Facebook Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Facebook is a popular social media platform with features that allow users to connect with friends and plan events. While it is possible to invite people to a wedding via Facebook, opinions vary on whether this is appropriate or not. Some people consider it tacky and confusing, especially if not everyone invited is on Facebook or checks it regularly. Others appreciate the convenience of Facebook invites, especially if they are already using the platform to plan and share updates about their wedding. Ultimately, the decision to invite people to a wedding via Facebook depends on personal preference and the couple's comfort level with sharing wedding information on a public forum.

Creating a Facebook event for a wedding

• Log in to your Facebook account and click on "Events" on the left side of your screen under the "Favorites" tab.
• Click on the "+ Create Event" button on the top right corner of the Events page.
• A pop-up window will appear where you can supply information for your event. Give your event a name, such as "Wedding Celebration," specify the date, time, and location, and add a short description. You can also set the event as private or public.
• Click on "Invite Friends" and select the guests you want to invite from your Facebook friends list.
• Click "Save" when you're done inviting friends, and then click the "Create" button to finalize your event.
• You can now modify your event further. Add a photo to make your event page more visually appealing. You can also edit the event's information, such as the name, description, time, or location, and assign other hosts to the event.
• Continue to invite more friends if needed, and don't forget to click "Save" after making any changes.
• You can also view advanced options for your event by clicking on the gear icon. Here, you can edit hosts, message guests, create a repeat event, cancel the event, turn off notifications, export the event, or promote it.
• Once you have a list of confirmed guests, you can start planning the details of your wedding, such as the number of tables and chairs to rent and the amount of food to prepare.

Remember that even if people say they will attend months in advance, you won't know for sure until closer to your wedding date. It's also important to set the event to private or secret to exclude the public and prevent uninvited guests from joining.

Using Facebook to get guests' addresses

Facebook can be a useful tool to get your guests' addresses for your wedding. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Use Facebook Messenger

You can send a private message to each guest on Facebook Messenger to ask for their address. This can be an efficient way to get addresses, especially if you already have regular contact with your guests via Messenger.

Create a Facebook Event

Create a private Facebook event and add your wedding guests. Explain that this is not the official invitation, but that you need their address details to send one. You can then add a link to a form (see below) in the event description.

Post on Your Wall

You can also post on your Facebook wall asking for addresses. However, this means that anyone with access to your page can enter their information, so you may get responses from people you don't intend to invite.

Use a Form

Using a form, such as Google Forms, is a good way to collect addresses as it standardises the information you receive and makes it easier to transfer to a spreadsheet or guest list tool. You can generate a link to the form and send it via Facebook Messenger, or post it on your wall or a Facebook event page.

Use an Online Guest List Tool

There are online tools, such as Postable and WeddingWire's Guest List Tool, that can help you collect addresses. These tools often provide a link that you can send to your guests via Facebook, and they allow guests to input their contact information directly into your online guest list.

Ask Friends and Family to Help

If you're struggling to get hold of certain addresses, you can ask friends and family to help. This is especially useful for older relatives who may not be on Facebook.

Remember to always ask for addresses politely and explain why you need them. It's also important to wait until your guest list is finalised before requesting addresses, as people will expect a save-the-date or invitation if you ask for their address.

Pros and cons of Facebook invites

Facebook invites are a quick and easy way to invite people to your wedding. Here are some pros and cons to consider before you send out your invites:

Pros

Affordable

Traditional paper invites can be expensive, with costs for paper, printing, and postage adding up quickly. Facebook invites, on the other hand, are completely free to create and send, saving you a significant amount of money.

Eco-Friendly

Digital invites are environmentally friendly as they reduce unnecessary paper waste. If you're conscious about the environment, this option can help you plan a more sustainable wedding.

Convenience

With Facebook invites, you don't have to worry about lost or delayed mail. Your invites will be delivered directly to your guests' inboxes, ensuring that everyone receives the invitation on time.

Easy RSVP Tracking

Facebook invites make it easy to track RSVPs. Guests can respond with just a click, and you can see who has received, opened, and responded to the invite. No more chasing down late RSVPs!

Better Visibility

Facebook has billions of users, giving your event better visibility. People can share the event on their timelines, increasing the chances of people seeing and joining your event.

Cons

Less Traditional

Digital invites are less traditional than their paper counterparts. If you're planning a formal wedding or want to follow the classic route, paper invites may be a better choice.

Tech Savvy Guests

Consider your guest list before opting for Facebook invites. Some older guests may not be tech-savvy or may not use email. You might need to send traditional invites to a select few guests.

Lack of Physical Keepsake

With digital invites, you won't have a physical invitation to hold on to as a keepsake. If you want to display or scrapbook your invitation, paper invites might be a better option.

Guest Confusion

With online invites, there may be confusion about who is included in the invitation, especially for older guests. This could lead to awkward conversations about whether children are invited.

Facebook event privacy settings

When creating a Facebook event, you can choose between two privacy settings: Public or Private. If you select 'Public', anyone on Facebook can see the event, and if you select 'Private' or 'Invite Only', only the people you invite will be able to see the event.

To create a private event:

• Click "Events" on the left sidebar and then click the "Create Event" button.
• Fill in the event details, including the name, location, date, and time.
• Click the drop-down menu next to "Privacy" and select "Invite Only".
• Deselect "Guests Can Invite Friends" if you don't want invitees to be able to invite others.
• Deselect "Show Guest List" if you don't want guests to see who else has been invited.
• Click "Invite Friends" to send out invitations to your private event.
• Click "Create" to finalise your event.

Once you create an event in Facebook, it won't be possible to change the privacy settings. So, if you've created a private event that should have been public, you have a couple of options:

• Request that all invitees invite as many people as possible to the event. Each person can send up to 500 invites for a single event.
• Create an identical event, this time setting it as Public. You can keep the original event if you like, but you can also delete it once enough people from the original event have RSVP'd to the new one.

Facebook event vs Evite

Facebook Events and Evite are two popular options for online event invitation tools. Both services are free and allow you to track RSVPs, receive email notifications and SMS, and see which other users are attending the event. However, there are several differences between the two platforms that you should consider when choosing which one to use for your wedding invitations.

Facebook Events

Facebook Events is integrated into the Facebook social network, making it easy to invite people who are already on Facebook. You can create an event by filling out a form and choosing which friends to invite. You can select individuals, lists, or all friends/fans for each event. Facebook also allows for multiple hosts, and you can add maps, photos, and videos to any event. For recurring events, you only need to set the event once. One downside is that friends and fans may miss event notifications if they do not notice the notification at the top of their homepage. Additionally, Facebook requires email addresses to invite large numbers of users at once.

Evite

Evite allows you to invite people who may not be on Facebook, as you only need their email addresses. You can also connect Evite with Facebook and post your invitation to your Facebook page. Evite offers more customization options for each invitation, allowing you to design invitations for various holidays, themes, and colors. Evite also lets guests invite more guests, potentially increasing the guest list and appealing to a larger audience. However, Evite is a separate service from Facebook, so you may reach a smaller audience compared to Facebook Events.

The choice between Facebook Events and Evite depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you want to reach a larger audience and invite people who are already on Facebook, Facebook Events may be the better option. On the other hand, if you want more customization options and the ability to invite people who are not on Facebook, Evite could be a better choice. Ultimately, both platforms offer unique features, so consider your guest list and the level of customization you require before making a decision.

Frequently asked questions