Take your cards to a new dimension with 3D glasses that decode your message.
  18. Flip book. Create a tiny flip book for a crafty save the date video that can be watched without any technology.
  19. Mix and match. Matchbook magnets merge two clever ideas. They look like matchbooks but inside are tear-away magnets.
  20. Coasters. Letterpress save the date coasters are sure to remind your guests of your big day every time they use them.
  21. Message in a bottle. For a beach wedding, roll up your documents, tie them with a bit of twine and put them in a bottle with sand and seashells.
  22. Engraved golf balls. If your guests are traveling to a country club for your big day, imprint golf balls with your wedding information. Cut out a tiny square of fake grass and send it in a box with the golf ball sitting on top.

23. Snow globes. For a winter destination wedding, mail out customized snow globes with photos of you two with the details.

24. Boarding pass. Generate some buzz with a faux ticket to paradise for a destination wedding in an exotic location.

25. Luggage tags. For a great and versatile option, send out real luggage tags and an insert card with save the date information and website.

Your date is set, and your guest list is trimmed. Now, finding the perfect save the date will let everyone know that you two will soon be married couple. Don't forget to think about the wording for card. You can include sayings that vary from humorous and witty to romantic and sweet, and everything in between. The greatest thing about save the dates is that they can be different than your wedding invitations. So feel free to insert a little humor, take a design risk, or choose a bright, bold font.  

[Bryan Passanisi is a long time blogger and writer. He currently works for Shutterfly.com as the head of the Shutterfly blog. He has managed various websites and blogs in the past year. He resides in Redwood City, CA. Some of hobbies include reading, writing and running.]