How to Write a Wording for a Formal Party Invitation
Formal party invitations are sometimes believed to be a thing of the past. Hardly anybody wants to go through with this formality of sending out formal party invitations anymore. If you are planning a party and are going through all the time and effort to create a unique and memorable party, you definitely should send out invitations. Many people love to receive invitations and be sure to send them out early enough because some people may need to block out time on their social calendar to attend your party.
Throwing a formal party starts with writing the invitation. It sets the tone for a party by giving guests an idea of what to expect and what is expected of them, should they attend. Writing your party invitation is easy once you know the steps. With any party, the invitation you send sets the mood of the event to be held. Even with a simple dinner party, you can pique your guests’ interest and hint at a great party to come by selecting an invitation that is both unique and informative.
Start with your guests. Begin by addressing them with a phrase like “The honor of your presence is requested.” Then writing a party invitation you could also be a little less formal and more modern by saying “Please join us.” Keep the formality of your event in mind. If you are inviting guests over for a catered affair with multiple courses, you can set the tone for this kind of formal evening when you select an invitation with a classic font printed or engraved on high quality paper. You should also include a printed and stamped reply card in your party invitation for your guests to return to you with their responses.
Explain the event. Guests need to know exactly what you’re inviting them to and what the purpose of the gathering is. This is the part of the party invitation where you acknowledge the guest of honor also. This section may go something like this: “a cocktail party in honor of David Gale’s retirement from HSBC after 30 years of service.”
Coordinate your party invitation stationery with a menu card for a dinner party that will be a complete work of art. You can find blank, ready-to-print stationery at your local paper store or online in multiple sizes from postcard to letterhead size. Pick an invitation that will reflect the theme of your party. For a dinner party planned around the display of recent photos from your tropical vacation, select a tropical-themed paper or party invitation text.
Give time and location. To make this part of the party invitation more formal, you may spell out the date, such as, “On the fifth day of September, two thousand seven, at eight o’clock in the evening.” Keep in mind the kind of postage required for your party invitations when making your selection. Some oversized or bulky papers will require additional postage and the timeliness of their arrival depends on whether or not you use the correct amount the first time around!
Request a response. Formal parties require more planning than casual get-togethers, so a response to the party invitation is crucial. Depending on the size of the event and the needs of your caterer, you may choose to ask guests to respond only if they won’t be attending. For detailed responses like the number of people and their dinner choice, you can include a response card.
Pick from a selection of fill-in-the-blank party invitations with preprinted designs from many stationery suppliers. You will need to fill in the required information by hand, including the date and time of the event and the place where it will be held. If you are inviting a large number of guests, this kind of party invitation is probably not your best choice.