Save the Dates

By Leah

Did you hear about the STD that went viral (ha!) on YouTube a few months ago? This fake movie trailer for Jeff and Erin Wong's wedding was as elaborate a Save the Date announcement as I've ever seen, and although I could let it get me down, because there is NO WAY anyone can compete with that--least of all me, who has been engaged for more than a year and still hasn't even set a date for anyone to save (because that's what happens when you decide to have the baby before the wedding), instead I'm going to use it as a pressure-release valve: if I can't outdo Jeff and Erin, I won't even try. I'll just do something sweet and small and us, and that will be its own perfection. Phew, I feel better already.

 

So, last week, my benevolent Style Lush overlord Jennie sent out a link to the adorable STDs above, which she caught from Say Yes to Hoboken, which she caught from Martha Stewart Weddings. (Man, those STDs get around, don't they? HAR.) My own juvenile nature aside, I found this design so simple and lovely that I immediately took to the web for more ideas, and now I'm spreading my best finds to you. A good handful of what follows are DIY projects (some more complex than others), and they range from the supah cheap to the elaborate; hopefully there's something here to inspire you (and me, because, good god, woman, get married already!).  

First up, for movie buffs who don't have the skills or bank account to do what Jeff and Erin did (although check out the "Related Videos" sidebar on their YouTube page for some modest, homemade STD trailers), these personalized movie tickets get the same basic point across (come to our wedding!) but for a lot less work.

 
Image credit: Bridepop.com

Everyone loves movies, but you know what else everyone loves? Cookies.

 
You'll want to find a custom cookiemaker in your area, or shop around for the design and price package that fits your wedding, but for a taste of the different looks out there, these examples are, left to right, courtesy of Gracious Bridal, Celebrity Wedding Buzz, and My Wedding Market. (Just make sure you also print the info on an insert in case the cookie gets eaten before the date is marked on your guests' inedible calendars.) 

A few years ago, we attended a wedding in Puerto Vallarta, and part of the pre-wedding swag the bride and groom sent their guests was a mix CD of Mexican love songs to set the mood for the getaway. Add to this a trip to the office supply store and a little time spent designing CD labels and case inserts, and you'd have a rockin' Save the Date just like that.

Image credit: SmartBride.com.au

Blogger Chirky announced her baby's due date last year with Scrabble tiles and customized racks, and this idea could be easily customized for a wedding--just use the letters to spell "Wedding" instead of "Baby" (duh), unless there's something you're not telling me...

 

Judging by the number of examples I found on the Internet, sending out a photobooth Save the Date may not be the best choice if you're going for "original," but darn it if they aren't adorable. If someone gives you the stink-eye about them being sooo 2000 and LATE, explain that they're not "cliche," they're "classic." 

  
  
Image credit: MakeYourOwnInvitations.com 

Here's your regular-old paper invitation, but this time with a TMI twist, for those of us (ahem, bloggers) who like to overshare:

 
Via iDIY, via Wedding Wire (and check out that second link for more superb STD ideas) 

Feeling extra-crafty? Handy with an Xacto knife? Check out this step-by-step reveal of a chic pop-up card from Buried Sunshine (on hiatus).
 

Now this? This is cool:

 
If you were really crazy, I bet you could even find plain nesting dolls somewhere and custom paint them in your wedding colors. Or paint them to look like your guests! Or...maybe not.

Image credit: Ceci New York

You may have noticed we Style Lushers love our champagne, which means we'd RSVP a resounding Y-E-S to any couple who sent their Save the Dates via custom champagne labels (or etching, as below). Each (mini-?)bottle of bubbly could be either boxed and shipped in its own crate or hand-delivered by the bride and groom with champagne flutes in tow. Now everyone's ready to celebrate.

 
Image credit: Etched Expressions

Now it's your turn. Do you have any links to add to the list? What are the best Save the Dates you've sent/received?

Comments

[A'Dell]

I made some ticket save the dates for a party I threw a couple of years ago and they were so cute. I still have the template if anyone wants it!

[Rhi]

We went pretty traditional with ours, but I toyed with doing movie posters and bookmarks.

I do think the magnet is super overplayed and I'm pleased that that wasn't on your list.

[Morgan @ The818]

I love STD's for that personal touch. ;)

We found a vintage post card from the city we got married in, and doctored it to say our names. Then we had it reprinted with our STD info handwritten on the back - guests loved it!

Here's the link:

http://the818.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/STD.jpg

[Leah]

Yeah, magnets were EVERYWHERE, and I can't help but think it's a little weird to give your guests something so...permanent for a one-off event. Same goes for wedding favors, in my opinion. I like when people give stuff that is either (a) temporary (i.e., edible) or (b) useful outside the context of the wedding (i.e., nothing with the bride and groom's name, picture, or wedding date on it).

[Leah]

Ooh, Morgan! I LOVE that! Was the rest of your wedding kind of vintagey too? The STD sets a really cool vibe.

[Kerri Anne]

While I agree the movie trailer STD will forever be on top (Ha!), I love ALL of these, especially the tickets and the photobooth STDs. And Jes' Scrabble-inspired baby announcements were endlessly adorable.

[Life of a Doctor's Wife]

I love fun STDs! Ours were pretty unexciting, although I loved them.

My faves to receive are those magnet ones. We still have one (from a wedding we attended two years ago) and every time I move it to tack up a grocery list or postcard on our fridge, I think, "Awww... They are so cute! The wedding was so fun!"

[samantha jo campen]

You getting ideas? Hmmm? :-)

*coughnewyorkcough*

[Carrisa]

I love the idea of the photo booth save the dates. Also a magnet. Very handy. Or if you went with traditional save the dates, I really like these... and the whole site for that matter.

http://www.hellolucky.com/cut-paper-photo-save-the-date-chocolate-lucky-red-and-pool.html

[Leah]

Check out these underwater STDS! http://greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/2010/03/underwater-engagement-photos-save-date.html

(Via Style Lush's first Blogger with Style, Sundry)