Online vs Paper Invitations: Cost, Etiquette and When to Use Each
Online invitations or paper? A practical comparison of cost, replies, etiquette, speed and keepsake value, with which to use for weddings, parties, showers and work events.
Paper invitations feel special. Online invitations get answered. For most events today the choice is easy, and for the few where it isn’t, you can use both.
Side by side
| Online | Paper | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free to a few dollars per event | Printing and postage per guest |
| Speed | Instant | Days to print and post |
| Replies | One tap, collected for you | By post, phone or text, counted by hand |
| Changes | Update everyone at once | Reprint or call around |
| Plus-ones, dietary needs | Asked in the reply | Separate follow-up |
| Keepsake | Low | High |
| Formality | Casual to semi-formal | Any, including very formal |
Use online for
- Birthday parties, dinners, barbecues, housewarmings.
- Baby showers and engagement parties.
- Work events, offsites and holiday parties.
- Anything you’ll need to update or chase replies for.
Use paper for
- Formal weddings, where the invitation itself is a keepsake.
- Grandparents or guests who’d genuinely prefer post.
Use both
Send paper for the look, and put a QR code or link on it for replies. You get the keepsake and an accurate headcount. More on QR codes.
Doing it online
TeamRally Invitations: designed covers, email invitations and a share link with QR code, replies with plus-ones and dietary needs, and a live guest list. Free for up to 100 guests, with no ads.
Frequently asked questions
Are online invitations acceptable for weddings? Increasingly yes, and paper invitations with online replies are common.
Are online invitations cheaper than paper? Almost always.
Do people reply faster to online invitations? Generally, yes.
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