Evite Weddings: Formal Invitations With A Modern Twist

Wedding planning can be a whirlwind, and one of the most important aspects is sending out invitations. While traditional paper invitations are still popular, digital wedding invitations, or e-vites, are becoming an increasingly common option for couples. Evite, a well-known online invitation platform, is one such option for sending wedding invitations. In this topic, we will explore the pros and cons of using Evite for wedding invitations and provide a guide on when to send them out to your guests.

Advantages of digital wedding invitations

Digital wedding invitations are becoming an increasingly popular option for couples. While they may not be the right choice for everyone, they do offer a range of advantages. Here are some of the key benefits of digital wedding invitations:

Affordability

One of the biggest advantages of digital wedding invitations is the cost savings. Traditional paper invitations can be expensive, with costs adding up for paper, printing, and postage. In contrast, digital invitations can be designed and sent online for free or at a much lower cost. This makes them a budget-friendly option, allowing couples to allocate more funds to other aspects of their wedding, such as an open bar at the reception.

Eco-Friendliness

Digital wedding invitations are environmentally friendly as they reduce unnecessary paper waste. Couples who prioritize sustainability will find this appealing, as digital invites eliminate the need for paper across invitations, save-the-dates, envelopes, and inserts. By choosing digital over traditional paper invitations, couples can rest assured that their wedding preparations are not harming the environment.

Convenience and Efficiency

Digital invitations offer convenience and efficiency for both the couple and their guests. They eliminate the hassle of printing, envelope stuffing, and stamp securing, saving valuable time during the wedding planning process. Digital invitations also make it easier for guests to respond, as they can RSVP with just a few clicks. This often results in quicker responses, helping couples finalize seating charts and confirm dietary requirements sooner.

Tracking and Management

Many digital invitation platforms offer tracking features that streamline the RSVP process. Hosts can easily see who has received, opened, and responded to their invitations. Automatic reminders can be sent to guests who have not yet replied, reducing the need for manual follow-ups. This centralized system simplifies the management of guest responses and helps avoid last-minute chaos.

Design Flexibility and Customization

Digital wedding invitations often provide greater flexibility in terms of design and customization. Couples can choose from a wide range of templates, personalize colors, fonts, layouts, and even add photos. They can also incorporate their wedding colors and themes, creating a seamless experience from the save-the-dates to the thank-you cards. This level of customization allows couples to express their unique style and create invitations that match their wedding's overall aesthetic.

Disadvantages of digital wedding invitations

Digital wedding invitations are becoming an increasingly popular option for couples. They are often more affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly than traditional paper invitations. However, there are several disadvantages to consider before committing to digital wedding invitations.

One of the main disadvantages of digital wedding invitations is that they are less traditional and may be considered less formal by some guests. A paper invitation is a timeless tradition, and many people enjoy the elegance of receiving a formal wedding invitation in the mail. Digital invitations may also be seen as less personal, especially for older guests who are used to the traditional way of receiving invitations.

Another disadvantage is the potential inaccessibility for less tech-savvy recipients. Some older guests may not be familiar with digital invitations and the online RSVP process. There is also a risk of the invitations ending up in the spam folder or being missed if sent to a shared email address.

Additionally, digital invitations may not serve as a keepsake in the same way as traditional paper invitations. Many couples and guests like to hold on to their wedding invitations as a memento, whether it's displayed on the fridge or scrapbooked. With digital invitations, there is no physical invitation to keep unless it is specifically printed out.

Furthermore, digital wedding invitations may not offer the same level of design options as traditional paper invitations. Working with a professional wedding stationery designer can result in a truly bespoke and special invitation that digital templates may struggle to replicate.

Lastly, there is a potential for confusion with digital invitations regarding who is included in the invite. When sending a physical invitation, it is clear who is invited by addressing the envelope to specific guests. With digital invitations, it may be less clear, especially for older guests or those with large families.

While digital wedding invitations offer many benefits, it is important to consider these disadvantages and decide what is most important in terms of budget, style, and sentimentality when choosing the right invitation option.

When to send out your wedding invitations

The timing of sending out wedding invitations is crucial. It is generally recommended to send them six to eight weeks before the wedding. This allows guests enough time to RSVP and make any necessary arrangements. Sending invitations several weeks in advance gives guests ample time to respond and plan accordingly.

However, there are some exceptions to this timeline. If you have previously sent out save-the-date cards, this is usually sufficient notice. In this case, sending your wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance is appropriate.

On the other hand, if you have not sent save-the-date cards, it is important to send out your wedding invitations earlier, approximately three to four months before the wedding. This ensures that your guests have enough time to adjust their schedules and make travel arrangements if necessary.

For destination weddings or if you have many out-of-town guests, it is advisable to send out invitations even earlier, around two to three months in advance. This allows guests ample time to make travel plans and book accommodations.

It is also worth noting that sending invitations too far in advance may result in guests forgetting or misplacing them. Therefore, sticking to the suggested timeline of six to eight weeks before the wedding is generally best, especially if you have already sent save-the-date notifications.

Additionally, if you are planning a destination wedding or a wedding during peak travel times, such as the holidays, it is recommended to send save-the-date notifications up to a year in advance to ensure your guests can attend.

In summary, the timing of sending out wedding invitations depends on various factors, including whether save-the-date cards have been sent, the location of the wedding, and the travel arrangements required by guests. The key is to provide enough notice for guests to plan accordingly while also keeping the event fresh in their minds.

What to include in your wedding invitation

There are a few key components to include in your wedding invitation. Here is a detailed list of what to include:

The Basics

The wedding invitation is the first line of defence when it comes to conveying important details to your guests. The following information falls into the category of what to include and should cover the who, what, when, and where of the nuptials:

• Names of the couple
• Date, time, and location of the ceremony
• Reception information, including location, time, and nature of the event (breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.)
• Dress code
• RSVP deadline and instructions (online, by mail, etc.)
• Your wedding website, if you have one

Additional Details

Depending on your wedding plans and the formality of your event, you may want to include the following optional elements:

• A reception card with details such as location, time, and nature of the event
• An accommodations card with hotel recommendations and booking information for out-of-town guests
• A weekend events card or itinerary for weddings with multiple events, such as welcome drinks, after-party, and day-after brunch
• Directions or a custom map, especially if your wedding is in a rural location or if some guests do not have smartphones
• Response card and envelope, although this is becoming less common as more couples opt for online RSVPs
• Inner envelope, which indicates who is specifically invited to the wedding, including any plus-ones

Design and Aesthetics

The design and presentation of your wedding invitation can also be enhanced with the following:

• Envelope liners in a coordinating colour or pattern
• Belly bands or silk ribbons to hold all the pieces together
• Wax seals, optionally personalised with a couple's monogram
• Address labels for a streamlined look, especially if you are not addressing invitations by hand

Digital Wedding Invitations

If you opt for digital wedding invitations, you can still include all the essential information outlined above. Digital invitations can be just as lovely and impactful as physical invitations, and they offer several advantages, including cost savings, environmental benefits, and seamless design across all wedding communications. However, digital invitations may require extra effort to collect guest email addresses and may not be accessible to less tech-savvy recipients.

Evite alternatives

Evite is a popular online invitation and RSVP management platform, but it does have some drawbacks. Some users have reported technical issues such as slow loading times, and others find the navigation confusing. Evite is also strictly digital, and since it relies on email for delivery, response rates can be influenced by recipients' email client settings, with invitations ending up in spam folders or getting lost in cluttered inboxes.

• Jotform — Handles your online invitation needs with a set of diverse tools that work together seamlessly. Choose from over 20 invitation templates that you can customise, or design your own with the drag-and-drop form designer. You can also create fillable PDFs with the PDF Editor.
• Airmeet — A digital event platform that lets users create, organise and manage branded events. It provides analytics to help users engage prospects and encourage them to attend events. Airmeet covers all aspects of online webinar and event management.
• Canva — A robust, free-to-use tool for creating and editing digital images. Canva gives you access to beautifully designed templates, or you can upload and edit your own graphics. You can use these tools to design your own email invitations, and even print them for special occasions.
• Cvent — A comprehensive event management software that helps you plan, manage and analyse registrations for your company's events. Cvent's data reporting tools and intuitive interface get high marks in independent reviews.
• Eventzilla — A one-stop shop of event management tools, with solutions for registration, marketing and communication tasks and workflows. Eventzilla offers payment processing, onsite ticketing and registration, and mobile check-in for in-person events. You can also use it to create a website for your event, generate and nurture leads, and promote your event on social media.
• Greenvelope — Focuses on beautiful, well-designed online invitations for any occasion. You can add your own images and music to your invites, and use the site for RSVP tracking. Greenvelope charges according to the number of people in the mailing.
• Paperless Post — One of the oldest online invitation pages, used by many hosts and event organisers because of its streamlined and trendy designs. It offers a mobile app and digital invitation cards that can be sent to guests. You can also charge for tickets if your event requires them.
• RSVPify — Provides a comprehensive suite of tools for event management, including digital invites, registration and response tracking. Users can select from a wide variety of pre-designed themes or templates, and then customise their design to reflect their branding, colour scheme and other styles.

Frequently asked questions