[YodaTheWrinkledO...]

A couple we know have recently announced their engagement (yay!) and we have received an email from them to "save the date". The wedding will be interstate for us (home town for the couple & for our own extended family) and it's planned for mid-September.

Do I book flights now or wait until we receive the official invitation?

The thing is, DH and I weren't planning on going back to visit family this year (not until Xmas - using up 2 weeks of annual leave then). However, if we fly back for the wedding, we are thinking we might stay for a week and kill two birds with the one stone (i) attend wedding and (ii) do a family catch-up. However, if there is no wedding, we're not interested in making the trip just to visit family.

So, what would you do? Book flights now or wait until we have an invitation in our hot little hands?

This post has been edited by YodaTheWrinkledOne: 25/02/2013, 11:19 AM

[Green Witch]

I would assume that if I have received the save the date email I am on the list of invited people for the wedding.

[madmother]

I would assume that if I have received the save the date email I am on the list of invited people for the wedding.

Yes. Book when flights on sale next!

[Therese]

I would book now too.

[PrincessPeach]

As far as I knew you only send save the date cards to those who you will be inviting.

The only thing you may need to check with them is if there will be any functions on the day before the wedding you may be invited to. My friend had her hen's luncheon on the day before the wedding as most of us were flying in from around the country & it was a lot easier to organise for then.

[meggs1]

I've only heard of save the dates being sent to actual invitees.

It would be OK to contact them and tell them you are booking flights, and as PP said find out if there are other events (hens, recovery BBQ etc) you should plan around.

[YodaTheWrinkledO...]

Thanks everyone. I figured that was the case and have spoken to the couple, so I think it's legit, but DH is not keen to book a week of annual leave if the wedding invitation gets pulled.

It hasn't happened to us personally, but it did happen to one of DH's work colleagues last year (couple basically overestimated how many people they could afford before they sent out the save-the-date cards). Very awkward I would imagine and DH's work mate was very peeved - flights accommodation had already been booked and paid for, mostly on deals, so not refundable.

I don't think it will be an issue with the couple we know (at least I hope not!). They know what they are up for - 2nd marriage for both.

As far as I knew you only send save the date cards to those who you will be inviting.

The only thing you may need to check with them is if there will be any functions on the day before the wedding you may be invited to. My friend had her hen's luncheon on the day before the wedding as most of us were flying in from around the country & it was a lot easier to organise for then.

Bride-to-be and I have chatted already, she hasn't mentioned anything like that. But I will check - good idea. Thanks

[blackcat20]

I would assume that if I have received the save the date email I am on the list of invited people for the wedding.

I have heard of save the date cards being sent to a large group of people to allow the couple time to narrow down their choices...not someone Id want to be friends with. But in this case, sounds like its all a go-ahead, but maybe check details with the couple before booking anything?

[Funwith3]

I think you could safely book flights. I thought that was the whole point of 'save the dates'? So that people could get organised for the wedding and not claim that they didn't have enough time to plan, or that the flights were too expensive.

Really, even when you have the official invite, the wedding could still get called off - right up until the day OF the wedding. So if that's your reasoning, you'd never be booking flights!

Book now, I say!