--- title: "Save-the-date messages you can send on WhatsApp" description: "What to say in a save the date: messages for a UK wedding, a destination wedding, a weekend of events and other celebrations, plus what to send if the date changes." url: https://ourguestlist.co.uk/guides/save-the-date-messages site: Our Guest List --- # Save-the-date messages you can send on WhatsApp _Updated 2026-10-30_ **The short answer.** A save-the-date message needs the names, the date, the town or country, and a line saying a full invitation will follow. Keep it short enough to read in a notification. Send it six to eight months ahead for a local wedding and nine to twelve months for a destination one, and only to people you are certain to invite. ## When to send a save the date | Kind of celebration | Send the save the date | Send the invitation | | --- | --- | --- | | A wedding in the UK | 6 to 8 months before | 8 to 12 weeks before | | A destination wedding | 9 to 12 months before | 10 to 12 weeks before | | Several events over a weekend | 8 to 10 months before | 10 to 12 weeks before | | A milestone birthday or anniversary | 3 to 4 months before | 6 to 8 weeks before | > **Tip:** For the whole timeline, from save the date to final numbers, see [when to send wedding invitations](/guides/when-to-send-wedding-invitations). A save the date is a promise. Only send one to people who will definitely get an invitation, because taking it back later is the hardest message there is. ## Save-the-date messages for a wedding **Simple** > Hi Kemi! Save the date: Tobi and Abi are getting married on Saturday 14 August 2027 in London. Invitation to follow. **From the couple** > We're getting married! Please save Saturday 14 August 2027 for us. Details to follow. Love, Tobi and Abi **For an elder** > Good evening Auntie. Our families are delighted to share that Tobi and Abi will marry on 14 August 2027. Please save the date. A formal invitation will follow. **For a family** > Hi Sarah and James! Save the date for all four of you: Tobi and Abi are getting married on Saturday 14 August 2027 in London. Invitation to follow. ## For a destination wedding Guests need flights and leave from work before they need anything else, so give them the place and the dates of the whole trip. **Abroad, with the trip dates** > Hi Kemi! Save the date: Tobi and Abi are getting married in Lagos on 14 August 2027. Plan to be with us from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th. Full details to follow. **Warm, with a nudge to book** > Hi Priya! We're getting married in Accra on 14 August 2027 and we'd love you there. Book your leave! Travel tips and the invitation will follow. ## When there is more than one event **Two events, both invited** > Hi Kemi! Save the dates: our traditional wedding on Friday 13 August and our church wedding on Saturday 14 August 2027, in London. Invitations to follow. **A whole weekend** > Hi Sam! Save the weekend of 13 to 15 August 2027. We're getting married, and there's a lot to celebrate. Details to follow. ## For other celebrations **Milestone birthday** > Hi Kemi! Save the date: Yemi is turning 60 on Saturday 3 July 2027. Invitation to follow. **Anniversary** > Hi Tom! Mum and Dad's 40th anniversary is on 9 October 2027 and we're throwing them a party. Please save the date! **Gala or charity dinner** > Dear Mr Okafor, please save Friday 5 March 2027 for the Harbour Trust annual dinner. Your invitation will follow. ## If the date changes **A new date** > Hi Kemi! A change of plan: our wedding has moved to Saturday 21 August 2027. Sorry for the shuffle, and please update your diary. Invitation to follow. When the full invitation goes out on Our Guest List, each guest gets one link that never changes. If a date, a time or a venue moves after that, change it once and everyone who opens their link sees the new details. You can also post an update, which appears at the top of every invitation and the website, and send it to each guest one tap at a time. ## Questions people ask ### Do you need to send a save the date? No, but it helps for anything people must travel or take leave for: a destination wedding, a wedding over several days, or one in the summer holidays. For a local party, an invitation sent four to six weeks ahead is enough. ### Is it OK to send a save the date on WhatsApp? Yes. It is short news that people need to put in a diary, which is exactly what a message is good for. Send it to each guest by name rather than to a group. ### Does everyone who gets a save the date have to be invited? Yes. That is the rule that makes a save the date mean something. If your list may still change, send save the dates only to the people you are sure of. ## Send yours with Our Guest List Each guest gets their own invitation on WhatsApp or iMessage and answers every event separately. [Create your free wedding invitation](https://ourguestlist.co.uk/start). Your first 50 guests are free. No payment details needed. ## More guides - [When to send wedding invitations: the UK timeline](https://ourguestlist.co.uk/guides/when-to-send-wedding-invitations.md) - [WhatsApp invitation messages to copy for every occasion](https://ourguestlist.co.uk/guides/whatsapp-invitation-messages.md) - [Wedding invitation wording for every kind of family](https://ourguestlist.co.uk/guides/wedding-invitation-wording.md)