How Do I Send an Online Invitation via Text Message?
If you want your guests to receive your online invitations instantly, sending them via text message is one of the quickest and most effective options. Text message invitations are perfect for busy guests who might not always check their email, but are sure to see a text notification on their phone. With Punchbowl, you can easily send beautiful, personalized invitations straight to your guests’ mobile devices.
Sending Invitations via Text Message
You can send invitations to your guests by text message in addition to email. When you build your guest list, simply add each guest’s phone number along with their name. Punchbowl will automatically send your invitation as a text, allowing recipients to open and RSVP directly from their mobile browser.
NOTE: You can send online invitations via text message OR via email. If you want to send your invitation to a guest via text AND email, you will need to enter their email and phone number as separate recipients.
If you’d like more details about all the ways to create your guest list, check out our guest list options guide. You can add guests manually, import them from previous events, or pull them in directly from your phone contacts for an even faster setup.
Using the Punchbowl Mobile App
For the easiest and fastest experience, we recommend using the Punchbowl mobile app, available for both iOS and Android. The app lets you automatically import your contacts from your phone’s address book, so you don’t need to type in phone numbers one by one.
Once you open the app, go to the Add Guests screen. The first time you do this, you’ll be prompted to allow the app access to your contacts. Make sure you grant permission so that Punchbowl can display your contact list and make adding guests a breeze. If you accidentally declined this permission before, you can update your app settings anytime through your phone’s privacy options.
Tips and Limitations
Currently, text message invitations can only be sent to guests with U.S. or Canadian phone numbers. If you’re inviting guests outside these regions, the best alternative is to share a direct invitation link. You can easily text or message this link to your guests using your phone’s messaging app or share it through social media. To learn how to share a link to your invite, visit this article.
Tip: Sending invitations by text is a great way to increase response rates. Since guests see text messages almost immediately, they’re more likely to open your invitation and RSVP quickly.
Whether you’re planning a birthday party, baby shower, or backyard barbecue, Punchbowl makes it simple to send free online invitations that look stunning on every device.
If you have additional questions about sending your online invitations via text, please reach out to help@punchbowl.com for assistance.