Is it ok NOT to do invitations?

[MDLady]

We sent out the Save the Date magnets and then a formal invitation. I was thinking of skipping the invitations but there was a lot of information to convey such as accommodations, dates, etc, that I felt that it was necessary to send. I also wonder if people would think they were not invited if they didn't actually receive the invitation. It's not a good feeling, even if it turns out to be wrong.

 

You can do an online invitation or a newsletter to make it less formal and less expensive. But it will also be very difficult to keep a large family informed of all the dates/locations, etc. They will constantly call you and bug you about dates. I had that happen even WITH invitations!!!!

 

They are pretty easy to do these days online and additional invitations don't cost a lot, it's the base price of the design.

[carolina24]

we did invitations b/c a. i always think of invitations when i think of weddings and b. no one wanted to book until they got an "official" invitation, even though we sent STDs out last august.

[CND_Redhead]

This is great! I was just thinking/stressing today about this exact question..

I wasn't planning on sending formal invites as normally they are only sent out a couple months before the wedding. Well by then most of our guests will have already made final payments on the trip.

 

My stressor now is that I'm worried people aren't booking b/c they aren't aware they are "invited". We sent out STD magnets about 2 months ago and put the website on the magnet. All the information is there but I still have yet to have confirmation from my TA that people are reserving their spots. I'm thinking now I should have written more on the actual magnet about the proceedure (for those that don't check the computer.- which I have a few).

 

So do I send out a "reminder" say in a post card form (I was thinking) or invitations now? I was trying to avoid invitations to save $$.

Ppl are suppose to book by end of May to guarantee the group rate we have received.

 

Suggestions?? Ideas??

[barbiegirl_27]

It's all about what you want to do.

For my wedding we sent out Save the Dates a year in advance to give people a heads up and a chance to save! We made the website and told people to keep checking there for the various updates about travel, accomodations and timings, since we didn't know any of that at the time. I also made a group on facebook to help with reminders for people when there were updates.

I already spent enough on my save the dates, I didn't feel it was necessary to send a formal invite as well. We've gotten a lot of positive responses about the website and know people are checking it pretty often to see how things are progressing.

[aubry]

So glad you posted! This is a second marriage for both of us, so we wanted to keep it informal and not have anyone feel obligated to buy gifts, etc. We sent an evite, but I've been wondering if it was terribly tacky or too informal. I'm glad to hear that not everyone does the formal invite!

[shae]

i used my website as my invitation. it worked out perfectly and wow'd my guests!

[Thomasjsgirl]

We sent out Save the Dates via email (and via snail mail to our "no-mail" relatives) directing guests to RSVP via our website or by phone. The STD specifically stated that invites would be sent to those who accepted only. Then I worded the invite as more of a confirmation of their attendance. I'm not sure if you can read the wording clearly, but it says: "We look forward to sharing with you the sun, the sea and the memories of our wedding day."

 

[barbiegirl_27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aubry So glad you posted! This is a second marriage for both of us, so we wanted to keep it informal and not have anyone feel obligated to buy gifts, etc. We sent an evite, but I've been wondering if it was terribly tacky or too informal. I'm glad to hear that not everyone does the formal invite!

I think a lot of people are going this route not to just cut costs, but b/c it's a "greener" option for this day and age! I don't think its tacky at all!

[esemar]

I love the idea of sending guests packages only to those who confirm they are attending... I guess everyone will know you are doing this and accept the fact you aren't sending formal invitation.

I think it will help save some trees... and almost all invitations end up being trash anyway...

Good luck!

[AngelaVaradero]

Thanks everyone for the responses! There's lot of helpful information here and things to consider. We just shared our quote with guests and already have 20 confirmed and its still a year away! I love reading the suggetions.