📜 Invitation Etiquette Guide
Master the art of invitation etiquette with our comprehensive guide for every occasion.
⏰ When to Send Invitations
🎂 Birthday Parties
- Kids' Parties: 2-3 weeks in advance
- Adult Parties: 3-4 weeks in advance
- Milestone Birthdays: 4-6 weeks in advance
- RSVP Deadline: 1 week before the event
💒 Weddings
- Save the Dates: 6-8 months before (destination: 9-12 months)
- Formal Invitations: 6-8 weeks before wedding
- Casual Weddings: 4-6 weeks in advance
- RSVP Deadline: 2-3 weeks before wedding
🍼 Baby & Bridal Showers
- Baby Showers: 4-6 weeks in advance
- Bridal Showers: 4-6 weeks in advance
- RSVP Deadline: 1-2 weeks before event
- Timing: Usually 4-6 weeks before the main event
🎓 Graduation Parties
- Announcements: Can be sent after graduation
- Party Invitations: 3-4 weeks in advance
- RSVP Deadline: 1 week before party
🎉 Holiday Parties
- Casual Parties: 2-3 weeks in advance
- Formal Events: 4-6 weeks in advance
- RSVP Deadline: 1 week before event
- Note: Send earlier during busy holiday season
✍️ How to Word Invitations
Formal Invitations
Use full names: "Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson" not "Bob and Sue Johnson"
Spell out everything: "Saturday, the fifteenth of June" not "Saturday, June 15"
Time: "at four o'clock in the afternoon" not "4:00 PM"
Request presence: "request the honor of your presence" or "request the pleasure of your company"
No abbreviations: Write out "Street," "Avenue," etc.
Casual Invitations
First names okay: "Join Sarah for her birthday!"
Use numbers: "Saturday, June 15th at 3:00 PM"
Conversational tone: "You're invited!" "Let's celebrate!"
Abbreviations fine: "St." "Ave." "RSVP"
Include fun details: "Dress code: Hawaiian shirts!" "Bring your appetite!"
💡 Consistency is Key
Choose either formal or casual style and stick with it throughout the invitation. Don't mix styles.
📝 What to Include
Host Information
Who is hosting the event (if different from honoree)
Honoree's Name
Who is being celebrated
Event Type
Birthday party, wedding, shower, etc.
Date and Time
Day of week, date, start time (and end time if relevant)
Location
Venue name and full address
RSVP Information
Deadline, contact method (phone, email, or website)
Dress Code (Optional)
If not specified, guests assume casual dressy
Registry Information (Optional)
For showers and weddings, can include on separate card
Special Instructions (Optional)
Parking info, what to bring, dietary accommodations
📞 RSVP Etiquette
For Hosts
✓ Always include RSVP deadline (at least 1 week before event)
✓ Provide clear contact method (phone, email, website)
✓ Make it easy to respond (include response card if formal)
✓ Follow up with non-responders 3-5 days after deadline
✓ Be gracious when guests decline
For Guests
✓ Respond promptly - within a few days of receiving invitation
✓ Don't wait until the deadline - respond as soon as you know
✓ Be honest about attendance - don't say "maybe" to keep options open
✓ Include number of guests if invitation allows plus-one
✓ If you must cancel after accepting, let host know immediately
✗ Never bring extra guests without asking
✗ Don't ignore RSVP request - it's inconsiderate to the host
⚠️ The "Maybe" Problem
Responding "maybe" makes planning difficult. Commit yes or no. If genuinely uncertain (waiting for test results, etc.), explain and give a firm date you'll confirm by.
✉️ Addressing Envelopes
Married Couple (Same Last Name)
Formal: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson
Casual: Robert and Sarah Johnson
Married Couple (Different Last Names)
Ms. Sarah Smith and Mr. Robert Johnson
or Sarah Smith and Robert Johnson
Unmarried Couple Living Together
Ms. Sarah Smith
Mr. Robert Johnson
(List on separate lines)
Family with Children
The Johnson Family
or Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson and Family
or list all names if formal
Single Person
Ms. Sarah Johnson
(Use Ms. if unsure of marital status)
Single Person with Guest
Ms. Sarah Johnson and Guest
(Use if you don't know guest's name)
📱 Digital Invitation Etiquette
✓ When Digital is Appropriate
- • Casual parties and gatherings
- • Kids' birthday parties
- • Office celebrations
- • Last-minute events
- • Environmentally conscious hosts
✗ When to Use Paper
- • Formal weddings
- • Black-tie events
- • Milestone celebrations (50th anniversary, etc.)
- • Events for older generation unfamiliar with tech
- • When tradition is important
Digital Invitation Best Practices
- ✓ Send from your personal email, not just event platform
- ✓ Include all same information as paper invitation
- ✓ Send test invitation to yourself first
- ✓ Follow up with non-responders
- ✓ Provide easy way to RSVP (one-click if possible)
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not including RSVP deadline
Guests need a clear deadline to respond by
Unclear about who's invited
Address envelope to exactly who is invited (including or excluding children)
Mentioning gifts on invitation
Don't say "no gifts" or mention registry on main invitation (separate insert is okay for weddings/showers)
Sending invitations too late
Give guests enough time to plan - see timing guide above
Forgetting time zone for virtual events
Always specify time zone for online celebrations
Not proofreading
Double-check all dates, times, addresses, and spelling before sending