While some people may balk at the idea of sending online wedding invitations, they’re actually a great way to cut down on your expenses and keep track of who’s attending your big day.
Given that most couples spend around $250-$1000 on their printed cards, going paperless is an appealing option to many. This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style – online wedding invitations can look just as beautiful and romantic as printed ones. They also save you a lot of time that would otherwise be spent licking envelopes and going to the post office.
And with people more concerned about taking care of the planet by reducing waste, going paperless provides a good eco-friendly option. Given that there are over 2.5 million marital ceremonies each year in the U.S. alone, the total amount of paper being used for cards is pretty high. Imagine how many trees we could save if we all switched to online wedding invitations!
Now that we’re aware of all the amazing reasons to make the switch, here are some of the best ways to make your digital cards stand out.
Use a luxury provider
Gone are the days where online wedding invitations were limited to tacky Evites that look like they were made in Microsoft Paint. There are now an abundance of boutique digital art studios on the internet, offering gorgeous, custom-designed cards with fresh, creative typefaces and embellishments. Be sure to do your research as there are some sites which are of a higher calibre than others; they may charge a higher rate, but depending on your budget the quality may be worth it.
Choose a quality style
Once you’ve chosen your provider, you’ll want to select a style that is both visually appealing and classy. Depending on the theme of your marital ceremony, you may want to incorporate floral embellishments, faux foil stamping or laser cutting, illustrations or graphics, Art-Deco details, or a watercolour background. Use your imagination yet try to keep your online wedding invitations looking high-quality.
Include a photo of you and your partner
Including a photo of the two of you is a great way to capture the attention of your guests and communicate a story. You might want to use a photo from when you first met, a more recent photo from a trip away, or include photos of the two of you as children. Using a photo in your online wedding invitations will help your guests connect with you and get them excited for the big day.
Write a personalised message
Rather than use stock wording like “You are cordially requested…” consider using more natural phraseology. When it comes to your online wedding invitations, you make the rules! You decide whether you want your message to sound traditional or whimsical. There are a few guidelines as to what information to include in your cards (for practicality’s sake), however, which may be useful. These are:
- Who the host is
- Your request
- The name of the couple getting married
- Date and time
- Location
- Reception details
- Dress code
- RSVP details
As long as you include the essentials, you’re fine to do what you want with the actual wording.
Use digital tracking
Once you’ve designed and distributed your cards, be sure to keep track of your RSVPs! Many websites which provide online wedding invitations also offer a tracking system which works seamlessly with your send-outs. Once a guest has viewed your card, they will be able to RSVP straight away (or do so later on), and the website will keep track of who has done so whilst keeping you up-to-date.