When should I send save-the-dates?

Send save-the-dates 6-9 months before a wedding, 3-4 months before a milestone birthday, and 2-3 months before other formal events. For destination events, send 9-12 months ahead. They give guests time to book time off work and arrange travel.

Do I send one per person or per household?

Like invitations, send one save-the-date per household or couple, not per person. A couple living together gets one card. Family members at different addresses each get their own. This calculator estimates households if you only know total guest numbers.

Are digital save-the-dates acceptable?

Digital save-the-dates are increasingly popular and perfectly acceptable for most events. They are instant, free, and eco-friendly. For very formal events or older relatives, printed cards are still preferred. Some couples send digital to most guests and print a few for key recipients.

What should a save-the-date include?

Include: names of hosts, date, location (city/venue), and a note that a formal invitation will follow. Do not include gift registry information. Keep it simple and on-brand with your event theme. A photo is popular for weddings.

Save the Date Calculator — Quantities & Timing

Work out save-the-date quantities and costs for your event.

Total Guests

Total number of people on your guest list (everyone you plan to invite)

Households (if known)

Number of separate addresses/couples you are mailing (one card each). Leave blank to estimate from guests.

Send MethodPosted, digital, or both — print and postage costs only apply to posted cards

Cost per Card

Printing price for one save-the-date card (typically £0.80–£2.50)

Postage per Card

Royal Mail stamp cost per card posted (spares are not posted)

Spare Percentage

Extra cards to print for mistakes, last-minute guests and keepsakes (typically 10%)

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates save-the-date quantities and costs based on your guest list.

Formula

Cards needed = households if known, otherwise guests ÷ guests-per-household (default 2)
Total to print = cards needed + spares
Print cost = total cards × cost per card
Postage = cards needed × postage per card (spares are not posted)
Grand total = printing + postage + envelopes (posted sends only)

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.