Invitation And Website Design: Syncing For The Perfect Wedding

Wedding invitations are one of the first impressions that guests will have of your big day. They can set the tone for the wedding and provide important information for guests. While they are a crucial part of the wedding planning process, they can also be costly and time-consuming. This is where wedding websites come in. Many couples are now opting for digital invitations, which can be designed to match their wedding website. This creates a cohesive look and feel for the entire event, from the initial invitation to the website, where guests can find all the necessary information.

Invites to match your wedding website and app

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your big day, so it's natural to want to get all the details just right. Choosing a wedding website with matching invitations might not be an obvious priority, but it can elevate the overall experience for your guests. While your wedding website and invitations are both great at conveying the wedding vibe and important logistical details independently, they can help solidify your wedding style and boost anticipation for the whole event when used as a matching set.

If you're looking for invites to match your wedding website and app, Paperlust has partnered with Joy, a San-Francisco-based wedding planning company, to offer free matching wedding websites. Joy simplifies wedding planning by allowing couples to create their wedding website and mobile app, manage their guest list, send digital save-the-dates and invitations, track digital RSVPs, and more. Paperlust has been looking to offer customers matching websites and wedding invitations, and they believe that Joy's platform is the most user-friendly and feature-packed in the world. As of November 2019, you can find Paperlust's top designs on Joy's platform, allowing couples to create cohesive themes across their wedding website and app, emailed save-the-dates, and printed invitation suites that can be shipped internationally.

With Paperlust and Joy, you can create beautiful websites to share extra details with your guests. A wedding website allows you to include all sorts of helpful information, such as accommodation details, pre- and post-wedding functions, and the day's schedule. Joy's beautifully designed wedding websites let you put everything about your wedding in one place, from engagement photos and stories of how you and your fiance met to your wedding schedule and travel tips for guests. Its user-friendly design makes it easy to add as many details as you like.

You can also organise your guest list, take RSVPs, and communicate with your guests. Joy's wedding guest list tool lets you manage all the details of your big day. You can create custom RSVP questions, track responses, and organise guests with labels. The labelling feature lets you group guests, such as "Bridal Party" or "Out of Town Guests," so you can control which guests see which events on your wedding schedule.

Additionally, you can send digital save-the-dates, put your registry information in one place, and stay connected with your guests via Joy's free mobile app. For the first time, you can send a selected range of electronic save-the-dates via Joy, using Paperlust designs. This functionality has been much requested over the years. You can also add your registry information to your wedding website, including retail registries, your wishing well, charities, and more. It is considered poor etiquette to include gift registry URLs on your wedding invitations, so this is a great alternative.

Joy's free mobile app lets you stay connected to your guests. You can send push notifications with wedding updates, give guests all the wedding information they need, and enable photo-sharing to collect guests' photos in one shared album on your wedding website. The app is available for Android and iOS and is simple and clean.

The pros of matching wedding invites and websites

Matching wedding invites and websites can help solidify your wedding style and boost anticipation for the event. Here are some pros of matching wedding invites and websites:

Cohesion and Aesthetics

Matching wedding invites and websites create a cohesive look and feel for your wedding. They allow you to carry through your carefully chosen aesthetic and showcase your personality and style as a couple. From the invitation suite to the website design, everything can complement each other, creating a unified and memorable experience for your guests.

Convenience and Accessibility

Having matching wedding invites and a website can make it easier for your guests to access all the necessary information in one place. A wedding website can include not only logistical details but also accommodations, travel recommendations, and an FAQ section to answer common questions. This reduces the need for guests to hold on to multiple cards and provides a central hub for all wedding-related information.

Customization and Flexibility

Matching wedding invites and websites offer a high level of customization. You can choose from various themes, color palettes, fonts, and graphics to reflect your unique love story. Many websites also allow you to add personal touches, such as engagement photos, monogram designs, or even artistic backgrounds. This flexibility ensures that your wedding invites and website truly represent you as a couple.

Cost-Effectiveness

Creating matching wedding invites and a website can be cost-effective, especially when utilizing online tools and services. Websites often offer free design assistance, customizable templates, and the ability to order samples before placing a bulk order. This helps you save money on printing costs and eliminates the need for reordering due to mistakes.

Eco-Friendliness

Opting for matching digital invites and a website is an eco-friendly choice. It reduces paper waste, saves trees, and lowers water production and CO2 emissions. This option is ideal for eco-conscious couples who want to minimize their wedding's environmental impact without compromising on style and functionality.

How to include your wedding website on your invite

Wedding websites are a great way to share important information about your wedding with your guests. This includes details that won't fit on your wedding invitations, such as venue directions, or details that aren't appropriate for your invites, such as your gift registry link.

Save-the-Date Cards

Include your wedding website on your save-the-date cards, especially if you're planning a destination wedding. This will allow guests to access your website early on and help them plan their trip. The website URL can be listed on the back or at the bottom of the front side of the card. Send these out 4-6 months before your wedding date.

Formal Invitation

Although some experts advise against including your wedding website on the formal invitation, it is becoming more commonly accepted, especially if you are collecting RSVPs through your website. If you choose to do so, add a short sentence with the website URL at the bottom of the invitation. Avoid mentioning gifts or registries directly on the invitation. Send invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Enclosure or Insert Cards

Another option is to include your wedding website URL on a separate enclosure or insert card, commonly known as a "wedding website card," "wedding enclosure card," or "wedding insert card." This option can help maintain a formal tone for your wedding and provides more space for additional information. You can include RSVP instructions, travel and accommodation information, attire requests, and other relevant details.

RSVP Cards

If you are collecting RSVPs through your wedding website, you can include this information on the RSVP cards. However, keep in mind that guests will send these cards back to you, so they won't have the information readily available closer to the event. You can include a sentence such as, "For additional information, please visit our website."

Wording Ideas:

• "Please RSVP by [due date] at [insert URL]."
• "Kindly RSVP by [due date] via our wedding website: [insert URL]."
• "For more wedding details and to RSVP, visit [insert URL]."
• "For more information on accommodation, dress code, and RSVPs, please visit our website at [insert URL]."
• "For travel and accommodation information, please visit our website: [insert URL]."

The importance of wedding invitation wording

Wedding invitations are one of the first impressions your guests will have of your big day. The invitation sets the tone for the wedding and communicates essential details about the event. The wording of the invitation is crucial in ensuring guests have all the information they need, and it can also reflect the level of formality of the occasion.

The wording of a wedding invitation typically includes the following:

• A host line: Traditionally, the bride's parents are listed as hosts, but nowadays, it is also common to include both sets of parents or to have the couple host the wedding themselves.
• A request for attendance: This can be formal ("request the pleasure of your company") or more casual ("would love for you to join them").
• The names of the couple: Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, but for same-sex couples, alphabetical order or aesthetic preference can be used.
• The date and time: Formal invitations spell these out in full, while modern invites may use numerals.
• The location: The venue's name and address are included, along with the state and zip code. If the wedding is abroad, the country is also listed.
• Reception details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same place, a simple "reception to follow" is sufficient. Otherwise, the full address and other details can be included on a separate card.

The invitation may also include optional details, such as:

• Dress code: This is helpful for guests and is often included in the lower corner of the invite.
• Wedding website: Including the URL or a QR code on a separate card can provide guests with additional information.

The wording of a wedding invitation is an important aspect of the planning process. It ensures guests have the necessary information and sets the tone for the celebration. Whether you choose traditional or creative wording, the invitation should reflect your style and the level of formality of your wedding.

Why you should avoid sharing your wedding website on social media

Wedding planning can be a stressful process, and with social media, there are more things to consider than ever before. While it may be tempting to share your wedding website on social media, there are several reasons why this is not a good idea. Here are some reasons why you should avoid sharing your wedding website on social media platforms:

• Hurt Feelings: Unless your entire list of social media connections will be invited to your wedding, it is not advisable to share your wedding website on these platforms. Doing so may cause hurt feelings among those who are not invited, especially if they see all the details of your wedding plans. It can come across as insensitive or even as a gift-grabbing move, as wedding websites often link directly to gift registries.
• Avoid Confusion: Sharing your wedding website publicly may lead to confusion and awkward situations. People who see the website may assume they are invited and then ask about their missing save-the-date or invitation. This puts you in the uncomfortable position of having to clarify that they are not, in fact, invited.
• Preserve Privacy: While it's understandable to want to show off your beautiful website and share wedding details, it's best to do so with discretion. Instead of a public social media post, share your website through more private channels, such as save-the-dates, invitation inserts, or word of mouth. This way, you avoid any potential social media drama and preserve the privacy of your special day.
• Manage Expectations: Social media platforms are public spaces where anyone can view and comment on your posts. By sharing your wedding website, you open yourself up to unsolicited opinions and advice from connections who may not even be on your guest list. This can lead to unnecessary stress and pressure to meet certain expectations.
• Maintain Control: When you share your wedding website on social media, you lose some control over the information you're sharing. It becomes easier for people to take and repost photos or details without your consent. This can be particularly problematic if you want to maintain a level of privacy or if you're trying to prevent certain guests from having all the details in advance.
• Prevent Unwanted Attention: Social media posts can attract unwanted attention, and this is something you may want to avoid for your wedding. By keeping your wedding website private, you limit the number of people who have access to your wedding details, reducing the chances of dealing with uninvited guests or even unwanted media attention.

While social media can be a great tool for sharing and connecting, it's important to exercise caution when it comes to your wedding website. To avoid any potential issues, stick to more traditional methods of sharing your website with your invited guests.

Frequently asked questions