Wedding

How to make a digital wedding invitation and send it on WhatsApp

3 October 2026 · 3 min read

Most Indian families now share wedding invitations on WhatsApp. Done well, a digital invitation feels as special as a printed card, and it does what paper can't: show the venue on a map, take replies for each function and update itself when plans change. Here is how to do it, step by step.

Image, PDF or link?

There are three ways to send an invitation on WhatsApp, and each has a place.

• An image or PDF is easy to forward, but it can't be changed once sent, it has no map or RSVP, and a long PDF is hard to read on a phone.
• A video looks lovely on WhatsApp Status and Instagram Reels, but guests can't reply to it or find the venue from it.
• An invitation link opens a full invitation in the browser: the card, every function, maps, dress codes and a reply button. If the venue changes, the same link shows the new one.

Many families send the link to every guest and post the video on Status. You can make both from one invitation on Shubh.

What to include

• The couple's names, and the families inviting.
• Each function with its date, time, venue and dress code.
• A map pin for each venue, and a note on parking.
• Who to contact for help with travel or rooms.
• How to reply, and the date to reply by.

For the words themselves, see 30 wedding invitation messages you can copy.

Make your invitation, step by step

1. Choose a design. Open the wedding invitation designs and pick a painted theme or a classic card. You can filter by tradition, such as Gujarati, Bengali or Tamil.
2. Add the names and families. Type the couple's names and each side's parents. The invitation sets the words for your tradition, and you can change every line.
3. Add each function. Haldi, mehendi, sangeet, wedding and reception each get a date, time, venue, dress code and parking note.
4. Choose the card's language. Write it in English, Hindi or another Indian language, or two side by side so every elder can read it.
5. Publish. Pick the link's name, such as aarav-weds-meera. It never changes once shared.
6. Add your guests. Type them in, or import them from your phone's contacts or an Excel sheet. Each guest gets their own link that greets them by name.
7. Send on WhatsApp. Tap Send next to a guest to open WhatsApp with their personal link and your message ready.

When to send it

• Save the date: 3 to 6 months ahead for a destination wedding, 2 to 3 months for a wedding in town.
• The invitation: 4 to 6 weeks before the first function.
• A reminder: a week before, to anyone who hasn't replied.
• On the day: a morning message with the map link, so nobody gets lost.

Collect replies for each function

On a link invitation, guests tap RSVP and answer for each function: coming, not sure or can't come, and how many adults and children. They don't need to sign in or install an app. You see every reply in one guest list, with head counts for each function to share with the caterer.

Is it polite to invite elders on WhatsApp?

Most families now accept a WhatsApp invitation, but some elders still value a call or a printed card. A good rule:

• Call close elders first, then send the link so they have the details.
• Print a few cards for the people who expect one, and put a QR code on them that opens the digital invitation.
• Write the WhatsApp message yourself instead of forwarding the link alone.