For practical
purposes, printed invitations are simply used to ask someone to attend
an event celebrating a special occasion. In reality, the invitation
that you send is the first time your guest hears of your celebration.
Therefore it is important for the invitation to convey the same theme,
style and message that you are planning for your occasion. Not only
will your invitation provide your guests with the required logistical
details, the invitation also conveys the subtle message of what to expect
from the celebration.
Who
to Invite:
We wish there was an easy answer to this often perplexing question.
The answer really depends on a number of factors. Please see specific
event details.
When
to Send:
If a party is informal, invitations should be extended two to three
weeks before the event. If the event is formal six to eight weeks are
required.
What to Include:
You have many different styles and themes to choose from depending on
your occasion. The best way to generate verse ideas is to browse through
our sample verses. Typically, a event invitation would include the following:
• Opening: Begin with a short introductory poem or quote.
• Description of Occasion: The purpose of the invitation and what
the event is about.
A birthday party for Christina Williams
• Host(ess) Name: Full name of the host(s) or hostess(es) throwing
the party.
• Honoree Name: Full name of the child (children) being honored
such as the birthday boy/girl, the mother-to-be.
• Date and Time: Day, date of the party followed by the time.
Avoid using abbreviations if it is a formal event.
informal
event: Saturday, September 27th 8:00 p.m.
formal event: Saturday, the twenty-seventh of September eight o'clock
in the evening
Note: it is acceptable to include an end time on an invitation. If time
is an issue, you should include it to let guests know to arrange pick
up times for the children.
•
Location / Place: Name of the place you are holding the party if the
venue has a name (Crossings Restaurant). The address should only include
the street and city. You can include the state if out of town guests
are invited. Zip codes are excluded.
• Other Instructions: Indicate appropriate attire if you think
there may be any ambiguity. If your party requires specific directions
such as what to bring, it is acceptable to print them on the invitation.
• Closing: End the invitation verse with a catchy closing such
as:
We hope you can attend!
• RSVP: RSVP is an abbreviation of "réspondez s'il
vous plait." You can word your RSVP in several ways. Typically
you can add the name and address, phone number or email RSVPs should
go to and the RSVP deadline date. This should come right after an RSVP
verse such as:
Please RSVP
RSVP at your convenience
Kindly reply to . . . (RSVP details)
Regrets only (Here, you are asking only the people who aren't coming
to let you know.)
• No RSVP: Fewer people use RSVPs these days, so it is acceptable
to approximate your attendance. But including RSVPs can eliminate uncertainty
regarding your event.
Reply
Cards:
For informal events like birthday parties, a reply by email or phone
is acceptable. For formal invitations like christenings and baptisms,
including a response card and envelope is recommended as a way to encourage
your guests to RSVP quickly. You should also include a stamped, self-addressed
envelope, although itis not necessary for all occasions. It's also helpful
if you enclose a map of the venue to help the guests find their way.
Examples of Reply Cards:
examples:
M ………………………………
will ……………….. attend
The favour of a reply is requested
before (date)
Acceptance
The favour of a reply is requested before (date)
…………………………………….
will ………. attend
Baby
Shower Invitation Etiquette:
Who to invite: Generally, close friends
and family of the mom should be invited. It is a good idea to ask the
mom-to-be to finalize the guest list to ensure no one has been accidentally
forgotten. If the shower is not the first shower for the mom, one acceptable
way to shorten the guest list is to only invite close friends or those
who have not been to previous showers.
When to throw a baby shower: Showers are
typically thrown for an expecting mom a month or two before the baby's
due date. This allows the expecting mother to take inventory of what
she still needs to buy after the shower and before the baby arrives.
A Welcoming Shower can be thrown a few weeks after the baby is born
to accommodate special out-of-town relatives who come to see the baby
after the birth but cannot travel to the baby shower.
When to send out invites: 2-3 weeks is
commonly accepted. You can send them out earlier if guests include out
of towners.
How to invite guests: The
printed invitation is the preferred way invite guests to a baby shower.
Printed invitations should include the important details including the
party theme and specifically any items the guests are supposed to bring
for the mom.
Should men be invited? The exact answer
is that it depends on the theme of the shower. Men will probably not
be too excited to partake in your typical baby shower activities such
as eating neat foods and playing "cute" games. If you plan
carefully, a shower can be a fun party for both mom and dad-to-be if
you make sure the traditional shower events are toned down to include
men. Just be sure to have a TV set in a separate room with the football
games on as a backup.
Baptism
and Christening Invitation Etiquette:
A christening or baptism are religious services in which a child is
introduced to the Church. These special occasions include family and
close friends and typically have a broad range of ages attending.
Who to invite: Invitations to baptisms
or christenings should only be extended to those with close relationships
or friendships with the parents.
When to send out invites: About a month
beforehand to ensure that guests have ample time to ensure their attendance.
Enclosures: Guests may travel a long distance
to attend a christening, so information for out of towners should be
included. You may want can include a list of local hotels, parking directions,
and details of the nearest public transportation.
Children's
Birthday Party Invitation Etiquette:
Who to invite: You and your child
should put together the guest list. You do not need to invite everyone
in your child's class. However, you and your child should be careful
about your party, especially to the children who do not get invited.
When to send: Two to three weeks is enough
time for an informal birthday party for a child.
Delivering invitations: Mail
or hand-deliver the invitations. Never allow your child to distribute
them in class to avoid hurting feelings.
What about parents: You
can encourage your child's friend's parents to attend a party for your
child. It is acceptable to specifically encourage parents to attend
on the invitation. For example, you could add, "Parents are welcome
to stay and enjoy the party." Just make sure to offer them coffee
and food for volunteering to help baby sit!
Gift Etiquette: If
you don't want guests to feel obligated to bring gifts, it is perfectly
acceptable to specify "no gifts" on the invitation. This is
especially true for first birthday parties, where the child is too young
to care and will probably fall asleep anyways!
