Designing A Digital Wedding Invitation: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating a digital wedding invitation is one way to ease the process. Digital wedding invitations are eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and make it easier to track RSVPs. Couples can choose from a variety of websites and apps to create their invitations, including Canva, Evite, Greenvelope, and Minted. These platforms offer customizable templates, allowing couples to personalize their invitations with their desired wording, tone, and style. Whether opting for a formal or casual celebration, digital invitations provide a convenient and cost-effective solution to invite guests to your special day.

Using a mobile app to create an e-invite

Canva is one of the most well-known and versatile apps for creating digital invitations. It offers over 100+ wedding invitation templates, ranging from edgy save-the-dates to floral designs. Most features are free, but certain templates require a premium account. A Canva account is mandatory, but this allows you to save your designs and access them across different devices. You can export your e-invite in PNG, JPEG, or PDF format and share it via email or messaging apps.

For Android users, Wedding & Birthday Invitations by Desgyner is a great alternative to Canva. This app offers a wide range of templates for wedding invitations and other graphic design projects, such as poster-making and book covers. You can edit the text, change the background, and utilize additional features like Duplicate, Layers, and Opacity. Your projects are saved under "My Projects," allowing you to edit them at any time.

Evite is another excellent option for both Android and iOS users. This user-friendly app has numerous wedding invitation templates, making it ideal for non-professionals and first-timers. It requires a free account, and from there, you can create and customize your invitations with ease.

If you're looking for an app with tons of customization options, consider Wedding Invitation Cards Maker by VCSAPPS (Android) or Invitation Card Maker by Clear Coast LTD (iOS). These apps allow you to add optional details, choose from various backgrounds, and edit your invitation with stickers, quotes, signatures, and photos.

With these mobile apps, creating a digital wedding invitation is not only convenient but also a fun way to showcase your creativity and share the excitement of your upcoming nuptials with your guests.

Wording and etiquette

The wording of your wedding invitation will depend on the style of your wedding. If your wedding is a formal affair, opt for a more traditional and elegant tone. If you're having a more casual celebration, feel free to be playful and creative with your wording. Here are some tips and examples to help you with the wording and etiquette of your digital wedding invitations:

• Include a request for attendance: A simple phrase like "With great excitement, we invite you to share this special day with us!" sets the tone for your invitation and expresses your enthusiasm for your guests' presence.
• Couple's names: Traditionally, the bride's name is listed before the groom's, but for same-sex couples, you can go with alphabetical order or whichever name sounds better first.
• Date and time: For a formal invitation, write out the full date and time. For example, "Thursday, the thirteenth of May, two thousand twenty-three, at half past six in the evening." For an informal invitation, using numerals is acceptable. Don't forget to specify the time zone, especially if you have virtual guests joining from different locations.
• Location: Provide the name of the venue and the city, state, or country, depending on your guest list. For example, "The Westin West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California."
• Reception information: If you're having a reception, include a brief mention, such as "Reception to follow" or "An evening of dinner and music to follow."
• Dress code: Let your guests know the expected attire. For a formal wedding, you can indicate "Black-tie formal wear required." For a more casual event, you might say "Dress in your beachy best" or "Party attire, please!"
• RSVP instructions: Provide a clear deadline for your guests to respond. For example, "Please respond by November 12." You can also include a link to your wedding website or a separate paper mail-in RSVP card as options for your guests.
• Virtual guests and in-person guests: If you have virtual and in-person guests, consider sending out separate invitations to avoid confusion. For virtual guests, include the URL and password for accessing the livestream. For in-person guests, specify the physical location of the event.
• Plus-ones: Typically, married, engaged, or partnered guests should receive a plus-one. You can also extend plus-ones to your wedding party members or make your own rule, such as only family members getting a plus-one.
• Timing: Send out your digital wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding. If it's a destination wedding, add an extra 1-2 months to give your guests more time to plan their travel.
• Eco-friendliness: Digital invitations are a more eco-friendly option than paper invitations, reducing paper waste and fuel consumption associated with transportation.
• Personalization: Digital invitations allow for customization and personalization. You can choose from various templates, add your photos, and even match your wedding website's theme for a cohesive look.

Digital vs printed invites

When it comes to wedding invites, there are several factors to consider. Couples may opt for the traditional paper invitation, or they may choose to go digital. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so it's essential to weigh these up before making a decision.

Traditional paper invitations have a certain charm and elegance that many couples prefer. They can be designed with intricate details, elegant calligraphy, and luxurious finishes, creating a beautiful keepsake for the couple and their guests. These invitations also adhere to wedding etiquette, especially pleasing older guests who appreciate tradition. Paper invitations allow for clear communication about the guest list, such as excluding children or including plus ones, and they can be easily displayed around the home, serving as a reminder of the upcoming event. Additionally, they offer a wide range of design choices to match any wedding theme, from whimsical and fun to classic and formal.

However, paper invitations can be significantly more expensive, with costs for paper, printing, and postage adding up quickly. They also require more time for design, production, and delivery, which can be a challenge for couples planning their wedding within a short timeframe. Collecting guest addresses and managing RSVPs can be a logistical hurdle, and there is always a risk of invitations getting lost or damaged in the mail.

On the other hand, digital invitations are a modern and convenient option that offers several benefits. Firstly, they are highly affordable, with many free or low-cost options available online. Digital invites are also environmentally friendly, reducing unnecessary paper waste. They eliminate the risk of getting lost or damaged during delivery and provide convenient tracking features for RSVPs, making it easier to manage guest responses. Digital invitations are also more accessible for guests, as they can respond with just a click of a button, and all the necessary information, such as maps and instructions, can be easily accessed online.

However, digital invitations may not be suitable for all guests, especially older relatives or those who are less tech-savvy. They may also be considered less traditional and may not offer the same level of personalisation as paper invitations. Additionally, couples opting for digital invites miss out on having a physical keepsake of their special day.

Ultimately, the decision between digital and printed invites depends on the couple's preferences, budget, and guest list. Some couples may even choose a hybrid approach, sending digital "save the dates" followed by traditional paper invitations, combining the benefits of both options.

Eco-friendly and budget-friendly options

Digital wedding invitations are an excellent eco-friendly and budget-friendly option for your big day. They are a convenient, fuss-free, and cost-effective alternative to traditional paper invitations. Here are some tips and options to consider when creating digital wedding invitations:

Benefits of Digital Invitations:

• Eco-Friendly: Digital invitations are a more sustainable choice as they eliminate the need for paper, reducing your carbon footprint and saving trees. This option is especially appealing if you are an eco-conscious couple who wants to make a statement about your commitment to the environment.
• Budget-Friendly: Digital invitations are typically much cheaper than printed invitations. You can save money on paper, envelopes, and stamps, which can quickly add up. Many websites offer free or low-cost digital invitation templates.
• Convenience and Customisation: Digital invitations can be easily personalised with interactive elements, such as short videos or GIFs. They can also be quickly shared with guests via email or wedding websites.
• Immediate RSVP Tracking: Digital invitations often include a link for guests to RSVP immediately, making it easier to keep track of attendance.

Options for Creating Digital Invitations:

• Canva: Canva is a popular and user-friendly platform that offers a wide range of customisable wedding invitation templates. You can create an account to save your designs and directly export your invitations in various formats (PNG, JPEG, or PDF) for sharing.
• Evite: Evite is a graphic design platform with numerous wedding invitation templates. It is user-friendly and suitable for non-professionals or first-timers. You can create an account and upload a spreadsheet with your guests' email addresses to send invitations and track RSVPs.
• GreenEnvelope: GreenEnvelope is an environmentally-conscious option, as they partner with independent designers and contribute to environmentally-focused nonprofit organisations. They offer a wide array of customisable card designs, and each invitation is delivered with a personalised digital envelope, liner, stamp, and RSVP tracking.
• Paperless Post: This website offers a massive selection of custom cards, including save-the-dates, bachelorette invites, and wedding e-vites. Some options are free to send, and you can DIY your design using their online tools.
• Minted: Minted offers a range of traditional to trendy wedding invitation designs and provides easy-to-use tools to translate paper invites into digital formats. They also offer "Day of" stationery, such as place cards, escort cards, and table numbers.
• Etsy: Etsy is a great platform to find unique designs and support small businesses. They feature made-to-order creations, plant paper wedding invites, recycled paper options, and more. Etsy is powered by renewable energy and ships carbon neutral.

RSVP options

RSVPs are an essential part of wedding planning, and digital wedding invitations can offer a seamless experience for both the couple and their guests. Here are some options for how to manage RSVPs with digital wedding invitations:

Link to a Wedding Website

Include a link to your wedding website on your digital invitation, allowing guests to RSVP online. This can be a discrete link at the bottom or back of the invitation. Wedding website platforms such as Joy, Zola, and Wedfuly offer user-friendly RSVP management tools and can be seamlessly branded to match your digital invitations.

Email or Online Form

When sending digital invitations, guests can easily respond via email. Alternatively, you can include a link to an online form, such as a simple Google Form or other form-building software, allowing guests to submit their RSVPs electronically. This method may require some manual tracking by the couple.

Text Message

For a modern and innovative approach, consider using a text message-based platform such as Text My Wedding. This method allows you to send save-the-dates, invitations, and collect RSVPs via text, with no app required for guests. Text My Wedding also offers scheduled and real-time guest updates, photo sharing, and grouped messaging for the wedding party.

Paper Mail-In RSVP

If you prefer a more traditional approach, you can include a separate paper mail-in RSVP card with your digital invitation. This option may appeal to older guests or those who are not comfortable with digital platforms. However, it will require manual tracking and additional postage costs.

Combination of Options

You can also provide guests with multiple RSVP options to cater to different preferences. For example, you could offer both a digital link and a paper mail-in RSVP card, allowing guests to choose the method that feels most comfortable for them.

Remember, it is recommended to give your guests 4-6 weeks to RSVP so that you have time to make any necessary changes before the wedding.

Frequently asked questions