Save the dates vs invitations

Save the dates are typically more casual. Invitations tend to be more formal, as the formality of the invitation should match the formality of the wedding.

If you do one more fancy, go with the invite because it sets the tone/vibe of the wedding. Save the dates were traditionally phone calls. People will expect a physical invitation while a save the date can be a text/call or inexpensive magnet from Vistaprint. If you don’t do a physical invitation, guests will not take the event as seriously.

I agree with Natalie. Another thing to remember is that everyone who received a save the date must then receive an invitation but you don't need to send save the dates to everyone. So, if there is any possibility of your plans or budget changing and you needing to shrink your guest list between now and when your invitations go out, just send save the dates to the people who would absolutely get an invitation no matter what happened (your "VIPs").

And also, there's nothing inherently wrong with digital invites, but they don't work for everyone, so carefully consider your guest list (their ages, level of tech savvy, etc.) before deciding to do digital-only invitations.

I did digital save the dates (to save &dollar. But people were so excited they texted us asking how to RSVP and we told them invites were to come. I was debating doing digital invitations but decided to do actual invites since it's not a casual event. But I plan to do online RSVPs

If I were you, I would switch it up with digital save-the-dates and then have printed invitations. The invitation is more formal; some people don't even do save-the-dates, they're more casual.

Invite should definitely be the “more fancy” one! Invite is essential, save the dates are optional, so give more weight to the invite. That’s also where your guest will find all the info they’ll need (time and exact location) where a save the day usually just has date and town. An invite would generally be expected to be more formal than a save the date, so if I got a mailed save the date , and then a digital invite, to be honest I’d probably still be waiting expecting an invite in the mail too!

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We attended a wedding not long ago with digital invites and the majority of guests never showed because they were waiting for paper invites. The only reason we went was because we had nothing else going on, otherwise we would not have attended and waited for an actual invitation like everyone else.

I'd send a digital save the date and a Fancy invite

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Oh my. That poor bride. I agree people are used to an actual invite.

I would make the invitation more formal!

View Quoted Comment I like the idea of the actual invites with a digital RSVP!

Invitations are typically more formal since they’re the official invite as opposed to just a date to mark your calendars. But a digital invitation is a good option if you want to save money!!

I would do a printed invitation - it is more formal and a digital save the date!