Are Wedding Invitations Really Necessary?

You may not think of your wedding stationery as a big ticket item like the venue or catering, but it turns out it actually carries a fair amount of significance. Not only does it hold important details such as the where's and when's but it also sets the tone for the whole event. There's lots to consider on the subject of wedding stationery and what to choose ahead of your wedding day. So if you're toying with the idea of whether to send invites at all, wanting to know about the pros and cons of going digital, read on, because you're about to be enlightened!

When to send save the dates – and do you need to?

There's no hard and fast rule relating to save the date cards. It's up to you if and when you want to send them. However, should you want to have a full guest list, the earlier you crack on the better. The risk is if you send your save the dates closer to the wedding date or not at all then your guests go ahead and make plans, or someone else may choose your wedding date! As a general rule, it's best to send save the dates 8 to 12 months before your wedding (send them earlier for a destination or holiday wedding weekend). Give friends and family that live far away plenty of time to make travel plans and budget for your big day.

Save the date etiquette

OK, so now you have a rough idea when to send save the date cards, what do you put on them? Well, this is your chance to get your wedding date in your guest’s diaries. All you need to include is the date, venue and the rest can be a work in progress. See this as the perfect opportunity to get your wedding website out there early and if you're having one, share your wedding hashtag # cute. Say I do offer a great platform for you to create your dream wedding website, you can get up and running really quickly AND you can get started for free. We also offer digital rsvp cards which will save you a lot of hassle - a wedding must have actually! You can also collect contact details with ease and access a custom digital checklist which you can personalise ensuring you don't forget to do any of the essential tasks!

Are wedding invitations necessary for all guests?

The simple answer is yes! It is absolutely necessary to send invitations to all your guests. Whilst many may think invitations require a load of paper, envelopes, postage, and time to assemble it all (that last bit can be true). Don't think of invitations as a burden or a task, but rather you get to invite guests to a celebration of your marriage! Send them out between 4 - 8 months prior to your wedding, depending if you've sent save the dates or not.

Your wedding stationery sets the tone for the event

Often your wedding stationery will be the first and last part of the wedding you share with your loved ones. From them receiving your save the date card to your thank you letters after the wedding. So this is your chance to make your wedding stationery memorable and unique. It's also an opportunity to add a personal touch and get your wedding guests excited for what's to come. Life is fast and everyone's busy, getting your invites out there in good time acts as an insurance that your loved ones will be there and not double book for another event.

Online wedding invitations vs paper invitations

It's a known fact that there's nothing like receiving a beautifully printed formal invitation card in the mail. However you need to set a good chunk of your budget aside if you're deciding to send paper invites. Printing, postage, time and stress come with traditional invites - be realistic, will you use that glue gun ever again?! Fear not! Going digital isn't as impersonal as you may think. You can get some really professional looking templates to work with or depending how techie you are, create your own. Say I do offer a beautiful and varied range of digital wedding stationery to choose from which you can perfectly align with your wedding website. The best bit, sending wedding invitations online will genuinely save money and time.

Your wedding stationery contains valuable information

Whether it's the save the date or the wedding invitation, ensure you include all the necessary details so your guests know what's to come ahead of your big day. State the date, time and wedding venue details including reception information, especially if it's in a different location. Don't forget information such as the dress code, plus ones and whether children are welcome or not. Your wedding website is also the perfect place for additional information such as gift registry information, maps illustrating where the ceremony and reception venue are, accommodation recommendations and travel information. Basically providing enough information at this time eliminates guests getting in contact asking you the same questions over again and ensuring they know what to expect ahead of the main event.

Consider your creative ability

There's no denying a handmade anything is super cute, particularly when it comes to invitations. However, if you decide to make your own paper invitation cards, make sure you factor in the time to do it. The idea is lovely and it can be a fun process if you're organised but in reality it's time consuming and can end up quite pricey, especially if you're planning a big wedding. Don't be the bride or groom who thinks they can do it all, be realistic and if you are going to get crafty with your invites, having a plan and timeline can be super helpful, it's not the kind of project you want to feel rushed with.

The devil is in the detail!

Whether you're sticking to all the famous wedding traditions or doing things your own way, there really is no right and wrong these days. Stay true to yourself and don't get swept away by doing things just because you think you should, or your parents say it's the right thing to do. But there's no denying sending wedding invitations is a must - you're setting guests expectations, alleviating 101 questions and most importantly you're ensuring your guest list will show up to the right place at the right time!