Let’s get one thing straight: a save the date isn’t just a piece of mail. It’s your wedding’s first impression. And if yours feels like a Pinterest craft project — glitter, neon fonts, anything involving a Bitmoji — we need to have a chat.
Old money doesn’t shout. It doesn’t need to. It shows up on thick paper with clean lettering, says what it needs to say, and leaves a lasting impression without begging for attention. Think: Caroline Bessette would approve. That’s the energy.
If you’re aiming for quiet luxury and not “we met on a party bus,” here’s how to get your old money save the date just right.
What Actually Makes a Save the Date Feel Old Money
Here’s the thing: it’s not about being fancy. It’s about being intentional. Every detail feels like it belongs — because it does. Here’s the formula:
- Fonts with backbone
Skip anything swirly, curly, or quirky. You want fonts that look like they have a law degree. Classic serif or something that mimics elegant handwriting (without trying too hard).
- Colors that speak in full sentences
No hot pink. No pastels with personality crises. We’re talking ivory, cream, forest green, maybe a navy if you’re feeling bold. Bonus points if the envelope lining has subtle stripes.
- Paper that feels like it cost something
If it flops in your hand, it’s a no. Go for heavy cardstock, cotton paper, or something textured. People should instinctively not want to throw it away.
- Small crest, big impact
A monogram or family crest is a nice touch — if it’s small, quiet, and not gold-foiled within an inch of its life. Think corner detail, not center stage.
- Zero trends allowed
No cartoons, no “Save the freakin’ date!” energy, no photos of you on a Vespa in Positano. Your engagement shoot can live on Instagram. This stays timeless.
✅ Quick check: If your old money save the date would make Jackie O nod slightly… you nailed it.
If you’re still early in the planning phase, don’t miss our guide to old money engagement rings — timeless styles with just the right amount of sparkle.
Old Money Save the Date Wording Examples
You could have the most stunning cardstock and the perfect serif font… and still ruin the whole vibe with bad wording. Because if your card says something like “Can’t wait to party!” in brush script, it’s not giving old money — it’s giving bridesmaid group chat energy.
Old money save the dates are all about restraint. The language should feel warm but formal, confident but never showy. You’re not trying to impress — you’re letting people know, kindly and clearly, that something meaningful is happening. Here’s how to do it right.
✉️ Example 1: Classic & Formal
Please save the date
for the wedding of
Caroline Margaret Ellis
and
Thomas James Whitmore
October 3rd, 2025
Charleston, South Carolina
Formal invitation to follow
✉️ Example 2: Clean & Understated
Save the date
for the marriage of
Sophia Grace Langley & William Charles Harrington
October 3rd, 2025
Charleston, SC
Invitation to come
Quick Tips:
- Stick with full names — no nicknames, no “Katie & Will.” This is the polished version, not your Notes app.
- October 3rd, 2025 is just fine as-is. No need to spell out “third of October” like it’s a royal decree.
- Keep it clean. No hashtags, emojis, or anything that feels like it belongs on Instagram.
- And if you’re from a very traditional family, you can go the “daughter of / son of” route — but only if it doesn’t feel like a costume.
Pick a Paper That Feels Like a Heirloom
If it feels like printer paper, it’s a no.
Old money isn’t flashy — it’s felt. Think: a slightly textured card that makes a soft sound when you run your finger over it. You want paper with weight, like something that could survive a hundred years tucked in a family bible or between the pages of a dusty novel.
🕊️ Go for:
- Cotton rag or deckle-edged paper
Looks like it came from a vintage stationery shop in Paris. Bonus points if it’s handmade. - Thick, soft-touch matte cardstock
No shine, no gloss, no shimmer. This isn’t a Sweet 16 invitation. - Letterpress or foil-stamped details (sparingly)
Pressed type feels timeless. Gold or blind embossing adds just enough luxury without screaming it. - Envelope liners in a neutral or classic print
Think herringbone, toile, or a dusty crest. Nothing with hearts or marble swirls, please.
What you skip matters just as much: no glitter, no shimmer paper, no rose gold foil. If your card sparkles, so will your regrets.
And if you’re thinking, “But no one cares about paper!” — trust us, they do. Maybe not consciously. But the moment someone opens your envelope and feels that beautiful weight? They’ll know this isn’t just any wedding.
It’s your wedding. And it’s going to be unforgettable.
Stick to One Color (Maybe Two If You’re Feeling Wild)
Here’s a secret: the most expensive-looking old money save the dates usually have the fewest colors.
That’s not an accident. Monochrome looks intentional. It feels calm, elevated, and strangely expensive — even if you printed them at your neighborhood shop. Think black on cream, navy on white, deep forest on ivory. That’s the zone.
🎨 Old Money Color Combos That Never Miss:
- Black on ivory – Classic. Clean. Unapologetic.
- Charcoal on dove gray – Understated but rich.
- Forest green on cream – Feels like a countryside estate and a glass of red wine.
- Navy on crisp white – Sharp and timeless.
- Chocolate brown on blush – Unexpected but warm and refined.
🚫 What to Avoid:
- Sage green, dusty blue, and anything that’s been trending on Pinterest since 2022
- Metallic inks that look more club flyer than family crest
- Color gradients or watercolor splashes — this is an old money save the date, not an art print
If you really want a second color, keep it quiet. A small crest, a thin border, maybe the inside of the envelope — that’s enough. Anything more and you’re in birthday card territory. But remember: old money rarely tries to impress. It just is.
When to Send Save the Dates (and Who Gets One)
Think of your old money save the date like a soft launch — for people you know are on the list.
📅 General rule: 6 to 8 months before the wedding
📍 Destination weddings: 8 to 12 months ahead — give them time to book that flight and pretend it was their idea
Only send them to guests who are 100% invited. That includes your close family, the wedding party, and anyone traveling in. Basically, the people who would cry if they found out on Instagram.
Skip coworkers, “maybes,” and your friend’s plus-one until you send formal invites. Once it’s in their mailbox, it’s official — and ghosting a save the date feels worse than forgetting a birthday.
Digital vs. Printed: Is Paper Always Better?
Old money loves paper. The kind that lands in a real mailbox, gets pinned to the fridge, and eventually lives in a shoebox with dried petals and handwritten notes. It’s romantic. It’s tactile. It feels like a wedding is coming.
But digital isn’t always a downgrade. For smaller weddings, second weddings, or tight timelines — an online old money save the date can be elegant and practical.
💻 Classy digital picks:
- Paperless Post – Refined templates, even for minimalist tastes
- Greenvelope – Clean designs, calligraphy-style fonts, and major environmental points
If you’re trying to keep things low-impact or low-budget, digital can be the thoughtful choice — just skip the glitter GIFs and balloon animations.
Favorite Brands & Stationers with an Old Money Aesthetic
Looking for that “this could’ve been engraved in 1952” vibe? These are the stationers to bookmark.
🖋 Ecru Paper
Handmade cotton paper, traditional monograms, and deckle edges that feel museum-worthy.
💌 Minted (Classic Collection)
Surprisingly affordable, with layouts that feel elegant — not Etsy. Go for cream, black, or navy.
✨ Dear Annabelle
Modern, but not trendy. Their designs have a whisper of old-world charm (and beautiful typography).
🌿 Arzberger Stationers
Old-school Southern luxury. Family-run since 1922. Think crests, letterpress, and impeccable taste.
Whether you want bespoke heirlooms or elegant budget-friendly options, one of these will have your name written all over it — literally.
A Few Things to Avoid
Let’s just say… not everything belongs on your old money save the date.
🚫 No neon, no glitter fonts, no peachy-pink watercolor blobs
🚫 Skip the rhymes, please (“He stole her heart…” we’re begging)
🚫 Avoid casual talk like “Can’t wait to party!” — save that for the group chat
🚫 And definitely no Bitmojis or QR codes. Ever.
✅ When in doubt, ask:
Would Jackie Kennedy send this?
If the answer feels like a shrug, rework it until it feels like a wink.
Conclusion
Your old money save the date sets the tone. It tells people not just when to show up, but what kind of wedding this will be. So say it with grace. With taste. With a font that looks like it knows Latin.
And whatever you do — keep it simple, keep it timeless, and keep it you.
