| Occasion family |
What is inside |
Templates |
Jump |
| Birthday |
Kids, teen, adult, milestone, surprise |
10 |
Go |
| Wedding and pre-wedding |
Ceremony, reception-only, engagement, showers, bachelorette, rehearsal, luncheon, elopement, vow renewal |
22 |
Go |
| Baby and first year |
Traditional shower, coed, virtual, sprinkle, diaper party, gender reveal, adoption, first birthday, naming |
14 |
Go |
| Dinner and casual |
Formal dinner, cocktails, potluck, BBQ, game night, movie night, brunch, block party |
20 |
Go |
| Holiday and seasonal |
Christmas, New Year, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Easter, 4th of July, Valentine's, Mother's and Father's Day, Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah, Lunar New Year |
25 |
Go |
| Milestone and life change |
Graduation, retirement, farewell, anniversary, housewarming, send-off, homecoming, promotion, memorial |
24 |
Go |
| Corporate and virtual |
Happy hour, offsite, webinar, product launch, conference, holiday party, all-hands, remote team |
18 |
Go |
| Multi-function |
Weekend weddings, multi-day celebrations, split guest lists |
8 |
Go |
| Video invites |
Scripts to read out loud, plus captions |
8 |
Go |
| RSVP, gifts, dress code |
Phrasings for the three hardest lines |
18 |
Go |
| Thank-you and after |
Post-event notes and photo requests |
6 |
Go |
Every invitation, from an engraved wedding suite to a text about tacos, has to answer seven questions. Write these down first, then decide how to phrase them.
- Who is hosting. Names, or "the [Surname] family," or a company or team name. Guests need to know whose event this is, and whose name to reply to.
- What the event is. "60th birthday dinner," not "a little something." Ambiguity here produces wrong gifts, wrong outfits and wrong expectations.
- When: date and start time. Day of the week plus the calendar date. Add an end time whenever guests need to plan around it, which is almost always.
- Where: the full address. Street, city, and any entry detail. Venue name alone is not an address, and "our place" is not an address to anyone who has not been.
- RSVP deadline with a named contact and a method. "RSVP to [Name] by [date] at [number or link]." A bare "RSVP" is a wish, not a request.
- One expectation line. Dress code, what to bring, whether children are welcome, or whether food is a meal or snacks. Pick whichever one your guests would otherwise text you about.
- The one detail unique to your event. Parking, a surprise to keep, a gift preference, a dietary question, a Zoom link, a time you actually need people seated.
What happens when you skip one
| Element skipped |
What guests do |
What it costs you |
| End time |
Assume anything from 90 minutes to all night |
Sitters cancel, and stragglers stay past your energy |
| RSVP deadline |
Reply the week of, or never |
You order food for a number you invented |
| Full address |
Text you the day of |
Twenty identical messages during setup |
| Dress code |
Default to jeans |
Half your guests underdressed in your photos |
| Kids policy |
Ask, or bring them |
Headcount and catering both wrong |
| Meal vs snacks |
Eat first, or arrive starving |
Either wasted food or hungry guests |
Formality is a set of mechanical choices, not a vibe. Pick a tier and hold it for the whole invitation.
| Choice |
Formal |
Semi-formal |
Casual |
| Host line |
"Mr. and Mrs. [Full Name] request the honor of your presence" |
"[First Last] and [First Last] invite you to" |
"We're having" |
| Names |
Full names with titles |
First and last names |
First names only |
| Date |
"Saturday, the [ordinal] of [Month], [year]" |
"Saturday, [Month] [D]" |
"Sat the [D]th" |
| Time |
"at half after six o'clock in the evening" |
"6:30 PM" |
"around 6:30" |
| Address |
Spelled out, no abbreviations |
Standard address line |
"our place, [street]" |
| RSVP |
"The favor of a reply is requested by [date]" |
"Please RSVP by [date]" |
"Let me know by [date]!" |
| Contractions |
Never |
Sparingly |
Freely |
| Exclamation points |
Never |
One, maximum |
As many as you like |
Formal wording matters most for weddings, and there the conventions are stricter than anywhere else. Our complete guide to wedding invitation wording covers host lines, deceased parents, divorced parents and military titles, and formal wedding invitation wording handles the fully traditional register line by line.
Birthday Invitation Wording, All Ages
Birthday wording changes with the age of the person, not the size of the party. A kids' party invitation is written to a parent. A milestone invitation is written to people who will decide whether to book travel.
Ten representative templates are below. For the full age-by-age bank, including 1st, 13th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 90th, see our dedicated birthday invitation wording guide<!-- link to: drafts/birthday-invitation-wording.md (NEW-US-birthday-party-invitations-wording-UPGRADE) --> and birthday party invitations wording for every age.
Kids' birthday (casual, written to the parent)
[Child] is turning [age]!
Please join us for a [theme] party
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] to [End time]
[Venue or address]
Drop-off or stay, whichever you prefer.
Please tell us about any food allergies when you reply.
RSVP to [Parent name] by [Month] [D]
[Phone or email]
Cake. Games. Controlled chaos.
[Child] turns [age] and would like you there.
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
Home by [End time]
[Address]
Siblings welcome. No gifts needed, [Child] has plenty.
Text [Parent name] by [Month] [D]: [Phone]
More kid-specific formats and themes live in kids birthday party invitations and themed birthday party invitations for kids.
Teen birthday (casual)
[Name] is turning [age].
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Food, music, [activity].
Parents will be home. Pickup at [End time], please.
RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Phone]
Adult birthday (casual)
It's [Name]'s birthday and we're doing something about it.
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] onward
[Venue], [Address]
Drinks and food are covered. Bring nothing but yourself.
Let us know by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Please join us to celebrate [Full Name]'s [age]th birthday
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] to [End time]
[Venue Name]
[Full Address]
Dinner will be served at [time].
Smart casual.
Please RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Name] at [Contact]
In honor of [Full Name]'s [age]th birthday
[Host names] request the pleasure of your company
[Day], the [ordinal] of [Month]
at [time in words] in the evening
[Venue Name]
[Full Address]
Cocktail attire
Dinner and dancing to follow
The favor of a reply is requested by [Month] [D]
[Contact]
[Age] years. One evening to mark it.
You are invited to a dinner in honor of [Full Name]
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Black tie optional. Seated dinner, so we do need a firm reply.
Kindly respond by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
Milestone wording for adults, including how to handle the age question when the guest of honor would rather you did not print it, is covered in milestone birthday party invitations for 50th, 60th and 90th.
Surprise party
It's a surprise. Please keep it that way.
We are celebrating [Name]'s [age]th birthday.
[Day], [Month] [D]
Guests arrive by [early time]
[Name] arrives at [later time]
[Address]
Park on [street] so the driveway looks empty.
Do not post anything until after [later time].
RSVP quietly to [Host] by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Birthday dinner at a restaurant
Dinner for [Name]'s birthday
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Restaurant Name], [Address]
The table is booked under [Host name] and we lose it at [time],
so please arrive on time.
We are splitting the bill evenly, roughly [$X] a head.
Reply by [Month] [D] so I can confirm the headcount: [Contact]
Joint or shared birthday
Two birthdays, one party.
[Name] turns [age] and [Name] turns [age].
We decided to combine forces.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Bring a drink to share if you like. Nothing else needed.
RSVP to either of us by [Month] [D]
Wedding, Engagement, Shower and Rehearsal Wording
Wedding wording is the most rule-bound category on this page, because the host line carries real information about who is paying and which families are involved. Get the host line right and the rest follows.
If you are choosing between the traditional register and something warmer, wedding invitation wording examples runs 50-plus side-by-side samples, and whose name goes first on a wedding invitation settles the ordering question. For sending the suite digitally, see digital wedding invitation wording<!-- link to: drafts/digital-wedding-invitation-wording.md (NEW-US-96) -->.
Mr. and Mrs. [Full Name]
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
[Bride Full Name]
to
[Groom Full Name]
[Day], the [ordinal] of [Month]
[Year]
at [time in words] in the afternoon
[Venue Name]
[City], [State]
Reception to follow
Together with their families
[Full Name]
and
[Full Name]
invite you to share in their joy
as they exchange vows
[Day], the [ordinal] of [Month], [Year]
at [time in words] in the evening
[Venue Name]
[Full Address]
Dinner, dancing and family blessings to follow
The shared-hosting line has its own conventions, and we break them down in together with their families wording.
[First Name] and [First Name] are getting married,
and they would like you there.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Year]
Ceremony at [time]
Reception at [time]
[Venue Name]
[Full Address]
Cocktail attire.
Details, directions and RSVP: [link]
Please reply by [Month] [D]
Wedding ceremony, modern and warm
We're getting married.
[First] and [First]
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Time]
[Venue], [City]
Come early, stay late, dance badly.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [link]
Reception-only invitation
We were married on [Month] [D] in a small ceremony.
Now we would like to celebrate with you.
Please join us for a reception in honor of
[Full Name] and [Full Name]
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Venue Name], [Full Address]
Dinner, drinks and dancing.
No gifts, please. Your company is the celebration.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [contact or link]
Reception-only and post-elopement wording has its own etiquette, covered in wedding reception invitation wording.
Elopement announcement with a party
We eloped.
[Full Name] and [Full Name] were married on [Month] [D]
in [Location], with two witnesses and a very good view.
We are throwing the party now.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Casual. Loud. Cake.
RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
Vow renewal
[Number] years ago we said we would.
We still would.
Please join [Full Name] and [Full Name]
as they renew their vows
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Dinner to follow.
No gifts. Bring a memory to share instead.
Kindly reply by [Month] [D]
Destination wedding
[First] and [First] are getting married in [City], [Country].
[Day], [Month] [D], [Year]
Ceremony at [time], [Venue]
We know this is a trip. Here is everything you need:
Hotel block: [name], booking code [code], held until [Month] [D]
Nearest airport: [code]
Weekend schedule: [link]
Please reply by [Month] [D] so we can hold your room.
Travel logistics change the wording more than most hosts expect. Destination wedding invitations covers hotel blocks, deadlines and how much detail to print.
[Full Name] and [Full Name] are engaged.
[Host names] invite you to a celebration in their honor
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Venue or Address]
Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.
No gifts, please. This one is just for toasting.
RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
He asked. She said yes. We're celebrating.
Engagement party for [First] and [First]
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Bring a bottle if you'd like. Nothing else.
Let [Host] know by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
More formats and host-line options in engagement party invitations.
Please join us for a bridal shower
honoring [Bride Full Name]
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] to [End time]
[Venue or Address]
Hosted by [Host names]
Brunch will be served
Registered at [store], [store]
RSVP to [Host] by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Before the big day, one more excuse for cake.
A shower for [Bride first name]
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Address]
Bring your favorite recipe on a card for her kitchen box.
RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
Shower-specific etiquette, including who hosts and who is invited, is in wedding shower invitations.
The pleasure of your company is requested
at a bridal shower in honor of
[Bride Full Name]
[Day], the [ordinal] of [Month]
at [time in words] in the afternoon
[Venue Name]
[Full Address]
Given by [Host names]
The favor of a reply is requested by [Month] [D]
Bachelorette weekend
[Bride first name]'s bachelorette
[City], [Month] [D] to [Month] [D]
Where we're staying: [accommodation]
Rough cost per person: [$X], covering [what it covers]
What to pack: [items]
Full itinerary: [link]
I need a yes or no by [Month] [D] to book, and the deposit
of [$X] by [Month] [D].
Questions to [Host]: [Contact]
Bachelor party
[Groom first name]'s bachelor party
[Day] to [Day], [Month] [D] to [D]
[City]
Lodging: [place], [$X] a head
Getting there: [detail]
Plan: [one line]
Confirm by [Month] [D] so I can lock the booking.
[Contact]
Please join us for dinner
following the wedding rehearsal
[Day], [Month] [D]
Rehearsal at [time], [ceremony venue]
Dinner at [time], [restaurant name]
[Full Address]
Hosted by [Host names]
Immediate family and wedding party.
Kindly reply by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
Rehearsal dinner for [First] and [First]
[Day], [Month] [D]
Rehearsal: [time] at [venue]
Dinner: [time] at [restaurant], [address]
Toasts welcome, but keep them under two minutes.
Smart casual.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Who to invite and how the wording differs from the wedding itself is covered in wedding rehearsal dinner invitations.
Welcome drinks the night before
Welcome drinks
The night before the wedding, for anyone already in town.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Bar or Venue], [Address]
Drop in, no formalities, no dinner. Pay as you go.
No RSVP needed. Just come.
Day-after brunch
Day-after brunch
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Address]
Come as you are. Coffee will be strong.
Hosted by [Host names].
Let us know at [contact] if you'll make it, roughly.
Bridal luncheon
A bridal luncheon for [Bride Full Name]
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Hosted by [Host names]. Seated lunch, so we need firm numbers.
Bridesmaids and immediate family.
Kindly reply by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
Save the date
Save the date
[Full Name] and [Full Name]
[Month] [D], [Year]
[City], [State]
Invitation to follow.
Details as we have them: [link]
A save-the-date is not an invitation and should not try to be one. The differences, and what belongs on each, are in save the date vs wedding invitation.
Ceremony with a religious service
[Host names] request the honor of your presence
at the wedding ceremony of
[Full Name] and [Full Name]
[Day], the [ordinal] of [Month], [Year]
at [time in words]
[Place of worship name]
[Full Address]
The ceremony will follow [tradition] custom
and last approximately [duration].
Reception and family blessings to follow at [venue].
Denomination-specific phrasing varies, and we cover one common case in Catholic wedding invitation wording.
Baby Shower, Gender Reveal and First Birthday Wording
Baby-related invitations carry more logistics than any other social category: registry links, shipping addresses for guests who cannot attend, and a clear statement of whether partners and children are included. Say all three.
Please join us for a baby shower
honoring [Mother's Full Name]
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] to [End time]
[Venue or Address]
Hosted by [Host names]
Lunch will be served
Registered at [store] and [store]
If you cannot attend, gifts may be sent to [address]
RSVP to [Host] by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Coed baby shower
A baby is on the way.
Please join us for a shower celebrating
[Parent name] and [Parent name]
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Food, drinks, and no games. We promise.
Partners and kids welcome.
Registry: [link]
RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
Casual baby shower
[Name] is having a baby, and we are going to make a fuss.
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Address]
Brunch, cake, and one very short game.
Bring a book instead of a card if you'd like to start the shelf.
Text [Host] by [Month] [D]: [Phone]
The pleasure of your company is requested
at a shower in honor of
[Mother's Full Name]
and her [son / daughter / child] to be
[Day], the [ordinal] of [Month]
at [time in words] in the afternoon
[Venue Name]
[Full Address]
Given by [Host names]
The favor of a reply is requested by [Month] [D]
Virtual baby shower
We cannot all be in one room, so we are doing this on screen.
A virtual shower for [Name]
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] [Time zone], for about [duration]
Link: [video link], sent again the morning of
We will open gifts live, so if you are sending something,
aim for it to arrive by [Month] [D].
Ship to: [address] or use [registry link]
RSVP by [Month] [D] so we can plan the running order
Baby sprinkle (second or third baby)
Baby number [number] deserves a sprinkle, not a shower.
For [Name], [Month] [Year] due date
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Small gifts only, or nothing at all. Diapers always welcome.
Size [size] is what she is short on.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Diaper party (for the dad)
Diaper party for [Name]
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] onward
[Address]
Bring a box of diapers, any size except newborn.
Beer, grill, and no baby games of any kind.
Text [Host] by [Month] [D]: [Phone]
The format has its own rules, and we cover them in diaper party invitations.
Gender reveal
Boy or girl?
We find out with you.
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Address]
The reveal happens at [exact time], so please arrive before then.
Wear pink or blue for your guess.
Cake and drinks after.
RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
[Parent] and [Parent] are having a baby,
and we still do not know which kind.
Join us for the reveal
[Day], [Month] [D]
Arrive by [time]. Reveal at [time]. Party until [End time].
[Address]
Guesses on the board at the door.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Themes, formats and reveal timing are covered in gender reveal party invitations.
Adoption celebration
[Child's name] is home.
After [duration], our family is complete, and we would like
you to meet [him / her / them].
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Open house, come whenever suits you.
No gifts. [Child] would like to keep the day simple.
Let us know you're coming: [Contact], by [Month] [D]
First birthday
[Child] is ONE.
Please join us for cake and mild chaos
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Naptime is real, so we start and finish on time.
Smash cake at [time].
RSVP to [Parent] by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
One year of [Child].
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Venue], [Address]
Lunch for the grown-ups, puree for the guest of honor.
Books instead of cards, if you're inclined.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Design and format options for the milestone are in 1st birthday invitation card, and template collections in 10 adorable baby shower invitation templates.
Naming ceremony or welcome blessing
With gratitude and family blessings,
[Parent] and [Parent] invite you to the naming ceremony of
[Child's Full Name]
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
The ceremony lasts about [duration], with a meal to follow.
[Any tradition-specific note, e.g. head covering, no footwear indoors]
Kindly reply by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
Baby shower for a guest who cannot travel
You are invited, from wherever you are.
[Name]'s shower
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] [Time zone]
In person: [Address]
On screen: [video link]
If you are joining remotely, we will bring you to the front
at [time] for the toast.
Reply with "in person" or "on screen" by [Month] [D]
Dinner Party, Cocktail, Potluck and Casual Gathering Wording
Most of these go out as a text or a group message, not a card. Short wins. The one thing casual hosts skip most is whether the food is a meal, because a guest who ate first and a guest who did not are having two different evenings.
[Host Full Name] and [Host Full Name]
request the pleasure of your company at dinner
[Day], the [ordinal] of [Month]
Cocktails at [time in words]
Dinner at [time in words]
[Full Address]
Cocktail attire
The favor of a reply is requested by [Month] [D]
[Host] and [Host] invite you to dinner
[Day], [Month] [D]
Drinks at [time], seated at [time]
[Full Address]
Four courses, so come hungry.
Please tell us about dietary restrictions when you reply.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Dinner party, text message version
Having a few people over for dinner on [day] at [time].
Proper meal, so don't eat first. [Address].
Let me know by [day] if you're in.
Dinner at ours, [day] the [D]th, [time]?
Nothing fancy, just a big pot of [dish] and whoever shows up.
Reply by [day] so I know how much to make.
Dinner party, email version
Subject: Dinner at ours, [day] [Month] [D]?
Hi all,
[Host] and I are cooking dinner on [day], [Month] [D].
Drinks from [time], eating at [time], at [address].
It is a full meal, so arrive hungry. Reply by [Month] [D]
and tell me anything you cannot eat.
[Host name]
Cocktail party
Cocktails at [Host]'s
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Drinks and small plates, not dinner.
Cocktail attire.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
[Host] and [Host] invite you for cocktails
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Full Address]
There will be canapes, and there will not be a sit-down meal.
Please plan dinner accordingly.
Kindly reply by [Month] [D]
Potluck
Potluck at [Host]'s
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
I'm making [dish]. Claim a slot when you reply:
Starter, salad, side, bread, dessert, drinks.
Reply with your dish by [Month] [D] so we don't end up
with six desserts. [Contact]
Bring-a-dish dinner
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Address]
Serving spoon included, plates provided.
Label anything with nuts or dairy, please.
RSVP with what you're bringing by [Month] [D]
Brunch
Brunch at ours
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Eggs, pastries, and a lot of coffee.
Kids welcome, dogs welcome, shoes optional.
Let us know by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
BBQ or cookout
Fire up the grill.
Backyard BBQ at [Host]'s
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
We provide burgers, dogs and the grill.
Bring a side or a six-pack if you feel like it.
Bring a chair if you have a spare one.
RSVP by [Month] [D] so we buy enough meat: [Contact]
Game night
Game night
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
We're playing [game] and [game]. Bring one if you have a favorite.
Snacks and drinks here, dinner beforehand at home.
Reply by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Movie night
Movie night: [Title]
[Day], [Month] [D]
Doors [time], film starts [time] sharp
[Address]
Popcorn and blankets provided. Pajamas encouraged.
Runtime is [duration], so we're done by [End time].
RSVP by [Month] [D]
Block party or neighborhood gathering
[Street] block party
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Location on the street]
The street is closed from [time]. Bring a chair, a dish
and anything on wheels for the kids.
Volunteers needed for setup at [time] and cleanup at [End time].
Reply to [Organizer] by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Housewarming open house
We've moved.
Come see the place.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[New Address]
Open house, so arrive whenever. Drinks and snacks all afternoon.
Parking on [street].
No gifts. If you insist, we are short on [item].
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Pool party
Pool party at [Host]'s
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Bring a towel, sunscreen and a swimsuit.
Lunch at [time]. Kids must have an adult in the water with them.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Summer-specific formats are in pool party invitations.
Sleepover or pajama party
Pajama party at [Host]'s
[Day], [Month] [D]
Drop off [time], pick up [time next day]
[Address]
Bring: sleeping bag, pillow, pajamas, toothbrush, one movie pick.
Lights out around [time], realistically [later time].
RSVP to [Parent] by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
More formats for the sleepover category live in slumber party invitations and pajama party invitations.
Last-minute casual invite
Short notice: we're doing [thing] at [time] on [day].
[Address]. Come if you can, no hard feelings if you can't.
Reply by [time today] so I know numbers.
Themed party
[Theme] party at [Host]'s
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
The theme is [theme]. Costumes strongly encouraged,
and there is a prize.
Food, drinks and a playlist that commits to the bit.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Theme selection and matching invitation design are covered in themed party invitations and our broader party invitations for every occasion collection.
Dinner to say thank you
Dinner, on us.
You helped us with [thing] and we would like to feed you for it.
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Restaurant or Address]
No gifts, no occasion, no speeches.
Reply by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Full dinner-party formats, seating and timing detail sit in dinner party invitations.
Holiday and Seasonal Invitation Wording
Holiday invitations compete with everyone else's holiday invitations, so the date and the calendar slot matter more than the copy. December invitations should go out in early November. Everything else can wait until 3 to 4 weeks out.
| Holiday |
Send invitations |
Set RSVP deadline |
Why |
| Christmas or holiday party |
5 to 6 weeks out |
10 days before |
December calendars fill by mid-November |
| New Year's Eve |
5 to 6 weeks out |
10 days before |
Guests commit to one plan early |
| Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving |
3 to 4 weeks out |
7 days before |
Travel plans and dish assignments |
| Halloween |
3 to 4 weeks out |
7 days before |
Costume planning is the constraint |
| Easter or spring brunch |
3 weeks out |
5 days before |
Family obligations settle late |
| 4th of July |
2 to 3 weeks out |
5 days before |
Weather and travel both move |
| Valentine's dinner |
2 weeks out |
5 days before |
Restaurant competition |
Please join us for our annual holiday party
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] to [End time]
[Full Address]
Dinner, drinks and a great deal of noise.
Festive attire.
Parking on [street]. Kids welcome until [time].
RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
[Host] and [Host] invite you for holiday drinks
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Mulled wine, hot cider, and a table of food.
Cocktail attire, festive if you're brave.
Kindly reply by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Christmas party (casual)
Holiday party at ours.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] onward
[Address]
Ugly sweaters welcome. Gift swap at [time],
[$X] limit, bring one if you want to play.
Text [Host] by [Month] [D]: [Phone]
Christmas open house
Holiday open house
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Drop in whenever. Food out all afternoon,
carols at [time] for anyone who wants to sing.
No RSVP needed, but a heads-up helps: [Contact]
More Christmas formats and copy are in Christmas party invitations 2026, and the wording-by-theme angle in creative themed holiday party invitation wording.
[Host names] request the pleasure of your company
to welcome the new year
[Day], the [ordinal] of December
from [time in words] until after midnight
[Venue Name]
[Full Address]
Black tie. Champagne toast at midnight.
Late-night breakfast at [time].
The favor of a reply is requested by [Month] [D]
New Year's Eve (casual)
New Year's Eve at ours
[Start time] until whenever
[Address]
Bring a bottle and something to snack on.
Countdown on the big screen, fireworks from the roof.
Crash space for [number] people if you need it.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
New Year's Day brunch
New Year's Day brunch
[Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Eggs, coffee, and no expectations.
Come in whatever you slept in.
Let us know by [Month] [D] so we buy enough bacon
Halloween party (adults)
[Host]'s Halloween party
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Costumes required. Prize for the best one at [time].
Adults only, please.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Halloween party (kids)
[Child]'s Halloween party
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Costumes encouraged, nothing too scary for the little ones.
Trick-or-treat walk at [time], back for cake at [time].
Parents welcome to stay.
RSVP to [Parent] by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
We have a full bank of costume, haunted-house and office variants in Halloween party invitation wording<!-- link to: drafts/halloween-party-invitation-wording.md (NEW-US-92) --> and the design side in the ultimate guide to Halloween party invitations.
Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving dinner at [Host]'s
[Day], [Month] [D]
Arrive [time], eating at [time]
[Address]
We are handling turkey, gravy and stuffing.
Bring: [assigned dish]
Tell us your dish and headcount by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Friendsgiving
Friendsgiving
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Turkey is covered. Claim a slot when you reply:
sides, salad, bread, pie, wine.
Bring a container for leftovers, you will want them.
RSVP with your dish by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Easter brunch or egg hunt
Easter brunch and egg hunt
[Day], [Month] [D]
Brunch [time], hunt at [time] sharp
[Address]
Bring a basket. Hunt is split by age, [age range] and under
goes first.
RSVP with the number of children by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Spring brunch at ours
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Long table in the garden, weather permitting,
kitchen table if not. Pastels optional.
Let us know by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Seasonal formats and themes are in Easter invitations guide 2026.
4th of July cookout
4th of July at [Host]'s
[Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Grill on from [time]. Fireworks visible from the yard at [time].
Bring a side, a dessert or a cooler.
Red, white and blue if you feel patriotic, shorts if you don't.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Independence Day pool and BBQ
[Month] [D], [Start time] onward
[Address]
Swim, eat, repeat. Towels are your own responsibility.
Sparklers for the kids at [time], supervised.
Reply by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Memorial Day or Labor Day weekend
[Holiday] weekend cookout
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Long weekend, low effort. Burgers, salads, cold drinks.
Stay for as long or as little as you like.
Reply by [Month] [D] so we know numbers: [Contact]
Valentine's dinner party
Valentine's dinner, but for everyone
[Day], February [D], [Start time]
[Address]
Couples, singles, whoever. Four courses, one long table,
and no seating plan based on relationship status.
[$X] a head toward ingredients, if you're able.
RSVP by February [D]: [Contact]
Mother's Day gathering
Mother's Day lunch
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Address or Restaurant]
For [Name] and every mother in this family.
Lunch is booked and paid for. Just arrive.
Confirm by [Month] [D] so I can set the table count: [Contact]
Father's Day gathering
Father's Day BBQ
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
[Name] is on the grill, which he insisted on.
Bring a drink and let him.
Reply by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Diwali celebration
Diwali at ours
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] onward
[Address]
Diyas at [time], dinner at [time], sweets all evening.
Traditional dress if you'd like, comfortable shoes either way.
Sparklers in the driveway for the kids, supervised.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Eid celebration
Eid Mubarak. Please join us.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] onward
[Address]
A full table from [time], with sweets after.
Family, friends and children all welcome.
Let us know by [Month] [D] so we cook enough: [Contact]
Hanukkah gathering
Hanukkah at [Host]'s
Night [number], [Day], [Month] [D]
Candles at [time], dinner after
[Address]
Latkes, sufganiyot and a dreidel game the children take
far too seriously.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year dinner
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time]
[Address]
A long table, a great deal of food, and red envelopes
for anyone under [age].
Red is encouraged. Please arrive by [time] for the toast.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Harvest, fall or bonfire party
Bonfire and cider
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Fire lit at [time]. Bring a warm coat, we have blankets.
Chili on the stove, marshmallows on the table.
Reply by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Summer garden party
Garden party
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Drinks in the garden, food from [time].
Grass shoes, not heels. Shade available, sunscreen is not.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Holiday wording across the whole calendar, occasion by occasion, is collected in party invitation wording for every occasion and Christmas party invitations.
Graduation, Retirement, Farewell, Anniversary and Housewarming Wording
This is the family of occasions most wording guides skip, and it is where hosts most often improvise badly. The common thread: each of these marks a transition, so the invitation should name the achievement or the change in plain words before it gets to logistics.
[Full Name]
[Degree or Diploma], [School Name]
Class of [Year]
Please join us in celebrating
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Full Address]
Hosted by [Host names]
Dinner served at [time]
RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Contact]
Graduation party (casual)
[Name] graduated. We are throwing a party about it.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Open house, come whenever. Food out all afternoon,
cake at [time], speeches kept short.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Graduation open house
Graduation open house for [Name]
[School], Class of [Year]
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Drop in for as long as you like. There is a table of photos
and a card box, and no formal program.
A rough headcount helps: [Contact], by [Month] [D]
Graduation announcement plus party
[Full Name] has graduated from [School]
with a [degree] in [field].
Announcement, and an invitation.
Party: [Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
If you cannot make it, [Name] would still love a note.
Cards to [address].
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Graduation formats, timing and templates are covered in graduation party invitations and graduation party invitation templates.
After [number] years, [Full Name] is retiring.
Please join us to mark the occasion
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Dinner and remarks at [time].
If you have a story or a photo, send it to [Contact] by
[Month] [D] and we will include it.
RSVP by [Month] [D]
Retirement party (casual)
[Name] is retiring, finally.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address or Venue]
Drinks, food, and an open mic for [number] minutes
of well-earned roasting.
No gifts. We are putting together a book of notes instead.
Send yours to [Contact].
RSVP by [Month] [D]
Retirement, office version
Join us to celebrate [Full Name]'s retirement
after [number] years with [Company].
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Room or Venue], [Address]
Remarks at [time]. Cake at [time].
Team contribution to the gift: see [Contact] by [Month] [D].
Please reply by [Month] [D] for catering numbers.
More formats and copy in retirement party invitation and retirement party invitations.
Farewell or going-away party
[Name] is moving to [City].
One more night before [he / she / they] go.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address or Venue]
Pay as you go at the bar. We have the back room until [time].
Come and say something in person. RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Farewell, work version
Farewell to [Full Name]
After [number] years on [team], [Name] is moving on to [next thing].
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Location]
Drop in between meetings. Short remarks at [time].
Card is with [Contact] until [Month] [D] if you would like to sign.
No RSVP needed.
[Number] years
[Host names] request the pleasure of your company
at a dinner celebrating the [ordinal] wedding anniversary of
[Full Name] and [Full Name]
[Day], the [ordinal] of [Month]
at [time in words] in the evening
[Venue Name]
[Full Address]
Cocktail attire. No gifts, by request.
The favor of a reply is requested by [Month] [D]
Wedding anniversary (casual)
[Number] years of [Name] and [Name].
Come raise a glass.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Dinner at [time], toast at [time].
No gifts. Bring a photo of them from any decade instead.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Surprise anniversary party
A surprise for [Name] and [Name]'s [ordinal] anniversary.
[Day], [Month] [D]
Guests by [early time], they arrive at [later time]
[Address]
They think they are going to dinner. Please keep it that way,
and park on [street].
RSVP quietly to [Host] by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
The full range of anniversary wording, milestone by milestone, is in wedding anniversary invitations.
[Host names] invite you to a housewarming
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[New Full Address]
Drinks and dinner. Come see the place before we ruin it.
Parking on [street], and the buzzer is [number].
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Housewarming (casual, no gifts)
New house. Same us.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] onward
[New Address]
Genuinely no gifts. We have just moved [distance] and
own too many boxes already.
Beer in the fridge, pizza at [time].
Text [Host] by [Month] [D]: [Phone]
Apartment or first-place housewarming
First apartment, first party.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address], apartment [number]
It is small, so we are staggering it: [group] from [time],
everyone else from [time].
Bring a drink. Quiet after [time], the neighbors are lovely
and I would like to keep it that way.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Housewarming logistics and gift-line handling are covered in how to invite guests to your housewarming party and housewarming party invitations. For the design side across occasions, see designing invitation cards for every occasion.
Kindergarten or middle school graduation
[Child] is graduating from [grade or school]!
Small party, big deal.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Cake, a photo wall of the last [number] years,
and a bouncy castle we regret renting.
RSVP to [Parent] by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
College send-off
[Name] leaves for [School] on [Month] [D].
Come say goodbye first.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Food, photos, and a box for notes [he / she / they] can
open in the dorm.
No gifts. If you insist, [item] for the room.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Military homecoming or deployment send-off
[Name] is [coming home / deploying] on [Month] [D].
Please join us
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Arrive by [time] if you want to be there for the moment.
Casual. Kids and dogs welcome.
Please keep the timing off social media until after [time].
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Milestone anniversary open house (25th, 40th, 50th)
[Number] years of [Full Name] and [Full Name]
Open house in their honor
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Drop in any time. Cake at [time], a short toast at [time],
and a table of photographs from [decade] onward.
No gifts, by their request. Cards and stories welcome.
A rough headcount helps: [Contact], by [Month] [D]
[Name] made [new title].
Drinks to mark it.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Address]
First round is on [Host]. Bring nothing.
Reply by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
New citizenship celebration
[Name] is a citizen.
After [duration], it is official, and we are celebrating.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Address]
Food from [both places], because that is the point.
Toast at [time].
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Recovery, remission or good-news gathering
Good news, and a reason to gather.
[Name] finished [treatment / milestone] on [Month] [D].
Please come for [meal] on [Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Address]
Low key by design. Short visit is fine, and nobody has to
make a speech.
Let [Host] know by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Memorial gathering or celebration of life
A celebration of the life of [Full Name]
[Year of birth] to [Year of passing]
[Day], [Month] [D] at [Start time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Sharing of memories from [time]. A meal to follow.
Please wear [color], which [Name] would have preferred
to black.
In place of flowers, [Family] asks for donations to
[organization]: [link]
For catering numbers, please reply to [Contact] by [Month] [D]
Baby or family reunion gathering
[Surname] family reunion
[Day] to [Day], [Month] [D] to [D]
[Location], [Full Address]
Saturday: lunch at [time], group photo at [time] sharp,
dinner at [time].
Sunday: brunch at [time], goodbyes by [time].
Lodging options and costs: [link]
Please reply with names, ages and nights by [Month] [D]
Corporate, Networking and Virtual Event Invitation Wording
Work invitations answer one extra question social invitations do not: is this optional, and is it on work time. Say it. An invitation that hides the answer gets ignored by half the recipients and resented by the other half.
| Detail |
Social invitation |
Work invitation |
| Attendance |
Assumed optional |
State "optional" or "expected" explicitly |
| Timing |
Evening default |
Say whether it is on work time or personal time |
| Cost |
Host covers, or say so |
State who pays, including for drinks |
| Plus-ones |
Implied by naming |
Must be stated either way |
| Dress |
Dress code line |
Say it in office terms: "come as you are from the desk" |
| RSVP |
Deadline plus contact |
Deadline, contact, and dietary field |
Work happy hour
Team happy hour
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Bar name], [Address]
First round is on [Company]. After that it is on you.
Entirely optional, and nobody is counting.
RSVP by [Month] [D] so we can hold a table: [link or contact]
Team offsite or all-day session
[Team] offsite
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
On work time. Attendance expected for [team].
Agenda: [link]. Lunch provided, dietary needs in the form.
Travel reimbursed up to [$X], receipts to [Contact].
Please confirm by [Month] [D]: [link]
Company holiday party
[Company] holiday party
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Dinner, drinks and awards at [time].
Plus-ones welcome. Please name yours when you reply.
Cocktail attire. Cabs home covered up to [$X].
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [link]
Networking event
[Event name]
An evening for [audience] in [city or industry]
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Short talks from [time] to [time], open networking after.
Drinks and light food provided. Free to attend.
Capacity [number], so registration closes when it is full.
Register by [Month] [D]: [link]
Product launch
You're invited to the launch of [Product]
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Demo at [time], Q&A at [time], drinks after.
Press and partners welcome. Bring a colleague if useful.
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [link]
Client appreciation dinner
[Company] would like to thank you with dinner.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time]
[Restaurant], [Full Address]
Seated dinner, no presentation, no pitch. Just dinner.
Your account team will be there.
Please reply by [Month] [D] with any dietary needs: [Contact]
Conference or summit
[Conference name] [Year]
[Month] [D] to [D], [City]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Full program: [link]
Registration: [$X] standard, [$X] early bird through [Month] [D]
Hotel block: [name], code [code], held until [Month] [D]
Register by [Month] [D]: [link]
Webinar
[Webinar title]
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] [Time zone], running [duration]
Online: link sent on registration
What we will cover:
[Point one]
[Point two]
[Point three]
Recording sent to everyone who registers, attend or not.
Register: [link]
Virtual all-hands
[Company] all-hands
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] [Time zone], [duration]
[Video link]
Agenda: [link]. Questions in advance to [Contact] by [Month] [D].
Recording posted to [location] the same day.
Attendance expected. Calendar hold sent separately.
Virtual team social
[Team] virtual social
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] [Time zone], [duration]
[Video link]
We are doing [activity]. Cameras on if you're comfortable,
off if you're not. Fully optional.
[$X] snack or drink stipend, claim through [process].
Reply by [Month] [D] so we size the groups: [link]
Hybrid event (in person plus remote)
[Event name], in person and online
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] [Time zone]
In person: [Venue], [Full Address]
Online: [video link]
Remote attendees get their own Q&A channel and a moderator,
so questions do not get lost to the room.
Tell us which you are choosing when you reply, by [Month] [D]
[Event name]: volunteers needed
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Location], [Full Address]
What we need: [number] people for [task], [number] for [task].
Wear closed shoes. Water and lunch provided.
Under [age] must be with an adult.
Sign up by [Month] [D]: [link or contact]
Fundraiser or charity gala
[Organization] presents [Event name]
in support of [cause]
[Day], the [ordinal] of [Month]
[time in words] in the evening
[Venue Name], [Full Address]
Cocktail reception, dinner and auction.
Tickets [$X] each, table of [number] [$X].
Every dollar above cost goes to [cause].
Kindly reply by [Month] [D]: [link]
Workshop or class
[Workshop title]
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
[Number] places only. [$X] per person, materials included.
No experience needed. Bring [item].
Book by [Month] [D]: [link]
Grand opening
[Business name] is open.
Grand opening: [Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Full Address]
Ribbon at [time]. Free [thing] for the first [number] guests.
Family friendly, and the parking lot is behind the building.
Drop in, no RSVP needed. Tell a neighbor.
Board or committee meeting with a social element
[Group] annual meeting and dinner
[Day], [Month] [D]
Meeting [Start time] to [time], dinner [time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Papers circulated [Month] [D]. Voting members please attend
the full meeting. Guests welcome from [time] for dinner only.
Reply by [Month] [D] with which portion you will attend
Virtual celebration for a milestone
[Name]'s [occasion], on screen
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] [Time zone], about [duration]
[Video link]
Running order: hellos, then [activity] at [time],
then toasts. Two minutes each, and I will be strict.
If you want to send something, [Name]'s address is [address].
RSVP by [Month] [D] so I can plan the order: [Contact]
Virtual open invitation for distant family
[Occasion] for [Name], and you are invited from anywhere.
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] [Time zone] / [Start time] [Time zone] / [Start time] [Time zone]
[Video link], open [duration] before and after
Drop in for five minutes or stay for the whole thing.
We will record it for anyone in an impossible time zone.
Reply by [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Sending any of these as an e-invite rather than a card changes the format but not the seven elements. E-invites for every occasion covers the delivery formats, and how to send digital invitations with RSVP tracking covers the tracking side.
Multi-Function Events: Wording When Different Guests Are Invited to Different Functions
Write one invitation per function, not one invitation for the whole weekend. This is the single most common wording failure in multi-day celebrations, and no amount of good copy fixes it.
Here is the problem. A weekend wedding might have a welcome dinner for 40, a ceremony for 150, a reception for 150 and a farewell brunch for 30. If you print all four on one card and add one RSVP, you learn how many people are coming to "the wedding" and nothing about how many are coming to brunch. Then you guess, and you either pay for 30 uneaten breakfasts or run out of eggs.
The fix is structural: each function gets its own block with its own date, time, venue and RSVP line. Guests only see the functions they are invited to.
| Function |
Typical guest list |
Why it needs its own RSVP |
| Welcome dinner |
Out-of-town guests and family |
Restaurant minimum and seating |
| Ceremony |
Full list |
Chair count and program printing |
| Reception |
Full list, sometimes larger |
Catering, bar and table plan |
| After-party |
Younger or closer subset |
Venue capacity and late-night food |
| Farewell brunch |
Whoever is still in town |
The most over-catered function at any wedding |
| Pre-wedding functions |
Family and close friends |
Different venue, different day, different count |
Multi-function master invitation, all guests
[Full Name] and [Full Name]
[Month] [D] to [D], [Year]
[City], [State]
FRIDAY, [Month] [D]
Welcome dinner, [time], [Venue], [Address]
Dress: [code]
SATURDAY, [Month] [D]
Ceremony, [time], [Venue], [Address]
Reception, [time], [Venue], [Address]
Dress: [code]
SUNDAY, [Month] [D]
Farewell brunch, [time] to [time], [Venue], [Address]
Dress: [code]
Please reply to each function separately: [link]
Replies needed by [Month] [D]
Function-specific insert, welcome dinner only
Welcome dinner
You are invited to join us the evening before the wedding.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Dress: [code]
This invitation is for [number] guests in your party.
Please reply to this function by [Month] [D]: [link]
Function-specific insert, ceremony and reception only
Ceremony and reception
[Day], [Month] [D]
Ceremony [time], [Venue], [Address]
Reception [time], [Venue], [Address]
Transport between the two leaves at [time] from [point].
Dress: [code]
Please reply by [Month] [D]: [link]
Function-specific insert, after-party
After-party
When the reception ends, this keeps going.
[Day], [Month] [D], [time] until [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Late food at [time]. Change your shoes.
This one is for [group].
Reply by [Month] [D] so we know the numbers: [link]
Multi-day cultural celebration, function by function
[Family name] celebrations
[Month] [D] to [D], [Year]
[Function name], [Day] [Month] [D], [time]
[Venue], [Address]
Dress: [code]. Note: [any custom, e.g. no leather indoors]
[Function name], [Day] [Month] [D], [time]
[Venue], [Address]
Dress: [code]
[Ceremony name], [Day] [Month] [D], [time]
[Venue], [Address]
Dress: [code]. Ceremony runs [duration], with a meal after.
[Reception name], [Day] [Month] [D], [time]
[Venue], [Address]
Dress: [code]
Please reply per function by [Month] [D]: [link]
Family blessings and elders' honors take place during [function].
Multi-day celebrations with distinct functions are standard in many US communities, and Indian wedding invitations for the US works through the function-by-function structure in detail.
Split guest list, plainly stated
[Occasion] for [Name]
Two parts, two guest lists, and you are invited to [which one].
Part one: [function], [time] to [time], [venue]
Part two: [function], [time] onward, [venue]
You are invited to: [part]
Please reply for that part only, by [Month] [D]: [link]
Birthday weekend with three functions
[Name] turns [age], and we are making a weekend of it.
FRIDAY: dinner, [time], [Restaurant], [Address]
Small group, [number] seats.
SATURDAY: party, [time] to [time], [Venue], [Address]
Everyone.
SUNDAY: brunch, [time] to [time], [Address]
Whoever is standing.
Reply to each one you can make, by [Month] [D]: [link]
Ceremony private, reception open
[Full Name] and [Full Name] were married
in a private ceremony on [Month] [D].
Please join us for the reception.
[Day], [Month] [D], [Start time] to [End time]
[Venue], [Full Address]
Dinner at [time], dancing after.
Dress: [code]
Please reply by [Month] [D]: [link]
Video Invitation Scripts and Captions
A video invitation needs a script, because improvising into a phone camera produces a 90-second clip missing the address. Write the seven elements down first, then read them out in this order: who you are, what the event is, when, where, what to expect, how to reply.
Three rules make video invites work. Keep it to 30 to 60 seconds. Say the date and time out loud, then also put them on screen as text, because most people watch on mute. And always put the full details in the caption, because nobody can copy an address out of a video.
Casual video script, birthday (30 seconds)
Hi! It's [Name].
I'm turning [age] on [Month] [D], and I'm having people over.
[Day] the [D]th, [start time] to [end time], at [address].
There's food, there's drinks, you don't need to bring anything.
Let me know by [Month] [D] so I know how much to buy.
Hope you can make it.
[Both names, together]: We're getting married.
[Name one]: The ceremony is on [Day], [Month] [D], at [time],
at [venue] in [city].
[Name two]: The reception follows at [time] at [venue].
Dress code is [code].
[Name one]: Everything you need, the schedule, the hotel block
and the RSVP, is in the link below.
[Both]: Please reply by [Month] [D]. We would love to see you there.
Kids' party video script, read by the child
Hi, it's [Child]!
I'm turning [age] and I'm having a [theme] party.
It's on [Day], [Month] [D], from [start time] to [end time].
It's at [place].
Please come! Mom and Dad put all the details underneath.
Save-the-date video script (15 seconds)
Save the date.
[Name] and [Name], [Month] [D], [Year], [City].
The invitation is coming. For now, just hold the weekend.
Multi-function video script
Hi everyone, it's [Name] and [Name].
Our celebration runs [Month] [D] to [D] in [City].
There are [number] functions, and the invitation you have
covers the ones you're invited to.
[Function], [Day] at [time], [venue].
[Function], [Day] at [time], [venue].
Please reply to each one separately using the link below,
by [Month] [D]. It really helps us with numbers.
Holiday party video script
It's [Host] and [Host]. Our holiday party is back.
[Day], [Month] [D], [start time] to [end time], at [address].
Food, drinks, festive attire, gift swap at [time]
with a [$X] limit if you want to play.
RSVP by [Month] [D]. Details in the caption.
Video invite caption, casual
[Occasion] at ours.
[Day], [Month] [D]
[Start time] to [End time]
[Full address]
[One expectation line: what to bring, dress, kids]
RSVP by [Month] [D]: [link or number]
[Host names] request the pleasure of your company
at [event].
[Day], [Month] [D], [Year]
[Time]
[Venue Name], [Full Address]
[Dress code]
Kindly reply by [Month] [D]: [link]
A video invitation only works if the platform you send it through actually accepts video, which many invitation tools do not. That is worth checking before you shoot anything.
RSVP Wording, Gift-Preference Wording and Dress-Code Wording
These three lines cause more host stress than the whole rest of the invitation. Each one has the same fix: state the actual thing you want, in the tier your invitation is written in.
Formal:
The favor of a reply is requested by [Month] [D].
Formal, alternative:
Kindly respond by [Month] [D] to [Contact].
Semi-formal:
Please RSVP by [Month] [D] to [Name] at [Contact].
Casual:
Let me know by [Month] [D] if you can make it.
Casual, with a reason:
RSVP by [Month] [D] so I know how much [food] to make.
With a hard constraint:
We have [number] seats and a catering deadline of [Month] [D],
so please reply by then. After that we cannot add guests.
Per-function:
Please reply separately for each function you are invited to,
by [Month] [D]. Different functions have different numbers.
Regrets only:
No reply needed if you're coming. Please tell [Name] by
[Month] [D] only if you cannot make it.
Setting the deadline is a scheduling decision, not a politeness decision. Our guide to tracking RSVPs for free covers what each deadline has to cover, and wedding invitations with RSVP cards covers the printed-card version.
Gift-preference wording
No gifts at all:
No gifts, please. Your company is the whole point.
No gifts, firmer:
We are asking for no gifts. If you would like to do something,
[cause or link] would mean more to us.
Registry, one store:
Registered at [store]: [link]
Registry, plus flexibility:
Registered at [store] and [store]. Anything off-list is
just as welcome.
Money instead of a gift, direct:
If you would prefer to give money rather than a gift,
that is genuinely easier for us. Details are with the invitation.
Money instead of a gift, warmer:
We are saving for [thing]. A contribution toward it would
mean more to us than anything wrapped.
Books instead of cards:
Bring a book with a note inside instead of a card, and we
will start [Child]'s shelf.
Contribution to a group gift:
We are putting together one gift from everyone.
[Name] is collecting until [Month] [D]: [Contact]
Cashless gifting has become normal in the US, and guests who want to send money rather than shop should be told how. Wording it clearly on the invitation, rather than leaving it to whispers between guests, is the whole trick.
Dress-code wording that guests actually understand
| Write this |
Guests will wear |
Use it for |
| "Black tie" |
Tuxedo, floor-length gown |
Galas, formal weddings |
| "Black tie optional" |
Tux or dark suit, cocktail dress |
Formal weddings, milestone dinners |
| "Cocktail attire" |
Suit, cocktail dress |
Receptions, holiday parties |
| "Smart casual, no jeans" |
Chinos, blouse, loafers |
Dinner parties, rehearsal dinners |
| "Casual, jeans are fine" |
Jeans and a shirt |
Backyard parties, BBQs |
| "Dressy casual" |
Nobody agrees, avoid it |
Nothing. Pick a clearer phrase |
| "Come as you are" |
Whatever they had on |
Drop-ins, brunches, game nights |
| "Garden party, flat shoes" |
Sundress and sandals |
Outdoor daytime events |
Dress code with a reason:
Cocktail attire. We are on grass all evening, so flat shoes
will serve you better than heels.
Dress code, casual and explicit:
Jeans are fine. Genuinely. Nobody is dressing up.
Getting the tone of these three lines consistent with the rest of the invitation is what separates wording that reads professional from wording that reads improvised. If you want more worked examples across occasions, party invitation wording for every occasion and free invitation templates: 12 top resources are the closest companions to this page.
After the Wording: Sending It, Tracking It, and What Happens to the Photos
Finalized wording is half the job. The other half is getting it to the right people, learning who is actually coming, and not losing the photos afterward.
Sending the invitation you already made
Most hosts design the invitation somewhere else. Canva, a photo, a PDF from a print shop, a video shot on a phone, or a block of text like the ones above. The awkward part is that many invitation platforms only let you send from their own template library, so a finished design has nowhere to go.
Lumhe takes the invitation you already have. Upload it as an image, a video, a PDF or typed text, add your event details, and it becomes a live invitation with RSVP tracking attached. There is no template library on Lumhe yet, and that is deliberate for now: the assumption is that you already made the thing.
If your celebration has more than one function, add each one as a sub-event with its own date, time, venue and guest list. That is what makes the split-guest-list wording in the section above actually work, because different guests can be invited to different functions and each function gets its own RSVP count in real time. Reminders go only to the people who have not replied, so nobody who already said yes gets nagged.
To send it, find and connect with your guests by name, phone number or email inside Lumhe and send the invitation to them directly. Your celebration circle carries over to the next event you host, so you are not rebuilding a contact list every time. Every invitation also generates a shareable link you can put on WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram, email or anywhere else, for the guests who are not in Lumhe yet.
Event creation, invitations, per-function RSVP tracking and Moments are free forever, with no per-event and no per-guest charge.
After the event: the photos and the thank-yous
Every occasion post skips this part, and it is where hosts lose the most. Photos scatter across camera rolls and group chats, and the group chat disappears under other messages within a week.
Moments is a shared photo timeline for the event. Guests upload what they took, everything collects in one place, and it does not expire, so you can still find the photos next year. If you want the wider background on collecting guest photos, how to share event photos with all your guests covers the options.
Guests who would rather send money than a gift can use Digital Lifafa. You add your own payment ID, whether that is Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, PayPal, Wise or a bank transfer. The guest pays from whichever app they already use and uploads the receipt, and it arrives wrapped in an occasion-themed digital envelope you open. Lumhe never touches the money. It is a direct transfer from the guest to you.
Thank-you wording, six versions
Short, after a party:
Thank you for coming on [day]. The house was better with
you in it. Photos are here: [link]
After a gift:
Thank you for the [gift]. It is already [in use / on the shelf /
being argued over]. We loved having you there.
After money was sent:
Thank you for what you sent. It is going toward [thing],
which makes it feel like you are part of it. Thank you
for being there too.
To someone who traveled:
Thank you for making the trip. [Distance] is a long way for
one weekend, and it meant a great deal that you came.
To someone who could not come:
Sorry you missed it, and thank you for the note. Here are the
photos so you can see what you were spared: [link]
To a host, from a guest:
Thank you for [day]. The [dish] was outstanding and the
company was better. Next one is at ours.
FAQ
How many invitation wording examples are on this page?
173 templates, spread across more than 45 occasions, each in its own copy block. They are grouped by occasion first, then sorted formal to casual inside each group, so you can pick the tier before you pick the words.
What are the seven things every invitation must include?
Who is hosting, what the event is, the date and start time, the full address, an RSVP deadline with a named contact and a method, one expectation line such as dress code or what to bring, and the one detail unique to your event. Missing the RSVP deadline is the most common defect, and missing the end time is the second.
Match the tier to the event, then hold that tier for the whole invitation. Formal spells dates out in words and uses full names and titles. Semi-formal uses numerals and first-plus-last names. Casual uses first names and contractions. The mistake that reads worst is mixing tiers, such as "request the honor of your presence" followed by "can't wait to see y'all."
How far in advance should invitations go out?
Weddings 6 to 8 weeks after a save-the-date, milestone parties and showers 4 to 6 weeks, corporate events 3 to 4 weeks, holiday parties in December 5 to 6 weeks, dinner parties 2 to 3 weeks, and casual get-togethers 1 to 2 weeks. December is the exception that needs the longest lead time, because guests commit early.
How do I word an invitation when different guests are invited to different functions?
Write one invitation per function, each with its own date, time, venue and RSVP line, and send each guest only the functions they are invited to. Do not print all functions on one card with a single RSVP, because you will get a headcount for the event and no usable number for any individual function. A weekend with a welcome dinner, a ceremony and a brunch needs three separate replies.
Can I put "no gifts" on an invitation?
Yes, and if you mean it, say it plainly. "No gifts, please" is clearer than "your presence is the present," which a fair number of guests read as a polite formality and ignore. If you would rather have money than a wrapped gift, say that too, and say where to send it.
What should a video invitation script say?
The same seven elements, read out loud in this order: who you are, what the event is, when, where, what to expect, and how to reply. Keep it to 30 to 60 seconds, put the date and time on screen as text because most people watch on mute, and repeat the full address and RSVP deadline in the caption, since nobody can copy an address out of a video.
Do I need a different RSVP deadline for each function?
Yes, if the functions have different constraints. A restaurant welcome dinner needs a firm number earlier than a backyard brunch does. Set each deadline by what depends on it: catering headcounts 10 to 14 days out, home cooking 7 days, group bookings whenever the deposit is due.
Ready to Send It
Planning a celebration? Upload the invitation you already made to Lumhe, whether that is an image from Canva, a video you shot on your phone, a PDF or plain typed text, then find and connect with your guests by name, phone number or email inside Lumhe and send it to them directly. Add each function separately, so the welcome dinner and the reception have their own guest lists and their own RSVPs, and you always know the headcount for each one, with reminders going only to the people who have not replied. After the event, everyone's photos collect in Moments, a shared timeline that does not expire. Guests who want to send money instead of a gift can do it through Digital Lifafa. You add your payment ID, they pay from whichever app they already use and upload the receipt, and it arrives wrapped in a digital envelope you open. Lumhe never touches the money. You can also share your invitation link on WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram or any other platform. Explore Lumhe.
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| invitation wording examples |
Primary |
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Secondary |
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Host Your Next Celebration Seamlessly with Lumhe
Find and connect with guests by name, phone, or email. Manage multi-event schedules with individual RSVP headcounts for each ceremony or gathering, collect shared memories in permanent Moments timelines, and receive blessings through Digital Lifafa wrappers.
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