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Photo by Someday Paper Co.
From booking your hotel block to building your registry, a wedding planning to-do list can feel never-ending. That’s precisely why we’re all in favor of simplifying wherever possible, particularly when it comes to what can be an especially cumbersome task: keeping track of RSVPs.
In lieu of asking guests to fill out and mail back paper RSVP cards, many couples these days are opting to instead collect RSVPs virtually on their wedding website. And some are taking things a step further by adding QR codes to their wedding stationery, which will link guests to said wedding website right from their phone. “QR codes are just now reaching their potential,” says stationery designer Stephanie Brown, who offers several semi-custom invitation designs featuring the tech. “They make things easier all around for everyone involved.”
Meet the Expert
Stephanie Brown is the founder of Someday Paper Co. She is based in San Diego.
Interested in adding one to your big day? Read on to learn how to make an RSVP QR code for your wedding, plus Brown’s expert tips for how to incorporate them into your stationery design.
What Is a QR Code?
Short for “quick response” code, a QR code is a scannable barcode composed of white and black pixels that hold data both horizontally and vertically. It can be scanned by a smartphone camera to link to URLs, images, PDFs, and more.
How to Make an RSVP QR Code for Your Wedding
The process for creating an RSVP QR code is surprisingly simple. First, you’ll want to identify the exact URL you wish to link to. Then, you’ll plug that into a QR code generator such as QRFY or QR Code Generator. “Make sure to read their terms and conditions, but you should be able to find one you can use for free,” says Brown.
Then, you’ll plug your URL into the tool. From there, the software may provide options for customizing the QR code style, such as adding a border, changing the shape, or choosing a color beyond basic black. Once you’ve got your desired look, click “generate” and you’ll be able to download a PNG or JPG file that can be inserted directly into your stationery design.
“If possible, test one with your phone," says Brown. "Make sure that it works, prints legibly, and everything’s good to go before you print out all of your invitations,” says Brown.
Tips for Adding QR Codes to Wedding Invitations
Ready to get to work? Here are expert-backed tips for creating your wedding QR code.
Pair With Clear Instructions
Whether you opt to link to your wedding website in general or directly to your RSVP page, Brown recommends stating in clear language directly adjacent to the QR code exactly what the QR code is for. If you’re linking to the website, go with something like “Scan to visit our wedding website for further details.” If you’re linking to your RSVP page, try “Scan to submit your RSVP.”
Get the Size Right
“A one-inch square is usually sufficient,” says Brown. Any smaller and it may be difficult for cameras to register the image as code.
Optimize Placement
“Your invitation sets the tone for the wedding and is a keepsake, so let that be pretty,” says Brown. To keep the QR code from distracting from the design, she strongly recommends including it on a separate insert or RSVP card. Also important: resist the urge to go double-sided. “Don’t put a QR code or any other important information on the back of your invitation,” Brown advises further. “People don’t tend to turn them over.”
Type Out Your Wedding Website
Paper invitations can get wet and sullied in transport, and some guests may not be tech-savvy enough or possess the smartphone required to use a QR code. For these reasons, Brown recommends including the full URL to your wedding website in addition to a QR code. That way guests can RSVP and find out necessary details no matter the circumstances.
More Uses for QR Codes at Wedding
The tech-forward fun doesn’t stop with your invitations! Here are a few more of ways to incorporate QR codes into a wedding day:
Augment a Charity Donation
If you’ll be opting for charitable wedding favors and want to include signage explaining your choice at the reception, use a QR code to link to the charity’s website for more information.
Create a Virtual Photo Album
In lieu of a photo booth, place signs around your reception with a QR code linking to a Dropbox or Google Drive where guests can upload snaps they take throughout the night. That way you’ll have a whole set of candid pics to enjoy long before your photographer sends along their gallery.
Go Paperless for the Ceremony
Rather than printing out paper wedding programs to place at every seat, set up a prominent sign at the ceremony entrance with a QR code that links to all the necessary details.
