For a destination wedding, send your save the dates 8 to 12 months ahead. Name the place clearly (city and country), say that travel details will follow, and give guests a way to let you know early whether they can make it. That gives them time to save up, request days off and book flights before prices rise.
Why a destination wedding needs more lead time
A wedding at home asks guests for one day. A wedding abroad asks for a trip: flights, a hotel, several days off and sometimes a babysitter for the week. Many guests also have to fit it into their holiday budget. The earlier they know, the more likely they can say yes. That is why the usual six to eight months for a wedding stretches to eight to twelve here. For a peak-season date or a far-away location, aim for the earlier end. The timelines for other occasions are in when to send save the dates.
What to put on a destination wedding save the date
- Your names and the date. If the celebrations span several days, give the main date or the full weekend: “June 10–13, 2027”.
- The location, specific enough to plan around. “Santorini, Greece” or “Lake Como, Italy” tells guests which airport to look at. A venue name alone does not.
- “Invitation and travel details to follow.” It reassures guests that more practical information is on its way.
- Optionally, a wedding website with hotels and travel tips, if it is ready.
Example wording:
“Pack your bags! Sofia & James are getting married in Santorini, Greece, on Saturday, June 12, 2027. Invitation and travel details to follow.”
More wording ideas for every style are in what to include on a save the date.
Ask for an early reply
With a destination wedding you often have to confirm numbers to a venue or hotel early. An RSVP button on your digital save the date gives you a first headcount months before the invitation goes out. Guests choose Yes, No or Maybe and can add how many people they are bringing. It is not a final answer, but it tells you whether to plan for 40 guests or 90. How to use those early replies is in save the date with RSVP.
Calendars and time zones
When guests add your date to their calendar, the save the date is saved as an all-day event on your wedding date, with a link back to your page. That way the date stays right for guests at home and abroad, and they can open your save the date straight from their calendar when they start booking. How the button works for Google, Apple, Outlook and Yahoo is in add to calendar.
Reaching guests in different countries
International guest lists rarely share one channel. Some relatives live on WhatsApp, colleagues read email, and friends abroad may only see what you post on social media. A digital save the date is one link you can share everywhere, without postage or delays at customs. Tips per channel are in how to send a save the date by WhatsApp or email. If plans change, for example a different venue on the same island, update the save the date and the link stays the same.
After the save the date
Send the formal invitation about three to four months before a destination wedding, with the full program, the venue, travel and hotel information and a firm RSVP deadline. Until then, your save the date keeps doing its job online. Ready to start? Here is how to make a free digital save the date, or go straight to the save the date templates.
Ready to share your date? On freesavethedate.online you make a digital save the date for free, with an add to calendar button and early RSVP built in. Pick one of the save the date templates or create your free save the date right away.
Questions about destination wedding save the dates
Eight to twelve months before the wedding. Guests need time to book flights and accommodation and to request time off.
Your names, the date or dates, the city and country, and a note that the invitation and travel details will follow. A wedding website link is a useful extra.
Yes, with a digital save the date you can add an RSVP button. It gives you an early, non-binding headcount before the formal invitation.