DEAR ABBY: I'm being married next year and I need to know -- when I send out "save-the-date" cards for my wedding, do I send them to everyone I'm inviting, or only to out-of-town guests? I'm not sure which way to go. What's your advice? -- LAURA IN PHOENIX
DEAR LAURA: "Save-the-date" cards are typically sent to announce forthcoming charity events. You should not send one for a wedding. Your wedding invitations -- which should be sent four to six weeks in advance -- should be enough notice.
However, if you think that some of your prospective guests might have a schedule conflict at that time, telephone them with the good news and ask them to save the date.