Planning a wedding on a budget can be stressful, especially once you’ve started exploring what everything costs – including invitations! Some couples spend hundreds of dollars on their wedding invitation suite, all for those beautiful bespoke invites to wind up in the trash (sorry to say, it’s just fact 🤷♀️). If you’re really trying to pinch pennies to afford the wedding of your dreams, opting for email wedding invitations is a great way to save.
In this article, we’ll cover 7 tips for creating the best email wedding invitations to keep more money in your pockets and create a seamless RSVP process for your guests.
And, before you go, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to snag my DIY wedding planning checklist and exclusive access to all of my free DIY wedding templates and resources.
Pin this for later!
Note: When you shop via links on our site, we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Savvy Swaréy. Learn more.
Is it appropriate to email wedding invitations?
First, let’s nip this one in the bud and get over the idea that you need to send a physical invitation to comply with etiquette, or meet family/friend expectations. The answer is, yes, email wedding invitations are acceptable and are a great way to cut down on waste. It really comes down to your personal preference (and of course, your budget!)
I promise you that if anyone takes issue with receiving a digital invitation instead of a physical one, they’ll get over it. As long as they receive the invite and can RSVP without any issues, your invitation has done its job.
The purpose of the invitation is to INVITE your guests – that’s it. All the bells and whistles do not even matter.
For those of you who are concerned about your older invitees, don’t you worry, I’ll get to some ideas in just a minute!
16 Tips for Incredible Email Wedding Invitations
OK friends, it’s time to get into the nitty gritty of how to create incredible email wedding invitations.
Follow these 16 tips to create budget-friendly digital wedding invitations that reflect your wedding aesthetic and create an easy and memorable experience for your guests as they await your big day!
1. Choose a Reputable Email Invitation Service
Selecting a reputable service to create and send your email wedding invitations is crucial. Platforms like Paperless Post, Evite, and Greenvelope offer beautiful templates that can be customized to match your wedding theme.
Here are just a few of my favorites!
These services often include RSVP tracking, which simplifies the process for both you and your guests. Look for features that allow you to manage your guest list, track responses, and send reminders.
2. Send Save-the-Dates Electronically
To maximize the convenience and savings of going digital, consider sending your save-the-dates via email as well. This gives your guests ample time to prepare and mark their calendars. Using a similar design for both your save-the-dates and invitations, like those from Greenvelope pictured below, helps create a cohesive look for your wedding communications.
3. Personalize Your Email Wedding Invitations
Just because you’re going digital doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice personal touches. Use high-quality images, engaging fonts, and your wedding colors to create a cohesive look. Including a personal note or a fun anecdote can add warmth and charm to your email wedding invitations. Personalization makes your invitations stand out and shows your guests that you’ve put thought into the details.
4. Keep the Design Simple and Elegant
While it’s tempting to go all out with graphics and animations, simplicity often works best for email wedding invitations. A clean, elegant design ensures that the important details aren’t lost in the clutter. Use readable fonts and stick to a minimal color palette to keep your invitation looking polished and sophisticated.
5. Include All Necessary Information
Make sure your email wedding invitations contain all the essential information your guests need. This includes the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception, dress code, RSVP instructions, and any other pertinent details. You can also include links to your wedding website for more information about the event, travel arrangements, and your registry.
6. Create a Comprehensive Wedding Website
To complement your email wedding invitations, a well-designed wedding website is essential. Your wedding website should serve as a one-stop hub for all the information your guests will need.
Include sections for the wedding schedule, venue details, accommodation options, directions, dress code, and a contact form for any questions. You can also share your love story, introduce the bridal party, and provide a link to your gift registry.
FOR MORE ON THIS TOPIC
Check out 7 Tips for Using Wedding Invitation Websites to Save & Stress Less
7. Utilize QR Codes
For added convenience, include QR codes in your email wedding invitations. These can link directly to your wedding website, RSVP form, or even a Google Map location of your venue. QR codes simplify the process for guests, allowing them to access information quickly and easily.
8. Test Your Email Wedding Invitations Before Sending
Before hitting send, make sure to test your email wedding invitations. Send a test invite to yourself and a few trusted friends or family members to check for any issues. Ensure that all links work, the layout looks good on different devices (phones, tablets, computers), and that the invitation lands in the main inbox rather than the spam folder.
9. Be Mindful of Timing
Send your email wedding invitations at the right time. Typically, invitations should go out minimally six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, if you have a lot of out-of-town guests or a destination wedding, consider sending them earlier.
The chart below gives you some buffer time to ensure you’re hitting the right timing! (save it so you don’t lose it!)
Make sure to follow up with reminders as the date approaches.
10. Track Open Rates and Engagement
Most email invitation platforms provide analytics tools that allow you to track open rates and engagement. This data can help you understand who has seen your invitation and who might need a follow-up. Keeping an eye on these metrics ensures that no one misses your invite and allows you to address any issues promptly.
11. Set Up Automated Reminders
One of the great advantages of email wedding invitations is the ability to automate reminders. Set up a schedule for follow-up emails to prompt guests who haven’t RSVP’d by the deadline. Most email invitation services allow you to automate these reminders, ensuring you get a timely response from all your invitees.
12. Consider Your Less Tech-Savvy Guests
While email wedding invitations are convenient, some of your guests might not be as comfortable with digital communication. For older family members or friends who may not be tech-savvy, consider supplementing your email invites with a phone call or a printed invitation. This ensures that everyone receives the information they need and feels included in your special day.
13. Offer a Help Line
Provide a phone number or email address in your invitations where guests can reach you if they have any questions or encounter any issues with the digital invitation or RSVP process. This extra layer of support can be particularly helpful for guests who are less comfortable with technology.
14. Design your Email Wedding Invites for Print
Even though you’re opting for email wedding invitations, consider including a downloadable and printable version. This can be particularly useful for guests who prefer having a physical copy or for older family members who might appreciate a tangible memento.
15. Highlight Key Dates and Deadlines
Clearly emphasize important dates and deadlines within your email wedding invitations. This includes the RSVP deadline, dates for any pre-wedding events, and the wedding date itself. Keeping this information prominent helps ensure guests are well-informed and can plan accordingly.
16. Follow Up After the Wedding
Consider sending a digital thank-you note after the wedding to express your gratitude. This can be a simple email or a more elaborate e-card. Including a few photos from the big day adds a personal touch and leaves your guests with a memorable keepsake.
Greenvelope offers a full coordinated suite, including both digital save-the-dates and thank you cards.
16 Tips for the Best Email Wedding Invitations
To create the best email wedding invitations, follow these 16 tips I’ve outlined:
- Choose a reputable email invitation service
- Send save-the-dates electronically
- Personalize your invitations
- Keep the design simple and elegant
- Include all necessary information
- Create a comprehensive wedding website
- Utilize QR codes
- Test your invitations before sending
- Be mindful of timing
- Track open rates and engagement
- Set up automated reminders
- Consider your less tech-savvy guests
- Offer a help line
- Design for print option
- Highlight key dates and deadlines
- Follow up after the wedding
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create beautiful, effective email wedding invitations that save you money and make the invitation process smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your guests. Embrace the digital age and enjoy the benefits of convenience and cost savings as you plan your perfect wedding.
Happy planning, friends!
Kels