Customising Messages

When you create an event, Dear automatically sets up message types for you. This guide explains what you get and how to customise them before sending.

Automatic Setup

When you create a new event and select a template, Dear automatically creates the message types you’ll need:

• Invitation - For announcing your event and requesting RSVPs

• Reminder - For following up with guests who haven’t responded

• Thank You - For expressing gratitude after your event

Each message type comes pre-configured with:

• Professional subject lines

• Pre-written email body text

• Beautifully designed invitation layouts

• Appropriate variables already in place

You can use these as-is or customise them to make them your own.

What Message Types You’ll Get

The message types created depend on your template and event type:

Some templates may include additional message types for specific occasions (e.g., rehearsal dinner details for weddings).

Viewing Your Message Types

To see the message types for your event:

1. Go to My Events in the sidebar

2. Click on your event

3. Scroll down to the Messages section

You’ll see a list of all available message types with their subjects.

Customising a Message Type

Each message type has two parts you can customise: the email and the invitation.

Editing the Email

The email is what lands in your guest’s inbox when you send:

1. From your event page, click on a message type

2. Click Edit > Edit Email

3. Update the Subject and Body text

4. Click Save Changes

Tips for the email:

• Keep the subject clear and recognisable

• The body should be brief - the invitation has all the details

• Make sure to include the {invitation_url} variable so guests can view the full invitation

Editing the Invitation

The invitation is the visual design guests see when they click through:

1. From your event page, click on a message type

2. Click Edit > Edit Invitation

3. Fill in or update the event details shown

4. Optionally upload a custom background image

5. Click Save Changes

The fields you see depend on your template. Common fields include:

• Event date and time

• Venue name and address

• Dress code

• RSVP deadline

Using Variables

Variables let you personalise your messages with dynamic content. When editing a message type, you’ll see available variables in a collapsible section.

To use a variable:

1. Click on a variable tag to copy it

2. Paste it into your subject or body text

3. The variable will be replaced with actual values when each send goes out

Example:

Writing Dear {attendee_name} becomes Dear Jones Family when the message is sent to the Jones Family.

Restoring Default Content

If you’ve made changes and want to start fresh:

1. Navigate to the message type you want to reset

2. Clear the fields you want to restore

3. The template defaults will be used for any empty fields

Note: Custom background images must be manually removed if you want to use the template default.

Previewing Before You Send

Before scheduling a send, always preview your message type to see exactly what guests will receive:

• The email as it will appear in inboxes

• The invitation with your event details filled in

• How variables will be replaced with sample data

This helps catch any issues before your guests see them.

Changes Apply to All Future Sends

When you customise a message type, those changes apply to all future sends of that type. If you’ve already sent the Invitation to some guests and then update it, the new content will be used for any subsequent sends.

Previously sent messages are not affected - guests who already received the old version will still see what was sent to them.

Related Articles:

• Understanding Messages

• Previewing Invitations

• Sending Invitations