Couples are ditching traditional wedding invitations for WhatsApp messages

With the breakdown of our postal service and the high cost of couriers, we are now used to birthday party invites being sent via WhatsApp groups, so why would wedding invitations be any different? Picture: Pexels

With the breakdown of our postal service and the high cost of couriers, we are now used to birthday party invites being sent via WhatsApp groups, so why would wedding invitations be any different? Picture: Pexels

Published Oct 8, 2024

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Since Covid wedding traditions have been changing, and with the high cost of hosting a wedding, couples are choosing more intimate ceremonies.

Elaborate wedding invitations are becoming a thing of the past, with some people texting their wedding details to guests.

When I got married eighteen years ago, I sent out text messages to my guests, and many were surprised, but I was on a tight budget and decided that as it was going to be an intimate affair, it would be the most cost-effective way to do it.

Little did I know that nearly two decades later it would become the norm for many couples.

Nowadays apps like Paperless Post, Text My Wedding, and Aisle Planner help to organise and streamline the process, taking things a step further, allowing couples to send texts to their entire guest list without putting everyone on one long text thread.

For couples who want to skip the printed wedding invitations and save money, here are a few recommendations.

Start by collecting each guest's phone number, when you'd might otherwise ask for mailing addresses.

Use a shareable platform, like Google Sheets, to organise the information and keep track of the number of guests, dietary requirements, and seating arrangement.

Organize the spreadsheet with a guest's full name, phone number, and then RSVPs once those start rolling in later on.

If you haven’t heard back from the guest by the RSVP date, follow up with them privately, as some people may inadvertently delete the message as spam, as happened to this Reddit user:

@itsBritanica

We received an e-link via text as an invite some months back. It looked like spam so we never opened it. Didn't even know about it until morning-of the event when my MIL called my SO to find out where we were.... if you do this, make sure you know exactly how it'll show up to your guests and warn people.

With the breakdown of our postal service and the high cost of couriers, we are now used to birthday party invites being sent via WhatsApp groups, so why would wedding invitations be any different?

IOL Lifestyle