Bride: There are seven months until the wedding. When should I send out the save-the-date cards? What is the difference between that and an invitation?

OWD: Congratulations on your engagement!

OWD: Save-the-date cards are usually sent out about six to nine months before the
wedding date.

OWD: The invitations are usually sent out six weeks in advance. Save-the-dates are usually to let guests know you are engaged and to "save the date" for your wedding day. An invitation will include the actual ceremony and reception information for your guests to RSVP.

Bride: Ok, what are some items that I can put together for welcoming baskets?

OWD: Do you have a theme or a lot of out of town guests?

Bride: I haven't come up with a theme yet, and I do have quite a few coming from out of town.

OWD: Welcome baskets are often given to guests from out of town. They can include snacks to eat, menus of nearby restaurants, directions to events or anything else nearby that they may like to see while they are in town. Some welcome gifts are tied in with the theme. For example if you were having a beach wedding, you could get everyone a pair of flip flops, or sunglasses and suntan lotion.

Bride: Thanks, those are great ideas!