| Column: Virtual invitation |
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| Written by Erin Harty - Argonaut | ||||||
| Monday, 08 February 2010 | ||||||
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It’s the time of year when my mailbox begins to fill with white and
cream envelopes with my name and address written in calligraphy and
gold-monogrammed initials on stickers sealing them shut. Wedding
invitations usually begin to arrive in February for the summer wedding
season. Couples want to make sure to give adequate time for guests to
“save the date” and buy them a present from one of their registries.
I enjoy getting these invitations — it makes me feel important. I am happy to know I mean enough to someone they would want to share this special day with me. Then again, a lot of times I apparently mean a lot to the bride or groom’s parents (i.e. former colleagues, fellow church members, friends of my parents, etc.), as I do not have any recollection of ever having a conversation with the ones who are actually getting married. But I love weddings, so if I am able, I attend. What’s not to love? There is cake, dancing, food, beautiful flowers and if you’re lucky, a drunken uncle who makes the party interesting. This year, my mailbox has stayed rather empty so far. Instead of the traditional wedding invitation or announcement, I am receiving invites to weddings via Facebook. I turn on my computer, sign in to Facebook, and I have multiple event requests. “Susie Smith is getting married on June 5, 2010. RSVP now.” Most of the time, there isn’t even a personal message. I have a hard time taking these seriously. Apparently, Facebook has a whole wedding application where the lucky couple can find photographers, florists, venues and even guests. I’m sure it won’t be long before Web cams are introduced and guest won’t even have to attend, they can simply watch the wedding over the Internet. I can’t speak for everyone, but I find the idea of Facebook wedding invitations a little tacky, not to mention lazy. Facebook invites are for local concerts, dinner parties, beer pong and breast cancer awareness meetings, not weddings. I assume if I am invited to a wedding via Facebook this means I can also send the couple a gift in the same manner. Virtual greeting cards and flowers, animals for their Farmville farm or maybe some cigars or ammunition for use in their MafiaWars are just a few of the gifts available for the lovely couple. Here’s an idea: Facebook should start a registry too — one-stop shopping for the social networking crowd. Weddings can get very expensive, so I understand the need to save money, and, if you worry about the environment, the need to save trees. But sending out invitations for a wedding on Facebook, or any other social networking site for that matter, is taking the ease of technology too far. If you’re going to spend the time and money on having a ceremony and not eloping, spend a few bucks and send out some invites. I’m all for putting wedding photos on Flickr so everyone can see them without the expense of sending them out, but save Facebook for constant mundane updates and for filling the empty space in your life, not for inviting family and friends to celebrate your wedding. Send letters to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  Add as favorites (8) | Views: 506
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