They're the first introduction to your wedding.

They let your guests know, "they've made the list!"

And they're a way of telling your friends and family when, where, and perhaps even what to expect from your wedding day.

Save The Date by Paperless Post

Okay, so compared to the formal invitations, venue selection, dress choosing, and um, cake tasting, picking your Save The Dates won't be the most important decision you make for your wedding.

But it is one of those areas where you have have a little fun, express your personality, and be creative - without much extra expense.

So before you set about saving your date, take a look at these unique ways to get your guests to mark their calendars.

Sense of Occasion

Save The Date by Project Pretty

Save The Date by Starboard Press

Set the tone for your wedding day, with an indication of what your guests can expect.

A chic white tie affair in the city, a cool warehouse bash, or maybe something relaxed and rustic in the woods. From fonts to flower motifs, give a nod to your wedding day from the very first experience for your guests.

Destination Anywhere

Save The Date by Monumental Designs via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Save The Date by Beyond Design

Save The Date by Beth Scott Design

If you're planning a destination wedding, it's best to let your guests know where they (and you) are headed as early as possible.

Asking your friends and family to travel for your wedding can be a pretty big deal, so show them what delights they're in for if they go, with a fun travel-themed save the date. And if it's far away, or you've several days of activities planned, make sure you let them know to "Save The Weekend".

Tie The Knot

Save The Date by Sweet Sights

Save the Date by Paperholic Workshop

Sometimes we're just suckers for a trend, and the craze for save the dates with real knots just makes us smile every time.

While we don't advise you adhere to every wedding idea you see all over Pinterest, sometimes you have to remember most of your guests aren't frequenting wedding boards, so chances are, if you love it, your friends and family will find it new and novel as well.

Start The Party

Image by N. Barrett Photography via Wedd Book

Save The Date by White Knot

If you're planning one big party on your wedding day, build up the anticipation and excitement by adding a piece of it to your save the date.

From balloons or confetti to sparklers or bubbles, kick off your bash in style and have guests who can't wait for your day to arrive.

Paper-free Please

All Save The Dates by Paperless Post

Whether you're being eco-friendly or budget-savvy, (or if you haven't sent post by snail mail since 2001), email save the dates are becoming increasingly popular. (Our own ed-in-chief Elizabeth and her husband sent e-invites to her own wedding, as a nod to their love of geekery and online occupations).

If you're not ready to take the plunge with an e-invite, opt for an electronic Save The Date instead. Paperless Post do some gorgeous designs complete with chic virtual envelopes that are pretty enough to post. (Best of all, some of them are even FREE!)

Wish You Were Here

Save The Date by First Snowfall

Save The Date by Beyond Design

The main thing you need to know about save the dates is that they can be as opulent, or informal as you make them. At the end of the day, all they need to achieve, is getting people to keep your date free.

If you want to keep yours casual, why not say it with a postcard instead? Not only do they look pretty dandy, they'll also save you a lot of waste on the paper and postage.

For Keeps

Save The Date magnets by Red Cloud Boutique

Save The Date by Yes Dear. Studio

If you're saving your date way in advance, (especially if it's into the next calendar year) you'll want to make sure your guests don't forget it!

Sending a small keepsake is a great way to make sure your special date is fresh in everyone's minds. Magnets, bookmarks, or keychains, all double up as sweet souvenirs and pretty reminders of your wedding date.

Picture Perfect

Save The Date by BerinMade, Photography by Marianne Taylor Photography by Bridal Musings

Photo by Brett & Jessica via Ruffled

Save the Date by Wedding Paper Divas

So many couples get gorgeous engagement photos, which they never put to use. If you have a photo of you and your partner that you adore, or if you've celebrated your engagement with a photo session, why not share a treasured picture with your guests as your Save The Date?

It's the ultimate personal touch on your stationery and P.S. We'll never get sick of photobooth save the dates, they're just too blooming cute!

Ticket Stub

Clockwise from Top Right, By Lady Grey | By Cheer Up Cherub | By Cottontail Press | By Beau Coup | By Hydraulic Graphix | By Noblest Hart

We are firm believers that being invited to share someone's wedding day with them is a massive honour. So why not echo that in your save the dates with something that shows just how exclusive at seat at the table at your wedding really is.

Ticket invitations not only make guests feel a little bit like VIPs, but they're also pretty cool, and they're versatile with everything from rock concerts and sports games to old timey circus admissions. Best of all, they hark back to your teenage days, when a stub was something to be treasured and kept on your bedroom wall forever.

Love on Film

Photo by Paul Akin

If you want to create a save the date that nobody will forget, why not put it on film? Okay, so this might be a slightly elaborate way to get people to mark their calendars, but who cares? You'll have fun doing it, and you're guaranteed to make your guests smile.

Take a look at perhaps our all-time favourite save the date video below by Milk & Honey and William Kee. It makes some some pretty "happy" watching.

Joseph & Stephane's 'Save The Date' from Milk & Honey on Vimeo.

Don't forget to let us know what you think in the comments below, and share your top tips for couples sending out their save the dates this summer.

For more musings on pretty paper, click here.