Other Ways to Say “Save the Date”? You have an important event coming up that you need people to be aware of and remember to attend. It could be a big work conference, a special anniversary party, a once-in-a-lifetime trip reunion, or any highly anticipated occasion.
You want to let guests or attendees know to save the date but are looking for something more creative than the standard “Save the Date” wording.
The good news is there are lots of unique and memorable ways to alert people to lock in your important date without sounding cliché or boring.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 10+ creative alternatives to the overused “Save the Date” phrase. Whether you need a clever rhyme, a fun pun, or a more casual way to tell people to calendar your event, you’ll find plenty of innovative ideas here.
Stop racking your brain trying to come up with a unique way to announce your date and get people to remember it. Read on for a full list of original ‘save the date’ synonyms that will help spread the word about your upcoming event more excitingly.
Is It Professional to Say “Save The Date”?
No, it is not professional. For informal events like a birthday party or wedding, “Save the Date” is perfectly acceptable. The phrase conveys the necessary information in a straightforward, universally understood way. For events with guests you know well, it’s fine to use casual wording.
However, for more formal business events like conferences, company retrospectives, or important meetings, “Save the Date” may come across as too informal or vague. Professional invites for work events usually require more details like the nature of the event, expectations for preparation, and exact time/location.
Instead of “Save the Date,” more professional phrasing could include:
- Please schedule our upcoming [event name] on [date]. Details to follow.
- Mark your calendars for our [event name] on [date]. A formal invite will soon follow.
- We are hosting [event name] on [date]. Please hold this day open pending more details.
The key is to provide helpful context while still conveying the need to calendar the date. With professional invites, specificity, and formality are preferred.
What to Say Instead of “Save The Date”
- Mark your calendars
- Reserve the date
- Don’t make other plans
- Put it on your schedule
- Circle the date
- Lock it in
- Clear your calendar
- Block off the day
- Set a reminder
- Make a note of it
1. Mark Your Calendars (Friendly and Informal)
“Mark your calendars” is a friendly and somewhat informal way to ask someone to remember a specific date because of an important event.
It’s akin to giving a gentle nudge to friends or family, reminding them to take note of a special occasion coming up, such as a birthday party, anniversary, or a casual get-together. The phrase carries a sense of excitement and anticipation.
For example, if you’re organizing a surprise birthday party for a friend, you might say, “Mark your calendars for June 10th! We’re throwing a surprise party for Jamie, and we’d love for you to be there.”
Or, in a more casual setting, “Don’t forget to mark your calendars! Our annual family picnic is just around the corner, and it wouldn’t be the same without you.”
2. Reserve the Date (Formal and Commitment-Oriented)
“Reserve the date” is more formal and signifies a stronger level of commitment.
It’s often used in the context of weddings, formal gatherings, or significant corporate events where attendees are expected to make a definite commitment to attend. This phrase implies that the event is important enough to warrant a clear space on one’s schedule.
For instance, in a wedding invitation, you might find, “We request the pleasure of your company on our special day. Please reserve the date of September 5th.”
Similarly, for a significant corporate event, an announcement might read, “Reserve the date: Our annual shareholders’ meeting is scheduled for December 1st, and your presence is highly valued.”
3. Don’t Make Other Plans (Direct and Emphatic)
“Don’t make other plans” is a direct and somewhat emphatic way of asking someone to save a date. It’s often used when the event is not just important, but potentially non-negotiable or highly expected that the invitee will attend.
This expression conveys a sense of urgency and importance, making it clear that the event should take precedence over other potential engagements.
For example, if organizing a mandatory training session at work, the announcement might say, “Please don’t make other plans for next Friday; we have a mandatory training session scheduled for all staff.”
Or in a more personal context, “Remember, don’t make other plans for this Saturday. It’s your grandmother’s 80th birthday celebration, and she’s looking forward to seeing everyone there.”
4. Put It on Your Schedule (Organized and Professional)
“Put it on your schedule” is a professional and organized way to remind someone to save a date. It’s commonly used in professional contexts, where adding an event to one’s digital or physical calendar is a routine part of organizing one’s time. This phrase suggests a level of formality and respect for the other person’s time management.
In a professional email, you might see, “Please put it on your schedule: the project kickoff meeting is set for March 15th at 10 AM. Your insights will be invaluable.”
Or, in a more informal work setting, “Don’t forget to put the team-building exercise on your schedule for next Thursday. It’s going to be a great opportunity for us all to bond.”
5. Circle the Date (Casual and Inviting)
“Circle the date” is a casual and inviting expression, suggesting that the event is noteworthy or special without demanding a formal commitment.
It’s akin to highlighting a day on a calendar because it stands out for a positive reason, such as a social gathering, a casual meet-up, or a fun event.
For instance, in a casual invitation, you might say, “Circle the date! We’re planning a casual get-together at our place on July 3rd, and we’d love to have you join us.”
Or, for a community event, “Make sure to circle the date on your calendar for the neighborhood block party—it’s a day of fun, food, and friendship you won’t want to miss.”
6. Lock It In (Confident and Assured)
“Lock it in” conveys a sense of finality and assurance, often used when a plan has been agreed upon and there’s a mutual understanding that the date is now fixed. It’s a more modern, colloquial expression that suggests confidence that the event will be worth attending.
This phrase is suitable for both personal and professional settings, particularly when finalizing details of an event that has been tentatively discussed.
For example, after a few back-and-forths about the best date for a reunion, you might say, “So, are we all good for the 25th? Let’s lock it in and start the preparations!”
In a work context, after deciding on a date for a crucial meeting, a manager might say, “Alright, we’re locking in the 10th for the quarterly review. Make sure you’re prepared with your reports and presentations.”
7. Clear Your Calendar (Urgent and Important)
“Clear your calendar” is used to emphasize the importance of an upcoming event, suggesting that the recipient should make it a priority over other commitments.
This expression is often used when the event requires full participation or attention, such as an important business meeting, an emergency family gathering, or a once-in-a-lifetime event.
For instance, in a high-stakes professional scenario, an executive might say, “This merger meeting on the 18th is crucial. I need everyone to clear your calendars and be fully present.”
In a personal context, for a significant family event, one might say, “Your brother’s wedding is finally set for June 4th. Make sure to clear your calendar; it’s going to be a big family affair.”
8. Block Off the Day (Comprehensive and Thorough)
“Block off the day” is a thorough way of asking someone to save not just a specific time but the entire day for an event.
This phrase is particularly useful when the exact timing of the event is fluid or when multiple activities are planned throughout the day.
It’s common in both professional and personal planning, especially for conferences, day-long workshops, or full-day celebrations.
For example, for a professional development seminar, the coordinator might advise, “Please block off the day of March 22nd; we have a series of workshops and keynote speakers you won’t want to miss.”
In a more relaxed setting, for a day-long family outing, you might hear, “Let’s block off the day next Saturday for our trip to the lake. We’ll have a picnic, go boating, and enjoy the sunset.”
9. Set a Reminder (Practical and Tech-Savvy)
“Set a reminder” is a tech-savvy and practical way to ensure someone remembers a date, leveraging digital calendars and reminder apps that are a staple of modern time management.
This phrase is especially relevant in today’s digital age, where setting a reminder on a device can help manage a busy schedule.
For example, in a fast-paced work environment, a colleague might suggest, “We have that client meeting in two weeks. Set a reminder so we don’t overlook the prep time we’ll need.”
Or, in a personal context, to ensure no one forgets an important family event, “The family reunion is next month on the 18th. Set a reminder so we can start planning the food and activities soon.”
10. Make a Note of It (Attentive and Considerate)
“Make a note of it” is an attentive and considerate way to suggest someone jot down a date as a reminder. This can be a literal note in a planner or a figurative note in one’s mental checklist.
It’s a versatile phrase, suitable for both formal and informal settings, and conveys a gentle reminder without being too imposing.
For instance, during a team meeting where future tasks are being assigned, a leader might say, “Our deadline for project delivery is April 30th. Please, everyone, make a note of it and plan your work accordingly.”
In a more personal and casual context, when planning a casual meet-up, “We’re thinking of having a game night on the 15th. Make a note of it; it’ll be a great chance to unwind and catch up.”