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

Creating digital wedding invitations is a great way to save money and time, as well as being more environmentally friendly than traditional paper invitations. With the rise of virtual weddings, digital invitations are becoming increasingly popular, and there are many websites that allow couples to create beautifully curated invites from the comfort of their own homes. This paragraph will discuss the benefits of digital wedding invitations and provide an introduction to the process of creating them.

Advantages of digital invites: save time and money, eco-friendly, seamless design, easier RSVPs

Digital wedding invitations are an increasingly popular option for couples. They offer a range of advantages, including:

Saving Time and Money

Digital invites are significantly more affordable than their physical counterparts. Traditional invitation suites can cost anywhere from $750 to $1500+, with couples needing to budget for paper, printing, and postage. In contrast, digital wedding invitations are typically priced per event or per recipient and rarely cost more than a few dollars each. This pricing structure allows couples to save hundreds of dollars that can be allocated to other aspects of their wedding, such as an open bar at the reception.

Digital invites also save time, eliminating the need for envelope stuffing, stamp securing, and handwriting addresses. This time-saving advantage is especially valuable for busy couples with a long wedding checklist.

Eco-Friendliness

Digital wedding invitations are environmentally friendly, reducing unnecessary paper waste. Couples who prioritize sustainability and eco-conscious practices for their wedding can feel confident that their digital invites are not contributing to tree harm or unnecessary resource use.

Seamless Design

Digital invites offer a seamless design experience, allowing couples to easily create a cohesive package across save-the-dates, invitations, wedding websites, and even thank-you cards. This consistency in design, colours, and themes is noticeable to guests and contributes to a well-curated wedding experience.

Easier RSVPs

Online invitation services make the RSVP process more efficient for both the couple and their guests. Guests are directed to the wedding website, where they can instantly confirm their attendance or regrets, and the couple instantly receives this information. No more waiting for RSVPs to arrive by mail and chasing down late responses!

Top sites for digital invites: Paperless Post, Evite, Greenvelope, Bliss & Bone, Etsy

Digital wedding invitations are a great way to save money and time without compromising on style. With the right platform, you can create a seamless design suite that includes save-the-dates, invitations, wedding websites, and even thank-you cards. Here are some of the top sites for creating digital wedding invitations:

Paperless Post

Paperless Post offers a "pretty and practical" solution with designs from renowned brands such as Kate Spade New York, Rifle Paper Co., and Oscar de la Renta. You can also upload your custom design, and the platform will track delivery, collect RSVPs, and message guests. The pricing is based on a "coin" system, with 25 coins costing $12.

Evite

Evite is a well-known platform that offers both free and premium services. The free version includes basic banner-style invitations, while the premium option provides a digital envelope without advertisements and the ability to add photos and embellishments or upload custom designs. Premium invitations start at $15.99 for 15 invitations.

Greenvelope

Greenvelope offers a wide range of customisation options, including the ability to add photos and videos to your invitations. You can use one of their pre-designed templates or upload your own design. Pricing starts at $19 for up to 20 people and includes RSVP tracking.

Bliss & Bone

Bliss & Bone offers modern and sleek digital invitations with unique features like texture and shadowing, giving a realistic look and feel. The digital suites are sent via email, driving guests to your personal wedding invitation event page, where you can collect RSVPs and direct guests to your wedding website. Pricing starts at 90 cents per recipient.

Etsy

Etsy offers downloadable templates for digital wedding invitations, with a variety of themed designs, including classic and rustic options. The process is simple: download an editable design, tweak the dates and text, and then upload it to your chosen digital wedding invitation platform. Prices vary per seller, but downloads can be as low as $2.

These sites offer couples a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to invite friends and family to their special day, with the added benefit of easy RSVP management.

What to include: request for attendance, names, date, time, location, additional info

Digital wedding invitations are a modern alternative to traditional invites. They are a great way to save money without sacrificing style. You can create a digital suite that connects to in-real-life wedding details by choosing a colour palette, working in a signature pattern, or identifying a font that will carry over to physical day-of paper, signage, and décor.

A request for attendance

Use wording such as "request the honour of your presence" or "request the pleasure of your company" to invite guests to your wedding. This is a formal way to ask for attendance.

Names

It is traditional for the bride's name to appear first, followed by the groom's name. However, for same-sex couples or couples who choose not to follow this custom, the order of the names can be determined by what looks best with the card design.

Date, time, and location

Be sure to include the date, time, and location of the wedding so that guests can plan their attendance.

Additional information

You may also want to include the wedding website address, accommodation options, dress code, and FAQs. It is considered impolite to include gift registry details on the invitation, so leave a gracious note on your wedding website for guests who may be interested.

Design tips: colour palette, signature pattern, font, uploaded photos, custom designs

When creating digital wedding invitations, there are several design elements to consider to make them unique and memorable. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Colour Palette:

Choose a colour palette that reflects your wedding theme or personal style. Consider selecting two or three complementary colours and using them consistently throughout your invitation design. This could include the background, text, and any decorative elements you add.

Signature Pattern:

Incorporate a signature pattern or texture to add visual interest to your invitations. This could be something as simple as a subtle watermark or a more prominent design element. For example, you could use a floral pattern, a geometric design, or even a custom monogram.

Font:

The font you choose can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your invitations. Select a font that is easy to read and complements your colour palette and signature pattern. You may want to use a combination of fonts for different elements, such as a script font for headings and a simpler font for the body text.

Uploaded Photos:

Personalise your invitations by uploading your own photos. This could be a romantic photo of the happy couple, a scenic image that reflects your wedding location, or even a collage of pictures that tells your love story.

Custom Designs:

If you're feeling creative, you can design your own custom graphics or illustrations to include in your invitations. This could be anything from a hand-drawn floral border to a custom logo or symbol that represents your union.

Remember, the key to creating beautiful digital wedding invitations is to use these design elements cohesively to create a stylish and personalised announcement that excites your guests about your upcoming nuptials.

When to send: save-the-dates 4-6 months before, invites 6-8 weeks before

When it comes to digital wedding invitations, timing is everything. While the format may be modern, the etiquette remains traditional.

For local weddings, it is recommended to send digital save-the-dates around 6-8 months before the big day, with formal digital invitations following at the 3-month mark. This gives your guests ample time to plan and prepare for your special day.

However, if you're planning a destination wedding, it's advisable to send your digital save-the-dates even earlier, around the 10-month mark. This will give your guests sufficient time to budget, book flights, and make the necessary arrangements for their trip. The formal invitations, in this case, can be sent at the 6-month mark.

It's important to note that while digital invitations are a convenient and cost-effective option, they may not be suitable for all guests, especially older guests who may not be as tech-savvy. In such cases, it is considerate to send paper invitations to ensure they have all the information they need.

Digital save-the-dates and invitations are an excellent way to streamline your wedding planning, offering a seamless and eco-friendly approach to your special day.

Frequently asked questions