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Jessica
Savvy November 2023

Digital Save the Dates - yay or nay?

Jessica, on October 24, 2022 at 6:18 PM Posted in Planning 0 8

Hi all -

I've been researching save the dates (STDs) for budget reasons and came across digital save the dates. I'm aware that a number of platforms have digital STDs (and they all look really nice!) however, I have my reservations.

For my husband and mine's Minimony last year, we did Evites due to the short engagement period and budget. Unfortunately, there were a handful of people who saw a digital invite and automatically assumed that this was a more "casual" event and didn't take it seriously (the psychology makes no sense to me). Now that we're doing the "big reception" with everyone, I feel that if I did a digital STD, but a paper invitation, the same thing will happen.

I do like the idea of digital STDs because it saves $$ and it's sustainable. But apprehensive that individuals won't take it seriously. For those that have done/are doing digital STDs, what are the pros and cons that you ran into?

Thank you!

8 Comments

Latest activity by Taniesha, on October 27, 2022 at 4:57 PM
  • E
    Devoted February 2023
    Elycia ·
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    I think if you are confident that your crowd is actually going to see them then they're great. We personally had so many older family members who live in rural areas with shotty internet that we decided to do postcards instead to ensure they actually received them.

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  • K
    Just Said Yes February 2023
    Katherine ·
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    I did digital save the dates and sent via paperless post which steps up the delivery with animation. Highly recommend it.


    I bought a template on Etsy and modified it to be two-sided with our pic on the back and details on the front. Then I uploaded it as a custom invite on paperless post and added a background and envelope lining and save the date stamp. These are additional charges but they add to the flair.
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  • K
    Just Said Yes February 2023
    Katherine ·
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    I also added a link button on the paperless post invite that easily directed everyone to the website. I clearly stated “formal attire”. You can go as far as elaborating what you mean ie women: long dresses, men: suits.


    I have already received questions about this so I know it hit home.
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    In our circles, save the dates are word of mouth or a phone call. Even with the most tech savvy crowd, digital announcements are not seen as formal compared to paper or verbal. It is what it is. One friend did digital save the dates and no one took them seriously but they did with the paper invites and paper rsvps for the same wedding.
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  • S
    Just Said Yes July 2023
    Sophie ·
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    As someone planning to do fully digital save the dates AND invitations, what do you mean by they didn’t take them seriously? Did they not believe the couple was getting married? Would they not have RSVPed to a digital invite?

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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    They believe the couple is getting married at some point but they don’t view the digital invite as official. Every group is different but this was the experience among many that we know or family/friends of friends. For example, a digital invitation works great for a birthday party or backyard bbq but is very informal for most weddings that more formal than something super casual. We attended a (black tie optional) wedding not long ago where digital invites were sent and hardly anyone attended because they later told the couple that they were waiting for paper invitations and viewed the digital as a save the date. A lot of money went to waste and the couple was understandably upset but the other view was also valid.
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  • K
    Just Said Yes February 2023
    Katherine ·
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    I’m doing half paper and half digital for the invitations. Sending our families the paper invite and friends the digital invites. Our friends are more accustomed to receiving digital invites and have already received some for other weddings - it’s becoming more and more commonplace. Some friends immediately discard the paper invites. We received an invite recently and went straight to the website and never saw the invite again. I still wore a long sparkly dress for the wedding because it was black-tie optional.
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  • Taniesha
    Savvy July 2023
    Taniesha ·
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    I agree with Katherine on sending a mix depending on your group of invitees. I’m sure the younger population will be familiar with digital while the older generation will likely prefer paper. I did digital save the dates because in my circle they honestly aren’t seen as a necessity or even really necessary… Word of mouth is usually all the notification that’s given in advance. I am however mailing out formal invitations coupled with digital RSVP’s. Most people in my group do not mail back RSVP cards anyway so I’m not wasting money on cards and postage. The handful of elders attending I will follow up with them directly and rsvp for them. Good luck
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