Paper Wedding Invitations: To Send Or Not To Send?

Wedding invitations are a crucial logistical element of your special day. While digital invites are becoming more acceptable, paper wedding invitations are still considered more formal and traditional. Sending paper invites is especially important if you have older guests who are less tech-savvy or less likely to check their emails or social media regularly. Paper invites also serve as a physical reminder for guests, who may receive the invite and put it on their fridge or bulletin board to remember the date. Additionally, paper invites can be kept as sentimental mementos or used in wedding photos or flatlays. However, digital invites are more cost-effective and convenient, especially if you are environmentally conscious. Ultimately, the decision to send paper or digital wedding invitations depends on your personal preferences, guest list, and wedding style.

Cost and convenience of digital vs paper invites

Digital invites are a cost-effective and eco-friendly option for couples on a budget or those looking to minimise their environmental footprint. They eliminate the need for paper, printing, and postage, reducing both costs and waste. Online invites are also convenient, as they can be created and shared instantly with guests through social media or messaging apps. They are also easily updated, making it simple to communicate any last-minute changes to guests. Additionally, digital invites often include built-in RSVP tracking, making it easier to manage guest lists and follow up with non-respondents.

However, digital invites may lack the personal touch and tangibility of printed invitations. They may not evoke the same sense of excitement or anticipation as receiving a physical invitation in the mail. Some guests, especially older relatives, may not be comfortable with electronic invites or may not have reliable internet access. There is also a chance that digital invites could get lost in crowded email inboxes or experience technical issues.

Printed wedding invitations offer a personal touch that digital invites cannot replicate. The texture of the paper, the design elements, and the attention to detail make guests feel valued and create a sense of emotion for the big day. Printed invitations can also be customised to match the couple's unique style and wedding theme, from luxurious letterpress to intricate laser-cut details. They serve as tangible keepsakes for the couple and their guests, evoking fond memories for years to come.

However, one downside of printed invitations is the cost. They typically incur higher expenses for materials, printing, and postage compared to digital invites. Additionally, creating and delivering printed invitations takes longer, requiring more planning time for design, printing, and shipping.

Sentimentality of paper invites

While digital wedding invites are a more convenient and cost-effective option, paper invites remain a popular choice for many couples. One of the main reasons is sentimentality. A wedding is a significant and momentous occasion in a person's life, and a physical invitation is a memento that can be cherished for years to come. It adds a touch of formality and elegance to the event and is often kept as a keepsake, especially by close family members.

Paper invites also create a sense of anticipation and excitement for the wedding. Receiving a beautifully crafted invitation in the mail can be a delightful surprise for guests, who can then display it on their fridge or bulletin board as a reminder of the upcoming celebration. This is especially important for older guests who may not be as tech-savvy and might appreciate a physical reminder of the event.

Additionally, paper invites can contribute to the overall atmosphere and theme of the wedding. Couples often put effort into designing invitations that match their wedding colours, fonts, and designs, creating a cohesive and elegant look that elevates the entire event.

While digital invites are a more modern and eco-friendly option, paper invites hold a special place in many people's hearts, adding a touch of tradition and sentimentality to the wedding celebration. They are a tangible reminder of the joy and excitement leading up to the big day and can become cherished mementos long after the wedding has passed.

Digital invites can get lost among other emails

Firstly, not everyone is tech-savvy, and some older relatives or guests may not have access to the internet or know how to use it. Paper invitations ensure that everyone receives the same information and can respond by mail if they prefer.

Secondly, paper invitations are more formal and elegant. They set the tone for the wedding and can be chosen to match the wedding's theme and style. They can also be kept as mementos and added to scrapbooks or wedding albums.

Thirdly, paper invitations are a physical reminder of the wedding. They can be put on the fridge or a bulletin board, serving as a constant reminder of the upcoming event. This is especially useful if the wedding is taking place far in the future, as digital invites can be forgotten or lost.

Finally, paper invitations can be customised with different weights, textures, and finishes to create a luxurious and professional feel. Couples can choose from a variety of options, including card and cover stock, cotton fibre, kraft and wood-grain paper, vellum, and more.

While digital invites may be more convenient and cost-effective, paper wedding invitations offer a more personal and traditional experience that cannot be replicated digitally. They create a sense of anticipation and excitement for the wedding and are a keepsake for guests to treasure.

Older guests may not be tech-savvy

While digital wedding invitations are becoming more popular, there are several reasons why it may be a good idea to send paper invitations, especially when considering older guests who may not be tech-savvy.

Firstly, a mailed paper invitation is traditional and formal, and sets the tone for the wedding as a revered and important event. It is a physical representation of the event and can be kept as a memento, especially by older family members. A paper invitation can also serve as a visual reminder for guests, as they can put it on their fridge or bulletin board, making it less likely that they will forget about the wedding. This is particularly important if the wedding has a strict dress code or if guests need to make travel arrangements.

Secondly, not all older guests will be tech-savvy, and assuming that they are can lead to issues. While some people in their 70s are tech-savvy, others may not know what to do with a digital invitation or may not even be aware of them. By sending a paper invitation, you can ensure that all your guests, regardless of their age or technological proficiency, have a clear and accessible invitation to your wedding.

Finally, paper invitations are often considered more personal and sentimental. They can add a degree of elegance and formality to the wedding and are a nice way to show excitement about the event. For older guests who may not be familiar with digital invitations, receiving a paper invitation can make them feel included and valued.

Save-the-dates vs invites

Save-the-dates are an optional part of the wedding invitation process. They are sent out early on, once the date and location have been decided, to give guests a heads-up that they will be invited to the wedding. This allows them to plan, budget, and book travel arrangements. They are especially useful for destination weddings or if your guests will need to travel. Save-the-dates are also a good idea if you have a large number of guests with busy schedules, or if your wedding is at a typically busy time of year, to ensure your guests can attend.

The main difference between save-the-dates and invitations is that the former is a brief notification, whereas the latter is a formal, detailed invitation. Wedding invitations should include the couple's names, date, time, address of the ceremony and reception, and any additional elements such as attire or an adults-only request. They should also include RSVP details, and any extra information such as hotel details, maps, transport, and travel information.

The timing of sending out save-the-dates and invitations is important. Save-the-dates are typically sent out 6-12 months in advance, whereas invitations are sent out 8-12 weeks before the wedding. If you have sent out save-the-dates, you can send the formal invitation a little closer to the wedding date.

There are pros and cons to sending out save-the-dates. They are a good idea if you want to give your guests plenty of notice, especially if they need to travel. However, they are an additional expense and take time to create and send. You will also need to finalise your guest list early on, and once a save-the-date has been sent, you can't un-invite that person.

Some couples opt to send digital save-the-dates via email, which can save money, but it is still important to collect guests' email addresses, and there is a risk the email could be missed or end up in a spam folder. Physical save-the-date cards can be put on a fridge as a reminder, but digital save-the-dates can also be added to a digital calendar.

Whether you send save-the-dates or not, it is customary to send some type of formal invitation closer to the time.

Frequently asked questions