Paper wedding invitations have returned. ‘We’re in this very throwback moment’

Emailed wedding invitations are the practical option in our increasingly digital world, but wedding planners have seen a push for paper invitations, which are more traditional and formal. Photo by Getty Images

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While planning a wedding, there is no shortage of decisions a couple has to make before their big day. From choosing the venue to picking vendors and setting the menu, nearly every aspect of the planning process involves selecting from an array of options.

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I know this because I’m planning my own wedding. Fortunately, I’ve managed to avoid decision paralysis on most occasions. But one decision that had me wavering back and forth was choosing between sending digital or paper invitations.

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Paper or digital?

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On the one hand, in our increasingly digitalized world, sending electronic invitations felt practical. Everyone spends so much time on their phones or computers, so why not send the invite via the internet? On the other hand, paper invites are traditional and feel more personal. For a formal event like a wedding, an invite arriving in a mailbox, rather than an inbox, feels more apt.

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Wedding expert Alison McGill describes the wedding invitation as the “front door” of your celebration. Couples can customize invitations to reflect their personal style, and they can serve as a teaser for the wedding’s theme.

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“(It) invites your guests into your wedding world and what it could look like and what they can expect, and it really sets the tone for that,” McGill said. “It’s an important piece.”

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Choosing your mode of invitation, however, is a personal decision and can depend on priorities. If the goal is to keep wedding costs down, digital invitations are more budget-friendly. Or, if a couple is eco-conscious, they may opt for an electronic option. But if a couple wants a tangible keepsake, print invitations could be the way to go.

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Lexy Scala, a Toronto-based wedding planner and founder of Lexy Scala Events, says it’s a matter of personal preference, but she advises that if you’re planning a highly formal affair — think black-tie attire — a paper invitation is more appropriate.

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“It just implies a level of formality and traditional elements that I think you want to be doing if you’re asking your guests to show up in a ball gown,” Scala said. “Whereas I think an evite is totally appropriate for more of a cocktail-style wedding or something a little bit more modern or not as traditional.”

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Despite our reliance on devices, McGill has observed an uptick in couples opting for printed invitations. She attributes it to the broader movement that has seen many people return to analog and tactile hobbies, like crochet and knitting.

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Vintage weddings

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“We’re in this moment of real nostalgia just generally in life, but particularly with weddings,” McGill said. “We’re in this very throwback moment with lots of details with weddings. So vintage wedding dresses and vintage wedding decor are so big.”

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Scala agreed that she’s seen a huge push for analog and nostalgic elements lately, including couples employing film photography or bringing ‘90s-era camcorders to record their special day.