Creating A Wedding Evite: A Simple Guide For Couples

Wedding e-vites are a convenient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to traditional paper invitations. They are especially useful for last-minute wedding plans, where physical stationery may not arrive on time, and for couples who want to reduce paper waste. E-vites can be customised with virtual envelopes, wax seals, and stamps, and RSVP features, and sent instantly via email or text. This article will explore the pros and cons of e-vites, provide a step-by-step guide to creating them, and offer suggestions for the best online invitation websites.

Choosing a design

If you're looking for a simple, cost-effective option, consider using a free template from a site like Canva. These templates are customisable and can be edited to include your wedding details. You can then choose to email the e-vites to your guests or have them printed and delivered to your door.

There are also many online services that offer wedding e-vite templates, such as Greenvelope, Evite, Paperless Post, and Bliss & Bone. These sites typically offer a range of designs, from modern and chic to rustic and vintage, and allow you to edit the background, colours, and text. Some sites, like Evite, offer free standard email invitations, while others charge per recipient or use a coin system.

If you're looking for something more unique, you could consider downloading a template from a site like Etsy, which offers themed and affordable options. You can then upload the design to your chosen digital wedding invitation platform.

Adding personal touches

• Choose a design that reflects your wedding's theme. For example, if you're planning a rustic wedding, you might opt for a simple invite printed on recycled brown paper. Or, if your wedding is fun and modern, you could choose a minimalist design.
• Canva has hundreds of editable designs suitable for any wedding theme, so you can find one that you love. You can also personalise your invitation by including a photo of you and your partner on the invite.
• Incorporate your wedding colours and overall theme into the details of your digital wedding invitation. You could also choose a colour palette, work in a signature pattern, or identify a font that will carry over to physical day-of paper, signage, and decor.
• If you're sending paper invitations, you could opt for recycled paper.
• If you're using a digital invitation service, you can customise the digital envelope by adding a virtual liner in anything from glitter to gold.

Cost

The cost of wedding e-vites varies depending on the provider and the number of recipients. Here is a breakdown of the pricing for some popular e-vite services:

Evite

Evite offers both free standard email invitations and premium options. The premium invitations start at $15.99 for 15 invitations and include features such as photo and embellishment additions, as well as a digital envelope without advertisements. Evite also offers a yearly subscription for $249.99, which includes single-event premium packages ranging from $17.99 to $99.99, tiered by the guest list size.

Greenvelope

Greenvelope's pricing starts at $19 for up to 20 people and includes RSVP tracking. Their pricing is based on the number of people invited, with costs increasing as the guest count goes up.

Paperless Post

Paperless Post uses a coin system, where customers purchase "coins" to pay for their purchases. The coins are sold in packages, starting at 25 coins for $12, and the cost of each e-vite is a minimum of 2 coins.

Bliss & Bone

Bliss & Bone's pricing is per recipient and starts at 90 cents per person. They offer immersive digital invitations that give the impression of paper, with shadows and textures.

Etsy

Etsy offers downloadable templates for digital wedding invitations, with prices varying by seller. Downloads can be as low as $2, but there will be an additional cost to send out the design via a digital wedding invitation provider.

Canva

Canva provides free wedding invitation templates that you can personalize and either email to your guests or print and deliver. There is also the option to upgrade to premium paper and finish options for a fee.

Overall, digital wedding invitations are typically much cheaper than physical invitations, with physical invites costing between $5,000 and $8,000 on average, while digital invites rarely exceed $100.

Eco-friendliness

Eco-friendly wedding invitations are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and showcase your commitment to the environment. There are several ways to make your wedding evites eco-friendly, from using recycled paper to plantable seed paper and digital invitations. Here are some tips to make your wedding evites more sustainable:

Opt for Recycled Paper: Choose wedding evites made from recycled paper to reduce the need for new paper production and minimise waste. Recycled paper invitations are available in various colours, textures, and finishes, making it easy to find an option that aligns with your wedding theme.

Explore Plantable Seed Paper: Consider plantable seed paper as an innovative and eco-friendly option for your wedding evites. This special type of paper is biodegradable and infused with wildflower seeds or herb seeds. After your wedding, guests can plant the invitations and watch them grow into beautiful flowers or herbs. This unique approach not only reduces waste but also creates a lasting memory for your guests.

Go Digital: In today's digital era, sending out digital wedding evites is an extremely convenient and eco-friendly choice. Digital invitations can be personalised, interactive, and easily shared via email or wedding websites. They eliminate the need for printing and mailing, reducing waste and saving resources. Digital evites are also budget-friendly and ideal for destination weddings, making them a popular sustainable option.

Consider Reusable Invitations: Reusable invitations are a creative and eco-friendly option. These invitations can be used beyond the wedding day as bookmarks, home decor, or even for other special occasions. Sending your wedding evites on tea towels or cups adds a unique and memorable touch.

Choose Sustainable Brands: When selecting a company for your wedding evites, opt for brands that specialise in sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Some companies, like Paper Culture, plant trees for every order placed, contributing to reforestation efforts. Others, like Botanical PaperWorks, create invitations from seed paper, reducing waste and spreading beauty. Supporting these sustainable brands ensures your wedding evites align with your eco-friendly values.

By incorporating these ideas, you can make your wedding evites eco-friendly and showcase your commitment to environmental responsibility. Not only will you reduce your carbon footprint, but you'll also create a positive and memorable experience for your guests, celebrating your love while caring for the planet.

RSVP functionality

When creating your wedding e-vite, you'll want to make sure that the process of RSVPing is as seamless as possible for your guests. Here are some tips to ensure that happens:

Built-in RSVP Functionality

Some websites, like Evite, offer a built-in RSVP feature. This allows guests to respond to your invitation directly on the platform, without having to navigate to an external link. This can be a convenient option as it streamlines the process and makes it easier for guests to respond promptly.

Direct Guests to a Wedding Website

If you've created a wedding website, you can use your e-vite to direct guests there for more information and to RSVP. This approach keeps your invitation design uncluttered and allows you to include more detailed information on your website. It also centralizes all the information in one place, making it convenient for guests to refer back to.

Include Clear Instructions

Whether you use a built-in RSVP feature or direct guests to a website, ensure that your instructions on how to RSVP are clear and concise. Guests may be unfamiliar with the process of RSVPing online, so consider including a brief explanation or set of simple steps to follow.

Set a Reminder for Guests

To increase the likelihood of timely responses, consider using a platform that allows you to set reminders for guests. For example, you can send a gentle reminder to those who have not yet opened or responded to your invitation. This helps ensure that your guests don't forget and makes it easier for you to keep track of responses.

Downloadable Templates

Some websites, like Etsy, offer downloadable templates for digital wedding invitations. These templates can be customized and then uploaded to your chosen digital wedding invitation platform. This allows for more flexibility in design and can be a cost-effective option.

RSVP Tracking

Platforms like Greenvelope and Punchbowl offer RSVP tracking features, which allow you to easily monitor who has responded to your invitation. This helps you keep track of your guest list and can be especially useful for planning and organizing other wedding-related events and activities.

By considering these options and choosing the ones that best fit your needs, you can ensure that the RSVP functionality of your wedding e-vite is user-friendly and efficient, making it a smooth process for both you and your guests.

Frequently asked questions