Everything You Need to Know About Paperless Wedding Invitations

Spring or summer wedding? Live band or DJ? Cake or cheese cake? These are only some of the decisions you need to nail for your special day. When it comes to wedding invites, going digital or sticking to traditional print is another decision thrown into the mix when it comes to wedding planning. Read on for a deep dive into everything you need to know about paperless invitations.

How to send digital wedding invitations

The most common way to send paperless wedding invitations is via email. Almost everyone has an email address, it's formal, convenient and some wedding design sites such as Say I do also have their own email platforms which you can take advantage of. Sending online wedding invitations is also more environmentally friendly, it's a sure fire way to save paper, save money and save multiple trips to the post office - bet you didn't think you'd be able to reduce your carbon footprint whilst planning the wedding of your dreams!

What are the reasons for sending an online wedding invitation?

Depending whether you've got time on your side or not, sending digital wedding invitations is a quick way to get your wedding date out there. Especially if you've chosen to have a destination wedding, the more time you give your guests the better as they'll need to secure time off work and save some cash! Digital invitations won't break the bank either, there are a great range of sites out there offering a variety of beautiful templates or some even give you the freedom to create your very own design.

Include all of the necessary information

The great thing about using paperless post is that you're not limited by space whereas with traditional paper invitations you've only got so much paper to write on! A digital invitation gives you the freedom to include as much or as little information for your guests as you like. But remember to include details on the venue, timings and logistics. Regardless of whether it's a formal wedding or a relaxed affair you're aiming for, the same invitation etiquette applies; don't use abbreviations, communicate the dress code and provide RSVP information. It's your call when it comes to the wording on your invitations, but the most important thing is that your invite reflects you and your partner and of course your special day.

Faux pas to avoid on your digital wedding invitations

Keep it positive! Avoid using phrases like 'no kids' or 'adults only' it will be obvious by whose names are on the invite if you're inviting kids or not. Don't overload the invite either, there's a fine line between being generous with your information but giving too much might mean the essential details get lost in the waffle. If you have a lot to share with your guests this might be the time to decide whether you want to create a wedding website through Say I do where you can include further information for guests. Keep the font sizes and colours to a minimum, have a browse at invites you like that are already out there or on templates and follow suit - less is often more!

It makes things easier for your guests too

Once your electronic invites are out there in the world and if you've used a site which offers a digital RSVP option such as Say I do, your guests are only one click away from sending you their reply! It's an incredibly easy process where you and your guests can save time, money and multiple trips to the post office, plus it's much more eco friendly than a traditional wedding invitation.

RSVPs are easier for everyone

At Say I do we offer a range of options to help you create your very own wedding website and one of the handiest features we offer is that you get to benefit from our digital RSVP tracking tool. Guests can send their responses with ease using their smartphone or computer. For people who don't have one, you can even do it for them. You'll be so grateful when you're able to see your RSVP responses collated and organised in one handy place. This handy tool used through your wedding website is such a great way to quickly collect numbers for the big day and you can even send a gentle digital nudge to those who you're waiting to hear back from.

You'll save time and money

And paper! If you decide to send traditional cards you need to factor in costs for save the dates, invitations, RSVP cards and thank you notes - that's a lot of paper, ink and postage fees. The most time consuming part of creating digital wedding invitations is possibly the collating of your guests email addresses. But once you've got all your guests' details and you've created a custom design, the sending out is merely the click of a button. There's a great selection of online services out there offering email wedding invitations. You can personalise them to reflect your wedding theme, include different areas for all of the additional information and you can even create a digital envelope!

Are digital invitations acceptable for weddings?

Yes! It may not be 'tradition' but even the most formal weddings are now choosing to send digital wedding invitations. More couples than ever are now opting for an environmentally friendly option and even going digital for their save the dates and thank you cards too. It may be that not all your wedding party are online so you might still have the need to send a couple of paper invitations but you'll be surprised how techie Aunty Linda is these days!

Timeline etiquette for sending digital wedding invitations

There's no hard and fast rule for when you should be sending online invitations out, although the tradition is that you should give your guests four - six months notice. One positive of going online is that you don't need to factor in shipping time, simply press send and your guests could RSVP within seconds, letting the wedding planning process continue whilst your RSVPs trickle in!

Let your guests know the requested attire

Have you ever turned up to an event in jeans when everyone else is in black tie? Or the other way round, you're in your smartest outfit and everyone else is sporting shorts and t-shirts? Well this is your chance to set your guests' expectations when it comes to the dress code, save them the embarrassment and give them the heads-up on attire in plenty of time.

In summary, what are the reasons to send paperless wedding invitations?

Electronic invitations are the perfect way to save you and your guests time and money but you'll also be doing your bit to save the planet too. Weighing up whether to send traditional wedding invitations or online wedding invitations is a decision both you and your partner need to consider carefully but hopefully you've now got a clearer picture of what might work for you and your wedding day and feel confident in progressing with a wedding website and digital invitations.