Party Planning: Invitations

If you are going to go to all the work of planning and throwing a party, you will definitely want people to show up, right? That is why invitations are such an important part of party planning.

Before we get to the specifics, remember that sometimes you won't need invitations. If you are having a spontaneous or very casual event (such as a game or dessert night, or open house), invitations are not necessary. It will make your event too formal.

However, if you can answer yes to one or all of the following questions, you may consider doing invitations:

1. Are you serving food?


2. Is the event over a week away?


3. Is the event at a unique location that would require an address?


4. Are you making name cards or giving out favors?


5. Do you need to plan for adequate seating or parking?

If you've decided that invitations are a must, let me share some different options and the pros and cons of each.

1. Handmade invitations
There is nothing like getting a handmade invitation in the mail or on your doorstep. I get giddy every time I receive a real invitation.

Pros:

• You can customize them to fit the theme of your event

• It gives a very personal touch to your guests


• They can save you money
  

Cons:

• They can be time-consuming


• They can be expensive

2. Pre-made invitations
Pros:

• They save you time

• They can be very professional looking


• They can be expensive
  

Cons:

• You might have a hard time finding exactly what you are looking for

3. Evite
Although I love getting and making handmade invitations, I am a big of Evite (evite.com). Have you ever used it? It's actually pretty simple. I'll have a post specifically on Evite so stay tuned.

Pros:

• Your invitations are sent with a click of a mouse

• There is no postage required


• You can see which guests have viewed and RSVP'd to the event


• You can have guests sign up to bring something


• There are many styles that can fit your theme


• FREE!
  

Cons:

• Some of your guests may not have access to a computer

• If your guests are in an older generation that are not used to computers, they may not even see it

4. Momentice.com

Momentice is a free guest list management system that utilizes social media to help gather addresses. The system helps you keep track of invitations sent, RSVPs, thank you notes and allows you to manage several wedding events at a time.

Pros

• It's completely free!

• You can manage large guest lists


• You can utilize social media to gather address


• You can access it anywhere you have internet

Cons

• You still have to come up with invitations
  

***Whatever you decide to use for invitations, don't let it become a big stress. Parties are about having fun and there is a lot more to it than the invitations.