Paper or email invites?

lsgarver

When do you Evite and when do you send paper invites?  Anyone care to share their own general guidelines? 

We've never sent paper except for wedding stuff, big milestone birthday parties and showers.  Now, we're having a dinner party for 10-12 friends the week before Thanksgiving.  We're breaking out the china and linens and everything so we're going for fancy (paper?) but it's our closest friends (evite?). 

So, which would send?

KatieBride06

since you have the time to spare and given the formality that you're going for... i would definitely suggest a paper invitation.

martinilove

I'm not a fan or really promote e-vites.  I think they're too casual, but can be okay for a casual event.  What you described sounds more than just casual and regardless of how close they are, I think a written invite is much more appropriate for this occasion.  The purpose of invites is to not only invite guests to an event but also set the tone of the event, so you want it to be clear that this more than just a casual dinner at your house!

6fsn

I'd send paper.  I've never actually sent an e-vite and only recieved one.  PP is right that the invite sets the tone.  Paper will let your friends know it's more than a casual get together.

Mrs._H.

I would definitely opt for paper invitations because it will help set the tone of your party. 

We typically only send Evites for informal events, like a Super Bowl party.

TarHeels&Rebels

Like for weddings, invitations set the tone for your party.  They're a little preview.  If you're doing a formal party, I think paper invites are the way to go.  And not just because you want to match the formality, but because it's fun and special to receive a beautiful paper invitation and your guests will get excited about your event.

I evite for cookouts.  I paper invite for all holiday parties (casual or formal, the season's specialness just seems to require it in my mind) and big birthdays.

lsgarver

Ok good, that's what I was thinking.  These are the kinds of friends who already know we're having something because I've checked with them ahead of time to make sure the date works but paper makes it more special.  Now I'm excited for some invite designs!

SuMmErKuTiE

I guess I'm kinda old fashioned, and I always do paper invites. The only time recently I've done an e-vite was when DH and I had a BBQ/pool party in July and we invited our close friends over. We just did a Facebook event type invite. Other than that, I always do paper invites. It definitely depends on the formality of the party, but it sounds like yours will be formal since you're breaking out the china and nice linens, I would go with the paper invite. Check out Vistaprint for some cheap options or DIY the invites.

Bellina12200

I like to do paper invitations.  I have only used evite for an informal get together at our place to see trip photos, a jewelry party, or if we're going out on the town for one of our birthdays and I want to invite everyone and give them the info.  I personally am a big fan of paper invites.  

lsgarver

It's so weird for me to hear that so many of you use paper invites all the time.  Everyone I know, from several circles of friends, uses Evite or FB events for everything except showers and weddings.

Huh.

Wingit

lsgarver:

It's so weird for me to hear that so many of you use paper invites all the time.  Everyone I know, from several circles of friends, uses Evite or FB events for everything except showers and weddings.

Huh.

I guess we're pretty casual in my circles because we use a lot of evite for showers too.  I find it so much easier for people to RSVP.  And there's been a lot of topics of guests being so lazy about RSVPing. 

Fineleo31

For me, it's a matter of who gets it. I've done Christmas parties and sent evites to my friends. Older folks get the paper invites. Most times, the friends are more likely to respond to the online invites.

katchowski

I know this sounds a little silly, but with less than 20 people at a holiday party I would just call all the guests.  An evite seems too informal, but a paper invitation, unless given by hand seems too distant.