Who doesn’t love hosting and throwing a fabulous party?! Whether it is for someone’s birthday, to celebrate a special moment, or a causal fun evening with friends and cocktails; simply spending time with the ones we love is always an enjoyable event! But before you can actually blow out the candles, or pop that bottle of champagne, you need to send out your party invites. But how do you write a party invitation that guests will appreciate?
Not only am I a mother and a writer, but I happen to also be a professional event coordinator. I have learned over the years, through both personal and professional experiences, that invites are actually extremely important!
This article is written by Karissa Tunis
For more on this topic, check out the full Party Planning collection
Why Are Party Invites So Important?
Yes there purpose is to invite someone to an event, but they are also supposed to share the details that your guests need to know. These key details are what prepares your guests, and allows them to show up as expected. Without the right details, you run the risk of your guests either:
A. Calling/texting you with a bunch of questions.
OR
B. Messing up your party, and feeling super embarrassed!
How to Write A Party Invitation That Guests Will Appreciate
Here is how to write a party invitation that guests will appreciate, and the key points that deserve being mentioned on invites:
Date & Time
Date – I know this seems like a no brainer, but you would be surprised how many mistakes I have seen with this! Make sure you are looking at the right calendar year, and always double check your date!
Time – A start time should always be listed on an invite. While we can’t prevent guests from showing up late, it will hopefully at least prevent them from showing up before you are really ready. Consider also listing an end time, especially if there is a time limit. Maybe you rented a party room for just two or three hours – let your guests know. That way if someone can’t make it until late, they won’t show up as the party is shutting down – that would be a bummer!
Location
Even if it is just at your house – include the address so you don’t leave guests wondering! And, if they are traveling from an unfamiliar location, GPS will help them find you.
RSVP
Don’t forget to list the name, contact info, and date you need to know by. People tend to respond better to deadlines – so give them a date! Otherwise, you might never hear back.
Theme/Dress Code
Depending where your party is, or who it is for, certain dress requirements or suggestions might be best. Maybe grandma wants everyone in her favorite color yellow. Perhaps you plan to snap a group picture, so color coordination would be perfect! Or if you are hosting a themed party, encourage guests to dress the part – now they are providing extra decor at no added cost to you – win!
Instructions
Sometimes this might not be applicable. But if gifts will be involved, add a registry, or “in lieu of gifts bring flowers” kind of a thing. If this is a surprise party, tell your guests to keep it a secret. And to go along with a surprise, you might want to have guests arrive before 4:00, or wait until after 4:30 to walk in through the door so that they don’t ruin anything. These kind of instructions need to be made clear.
Catchy Name
This is not needed, and perhaps better for more experienced planners. But if you are feeling inspired, check out Pinterest for some great ideas – like an I DO BBQ 
Party Invitation Options
I appreciate tradition. But as a busy working mama, I also love convenience! So, how do I write a party invitation that guests will appreciate?
I turn to the internet…
Thankfully there are several websites out there that can help you create party invites that look beautiful, follow tradition, and yet are sent through modern technology. And the best part is that all of this can be done without hand cramps and without needing to lick a single envelope!
How I Create A Party Invitation That My Guests Always Appreciate
My favorite go to is Paperless Post. Not only do I love the cost savings (no stamps needed) and the time saving (no trips to the post office, or even the mailbox) aspects of using their services; but I also appreciate how it keeps the invites, responses, and notes all in one easy-to-find, and easy-to-use, spot!
You just simply create an account, choose an invite theme, design a cute invite that pops out of a pretty envelope, and hit send to all of your guests. Once the party invitations arrive in your friend’s email; you will be able to track who has read their invite, who responds, and you can update your guest list with messages and instructions as needed. It’s all very simple, very organized, and really fun to use.
Now go plan your next fabulous party like a pro!
Additional Party Resources You Will Love
Party Planning Tips & Reminders That Every Hostess Should Know – Take the stress out of planning your next event by following these helpful tips from an expert event planner! And find out what her secret is to ending every party with a special thanks!
How To Throw a Party that Kids AND Adults Enjoy – Creating a party that is fun for adults and kids is not the easiest thing, but over the years we have compiled a bunch of tips that can help make your party a success!
How Much To Serve At A Party – Check out this helpful food and beverage estimator to figure out how much food and drinks you should be serving at your next party!
For more on this topic, check out the full Party Planning collection
Co-Owner: Karissa Tunis
Karissa Tunis is the co-owner of both the parenting website Adore Them and the family event company Milestone Family Expos. Through these ventures she is able to share inspiring, heartfelt insight with large audiences within local communities and across the country! Her knack for all-things-organization allows her to balance content creation, brand partnerships, and event planning without losing sight of what she wants for her own family. Despite her busy schedule, Karissa also makes it a priority to spend quality time with her husband and three children. You will often find her volunteering at her children’s schools, cheering them on from the soccer sidelines, or enjoying the great sites of Charleston, SC with her family.
Contact: Karissa@AdoreThem.com
