Is it okay to have guests reply to my wedding by email, phone or text message?
Let me start by saying I can imagine the appeal some couples may see in bypassing the reply card envelope in that it saves the cost of the envelope the cost of the postage, and I suppose for some it may be easier to check their email in-box than their mail box. However, etiquette says a written reply is necessary for a written invitation, which would mean it’s a no to email and phone replies. Usually I’m not a stickler for etiquette however I’m going to agree with this one and say your wedding invitations should include a reply card WITH addressed envelope and sufficient postage. That being said, you can’t stop your guests if they decide to text, email or call in their reply, but it shouldn’t be encouraged by adding them as options to your reply card.
Although I’m on etiquette's side {this time} I also believe in options. If you are adamant about providing alternative options to your guests for their reply, instead of adding an email address or telephone number on the response card consider incorporating your wedding website on a separate insert card. This way you can create a wedding website that will allow guests to respond to the invitation as well as get additional information about the venue, transportation, accommodation etc. while still allowing other guests the more traditional method of mailing the reply card.
Under no circumstances should you invite guests, or allow them to reply to your wedding celebration via Facebook, Twitter, My Space etc. Ask yourself if your wedding belongs beside the ‘Beer Bash’ the friend of a friend of a friend is throwing, or beside a Farmville request or potentially tweeted for many unknown followers. Think about the feeling and tone you want to have for your wedding and determine if the decisions you are making fall in line with that vision, feeling and tone.
