Masquerade Invitation Ideas

A masquerade invitation should be as daring, exciting and mysterious as the masquerade party itself. A well-designed invitation not only includes all the pertinent information about the party, but it sets the tone. You want your invitation to tempt your guests; the more exciting your invitation is, the more likely your guests will be to save the date.

Setting the Theme
Give a little thought to your invitations. You've gone to the trouble of creating a party around a theme; it is really important that your guests understand that they need to dress within the theme guidelines. Otherwise, you will have people come to your formal Shakespeare masquerade dressed as clowns and French maids.

Keep the wording simple and to the point:

You're invited to a Masquerade Ball.
Come as your favorite Shakespeare character.

Preparing the Invitations
Don't be afraid to have fun with masquerade invitations. If you are hosting a Kings and Queens party or a Victorian party consider having someone dressed as a footman hand-deliver the invitations. Regular mail or e-mail will also do. If you're sending by mail, use fancy paper and odd envelope shapes to help your invitation stand out. If you're using e-mail, try writing the invitation in language that reflects the party theme.

A cute idea for a masquerade invitation is to use plain white paper and cut out the shape of a mask. Decorate the front of the invitation with paint and glitter. Include all the pertinent party information on the back of the invitation.

For a Victorian party, cut out a fan shape and put all the party details on the front of the fan.

No matter how fanciful the invitation is, it needs to contain the essential information about your party. Clearly state the date, start time and RSVP information, as well as the theme and required dress. Be sure your guests know that costumes are required, so that you don't have guests in street clothes feeling out of place.