Planning a wedding can be exciting, but it’s no secret that the costs can add up fast. One way my partner and I decided to save some money — and make things simpler — was by sending our save the dates digitally. Instead of traditional mailed cards, we opted to send text and email announcements. It was budget-friendly, sustainable, and surprisingly quick!
Here’s a look at how we managed the process, why we chose this route, and what you can learn from our experience.
Why We Chose Digital Save the Dates
Switching to digital save the dates has several benefits that made perfect sense for us.
Cost Savings: Traditional printed save the dates can cost around $5 per piece (including postage), which adds up quickly with a large guest list. Going digital allowed us to significantly cut down on costs.
Convenience: With everything just a click away, digital save the dates are fast and practical — they arrive instantly, and there’s no need to deal with mailing logistics.
Eco-Friendly: Skipping paper announcements helped us reduce waste and make a more sustainable choice.
Flexibility: Our wedding website gave us the freedom to provide our guests with even more details, plus options to RSVP early!
How We Did It
Instead of using a service, we decided to send our save the dates manually through the MacBook Texting app. While it may sound daunting, the process actually went by much faster than we expected — sending to 268 people only took about an hour.
What We Sent: Our save the date included a heartfelt video announcing the big day, accompanied by a short text encouraging guests to check out our wedding website for all the details and to RSVP.
Example Text: “Matt & Maria are Getting Married on June 7th & You’re Invited! Please Check Out MattAndMariaAreGettingMarried.com for all the details and to RSVP as soon as possible!"
The Response: Guests loved the personalized video and appreciated how easy it was to access all the event details via the link.
Why RSVPing Early Made Sense for Us
One unique element we included in the RSVP process was asking for mailing addresses and how guests preferred to receive a formal invitation — by mail or email. While it’s a bit early to collect solid attendance numbers, this initial RSVP helped us prep our guest list and save on printing costs for formal invites (mailing only to those who really want a printed version).
Building Our Wedding Website
To make all of this work seamlessly, we created a wedding website using WiX. This was an essential part of our approach because it allowed us to centralize all the wedding details in one place, including the venue info, event schedule, and RSVP form. With a custom link, it was easy to share, and guests could visit anytime for updates.
Why We Loved the Website
RSVP Management: The RSVP form enabled guests to respond quickly, share their preferences, and even update their responses later.
Flexibility: We were able to include as much information as we wanted, from travel details to our love story (and cute photos, of course!).
Professional-Looking Design: WiX made it easy to create something beautiful that fit the tone of our wedding.
Key Takeaways
Our experience sending digital save the dates proved that you don’t need to spend a fortune or become a tech wizard to make a big impact. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re considering going digital, too:
Think About Your Message: Whether you’re sending a text, video, or email, make sure your message is clear, concise, and in line with your wedding vibe.
Use a Wedding Website: A website is a game-changer for staying organized and giving your guests everything they need in one place.
Make It Personal: Even if you’re going digital, take the time to personalize your message by including guest names or a thoughtful note — it goes a long way in making people feel special.
Don’t Be Afraid to DIY: Sending messages manually isn’t as scary as it sounds! A little time and effort can go a long way toward saving you budget and ensuring everything looks just the way you want.
Final Thoughts
Sending save the dates digitally was one of the best decisions we made during our wedding planning so far. It cut costs, saved us time, and reduced the stress of dealing with traditional mail. Plus, it gave us a fun opportunity to showcase our creativity (that video was a hit!).
If you’re considering doing the same, know that it’s totally doable — even with a large guest list. With a clear plan, the right tools (hello, MacBook Texting app), and a little personalization, you can create meaningful announcements that set the perfect tone for your big day while keeping your budget in check.
Here’s to happy planning and savvy saving! 💌
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