The Knot Guide To Sending Wedding Invites

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and The Knot is here to help with all your wedding stationery needs, from save-the-dates to invites and wedding programs. The Knot offers a wide range of customizable designs, including all-in-one invitations that combine an invite, RSVP card, and envelope in a single foldable design. You can also take advantage of their guest-addressing service, which prints guests' addresses directly on the envelopes, saving you time and effort. When you're ready to send out your invitations, remember to organize your stationery, figure out postage, and proofread all the details before taking them to the post office.

Digital wedding invitations: pros and cons

Digital wedding invitations are a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional paper invites. They can be useful if you're planning a last-minute wedding or aiming for an eco-friendly celebration. However, it's essential to consider the pros and cons before deciding whether to go digital or stick with paper invitations.

Pros of Digital Wedding Invitations:

• Cost-effective: Digital invitations typically cost less than paper invites, especially when factoring in mailing costs.
• Instant delivery and RSVP: Online invites are sent and received instantly, making them ideal for last-minute weddings. Guests can also RSVP instantly, shortening the RSVP deadline.
• Eco-friendly: Digital invitations reduce paper waste and eliminate the need to research eco-friendly materials.
• Convenient for international guests: Sending digital invites and receiving RSVPs electronically is more convenient and cost-effective for overseas guests.

Cons of Digital Wedding Invitations:

• Potential inaccessibility: Digital invites may not be accessible to less tech-savvy recipients, and there's a risk of them ending up in the junk mail folder.
• Extra work for contact information: You'll need to put in the effort to collect each guest's email address, which can be more challenging than sharing a physical mailbox.
• Limited design options: Paper invitations offer a wider range of bespoke design options, especially if created by a wedding stationery professional.
• Lack of formality and sentimentality: Some guests may prefer the formality and sentimentality of a traditional paper invitation that they can keep as a memento. Digital invites may also cause confusion, with guests assuming a paper invitation will follow.

The cost of digital wedding invitations

Digital printing is the most budget-friendly option, with prices ranging from $0.35 to $2.00 per invitation. This method uses ink and lasers, similar to a home office printer. If you opt for a set of 100 invitations, you can expect to pay between $500 and $800.

Other printing methods, such as offset printing, thermography, letterpress, and engraving, are more expensive. Offset printing and thermography typically start at $800 and can go up to $1,800 for 100 stationery suites. Letterpress printing will cost around $1,500 or more for 100 invitations, while engraving is the most costly option, starting at $2,000 for 100 invitations.

In addition to the printing method, the cost of digital wedding invitations can also be affected by the choice of paper, colors, accents, and vendors. Heavier cardstock, custom designs, foil stamping, wax seals, and fancy envelope liners will increase the price.

The Knot, a popular wedding planning website, offers digital wedding invitation suites starting at $1.79 per invitation. They also provide all-in-one invitations that include the invitation, RSVP card, and envelope, starting at $1.79 per piece.

When creating a budget for digital wedding invitations, it is important to consider the entire invitation suite, including save-the-dates, RSVP cards, and other supplementary stationery pieces. The average total cost of wedding invitations and stationery in the United States is $530, according to The Knot's Real Weddings Study.

How to send digital wedding invitations

Sending out wedding invitations is an important part of the wedding planning process. While traditional paper invites are still the most common, digital wedding invitations are becoming an increasingly popular option for couples. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to send digital wedding invitations:

Choose a Digital Invitation Service

Select a website or platform that specializes in digital invitations, such as Paperless Post, Evite, or Greenvelope. These sites offer a variety of design options and features to customize your invitations. Some sites charge a flat fee for a digital download, while others use a subscription model or a coin system.

Pick a Design

Browse the selection of digital invitation designs offered by the chosen service. You can choose from simple and classic styles to more modern and whimsical options. Some sites even offer virtual envelopes, wax seals, and stamps to add a special touch.

Customize Your Invitation

Personalize the chosen design with your wedding details, including the date, time, and venue of the wedding. You may also include additional information, such as the wedding website or RSVP instructions. Most sites will allow you to customize the text, font, and even color scheme to match your wedding theme.

Collect Guest Email Addresses

Before sending out the invitations, you will need to gather the email addresses of all your intended guests. This may require some extra effort, as you'll need to ensure you have the correct email address for each guest, especially if they are from the same household.

Send the Invitations

Once your guest list is finalized and you have all the necessary email addresses, it's time to send out the invitations. You can either send them individually or use the batch sending feature offered by most digital invitation services.

Track RSVPs

Digital invitation services often provide an RSVP tracking feature, allowing guests to respond instantly. This can be a convenient way to keep track of your guest list and RSVP deadline. Some sites will even send reminders to guests who have not yet responded.

Follow Up as Needed

Even with digital invitations, it is important to follow up with guests who have not responded by the deadline. This can be done via email or with a phone call to ensure you have an accurate headcount for your wedding.

While digital wedding invitations offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional paper invites, it is important to consider the potential cons, such as accessibility issues and the lack of formality associated with digital invites. However, for couples seeking a more modern or eco-friendly approach, digital invitations can be a great option.

What to write in a digital wedding invitation

Digital wedding invitations are a great way to save time and money, especially if your wedding is last-minute or eco-friendly. The content of a digital wedding invitation doesn't differ much from a physical invitation. However, you will need to compose an email subject line and perhaps some additional text. Here is a standard template you can follow:

Subject Line: You're invited to our wedding

Together with their families, David Rose & Patrick Brewer invite you to celebrate their marriage on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow.

When sending digital invitations, you can choose to include virtual envelopes, wax seals, and stamps. You can also add a wedding QR code or direct guests to RSVP on your wedding website.

It's important to consider the potential drawbacks of digital invitations, such as accessibility for less tech-savvy recipients and the possibility of emails going to spam. You'll also need to put in extra effort to collect each guest's email address.

How to prepare your wedding invitations for mailing

Preparing your wedding invitations for mailing can be a stressful task, but it's pretty straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you prepare your wedding invitations for mailing:

• Organize your stationery: Ensure that your wedding invitations and any other enclosures are properly assembled and placed inside each envelope. You can refer to The Knot's guide to assembling wedding invitations for the correct order.
• Figure out postage: Before buying stamps, take one fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed. This will help you determine the exact amount of postage required, which may be more than the cost of a basic Forever stamp.
• Proofread and double-check details: Before sending out your invitations, carefully proofread all the addresses. Double-check other details such as the wedding date, time, and venue to ensure there are no mistakes.
• Secure your envelopes: Instead of licking the adhesive liner, use a cotton swab or paintbrush to moisten the envelope adhesive. This makes it easier to seal the envelope without the risk of paper cuts or unhygienic licking. If your invitations are bulky, use additional adhesive such as a glue stick or double-sided tape after moistening.
• Add stamps: It is recommended to add sufficient postage before dropping off your invitations at the post office. This saves time and ensures that you have your desired stamps for aesthetic purposes.
• Hand-cancelling your invites: When you drop off your invitations at the post office, ask the clerk to hand-cancel your invites. This means they will be manually marked to prevent reuse and avoid going through a machine, which can cause wear and tear. There may be a small additional fee for this service.
• Mailing location: If you are using the USPS, bring your invitations to the post office and hand them to a staff member. Do not mail them through a mailbox as there may be issues with bulkier invitations.
• International invitations: If you are sending invitations internationally, double-check the postage requirements and restrictions on the USPS website. Allow extra time for delivery, and consider providing a digital RSVP option for international guests.

Frequently asked questions