Your Save the Dates set the tone for your wedding day. They’re the very first impression your guests will have—and they deserve to be just as beautiful, personal, and thoughtfully designed as the rest of your suite.

At Shine, our Save the Dates combine timeless design with luxury-level customization. Whether you're planning a black-tie fall wedding or a soft garden celebration, we offer styling options to match your vision—down to the smallest detail.

Classic vs. Photo Save the Dates: Which is Right for You?

We offer both Photo Save the Dates and classic, non-photo options—each available in a range of layouts and design styles to match your aesthetic.

• Our classic Save the Dates feature thoughtfully curated layouts and timeless design elements. Whether you're drawn to something modern and minimal or soft and romantic, you'll find a style that reflects your vision.


• Photo Save the Dates come in both portrait and landscape formats, giving you the flexibility to choose a layout that complements your favorite image.

Every Save the Date style is part of a full matching suite, so your chosen design can carry seamlessly into your invitations and wedding day stationery.

Designer Tip: If you're torn between a photo and non-photo design, think about the overall mood you want to set. Photo Save the Dates are a great way to create a warm, personal connection, while non-photo styles lean more timeless and formal—especially when paired with elevated print methods like letterpress or delicate embellishments.

Elevate the Look with Styling Options

One of the most exciting parts of designing your Save the Dates with Shine is choosing your finishing touches. From soft silk ribbon to translucent vellum, every detail is carefully curated to help bring your vision to life.

Styling elements available include:

• Colored envelopes in soft neutrals or bold accent shades. You can coordinate with your ink color, ribbon, or envelope liner to create a cohesive look from the moment your guests open the envelope.


• Envelope liners, available in a range of timeless patterns—most of which can be printed in any of our ink colors. Liners add visual interest and personality while protecting your Save the Dates in transit.


• Vellum jackets and wax seals, often styled together for a soft, elegant presentation. Vellum adds a sheer layer over your design, while wax seals bring in texture and an elevated finishing detail.


• Belly bands, a stylish way to introduce an extra touch of color or contrast. These work beautifully with non-photo Save the Dates, especially when paired with vellum jackets and wax seals.


• Silk ribbon in over 20 colors, perfect for tying the look together. Ribbon adds a tactile, romantic feel that makes even the simplest design feel special.

Whether you're going for understated elegance or something more styled, these embellishments help create a look that feels intentional and beautifully cohesive.

Designer Tip: You can explore all your options and see them come to life instantly in any of our Save the Date listings using our real-time suite builder—a simple, stress-free way to visualize your Save the Date before placing your order.

Letterpress Save the Dates for a Timeless, Textured Look

For an added layer of texture and luxury, our Letterpress Save the Dates are available in select non-photo designs.

Printed on 100% cotton paper with deeply debossed impressions, letterpress offers a timeless, tactile quality that adds depth and sophistication to your suite. It’s a beautiful option for couples looking to create a more elevated, traditional feel—no matter your color palette or styling choices.

Make Things Easy: Addressing Services for Save the Dates

Addressing your Save the Dates doesn’t have to be time-consuming. With our professional addressing services, your envelopes arrive beautifully printed and ready to mail—so you can spend less time assembling and more time celebrating.

• Guest Addressing: Have your guests’ names and addresses printed directly onto your envelopes in a style that coordinates with your suite. It’s a polished, professional touch that saves you the effort of handwriting or outsourcing.


• Return Addressing: Add your return address to the back flap of your envelope for a complete, ready-to-send look. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.

Both services are available on all envelope colors, with a curated selection of ink options to match your overall design—whether you prefer classic black or a color that compliments the rest of your suite.

Coordinated Wedding Stationery to Match Your Save the Dates

Your Save the Dates are the first glimpse of your wedding design—but they’re just the start. Every Shine Save the Date is part of a fully coordinated stationery suite designed to carry your style through the entire celebration.

• Coordinating Wedding Invitation Suites, including response cards, large and small enclosures, and more—all available together in one streamlined listing for a simple, cohesive ordering experience.


• Matching Wedding Day Stationery, like menus, place cards, welcome signs, table numbers, and more, designed to reflect the same timeless style as your suite.


• Thank You Cards that carry your design through to the final detail.

Whether you’re keeping things simple or designing a full suite from Save the Dates to day-of signage, our cohesive collections make it easy to stay beautifully consistent from start to finish.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

While this post focuses on styling and design, here are a few quick answers to the most common Save the Date questions we hear:

Are Save the Dates necessary?

While they’re not strictly required, Save the Dates are highly recommended—especially if you’re planning a destination wedding, hosting guests from out of town, or getting married during a busy season. They give guests advance notice to mark their calendars, make travel plans, and prepare for your celebration.

Unlike invitations, Save the Dates don’t include full event details. They simply share your names, wedding date, and location (with optional extras like a website or travel note), serving as the first introduction to your wedding style.

Who should I send Save the Dates to?

You should send Save the Dates to everyone you plan to invite to your wedding. Once a Save the Date is sent, that guest should absolutely receive an invitation later. If you’re still finalizing your guest list, wait until it’s confirmed before mailing.

When should I send my Save the Dates?

We recommend sending them 6–9 months before your wedding—or up to 12 months in advance if you're planning a destination celebration.

What information should I include on my Save the Dates?

One of the best things about Save the Dates is how simple and stress-free they are. All you need to include is your names, your wedding date, and the location—just the city and state is perfectly fine at this stage.

You can also add a wedding website if you’ve already created one, especially if you want to share travel info or hotel blocks early. If you need to include a bit more, like a welcome party note or travel tips, a small enclosure card is a great option.

Whose name goes first on a Save the Date?

Traditionally, the bride’s name is listed first in a different-gender couple. However, in modern stationery, this is completely up to you! Many couples choose alphabetical order or simply go with what sounds or looks best in their chosen design. Our team will always adjust formatting and alignment to make your names look perfectly balanced—no matter which order you choose.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose a photo, letterpress print, or styled layers with vellum and ribbon, Shine’s Save the Dates are designed to be timeless, customizable, and effortless to make your own.

Explore our Save the Date collection to find the perfect starting point for your wedding suite. With endless styling options, curated embellishments, and coordinating invites and day of stationery for every design, you’ll find everything you need to create a look that’s beautifully and uniquely yours.