7 Must-Know Tips for Your Destination Wedding Save the Date (+ Editable Templates!)

You’ve locked in the venue, circled that dreamy date, and maybe even popped a little bubbly. Your destination wedding? It’s officially happening. 🎉

Now comes the next big move: telling everyone. (And doing it in a way that doesn’t leave your guests scrambling to renew passports two weeks before takeoff.)

Here’s the thing—unlike a local wedding, destination celebrations need extra prep time. Your guests are probably booking flights, wrangling PTO, or Googling “Do I need a visa for Mexico?” And that’s exactly why your save the date isn’t just a cute card—it’s the green light for all that planning to begin.

Not sure what to include? When to send it? Whether to go printable, animated, or full-on digital glam? I’ve got you.

This post breaks down 7 essential tips to help you design a save the date that’s beautiful and actually helpful—plus how to customize it fast using our editable templates in Canva or Corjl (no design degree required).

Whether your vibe is barefoot beach chic or mountaintop magic, these tips will get your save the dates out the door without the stress. Let’s do this!

Tip #1: Send It Sooner Than You Think

If you remember nothing else from this post, let it be this: destination wedding save the dates need to go out EARLY. Like, way earlier than traditional timelines.

Your magic window? 8 to 12 months before your wedding.

Here’s why: travel planning takes time. Between booking flights, blocking hotel rooms, requesting time off, and triple-checking passport expiration dates, your guests need that early heads-up. The more notice you give, the more likely they’ll be able to join you—and the less likely you’ll get flooded with “Wait, when is it again?” texts.

And if you’re working on a shorter timeline? Go digital. Animated or email save the dates are a total lifesaver. With our editable templates, you can personalize your design in minutes and send it off immediately. No waiting on printers, postage, or your neighborhood mailbox.

✨ Pro Tip: Add a little “Formal invite to follow” note so guests know more details are coming later—like the schedule, dress code, or RSVP deets.

Mexico Destination Wedding Save the Date Template

Tip #2: Include the Essentials—Hold the Overwhelm

A destination save the date isn’t just a “hey, we’re getting married!” moment—it’s the first breadcrumb guests follow to start planning. Your job? Give them just enough info to get excited and organized, without drowning them in details.

Here’s what you do want to include:

• Your names + wedding date – front and center, no guessing games
• City + country – they don’t need the venue address (yet)
• A friendly “Formal invite to follow” – so they know there’s more coming
• Wedding website (optional, but helpful) – especially if it has hotel info or travel tips

And here’s what can totally wait for the invitation:

• The specific venue name or address
• The full schedule or itinerary
• RSVP requests (that comes later—promise)

Using one of our editable templates? Even better. You don’t have to wonder what goes where. The layout’s already done, so all you have to do is type in your details and hit download or send.

🖋️ Here’s what it looks like in action:

Save the date for the wedding of Amanda & Robert — August 30, 202x — Rome, Italy. Formal invitation to follow.

Simple. Elegant. All the right info, zero stress.

💡 Pro tip: If your destination is a place most guests haven’t visited, linking your wedding website early (even if it’s still under construction) is a small detail that goes a long way.

Tip #3: Nail the Wording—Clear, Warm, and Totally “You”

Let’s talk tone.

Your save the date sets the vibe before your guests even start thinking about flights. So while the info is important, the way you say it? That’s where the magic happens.

Whether you’re going for romantic, beachy, or somewhere between "passport chic" and "party mode," keep your wording:

• Friendly
• Clear
• And 100% your style

Need a head start? Here are some ready-to-go examples you can copy, tweak, or totally remix:

10 Destination Wedding Save the Date Wording Ideas

🧡 You can totally personalize these—or mix and match—to reflect your voice. Whether you're the poetic type, a little cheeky, or just keeping it real, our templates make it super easy to drop in whatever feels “so you.”

✨ Bonus tip: Going animated? Keep your lines short and punchy. Then add music, motion, or a mini map to bring the whole thing to life.

Sofia Travel Theme Digital Save the Date

Tip #4: Pick the Format That Works for You

One of the perks of planning a destination wedding? You get to ditch the rulebook—and yes, that includes how you send your save the dates.

Whether you’re keeping it digital, going for full-on sparkle with animation, or want something paper-pretty to pin to the fridge, your format sets the tone and makes life easier (for you and your guests).

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose your perfect match:

Digital Save the Dates

No stamps, no paper cuts—just click, customize, send.

•  Budget-friendly
•  Eco-conscious
•  Ideal for short timelines or last-minute RSVPs

💡 Best for: Couples who love a clean, modern look and want instant delivery

 Editable in Corjl – You can update the wording, colors, and layout right from your browser. Easy-peasy.

 Animated Save the Dates

These bring the ✨ wow factor—think motion, music, and a little magic.

• Great for email, text, or social sharing
• Eye-catching and super fun
• Ideal for tech-savvy guests (and your social media crowd)

💡 Best for: Setting a fun, stylish vibe right out of the gate

Editable in Canva – Just drag, drop, and dazzle. Works on desktop or mobile.

Printable Save the Dates

Prefer something tangible? These are perfect for guests who like to stick reminders on the fridge (hi, Aunt Joan).

• Classic and keepsake-worthy
• Ideal for older relatives or guests who like paper in hand
• Great if you're mailing invites across the globe

💡 Best for: Couples who love the feel of real paper or want something they can hold onto

Editable in Corjl – Personalize, download, print. Done and dusted.

💡 Pro Tip: Choose the format that fits your timeline, budget, and guest list vibe. We’ve made sure every option is easy to edit—no design degree required.

Tip #5: Match Your Save the Date to Your Wedding Vibe

Your save the date is the very first peek guests get into your celebration—and for a destination wedding, it’s kind of like a mini travel trailer for what’s to come.

Whether you’re tying the knot on a beach, in the mountains, or halfway across the world, picking a design that reflects your location helps set the mood and gives guests a taste of the magic ahead.

Here’s how to match your design to your destination:

Beach Weddings

Soft blues, seashell accents, watercolor waves… Yes, please.

👉 Shop This animated save the date template

Tropical Vibes

Think bright florals, lush greens, and playful fonts. Perfect for Hawaii, Bali, or the Caribbean.

👉 Shop this tropical Save the Date Template

Mountain or Woodland Weddings

For couples heading to forests, cabins, or snowy peaks—go for rich greens, natural textures, and rustic charm.

👉 Shop mountain-themed save the date Template

Travel-Inspired Celebrations

Destination unknown? These wanderlust-ready designs cover it all.

Passport-Style (Animated) – With motion and music, edited in Canva

👉 Shop passport animated template

Boarding Pass (Digital) – A fun nod to your faraway celebration

👉 Shop boarding pass digital invite

World Map (Printable) – With your destination literally on the map

👉 Shop map card template

💡 Pro Tip: For a super polished look, match your save the date to your full invitation suite. Same fonts, colors, and design = total “yes, they really thought this through” vibes.

Tip #6: Make It Ridiculously Easy to Edit + Send

If the thought of designing a save the date from scratch feels… well, mildly panic-inducing—you’re so not alone. But the good news? This doesn’t have to be complicated, techy, or eat up your whole afternoon.

In fact, once you start playing with fonts and colors, it’s kind of addictive. (Trust me—you’ll be saying “just one more version” like it’s your new hobby.)

We’ve made it as simple as possible with templates you can edit yourself—no design background, no extra software, and no waiting around for a designer to “get back to you.” Here’s how it works:

Animated Save the Dates (Edit in Canva)

Canva is a super intuitive drag-and-drop editor that works on laptop, tablet, or even your phone.

✨ Perfect for:

• Adding music or movement
• Sharing via social, email, or even WhatsApp
• Making a big impression fast

You’ll get an instant link to open your animated template in Canva. From there, just:

• Add your names, date, and location
• Upload a photo (optional but cute!)
• Customize fonts, colors, and wording
• Download as a video and send it off

 Digital + Printable Save the Dates (Edit in Corjl)

Corjl is a no-fuss browser editor—just click, type, and save.

✨ Perfect for:

• Emailing your card
• Printing at home or your fave print shop
• Getting that “real invite” feel without the real stress

You’ll be able to:

• Personalize text and layout
• Add your website or RSVP info
• Download as JPG, PNG, or PDF

💡 Bonus: Every template includes simple instructions and built-in support if you need a hand.

Tip #7: Use Your Save the Date to Get Everyone Hyped

Let’s be real—this isn’t just a date drop. This is your official “it’s happening” moment.

Your destination wedding save the date is the first peek into the celebration you’re planning. It’s the teaser trailer. The start of the story. And with the right design, it can instantly get your guests excited and emotionally packed for takeoff.

Here’s how to make it extra memorable:

Add a Personal Detail

Include a photo, a note, or a line like:

“We can’t wait to dance under the stars with you in Tuscany!”

Little touches go a long way.

Set the Scene

Choose design elements that reflect the vibe—palms, watercolor beaches, mountain silhouettes, or a little passport stamp detail. Bonus points for using your wedding color palette early!

Animated save the dates are perfect for this—add soft music, motion graphics, or even a little airplane flying over your location.

Drop a Hint About What’s to Come

Lines like:

• “Pack your bags!”
• “Adventure begins soon…”
• “A weekend of sunshine, sips, and ‘I do’s’”

…build excitement and help guests start thinking travel-mode early.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re sharing digitally, encourage guests to tag you when they open their save the date. Instant energy boost. Plus—it’s fun to see the “OMG it’s real!” reactions roll in.

KONA Palm Tree Boarding Pass Save the Date Template

Conclusion: Set the Tone, Spark the Excitement

Your destination wedding isn’t just a ceremony—it’s a full-on experience. A getaway with your favorite people. A celebration that starts the minute your guests open their save the date.

And the best part? Creating yours doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With editable templates you can tweak in minutes (yep, minutes), you can send out something that’s beautiful, informative, and totally “you”—without spending hours DIY-ing or waiting on designers.

From tropical animations to mountain-themed printables and everything in between, you’ll find a template that fits your vibe and makes sending your save the dates one of the easiest wins in your planning process.

🎉 Ready to cross this off your list?

👉 [Explore all destination save the date templates here]

This is the start of something magical—so make it fun, make it feel like you, and get ready to hear a whole lot of “We can’t wait!”

✈️ Already picked your location? Tell me in the comments or tag us when you send your save the date—I love seeing where your love story is headed.