Key milestones in wedding planning from save-the-dates to thank-you cards.

What are the primary timelines for each part of your wedding? Some key milestones to keep in mind:

Save the date announcements.

Usually, you will send ‘save-the-date’ cards at least 10 months in advance, shorter if you have less time and longer if you have more time or are planning a destination wedding. It is the first official communication about your wedding and sets the tone.

Wedding invitations.

These are the big ones, wedding invitations usually go out at least 3 months in advance or even more, depending on your circumstances. You should've thought through details like guest lists, colours, venues, etc. So, your wedding invites would have all this information.

Order of ceremony.

While some couples opt out of these to save time, they are a good way to keep guests in the loop about what's happening on the D-day. Design a stunning wedding program with all the details that matter, from the menu to seating arrangements, creating a seamless and elegant experience for your guests.

Thank-you cards.

The last piece of the puzzle is the good old thank you card, which is a great way to show gratitude to the friends and family who celebrated with you.

For each of these materials, you can show your personality as a couple through designs, colours, etc. So, you want to take your time in the design as they help to make your wedding truly unforgettable.

Creative save-the-date ideas to announce your big day.

Take your save-the-date as your first chance to make a memorable first impression. It should be informative and give your guests something to look forward to.

Here are some of our save-the-date ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Digital save-the-dates.

Digital cards are a common option for many couples today to stay eco-friendly or save money on printing and postage. Using Adobe Express, you can design images, animated or video-based save-the-dates. This allows you endless templates for dynamic designs that you can easily share via email or social media.

Photo strips.

You can't go wrong with a photo strip design. It could feature your engagement photos to make it more personal or just things that represent you as a couple.

Illustrated designs.

Get custom illustrations of you and your partner, your wedding venue, or a location unique to your relationship that can make your save-the-dates even more memorable. With AI, getting these without breaking the bank is even easier.

QR code save-the-dates.

A fancy QR code could save you the trouble of designing an entire card. Add a QR code that directs guests to your wedding website, where they can find details on accommodations, schedules, and RSVPs.

Magnet save-the-dates.

A magnet save-the-date offers a physical keepsake for your guests’ fridges and boards. So you are sure they will not forget your day or misplace it easily.

Popular wedding invitation trends with stylish designs and themes.

Remember, your wedding invitations set the tone for the whole event, no pressure. So how about you make yours memorable?

Here are some of the most stylish trends in wedding invitations:

Minimalist and modern.

These have become very popular in recent times. They are simple yet sophisticated. Often, they come in black and white with clean lines and typography, sometimes with a picture of the couple.

Floral designs.

A floral wedding invite design is perfect for spring and summer weddings, along with a few details and pops of colour to make it even more romantic.

Foil based designs.

You can not go wrong with gold, silver, rose foil patterns, etc. They are timeless and make your wedding theme look luxurious and unique. If that's the tone you want to set for your event, then foil-based designs are the way to go.

Acrylic or transparent invitations.

Acrylics are in for couples who want to push the envelope and create more chic and modern invitation designs. They usually complement calligraphy for words and minimal designs and details so they don't become too overwhelming to the eye.

Vintage-inspired invitations.

Vintage themes, art-based designs, and Victorian designs are also becoming more popular today. That is especially the case with autumn and spring weddings, where they generally align with the mood. You can use this style with a touch of pastel colours, and together, they create an elegant look and feel for your wedding.

Digital interactive designs.

As more people choose the ecofriendly route, digital invitations are going mainstream. The bright side is that you have more options, like videos, gifs, or scroll invitations.

Crafting cohesive ceremony programs and heartfelt thank-you cards.

The D-day is here, and you want your guests to have the best possible experience during and after the event. The trick? Ceremony programs and thank you cards. They get to keep these long after your wedding, so you want to make it a great keepsake. Some creative ideas for you to consider:

Fan-designed programs.

Who doesn’t want a cool fan? Fans printed with your ceremony programs or as thank-you notes are a nice, stylish, and functional addition to your wedding that can be pretty unique. So, it's worth considering if your wedding is in the hotter summer months.

Regular booklets programs.

These are the standard options and are perfect for creating cohesive ceremony programs with more detail. Booklets provide just enough space for detailed thank yous, pictures of the couple, etc.

Infographic programs.

Chances are your guests don't want to do too much reading at a party. So you can create ceremony programs as infographics and use icons and illustrations to make them easy to read and more entertaining.

Like other aspects of your wedding, your ceremony program should be on-brand, following the colour theme, designs, etc.

Heartfelt thank-you cards.

Even after all the excitement, showing gratitude to your friends and family who showed up for you is a grand gesture. So, beyond the designs, you will want to consider:

Writing Personalised Messages: A handwritten note to each guest is a great way to share a specific memory and what it means to you as a couple.

Photo Thank-You Cards: A personalised card with a wedding photo of you and the guest will be a lovely gesture, and they will probably treasure it more than a general thank you.

As a general rule, you should send these out as soon as possible, probably within two weeks of your wedding.

Celebrating your love story through every wedding detail.

Your wedding is a time to celebrate your unique journey as a couple. And in personalising your ceremony, you can put your love story at the centre of the day. Here are ways to celebrate your love story through every wedding detail.

Custom wedding décor.

Personalised signage, such as monograms or a wedding hashtag, makes the décor unique to you and gives the guests a chance to get into your world. Depending on your interests, the possibilities are endless.

Add a love story timeline.

From the invites to programs, décor, and activities, you can walk guests through the timeline of your love story leading up to this day. Key events to highlight could be the day you met, the proposal, the first date, etc. Consider creating a slideshow of your relationship pictures to display during the ceremony or on the program cards.

Signature dishes.

Custom drinks and dishes are also great for adding your personality to wedding details like food. Have a skilled caterer that can help you create food and drinks based on key aspects of your relationship, like special dates, inside jokes or favourite places.

Get creative with your wedding cards.

While there is no right or wrong way to celebrate your wedding, you can make it memorable with some of these creative designs and ideas. From the moment you send out your save-the-date to the final thank-you card, each milestone of your wedding journey is an opportunity to tell your love story. So, make it count.

Adobe Express UK offers customisable wedding theme templates to help bring your vision to life.

Create your personalised wedding cards and invitations here

Good to know.

When should we send out save-the-dates?

Ideally, you should send out save-the-dates about 6 to 12 months before your wedding, or even longer especially for destination weddings or peak wedding seasons.

How do we make our wedding invitations stand out?

Add unique elements like foil patterns, acrylic designs, or interactive features like QR codes leading to a wedding website.

What should we include in our thank-you cards?

Personalise each card with a specific message, mention the gift received (if applicable), and include a wedding photo for your guests.

Is Adobe Express free?

The basic version of Adobe Express has everything you need for creative projects. Explore thousands of design templates, images, and royalty-free photos, along with quick editing tools. Craft a personalised wedding save the date or a meaningful marriage vow card to cherish for years. Get inspired with unique save the date ideas to make your celebration unforgettable.