Ask these 5 questions: (1) Do any guests have to fly in from abroad? (2) Is it a destination wedding where guests must book hotels and flights? (3) Does it fall in peak wedding season? (4) Does it land on a public holiday when guests already have travel plans? (5) Is a close friend or colleague getting married around the same time? If AT LEAST one answer is "yes", a save the date page gives your guests time to truly plan. If all 5 are "no", sending the official invitation 2-3 months ahead is enough.

A save the date goes out 4-8 months ahead and only carries the names of the couple, the date and the city. The official invitation goes out 2-3 months ahead with the exact venue address, the detailed ceremony schedule, photos, a gift box and RSVP. A save the date does not replace the invitation, you still send the official one closer to the day.

Completely free. No printing, no postage. No signup, no view limits, no ads, and the link lasts forever.

4-6 months ahead for most weddings. For destination weddings or guests flying in from abroad: 8-12 months, so they can find good flight deals and book hotels. If the wedding falls on a public holiday: also send earlier (6-9 months) so guests can rethink their travel plans.

Yes. After creating, you get a private edit link (different from the public link you send to guests). Save the edit link or revisit the save the date page, this device remembers the pages you created. Sign in to access them from another device.

No. The edit page has a "Turn into a full invitation" button, the couple names, wedding date and cover photo carry over to the new invitation. You only add the ceremony details, family info, photos and RSVP. The old save the date page keeps working so guests who saw it can still open it.