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Top 12 Save The Date Trends We've Seen at Wedding Venues Near Me
- Jennifer Wilson
- May 17
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 6
At Celestial Farms wedding venue in Clio, Michigan—and many other wedding venues near me—we’ve had the joy of watching couples announce their wedding dates in the most unique ways. The save-the-date is more than just a heads-up; it’s a sneak peek for your guests about your love story and the vibe of your big day.
Whether you’re planning an over-the-top luxury wedding or an intimate budget friendly celebration, these top 12 save-the-date trends will help you set the tone in style.
Save-the-Date Trends We Love
at Wedding Venues Near Me
1. Newspaper-Style Save-the-Dates
One of the most popular trends we’ve seen recently at wedding venues near me is the newspaper-style save-the-date. Whether it’s a miniature version or a full-sized newspaper layout, this idea is full of charm and personality and so easy to add loads of information.
Couples often include:
• A “Love Story” feature about the couple
• A fun word search with the couple's names, their pets names, etc.
• Venue details (like the location of our modern barn here at Celestial Farms)
• Engagement photos or snapshots from the couple over the years
Not only is a newspaper save the date nostalgic, but it’s also a fun and interactive keepsake your guests won’t toss.
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2. Digital Save-the-Dates (TikToks, Etsy Templates & DIY)
With more couples embracing technology and looking to save money, digital save-the-dates are a big win for many reasons. Here are some ideas for your digital save the date:
• Trending TikTok-style videos with voiceovers and music
• Custom video templates from Etsy-almost like a mini videography movie
• DIY video invites using Canva for free
Here's a fun little Tiktok save the date Casey and I did for an open house at Celestial Farms
Not only do these options save money on printing and postage, but they also allow you to showcase your unique personalities, your wedding venue, and even a sneak peek of your wedding theme.
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3. Keychain Save-the-Dates
Keychains are small and practical, but they can be surprisingly sentimental. Imagine every time your guest grabs their car keys, they’re reminded of your big day. At several wedding venues near me, we’ve seen couples choose:
• Simple engraved keychains with their names and date
• Mini photo viewers with an engagement pic inside and the date on the outside
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4. Unique Paper Save-the-Dates
Paper is far from boring when you think outside the box. We’ve seen styles like:
• Library cards with a “check out our wedding” theme
• Concert or festival ticket replicas for those couples that love music
• Passports for destination weddings or couples that love travel
• Scratch-offs to reveal the wedding date for those lottery loving couples
Anything that reflects the couple’s style
and story is going to be a hit
at wedding venues near me
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5. Dress Code Save-the-Dates
Setting the tone of your wedding day early helps your guests feel prepared and excited. That’s why dress code save-the-dates are trending at wedding venues near me. Whether it’s:
• A black tie affair
• A “wear a certain color family” event
• Casual or themed attire
Postcards or traditional paper mailers explaining what to wear make a great impression on your guests and show thoughtful planning. Guests at wedding venues near me appreciate knowing what to expect from the start, because figuring out what to wear at a wedding is difficult enough. Your guests will know they'll blend in with this guidance. Check out this example on Zazzle.
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6. Funny Save-the-Dates
A little humor can go a long way. We’ve seen so many hilarious save-the-dates that made guests smile, laugh and look forward to your big day.
Some crowd favorites:
• Childhood photos with the caption “These kids are getting married”
• Sarcastic one-liners like “Now you can stop asking” or “Bout f*cking time”
• Custom caricatures (especially if a caricature artist is booked for the wedding day)
• “Free drinks, so show up” kind of messaging. Very straightforward for those no nonsense couples
These types of save-the-dates will set a fun tone for your celebration.
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7. Edible Save-the-Dates
Food is always a love language—and now edible save the dates are are trending too. Couples at wedding venues near me have delighted their guests with:
• Custom cookies with their names and wedding date
• Wrapped hard candies or candy bars with personalized labels
• Mini jars of local honey, nutella, jam or condiments the couples enjoy with a custom label
They’re sweet, memorable, usable and give your guests a literal taste of what’s to come.
Custom Celestial Farms cookies by SugarHigh Bakery
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8. Coaster Save-the-Dates
Functional and cute, coaster save-the-dates are a hit at wedding venues near me.
Options include:
• Cork or wood coasters engraved with the wedding date and details
• Printed coasters with a fun graphic or photo of the couple
• Coasters that double as drink recipes or bar menus for your wedding day
We’ve seen these pop up at many wedding venues near me, and guests tend to hold onto coasters long after the wedding.
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9. Candle Save-the-Dates
Nothing sets a cozy, romantic vibe like a good candle. Personalized candle save-the-dates add ambiance to any home and can be as simple as a custom label on a small candle, or a personalized scent the couple created or even a hidden message in the candle after you start burning it which is a new fun trend we love.
Candles can include:
• Custom labels with your wedding date and venue location
• Scent themes that match your wedding (e.g., “Summer Love” or "Winter bliss"
• Small jars or travel tin candles, affordable and easy to ship or hand-deliver
Mix and match travel tin candles with larger more custom candles for those extra special guests.
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10. Handkerchief Save-the-Dates
“For your happy tears” is a timeless phrase that feels perfect for a save-the-date handkerchief. We’ve seen them embroidered or printed, often paired with soft hues or floral patterns which make them feel authentic.
These make lovely keepsakes and are especially fitting for parents, grandparents, and those extra special guests. They don't have to be for every single guest, just the ones you know will be shedding many happy tears on your wedding day.
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11. Magnet Save-the-Dates
Practical and budget-friendly, magnets are a forever favorite that your guests will see every day when placed on their refrigerator. Magnets are one of the most popular choices for practicality reasons.
They’re:
• Affordable
• Easy to mail
• Highly visible on guests’ refrigerators for months
Custom designs can include your photo, wedding date, venue details, and even QR codes to your wedding website for guests to look further into the details for the big day.
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12. Viewfinder Save-the-Dates (Luxury Trend)
This one’s a bit pricier for the couples dreaming big or keeping it small and luxe. Custom viewfinders (yes, like the toys from childhood) are making a major comeback for save the dates.
Inside, couples include:
• A reel of engagement photos or a mix of engagement and childhood photos
• A save-the-date image with information about the date and location
• A personal message or teaser for the wedding day to build anticipation
They’re especially popular for micro weddings, destination celebrations, or when the couple wants something completely unique and unforgettable. Wedding venues near me agree, this one will wow your guests!
Make Your Save-the-Date As Unique As Your Love Story
At Celestial Farms wedding venue—and many other wedding venues near me—we believe your save-the-date should be memorable, meaningful and personal to you. Whether you’re choosing something funny, sentimental, digital, or luxurious, your save-the-date is the first look into your special day. Thanks to Angela's Angles Photography for the newspaper and engagement photos for this blog!
Thanks so much for stopping by our blog! We hope you found this information helpful. We’re passionate about using our blog to shine a light on locally owned wedding venues. These venues often bring a higher level of expertise, service, and dedication to your big day. Plus, with less staff turnover than corporate or investor-owned venues, they’re able to provide a more personal touch. As you plan your wedding, we’d love for you to consider a locally owned venue like ours! Check out this wedding venue map to discover amazing locally owned venues across the country. And a big shout out to all the incredible locally owned wedding venues out there!
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