Sending invitations - is it necessary?

[h&a]

We are getting married in June in Mexico and have about 25 people confirmed to come to our DW. I've always figured that it will probably only be those really close to us (family and friends) who will make the trip so planned on just telling everyone close to us of our plans with word of mouth that everyone is welcome - the more the merrier, but I figure it will probably just be those 25 coming. My question is do I need to send out invitations to everyone? It seems redundant to send out invitations to the 25 people I've been in talks with (who have mostly already booked). For all the others should I send out an invitation so they know we have thought of them? I don't want to seem like I'm fishing for presents and don't want anybody to feel bad for not making it... which is why I originally thought word of mouth would be better... but perhaps some people won't really feel invited if we don't send out formal invites and perhaps those who have booked would appreciate them anyways. Perhaps e vites is the answer! lol... anyway, bring on the suggestions please!

[JUSTUSTWO]

Funny that you mentioned this. We sent out STD's and the guests that were interested replied & they are now booked. I was going to send out invitations soon but kept putting it off. FI's uncle call's the other day & says "Hey, where's my invitation?" Mind you, he's already booked! I was like "Uh, it's coming!" So needless to say I'm getting my invitations ready. I guess people still look forward to receiving something official even though they've already booked. I'm only sending invites to those guests who already booked.

I don't think I'd rely on word of mouth because people tend to forget details. Do you really want people calling you over & over asking the same questions that they could get from the invite? I think you should send something even if its an e-vite.

[h&a]

True - it would be nice for people to have something official even just to show how much it means to us to have them there... it's funny, in the beginning I was all about having a simple destination wedding and cutting out these kinds of things... but even w/ a small wedding it's nice to have all the touches - plus I kind am enjoying all the different projects so I might as well... I think I'm going to go ahead and attempt DIY invites - hoping to replicate Shelley's beautiful starfish ones (wish me luck... lol). Thanks for your input!

[dayisun]

Sending out an invitation is a nice way to let people know the details of your wedding. Just make sure you only invite those people you really want at your DW! You may be surprised, as we were, with the number of people that may just want to tag along for a nice vacation!

[jajajaja]

Invitations are only an formality. If you think they are necessary then by all means. An alternative is to send a newsletter to those who have already booked. You can provide them with more details about the trip. Just depends on what you would like to do! I don't think there are any rules in DW planning.

[hollisandsteph]

I saw something that was a very cute idea on another site. Someone made invitations/itinerary packs all in one. It was a really fun. I tried finding it but couldn't (theweddingchannel.com) but she used an invitations as the front page and then had a couple of other pages with info about the trip and it was all tied together with a pretty blue bow.

Another thing you might want to do is just send out wedding announcements.

[KellyMN]

I think invitations are a must It's just a nice way of formalizing your event and inviting people to share it with you - even if you know they're already going to come. I'd send out an invite, but just nothing to grand, to save the money and the hassle. Maybe you could even create a nice looking .pdf and attach it in an email?

 

Although I did send out an invite, and I'm glad I did, I regret sending out an rsvp. We sent out about 150 invites and rvsp postcards. The rsvp's were not necessary though! A waste of time stuffing them, money printing them and money buying postage! I wish I would have done an online rsvp form or a 1-800 number.

 

That's my two cents

[Karen]

I think it's a definite do! It informs everyone of the details and it's a nice keepsake for you and your family/ friends. There's nothing like that feeling when you are addressing them and getting them ready to go. The excitement just wells in you because you know the big days is almost here.

 

Jay and I eloped so we did announcements and sent out invites to our small AHR. We did both on Vista Print and the cost was minimal. Our announcements were postcards. They were very cool, cheap, and consistent witht he theme of a DW.

[JUSTUSTWO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by heidi&alex I think I'm going to go ahead and attempt DIY invites - hoping to replicate Shelley's beautiful starfish ones (wish me luck... lol).

I LOVE Shelley's starfish invites too & am just starting to get my supplies. I'm actually ordering the starfish today. Like you I, I'm gonna need lotsa luck & hope that they come out half as good as hers did!

[KarmaB]

I kind of felt the way you did about invites. I felt it was redundant and a waste of money. My FI really wanted them though, so we had some made and let me tell you. I am SO glad that I did. They are beautiful and really make the process fell real and special. Plus, I know our family members that can't make for health or financial reasons will feel special still that they are included in one way or another.

 

So my vote is for invites!!