Designing Your Wedding E-Vite: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating your wedding invitations doesn't have to be. There are many benefits to going paperless with your invites, from saving time and money to being more environmentally friendly. You can also add a personal touch to your wedding invitations with a custom design. There are many apps and websites that offer templates for e-invites, which can be customised with your preferred colours, fonts, photos, and more. You can also add blocks with additional information, such as travel details, schedules, and the wedding party. Once your e-invite is ready, you can send it via email, text, or a shareable link.

Choosing a template

When choosing a template for your wedding e-vites, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select a template that reflects the style and theme of your wedding. Are you planning a formal, black-tie affair or something more casual and playful? The tone of your invitation should match the style of your wedding.

If you're having a destination wedding, you might want to choose a template that captures the essence of your location, such as a tropical background or a countryside illustration. You can also opt for a rustic theme, with natural details that evoke the outdoors, or a classic theme with refined design elements like creamy backgrounds and graceful script.

Consider whether you want to include any personal touches, such as your own photos, custom colour schemes, or specific fonts and shapes. Many platforms offer customisable templates where you can upload your own images, change colours, and add text.

If you're looking for something simple and fuss-free, apps like Evite and Canva offer a wide range of pre-designed templates with editable text and background options. On the other hand, if you want something more unique and luxurious, sites like Riley & Grey offer elegant, professionally crafted designs and even allow you to collaborate with them to create a one-of-a-kind design.

Don't forget to think about the information you need to include in your invitation. Basic details such as the couple's names, date, time, and location are essential. You might also want to include reception information, dress code guidance, and plus-one policies. Choose a template that allows you to include all the necessary information clearly and concisely.

Lastly, consider your budget. While some sites offer free templates, others charge per invitation or require a premium subscription. By keeping these factors in mind, you'll be able to choose a template that suits your needs and creates a beautiful first impression for your wedding.

Adding personal touches

Photos and Uploads

Add a personal touch by including your photos in the e-vite. You can feature or overlay images with text, or even upload your own images to use as the background. This is a great way to showcase your relationship and add a unique twist to your invitation.

Colours and Themes

Incorporate your wedding colours and themes into your e-vite design. Choose a colour palette that reflects your style and use it throughout your invitation. You can also add a signature pattern or a font that matches your wedding decor and other paper items on your big day. This creates a cohesive package that your guests will notice and admire.

Customisation

Customise your e-vites with your and your partner's personalities and interests. If you're music lovers, consider adding musical notes or instruments to the design. If you're foodies, you can include illustrations of your favourite dishes or drinks. Think about what defines your relationship and try to incorporate those elements into the invitation.

Creative Wording

Get creative with the wording of your e-vites. While there are basic elements that should be included, such as the full names of the couple, date, time, and location, you can also add a personal twist to the text. Consider incorporating wedding quotes or time-honoured traditions to make your invitations shine. You can also add a fun or romantic message that reflects your personality as a couple.

Interactive Elements

Make your e-vites interactive by including elements that your guests can engage with. For example, you can add a song or video that guests can play, or even a simple game or quiz. This adds a layer of fun to the invitation and makes it more memorable for your guests.

Remember, your wedding e-vites are a reflection of you and your partner, so don't be afraid to get creative and add those personal touches that will make your invitations unique and special.

Wording and etiquette

When it comes to the wording and etiquette of your wedding e-vites, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, the proper wording of a wedding invitation includes essential details such as the couple's full names, who's hosting the nuptials, the ceremony location, and the reception venue. Other details, such as dress code information, can be included but are not compulsory.

Host Line

The opening line on a wedding invitation names the hosts of the event. If multiple parties are hosting, you only need to include names if you're going for a formal feel. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, this line can be omitted. Here are some examples:

• "Together with their families"
• "Together with our families"
• "Together with their parents"

Attendance Request

The request to attend lets guests know exactly what they're being invited to. This can be worded in various ways, such as:

• "The honour of your presence" (traditionally used to denote a religious service)
• "The pleasure of your company" (or variations) (used to denote a non-religious ceremony)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

Couple's Names

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface. For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, the names can be listed in alphabetical order or based on what looks best with the design.

Date and Time

Traditional wedding invitation wording requires the date and time to be spelled out in full, while modern invites often use numerical figures. Be sure to use a legible font to avoid confusion. The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be lowercase. The time of day should be spelled out, e.g., "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock".

Location

Write the name and full street address of the wedding venue, including the state and zip code. If your wedding is abroad, include the country as well. If the reception is at the same location, you can simply say, "Reception to follow". If the reception is elsewhere, include the full address on a separate details card.

Reception Details

If the reception is at a different location, include the venue's name and address on a separate line or a separate insert card. If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time.

Dress Code

Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. If your wedding is black-tie, it's important to include this on the invitation. The dress code is usually mentioned in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite.

RSVP Details

Most couples include a separate response card for guests to fill out and return. Alternatively, you can provide a wedding website address where guests can RSVP directly.

Sending your invites

Once you've designed your e-invite, it's time to send them out! Wedding invitations should be sent out at least 6-8 weeks before the wedding. If you're hosting a destination wedding, it's recommended to add 1-2 months to that timeline so your guests have extra time to make travel plans.

You can send your e-vites via email, text, or a shareable link. Some platforms even offer the option to send your invitations in a digital envelope, without advertisements. You can also post your invitations directly to social media or share them via WhatsApp.

If you're using an online invitation service, your guests will be directed to your wedding website, where they can easily RSVP. This makes it simpler for both you and your guests, as you'll instantly have their response and won't have to worry about physical RSVPs getting lost in the mail.

Remember to give your guests enough time to RSVP—it's recommended to let them know 4-6 weeks before the wedding. This will give you time to make any necessary changes to catering or seating.

RSVP tracking

Tips for RSVP Tracking:

• Sync your RSVP form with your guest list database: This ensures that only invited guests can RSVP, avoiding any awkward questions around plus ones and children.
• Personalize your RSVP form: Include custom questions and create separate RSVP forms for pre- and post-wedding events, such as the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner.
• Automate reminders: Set up automated reminders to be sent to guests who have not yet responded, making it easier for them to remember to RSVP.
• Group guests: Organize guests into groups, such as family or couples, to simplify the RSVP process for them and for you when tracking responses.
• Allow guests to RSVP on behalf of their group: This will save time for your guests and help you keep track of responses more efficiently.
• Customizable RSVP questions: Go beyond attendance questions and allow guests to provide additional information, such as meal choices, travel plans, allergies, and song requests.
• Real-time RSVP updates: Get instant notifications when guests RSVP, so you can track responses and plan accordingly.

Platforms with RSVP Tracking Features:

• WedSites: Offers a free wedding website builder, digital invitations, and clever RSVP features. The paperless stationery and online RSVP features are accessible for a one-time fee of $99 or $199, which includes access to other planning tools like a digital checklist and seating chart creator.
• Joy: A free platform that includes a wedding website, invitations, and a powerful RSVP system. It allows you to track attendance, create custom RSVP questions, and manage guest groups.
• Paperless Post: Provides online wedding invitations, save-the-dates, and bridal shower invitations. It offers RSVP tracking, the ability to collect mailing addresses, and thousands of design templates. Pricing is based on purchasing packs of digital coins.
• Greenvelope: Offers paperless invitations and RSVP tracking, with features like scheduling automatic reminders and sending group updates. However, it does not include a wedding website builder. Pricing is based on the number of guests.
• Minted: A wedding website builder and digital invitation platform with hundreds of unique designs. It includes easy address collection, RSVP tracking for multiple events, and customizable RSVP questions.
• The Knot: A well-known digital wedding brand that offers wedding websites, paperless stationery, gift registries, and a vendor directory. It provides custom wedding website creation, digital invites, and online RSVP collection through its guest list tool.

Remember to consider your specific needs, such as customization options, budget, and the ability to send group updates, when choosing the right platform for your wedding e-invites and RSVP tracking.

Frequently asked questions