When you hear the term online wedding invitations, what is the first thing that comes to mind? It might be…

1. The multitude of online sources for ordering wedding invitations.

2. Being invited to a wedding via online communication such as an email or social network message.

If the first answer applies to you, simply putting in a search for wedding invitations will result in more SEO’s (search engine optimization articles) than you can count.

But if you have somehow been a part of the growing trend of inviting family and friends via the world wide web, then read on. Using the web as a means to track responses to attend the wedding reception has been done for the last several years. But it’s now getting more and more popular to take it to the next level by sending the wedding invitation to your contact lists via email or messaging your friends on Facebook or other social media.

Another option couples often use is to create or build their own website. The home page of the website is the invitation with other pages being used for pictures of the happy couple, an R.S.V.P. page, one for lodging information and directions to the wedding and reception. Some even have their gift registry on their website.

Online wedding invitations may be the up and coming method of inviting guests to share your big day, but hey, when is enough enough?

If you can’t take the time to let your family and friends know you care enough about them to send them a special invitation via postal mail, then why should they take the time to pick out a gift and show up at the appointed time? Why don’t you just Skype the wedding?

Technology is a great thing, but there are times when we take it too far.

Online wedding invitations is one of those times. It’s cold and impersonal. The only time it might be appropriate is in the event of a wedding taking place on short notice due to military deployment.

And speaking of time…in this age of instant gratification, don’t expect many guests to show up if you wait to send your mass invitation a week or two before the wedding.

You still need to follow the traditional time frame of sending the invitations 5-6 weeks prior to the wedding. Allow guests two to three weeks to R.S.V.P. and then finalize the guest list numbers with the caterers.

But back to option number 1 listed above…. The resources for online wedding invitations is endless. Your head will be spinning from all the choices in style, color, design, themes, prices and optional accessories. So don’t overload your brain.

Unless you’re looking for something that is extremely specialized, limit yourself to two or three sources and make your choice from one of these.

Make your choice based on getting the style and design you want, the quality of the paper, the price and the time it takes to receive the finished product.

Online wedding invitations-no matter what you think of when you hear the words, have fun planning your wedding and even more fun living happily ever after.