Art of an Invitation:
There is just something special about receiving an invitation. Growing up, children get so excited when they get invitations to birthday parties in their cubbies or left on their desks. Just because we get older doesn’t mean the excitement goes away. Whether it is a birthday, a wedding, a grand opening, a formal dinner, it is a wonderful feeling to be invited to someone’s special occasion/celebration. An invitation is a “stage setter” for any event. If the event is extravagant, the invitation should be extravagant, heck over the edge extravagant. If the event is formal, casual, or something in between, the invitation should always match the occasion.
Key information for the invitation
You know an invitation is flawless when you read it and have zero questions when done. The wording on the invite gives all the information required about the occasion/celebration. Regardless of the type of invitation, they should all follow etiquette and provide some of the most basic information. WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, RSVP INFORMATION, ATTIRE.
While format will vary greatly among different types of invitations, verbiage used is often very similar. There is no limit to the words you can use on an invitation, but it should always be specific to avoid answering questions about the event after they have received the invite. Below are some common phrases, tips, and considerations to assist in writing invitations:
Ø “You and one guest are cordially invited to attend a reception......”
Ø “Mr. John Doe, Chief Executive Officer, requests the pleasure of your company at….”
Ø “requests the honor of your presence at a memorial service in honor of…”
Ø “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the honor of your presence….”
Ø “… at the marriage of”; “at a formal dinner in honor of”; “at a ceremony in honor of”; “to the christening of their son”
Ø Always spell out the date, time, and do not use acronyms if they can be avoided.
Ø Always have cultural awareness of the honoree and your invited guests (for example, if having a reception during lent or knowing what to serve at a Bar Mitzvah).
Ø Always include an RSVP Date and Contact.
Ø Make sure the invitation reflects the type of event. Formal = Formal; Casual = Casual.
Ø Be specific to eliminate confusion.
Ø Know and accept ahead of time, you can’t please everyone.
Ø If you have not received an invitation, it is not ok to request one.
These are mere wave tops of all things “invitation”. There are invitations to so many different occasions all of which can have a different tone or social setting. Doing research on culture, attendance, and knowing expectations of hosts or the honoree are all ways to set yourself up for success.
