WhatsApp Wedding Invitations: An Etiquette Checklist for Indian Families For most Indian weddings today, the first invitation guests receive arrives on WhatsApp. It is quick, it reaches relatives abroad instantly and it is easy to forward. But a WhatsApp invitation still carries the same weight as a printed card, and a careless message can upset elders or confuse guests. This checklist covers what to send, when to send it and how to word it, with examples you can adapt. 1. Send the personal invitation first Before a group broadcast, call or message close family and elders individually. A short personal note such as "We would be honoured to have you with us for Riya's wedding. The invitation is below" goes a long way. Only after that should the invitation go to wider groups. 2. Choose the right format A single image is easy to forward but hard to update. A PDF works on most phones but is awkward to read. Increasingly, families use a small invitation website: one link that carries every function, the venue map, timings, the dress code and an RSVP. Aaiyega makes these digital invitations for Indian weddings, built to be shared on WhatsApp. 3. Include the essentials in the message itself Even if you send a link or an image, put the key facts in the text: names, the main date, the city and the link. Many guests read only the preview. See the WhatsApp wedding invitation guide for message templates. 4. Mind the timing • Save the date: three to six months ahead for destination weddings, two to three months for local ones. • Main invitation: four to six weeks before the first function. • Reminder: two or three days before each function, with the venue location pin. Avoid sending invitations very late at night or very early in the morning, especially to elders. 5. Word it for the audience Elders often expect formal Hindi or regional-language wording that names both families. Friends are happy with something lighter. Many families send two versions. If you need help with the text, there are ready examples of wedding card matter in Hindi and wedding card wording in English. 6. Make RSVPs easy Ask guests to confirm per function, not just for the wedding overall. Caterers plan by function, and a haldi or mehendi often has a very different headcount from the reception. 7. Follow up gracefully If someone has not replied, a gentle personal message works better than a second broadcast. Thank everyone after the wedding, ideally with a photo. Aaiyega makes digital invitations for Indian weddings and family functions: one link with every function, venue map, photos and RSVP, shared on WhatsApp. aaiyega.com