How to Write an Invitation

Your Invitation Sets the Tone for Your Party

After you decide to host a party, one of the first things you'll need to do is invite your guests. That's why your invitations are one of the more important parts of your party planning. After all, it's not a party if the guests don't show up!

Choosing Your Style

The invitation is the first step in setting the mood for your party. These days, your options can be as diverse as the formal engraved invitation, to 15-minute DVD's, to handwritten cards purchased in your local store, to online invitation services. Your rule of thumb is the more formal your event, the more formal your invitation should be. Whichever style you choose, you should extend your invitation anywhere from two to eight weeks before your event -- the more formal your party, the longer your lead time should be.

The Facts

Write clearly on the invitation who is invited. Is the invitation extended to the whole family? Can the invitee bring a guest? Don't leave room for doubt. Let your guests know the reason for your party. Is it a surprise birthday party? A baby shower? A casual get together for fun? The celebration of a major milestone in your child's life?

After that, the nitty, gritty details should follow. These include the date, the hours for your event, and the location. If there's any doubt whether your guests will know where the party is, include a separate page of directions to the venue.

Follow this information with the finer points. What kind of attire should your guests wear? If this is a pot luck type of party, what kind of dish should they bring?

Ask for an RSVP

Finally, you need to ask your guests to respond to your invitation, also known as an RSVP. You will want to know how many people to expect so that you can be properly prepared, from knowing the correct amount of food to serve, how many beverages to have on hand, how the tables should be set, and the number of party favors to order. Don't use the phrase "regrets only", unless you truly don't care how many guests show up. With "regrets only" requests, you have no way of knowing whether your invitation was received. Ask your guests to tell you whether or not they plan to attend your party.

You have several options for requesting an RSVP. You can supply response cards, which is the most formal option, or you can provide your home, cell, or office phone number. Increasingly, hosts are asking for responses to their email addresses. This is a convenience for some, but don't assume that everyone has access to email. That's why you should provide a phone number, too. You can also use online services to track your invitation responses for you. Remember to give a date by which you'll need a response. It's too easy for people to put off responding without a firm date in mind.