The structure every invitation follows
Read any well-made invitation and you will find the same skeleton. The tone changes the words on each line, never the order of the lines. Write yours line by line in this sequence before you think about design.
- Host — who is inviting: names, a family, a company.
- Request line — “invite you to”, “request the pleasure of your company at”, “would love you to join us for”.
- Occasion — what is being celebrated or held, in one line.
- Date and time — weekday, date, start time; an end time if guests need it.
- Place — venue name and full address.
- Details — dress code, children, parking, anything guests must know to arrive right.
- RSVP line — how to reply and by when.
Formal invitation wording
Formal wording is written in the third person, spells out dates and times in words for the most traditional events, and avoids abbreviations. It suits galas, official dinners, award evenings and traditional weddings. Keep it short: formality comes from restraint, not from adding more ceremonial phrases.
- “The Board of Trustees of the Harbour Museum requests the pleasure of your company at the Annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, the fourteenth of March, at seven o’clock. Black tie.”
- “Professor and Mrs Alan Hart request the pleasure of your company at dinner on Friday, 6 June, at 7.30 pm, at The Old Library, 12 College Lane, Oxford.”
- “You are cordially invited to the presentation of the 2026 Founders’ Award. Thursday, 9 October, 6.30 pm. Reception to follow.”
Corporate and business invitation wording
A business invitation should say in its first line why the guest would want to come: what they will see, learn or meet. The company is the host, but a named person signing it makes the invitation feel addressed rather than broadcast. Put practical details — registration time, badge, parking — after the essentials, not before.
- “Northwind Partners invites you to an evening reception to mark ten years in London. Wednesday, 22 April, from 6 pm, at the Garden Room, 40 Wharf Street.”
- “Join us for the launch of our new studio — a short talk from the design team at 6.30, then drinks and the first look at the space.”
- “On behalf of the leadership team, I would like to invite you to our annual partner breakfast on Tuesday, 3 February, 8.00 to 10.00 am.”
Casual invitation wording
Casual wording sounds like the host speaking. Use first names, contractions and one line of personality, but keep the facts as precise as on a formal card — a relaxed tone is not a reason for a vague time.
- “We’ve finally unpacked! Come and see the new place — drinks and something from the grill, Saturday 17 May from 4 pm, 8 Ash Grove.”
- “Summer’s nearly over, so let’s have one last long lunch in the garden. Sunday 31 August, from 1 pm. Bring nothing but yourselves.”
- “Pizza, board games and too much cake. Friday at 7 at ours — let us know if you can make it.”
Wedding invitation wording
Wedding invitations name the hosts first, and who is hosting decides the opening. Traditionally the bride’s parents hosted; today the couple often host together, or “together with their families”. Separate the ceremony and the reception if guests may be invited to only one, and say so clearly on the card they receive.
- “Together with their families, Sarah Collins and Daniel Reyes invite you to celebrate their marriage on Saturday, 12 September 2026, at three o’clock, St Mary’s Church, Bath. Reception to follow at Combe Hall.”
- “Mr and Mrs James Whitaker request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Emily to Thomas Grant.”
- “We’re getting married! Join us for the ceremony, dinner and dancing — Saturday 5 June, from 2 pm, Hollow Barn, Kent.”
Birthday invitation wording
A birthday invitation can say whose birthday it is, which number if the guest of honour is happy to have it known, and whether it is a surprise. For a surprise party, the most important line is the one telling guests to keep the secret and when to arrive before the guest of honour does.
- “Join us to celebrate Mark’s 40th — dinner, music and a few speeches he doesn’t know about yet. Saturday 8 November, 7.30 pm, The Brasserie, High Street.”
- “Shh — it’s a surprise! Please arrive by 7.15 pm; Anna arrives at 7.30.”
- “Leo is turning 6! Come for games, cake and a treasure hunt, Sunday 15 March, 2 to 4 pm. Parents welcome to stay.”
RSVP wording and the last lines
The RSVP line should contain a date and a way to reply, nothing more. Put the date about a week before you need final numbers. If you ask about meals, plus-ones or allergies, say that the reply will ask, so guests are not surprised by a form. Gifts are traditionally not mentioned on the invitation itself; if you have a wish, put it on the event page or in a separate note.
- “Kindly reply by 15 August.”
- “Please let us know by Friday 1 May whether you can join us — the reply link takes a minute and asks about meals.”
- “Regrets only, by 10 October.” (Use it only for informal events where a guess at numbers is acceptable.)
- “We love your little ones, but this celebration is for adults only.”
- “Dress code: cocktail.” — or say what you mean: “Smart, but leave the tie at home.”