[Discussion] "30% of Young People Dislike WEB Invitations!" Is That a Lot or a Little?

2019.07.11 published

Which one are you on???

In recent years, WEB invitations have become a hot topic.

A service that sends invitations via the WEB instead of on paper is:

☑ Since it's not on paper, it can cut costs

☑ Confirmation of attendance is clear at a glance on the WEB

☑ Guests don't have to go through the hassle of posting reply cards

On the flip side, there are cases where it's perceived as "that's a breach of etiquette."

(You've probably heard that before, right?)

But how many people actually think it's a breach of etiquette?

This time, we will address the concerns of a bride-to-be regarding this topic.

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Consultation about 【WEB Invitations】.

What do you think about the opinion that "sending wedding invitations via WEB instead of paper is unacceptable!"?

Personally, I think WEB invitations are nice. For now, I plan to send paper invitations to my boss and family.

However, I believe that WEB invitations are convenient and cost-effective for friend guests, yet the reality is that even among younger people, there are opinions like "It's rude to receive a wedding invitation via smartphone, even if it's just a party!"

Have there been people who felt uncomfortable receiving WEB invitations? Have there been any unresolved issues caused by sending them?

I would love to hear your experiences.

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By the way.

Using the voting feature on Instagram, I conducted a poll on marry and got the following results.

About 30% dislike WEB invitations.

Approximately 70% do not mind receiving WEB invitations.

It's a surprising fact that even among young women who follow marry's Instagram, 30% have negative feelings about them!

This was quite surprising.

Here are specific comments from those who feel "WEB invitations are a bit...".

Opinion 1 against WEB Invitations

An invitation for a second party was sent as a WEB invitation by a senior colleague. Since that person had already retired, I found out about their marriage through that invitation.

I thought they didn't want to spend money on a proper invitation. 😅 Since I wasn't really close to that senior, I honestly wondered how to respond, but then I received an email saying, "The deadline is coming up, but have you replied?"... In the end, I declined the invitation.

Maybe it felt like a lack of effort because I was a junior... 😅 The URL was sent abruptly without any words attached, which came across as very curt.

Now I think it's better to say a word before sending a WEB invitation via LINE or directly. 😅💌

Opinion 2 against WEB Invitations

I really think that WEB invitations will become more popular with time.

I sent out paper invitations, but I used the WEB to collect addresses.

However, when I sent a link via LINE for address input, surprisingly, even among people my age, not everyone opened the link. In the end, I resorted to asking for addresses verbally, and I wonder if I seemed suspicious... 🤔

(For older guests, I accommodated them through traditional methods.)

While I personally don’t mind WEB invitations, I do feel there is a certain lack of fulfillment, and anyone who has held a wedding knows that invitations involve both time and expense.

So, it might be inevitable to think, “Oh, this person cut corners here…”

Right now, it feels very difficult in this transitional period from paper to WEB, and while it may not be well received now, perhaps WEB will eventually become the norm.

Ultimately, it depends on which aspects you value the most...

While “effort = hospitality” may not be the case, some might feel a little disappointed, thinking, “Oh, it’s not on paper. I guess it’s that kind of era…”!

Opinion 3 against WEB Invitations

If the wedding is merely for self-satisfaction, I think using the web is perfectly fine.

However, if you're inviting someone to convey gratitude and the excitement of the occasion, I feel that it wouldn’t be appropriate.

I received a WEB invitation from a friend from my student days, but I couldn’t recognize it as a wedding invitation. I then received multiple messages hastily asking for my response, which left me feeling uncomfortable.

I don’t understand the mindset of skimping on a few hundred yen when inviting someone significant.

Opinion 4 against WEB Invitations

I don’t dislike WEB invitations, but I believe there are experiences that can only be appreciated through receiving a paper invitation.

I considered using LINE, but like receiving a handwritten letter brings joy, I think there’s meaning in formally receiving a printed invitation.♡

Furthermore, whether the invitation is on paper or WEB may reflect on how guests perceive the savings, so if the intention is to save costs, perhaps consider cutting back elsewhere.

Opinion 5 against WEB Invitations

Personally, I feel that while a second party may be acceptable via WEB, I believe a formal invitation is required for the reception!

I enjoy opening invitations and imagining what the reception will be like based on the design, so receiving a WEB invitation feels a bit lacking!

As another bride-to-be, I understand that it can be costly.

Opinion 6 against WEB Invitations

My experience was that while receiving a WEB invitation via LINE was acceptable, I hesitated to open the link because it was sent without any accompanying message. 😥

Even if there was content in the WEB invitation, I would have appreciated a message saying, “We’re having a wedding, please come.” 😞

Opinion 7 against WEB Invitations

I used a WEB invitation for my second party!

I believe that weddings begin with the invitation.

I was very particular about the invitations so that guests would look forward to attending.

Since I think it's rude to invite someone informally via WEB, I believe that invitations should be formally sent out!

Opinion 8 against WEB Invitations

A friend used a WEB invitation, but I felt it gave off a casual vibe.

Additionally, although it may only apply to that particular friend, being able to see the attendance status of others made me think, "Is that really acceptable...?"

Opinion 9 against WEB Invitations

I just learned about WEB invitations.

I have received a WEB invitation before.

However, I didn’t even know that WEB invitations existed, so when I received one, I kept wondering, “When will the real invitation arrive...?”

(As you can guess, it never did.)

After the ceremony, I was left with the impression, “They must not have had money.”

It’s sad when trends for brides-to-be become uncomfortable for guests.

For instance, if they had informed guests in advance or sent both WEB and paper invitations saying, "Please respond via WEB or postcard," the impression would have been different.

Opinion 10 about WEB Invitations

I will send paper invitations but without reply cards and move to WEB!

While it may come across as repetitive, I will include a QR code in the invitation for guests to register their attendance.

This eliminates the need for a guest book and allows attendance confirmation to be done immediately, reducing the burden on the reception staff and preventing anyone from forgetting to send back the reply card.

Additionally, since a confirmation email is sent right after registering, if someone forgets the invitation at home on the day of the event, they can still check the email for details, which is very helpful for someone as forgetful as I am!

Opinion 11 against WEB Invitations

It was sent via LINE rather than the web, but personally, I didn't appreciate it much!

I checked the venue information through the attached URL, but it felt very simplified.

For me, I get excited about receiving invitations, and since the person was stylish, I naturally expected the invitation to be elaborate, so I ended up feeling disappointed...

What matters is your own opinion!

I have shared opinions from those who think "WEB invitations are undesirable or unwelcome."

While I believe it's convenient to have invitations completed online,

one should at least anticipate the potential responses and make choices accordingly, crucially reflecting on all considerations before taking action.

This is not just a matter of whether to choose WEB or paper invitations; it's applicable to everything.

It's not merely, "A said it’s fine, so I’ll do it!"

or "B said it’s bad, so I’ll avoid it!"

The world has a variety of opinions, and if you can decisively figure out your own path within those views, then you likely won’t have regrets no matter how others react.

@ria.feuille