Save the Dates Budget: How to Plan Affordable Wedding Invitations
When you’re planning a wedding, your save the dates, a simple notification sent to guests before formal invitations aren’t just a formality—they’re the first impression of your big day. And yes, they still cost money. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to spend hundreds to make them look thoughtful and elegant. A smart save the dates budget, the allocated amount for early wedding notifications is about timing, simplicity, and knowing what guests actually notice. Most people won’t remember if your save the dates had foil stamping—but they will remember if they got them on time and knew where to RSVP.
Real couples in 2025 are spending between $15 and $75 total on save the dates for 100 guests. That’s not a typo. You can do it for under $20 if you go digital. Many brides skip paper entirely and use free tools like Canva or Evite, then send a quick text or email with the date, location, and wedding website link. But if you want physical cards, you don’t need to go full luxury. Stick to matte cardstock, print them yourself on a decent home printer, and skip the envelopes—just hand them out at family dinners or slip them into birthday cards. One bride we talked to mailed hers with a postcard stamp and saved $120. The key? wedding invitations cost, the total expense for all wedding stationery, including save the dates and formal invites adds up fast, so treat save the dates like a warm-up, not the main event. Don’t confuse them with your formal invites. They’re not meant to be heirlooms. They’re meant to be reminders.
What’s the biggest mistake people make? Spending too much too soon. You’ve got a wedding budget, the total amount planned for all wedding expenses to manage, and save the dates are just one small slice. If you’re already stressed about catering, photography, or venue deposits, don’t let stationery drain your cash before you even get to the big stuff. Look at your overall wedding planning, the process of organizing all aspects of a wedding from start to finish timeline. Send save the dates 6-8 months out, but only after you’ve locked in your venue and guest count. That way, you’re not sending out 150 cards and then having to redo 40 because you cut your list. Keep it simple. Keep it early. Keep it cheap.
There’s no rule that says save the dates must be fancy. The best ones are the ones that get seen, kept, and acted on. Skip the engraved monograms. Skip the velvet ribbon. Skip the matching RSVP postcards. Focus on clarity: date, place, website. Add a tiny photo if you want—your dog, your favorite coffee cup, a sunset from your proposal spot. That’s personal. That’s memorable. That’s worth way more than a $50 card with gold foil.
Below, you’ll find real examples from couples who planned beautiful weddings without overspending on paper. From DIY print-at-home hacks to digital-only solutions that saved hundreds, these posts show you exactly how to nail your save the dates without draining your budget.
What Is the Standard Cost of Save the Dates for Weddings in 2025?
Save the dates for weddings typically cost between €25 and €120 for 100 cards, depending on design, material, and printing method. Learn what affects the price and how to stick to your budget in 2025.