Six Ideas to Make Your Save the Date Unique

I always get excited when I see people find creative ways to share their news. Here are six ideas for creating unique save-the-dates, guaranteed to make your friends and family smile when they receive them.

Idea #1: Make it crafty

We live in the Golden Age of Craftiness, thanks to Pinterest and Google Image Search ;). Here are some adorably crafty save-the-date ideas (but be forewarned, these ideas require that you have lots of time and patience on your hands):

I like this idea from onewed.com‘s 30 of the Best Wedding Save the Dates Around post:

It would be cool if the lock and key were actually intertwined instead of bound with a tie, although it looks cute as is. It looks like this project was created with handmade paper. Here are a couple of resources for handmade paper and cardstock:

Or here’s another idea from The Natural Wedding Company in the UK (photo by Matt Brown Photography), a bit simpler to produce (just thinking about cutting out 100 locks and keys makes my fingers tired):

Basically, all you need to do is create a trifold card (you could use 8 1/2 x 14 cardstock and print it on your home printer), then punch a hole on either end and string a loosely knotted piece of twine through it.

Idea #2: Plan a concept photo

For this type of save-the-date, you think of something clever that you can photograph. Here are two possibilities:

– a picture of the two of you holding a giant cut-out of your wedding date (or you could be standing in front of a chalkboard with your wedding date, or holding a big balloon stenciled with your wedding date, etc. etc). I like this picture of a couple standing on a bridge, literally trying to “save” the date from falling! (Found on Facebook’s Little Fun Page community group.)

Another possibility is to put your date on an object that represents a passion you share in common. Guess what the couple below like? (Found on WeddingsbyLily.com).

So, once you have your concept, here are the steps:

1. Decorate or create any graphic or object you want to use in your photo.

2. Take the photo, or have a professional photographer photograph it at your engagement shoot.

3. Upload the file to a printer and order postcards. Here are a few great ones:

4. You’re done!

Idea #3: Create an infographic

This is an awesome idea for a tech-savvy, eco-friendly, creative couple. No need to cut down any trees for paper cards! An easy way to make your friends and family smile! Check out this example from OneWed.com (this is just a section of the infographic; click on the image to view the whole thing):

If you have plenty of creative juices and are interested in giving this a try, check out Creative Bloq’s post that lists a bunch of great, free tools for creating infographics.

Idea #4: Generate a QR code

Here’s something ultra simple and elegant for the tech-savvy bride and groom. Or perhaps it would be better to say, the bride and groom with tech-savvy friends and family. Just pick a gorgeous cardstock and print a giant QR code on the front, which leads to a site with all the details about your wedding.

If you need more information about these nifty shortcuts, the New York Times has a great article about how to generate and read QR codes. (Although, if you need more info about them, you probably aren’t the right person to use them on your wedding invitations.)

Idea #5: Use your design chops (or find a designer)

There are scads of talented designers out there who can create something both elegant and different for you. Or, if you have the skills, do it yourself! Below are just a couple of ideas to get your brain moving.

The first is a really simple invitation with one word — the first word on the card, actually — that spices it up. Sometimes you don’t need to do much to make an impact. Kudos to Etsy seller SplashOfSilver for the design.

Or here’s a crossword puzzle. Use a free, online crossword puzzle maker to generate the puzzle, then design a pretty heading. Or hire Etsy designer Rubiazul to do it for you.

Of course there are just so many resources for design inspiration out there, it’s an embarrassment of riches. The places I would visit are:

Idea #6: Be artistic (or find an artist)

Most people think of looking for a designer for invitations, but another possibility is to look for an illustrator. If you want something more quirky, a custom illustration could be the way to go! Just a few examples below.

The first is the “Finally” illustration from Etsy seller Jacks Master:

Or this adorable illustration from Ukrainian illustrator Alina Plastilina: