How to send an invitation on WhatsApp or Viber

Digital invitations are now normal for weddings, christenings and parties. When something goes wrong, it is rarely the invitation itself. It is the way it was sent. A bare link dropped into a group chat feels rushed. The same link with two warm sentences, sent to each person, feels like a proper invitation. Below you will find the etiquette for WhatsApp and Viber, and messages ready to copy.

Why Viber as well? In Greece, Viber is as common as WhatsApp, especially with parents and grandparents. If your family is Greek and your friends are in the UK, the US or Australia, you will probably use both.

A message can be a polite invitation

As long as it is sent with care. Most people live on their phones, and an invitation that opens with one tap, with a map and a reply form, suits everyone. Three things make the difference:

• Send it personally. Each guest gets their own message, with their name.
• Always add a few words. The link never goes out on its own.
• Get the order right. Your closest people hear the news from you before the message arrives.

If you have not yet decided on a digital invitation, see digital or printed wedding invitations.

Who to call first

Some people should hear your voice before they see a link. It is not a written rule, but it is what most families, Greek ones especially, expect:

• Parents and grandparents. They often know before the invitation is even made.
• The koumbaros, koumbara or godparents. The request to take on the role is always made in person or by phone.
• Siblings and close friends. A call first, then the link with the details.
• Older relatives. If they do not use a smartphone, call them and send the link to a child or grandchild who can help. For some, a printed card is worth it.
• People you have not spoken to in a while. A short call avoids the awkward "they just sent me a link".

When to send the invitation

• Wedding: about 6 to 8 weeks before, or 10 to 12 weeks if guests are flying in. Tell guests abroad the date much earlier. See the destination wedding invitation timeline.
• Christening: about 4 to 6 weeks before.
• Engagement, birthday or party: 2 to 4 weeks before.

Avoid very early mornings and late evenings, and remember time zones. A message at 7 pm is read in peace. At 11 pm, probably not. If you are in Athens and your friend is in London, it is two hours earlier for them; in Sydney, it is already the early hours of the next day.

Send it one by one

Almost always individually. In a group, everyone sees who is invited, the replies disappear under dozens of "congratulations", and anyone missing from the group may feel forgotten. The exception is a closed group that already exists, such as your school friends, where everyone is invited. Even then, a short personal message afterwards shows care.

A practical tip: save your message in a chat with yourself or in your phone's notes, and change only the name each time. On WhatsApp, a broadcast list sends separate messages to each contact, but recipients only receive it if they have your number saved, so check that nobody is missed.

12 messages to copy

The messages are written the way you would talk to friends. For older relatives and more formal relationships, make them a little more formal.

For a wedding

Hi Maria. As we told you, we are getting married on 12 June and we would really love you to be there. Everything is on this page, and you can let us know if you are coming: [link]

Dear Auntie Helen, we are sending you our wedding invitation, with the church, the reception and a map. If you need help opening it, tell us and we will give you a call. Love, Anna and John. [link]

Mate, it is happening. We would love to see you at our wedding on Saturday 18 September. It is all here, and please say on the form if you are bringing a plus-one: [link]

Hi Sarah. We are getting married in Greece on 4 September and we would love you to be there. The page below has everything in English, including directions and where to stay: [link]

For a christening

Hello. We are christening our little boy on Sunday 10 October and we would be so happy to have you with us. Here you will find the church, the time and a map: [link]

Hi Katerina. Our little girl receives her name on 23 May and we want to celebrate all together. If you can, let us know by 10 May whether you are coming, using the form on the page: [link]

Dear all, here is the christening invitation. We have added a few photos of the baby too, so you can meet him before you see him in person: [link]

For an engagement or a party

We are engaged. We are having a party on Saturday 22 May and we want you there. Details: [link]

I am turning 40 and I do not want to celebrate without you. Saturday 6 November, from 9 pm. Tell me here if you are coming: [link]

We graduated. We are throwing a graduation party on Friday 2 July, and everything you need is on the page: [link]

RSVP reminders

Hi Nick. A small reminder: by Friday we need to give the venue our final numbers. If you have a minute, please fill in the form to say whether you are coming. Thank you so much. [link]

Good morning. We are collecting replies for the christening, no pressure at all. If you do not know yet, just tell us and we will talk nearer the time. [link]

Reminders that do not annoy

1. Give a clear deadline from the start. Write in the first message or on the page when you need an answer. For a wedding, usually 3 to 4 weeks before. For a smaller party, less.
2. One reminder is enough. Send it a few days before the deadline, only to those who have not replied.
3. Give the reason. "We need to give the venue our numbers" is understood by everyone and does not sound like pressure.
4. For the last few, phone. If someone does not answer after the reminder, a call is kinder than a second message.

With an RSVP form you always know who has replied, so the reminder only goes to those who need it.

Mistakes to avoid

• A bare link with no message. It looks like spam, and many people will not open it.
• A mass send to a list. Guests notice, especially when the message has no name.
• Details only in the chat. The time and the address will get lost. Put everything on the page and send the link.
• The wrong contact. Watch out for contacts with the same name before you press send.
• Changes without telling anyone. If something changes, update the page and send everyone a short message.
• Bank details in the first message. They belong on the invitation page, not in the message. See how to word bank details on an invitation.
• Forgotten older guests. Not everyone opens links. Make a list of who needs a call or a printed card.

For the wording of the invitation itself, see the christening invitation wording and the engagement party invitation wording.

The link you send

With Day2Remember, the link you send on WhatsApp or Viber opens your own page, such as maria-john.day2remember.gr. It has a countdown and an RSVP form that sends replies to your email. From Gold up, the church and reception appear on a map, with the IBAN with a copy button and music. With the bilingual extra, the page is in English and Greek, so every guest reads it in their own language. There is no limit on guests and nothing for them to download. See the wedding invitation designs and the prices: Silver €59 and Gold €89.

Questions people ask

Is it acceptable to send a wedding invitation on WhatsApp? Yes, as long as it is sent personally, with a few warm words, and your closest family and friends hear the news from you first.

Should I send invitations in a WhatsApp group? Usually not. Send them one by one, so nobody sees the guest list and the replies do not get lost in the chat.

What should I write with the invitation link? The guest's name, the occasion and date, that you would love them there, and a line saying the page has all the details and the reply form.