The Rules of Event Invitation Etiquette
Much of today’s event invitation etiquette comes from the elegant Victorian times when embossed invitations to social events were double-enveloped, padded with tissue, spritzed with perfume and hand-delivered by servants. While remnants of this ultra-formal style are still observed for fancy parties such as weddings or black-tie events, everyday etiquette has evolved with the times. However, certain rules still apply when extending invitations to a party.
Invitation Style
A well-chosen invitation lets the recipient know the details of the event, as well as the atmosphere and style of the celebration. A backyard barbecue invitation will be different from a baby shower invitation or a graduation party, both in design and in information you include. You can find invitation templates for nearly any occasion. Spend some time in choosing the style of invitation so that you’ll be satisfying one of the most important rules of invitation etiquette, which is letting guests know the style and expectations for your party.
What to Include
There’s more to writing out an invitation than just the date and time. A good invitation should inform the guests of everything they need to know in order to attend the celebration, as well as what to expect:
- Name of the person hosting the event.
- What the invitation is for (for example, a baby shower or birthday party).
- Name of the guest of honor, if applicable (for example, the bride-to-be or the graduate).
- Both the day and the date of the party.
- The name and location where the event will be held. Generally, your home address will suffice, but, if the event is at a restaurant, gallery or other unfamiliar location, clearly provide the city and town.
- What time the event will begin.
- Any miscellaneous information that the guest should know, such as dress code, directions, parking tips or whether the party is a surprise. Don’t go into too much detail on the invitation, as you can inform guests of all they need to know when they RSVP.
- A phone number or other method to RSVP.
Note that formal invitations spell out the time, date and the year (six o’clock in the afternoon or Sunday, the tenth of March, two thousand and seven). However, you can use numerals and leave off the year for casual invitations.
Invitation Etiquette Articles, Videos & HowTos
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