There's An App For That

Of course we're all with the times and know that there are a number of ways to send out invites that don't include snail mail but did you know that there's actually apps that you can use to do it right from your phone? Mobile devices are increasingly becoming the tool of choice for online communications and content consumption. Haven't you noticed how more people now than ever are using a smartphone or tablet over a desktop and even laptop? It is a huge trend that is driving new options to create, send and manage digital invitations for parties, meetings and other functions that don't need to be done via postal service. Check out these three apps we recommend trying for your next event invite!

Fête

Fête launched its free iOS and Android apps in September. The foundation of the app is what it calls “invitation cards”. Hosts create the card, which can include event details like time and location, or it can be used to initiate a group chat to decide where and when to hold the event. The card can be sent to anyone in the host’s contact list. Guests don’t need to have the app to participate in the chat or respond to an invitation; instead they can do it via text. We love this idea! From coordinating an after-work drink with colleagues to planning your dad's retirement party, this app is a great tool to use!

Hobnob

Hobnob is an iOS app that launched in March 2015. The app asks hosts to confirm their mobile number, but it does not require them to create an account or provide an email address. Your friends will love this because that means no spam emails. Hosts add the details of their event, including name, location, date, and time, and then select an invite template or upload their own design. After selecting recipients from their phone’s address book, the invitation is sent to those people as a text message with a photo of the invitation (it can also be shared via email and social media). Guests don’t need the app to R.S.V.P.; they simply reply “yes” or “no” to the message. Clicking the link in the text takes guests to the event’s Web page, which includes driving directions and a calendar integration option. Plus, hosts can use the app to chat with guests and manage ­photos. An Android version is expected soon. This app goes the extra mile with being semi-interactive in that you can get more information out of it and it is a tool for before and after the event.

Invitd

Steve Carlton launched Invitd in July 2014 after testing text-message invitations for his daughter’s birthday party. The rate of R.S.V.P.s was so much better than any other method he had used, such as email and Facebook, that he decided others might see value in a text-message-based invitation system. He was right. The free Invitd app, available for iOS and Android, has now been used to send nearly one million invitations. Hosts create a custom invitation by entering the name, location, and time of their event and selecting contacts from their address book to receive it. Recipients get a text message addressed to them by name with a link to the event details and R.S.V.P. options; they don’t need to have the app installed to view the invitation. In addition to responding “yes” or “no,” recipients can indicate how many people will attend, and they can add a reminder to their calendar. We love that you can sync invites with your calendar! While the app can handle an unlimited number of invitees, Carlton says he will soon release an update that will add an easier interface for planners who want to use it for large meetings and events. We can't wait for this new updated feature!

So if you're not with the times currently, this is a perfect opportunity for you to get on board! Devour the details of an easier invitation process because yes, there's an app for that (a number of apps actually)!