Your Guide to Save the Dates & Wedding Websites

If you're newly engaged and starting to plan your wedding, one of the first big things on your to-do list is sending out Save the Dates. These simple yet essential announcements give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date, so they can mark their calendars and start making travel plans.

Save the Dates: The Basics

Your Save the Date is a courtesy to your guests, letting them know when and where you’ll be getting married. You don’t need all the details figured out just yet, but you do want to make sure your guests have enough time to prepare.

When to Send Save the Dates

For most guests, your wedding in Canmore and Banff will be a destination wedding. The further they have to travel, the more notice they'll need. Try to send out your Save the Dates as early as possible, or 12 - 14 months before the wedding.

What to Include

- Your Names
- Wedding Date
- Location (venue or town and province)
- A Note that a Formal Invitation Will Follow
- Wedding Website Link (if you have one)

You don’t need to include the exact ceremony time yet—this can still change as you finalize vendors.

How to Send Them

📯 Printed Cards: A classic option, great for a personal touch.
📧 Digital Save the Dates: A budget-friendly and eco-conscious choice, that can get you much faster feedback. You can usually either distribute them via email or by text message.

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Wedding Websites: Do You Really Need One?

Short answer: Yes! A wedding website is an incredibly useful tool to keep your guests informed and organized. Instead of answering the same questions over and over, your guests can simply check your site for details.

What to Include on Your Wedding Website

✅ Your Wedding Date & Location
✅ Accommodation Info (Hotels, room blocks, Airbnb recommendations - if you're planning on arranging shuttles to bring your guests to your ceremony and reception, don't suggest too many hotels on your website. If most guests stay in the same places, your shuttle will have too take less stops and everybody's journey will be shorter.)
✅ Travel Information (Airport details, shuttle service, car rentals, etc.)
✅ Schedule of Events (Rehearsal dinner, welcome drinks, ceremony time, cocktail hour, reception and reception end time, day-after brunch)
✅ Dress Code (Especially if it’s formal, semi-formal, or themed)
✅ Your Love Story & Photos (Optional, but fun!)
✅ Registry Information
✅ RSVP Details (Once formal invitations go out)
✅ Q&A Page (Gather all the questions that your guests ask you and make a Q&A page. Update it regularly to add new questions and answers and keep directing your guests to this page.)

Many wedding websites allow you to add a QR code to your Save the Dates, making it easy for guests to scan and access all the details.

When to Share Your Website

Include the link on your Save the Date so guests can start booking accommodations early.
However, RSVP forms should stay turned off until you send out formal invitations. You’ll need RSVP responses closer to the big day when you finalize catering, seating charts, and transportation.

Where to Build Your Wedding Website

💌 WithJoy (Free, customizable, easy to use)
💌 The Knot (Free, lots of templates)
💌 Minted (Paid, but includes matching stationery)
💌 Bliss & Bone (Paid, high-end design options)

Final Tips

💡 If you’re concerned about guest count, add a note like: “If you’re unable to attend, please email us at [your email]”. This allows you to invite B-list guests sooner.
💡 Add a reminder to book car rentals and accommodations early for summer weddings in the Bow Valley. It gets really busy here and expensive the longer they wait.
💡 Keep it simple - don't let perfectionism get in your way from getting your Save the Dates and your website to your friends and family.

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Sending out Save the Dates and setting up a wedding website are small steps that make a big difference in keeping your guests informed and making your life easier.
Block off an evening, sit down with your fiancé and pour yourself a glass of wine. Have fun with the task at hand and make your website and your Save the Dates uniquely yours.

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