Is It Ever Acceptable to Send an Invite Over Text?
Let’s face it: You probably cannot remember the last time you received an invitation for a dinner party in your mailbox. But, we’re willing to bet that you can recall getting asked to a birthday party via a text message.
There are a lot of reasons why sending an invitation through a digital format is a preferred mode of communication. As Lizzie Post, the co-president of the Emily Post Institute, explains, it’s convenient, less expensive, and practical, which is why Post as well as other experts we talked to agree that in most cases—save for a formal event like a black tie gala or wedding—it’s totally acceptable to send an invitation over text.
However, instead of simply sending a bubble of text, you should consider using digital stationary. What is digital stationery, you ask? It essentially brings some of the elegance of a handwritten note to the convenience of your mobile device. Apps like HiNOTE and stationary companies like Dogwood Hill enable you to share a thoughtful, elevated digital invitation rather than just an everyday, casual text message.
“HiNOTE was created to provide stylish, digital communication for every occasion—in just a few taps, from your phone,” Alexis Traina, CEO and co-founder of HiNOTE explains. “From ladies’ night, to book club, cocktails on the porch, pickleball on Saturday, Thanksgiving Dinner, and even Secret Santa. Every HiNOTE can be turned into a quick, digital invitation.”
In a technology-driven world with top-speed connectivity, sending a digital invitation streamlines a primary element of party planning, but Post, the great-great granddaughter of etiquette trailblazer Emily Post, says it’s important not to forget the fundamentals of a traditional invitation.
“Be aware that you’re not paying someone else to create this invitation like a stationer. You don’t have another set of eyes to catch your spelling mistakes,” Post warns. “You have to know a little bit about design and you have to be willing to take a second to copy edit your work.”
Think about the colors and fonts you are using, and make sure that everything is easy for your invitees to read. To double-check spelling and other details, pass the invite along to a friend or someone who’s co-hosting the party with you to make sure that everything is as it should be.
If the trend of texting your guests feels too daunting, there is no harm in sending a traditional invitation via snail mail.
Dogwood Hill, which creates stunning print and digital stationary, believes that there is still some power when it comes to putting pen to paper.
“I think a handwritten note is more important than ever in such a technology-driven world. Since it is so easy for people to shoot off a text or email, a thoughtful card or note shows the time and value that the person gave in writing it,” the team shares. “While note writing doesn’t need to be that formal anymore, the act of writing something to someone feels very special.”
The bottom line? While it's always nice to receive a personalized invite in the mail, it's not a must for casual gatherings like a dinner party with friends. If you're hosting a formal event, on the other hand, it's time to call your favorite stationer and get those invites sent out ASAP.
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