Birthday party invitation wording

Birthdays: they always come round so quickly.

Before you know it, another year has gone by and it’s time to get that party planned. Whether the whole of your daughter’s reception class will be invading your living room, or you’re seeing out your twenties in style at a rooftop bar, you’ll need to get the word out to friends and family.

That means birthday party invitations. But what to write? Thankfully, we’ve put together a few tips, so you can spend less time writing and more time baking that ambitious Disney cake. Here’s our guide to birthday party invitation wording.

How to write a birthday invitation

When you break it down, working out your birthday invitation text is nice and simple. Think about the information the recipient needs to know: the ‘who, what, when and where’ (plus any extra details, and the all-important RSVP).

Who?

Let’s start at the beginning – whose birthday is it? If it’s yours, make that clear by including your name. Or, if you’re throwing a party for someone else, mention their name and explain that you’re the host by asking people to RSVP to you (more on that below).

What?

It might sound obvious, but tell your guests what you’re inviting them to: a birthday party. If it’s a low-key affair that needs no more explanation, you can leave it at that. But if there are more details about the nature of your party that guests need to know – a theme, say, or what type of party it is (drinks in the pub, a barbecue, a costume party) – include a short explanation here.

When?

Perhaps the most important part of your birthday party invitation wording is the date, so don’t forget it! Make sure it’s clearly stated, along with the time you’d like your guests to arrive. You can include an end time too, if you have somewhere booked (or want to give yourself time for the big clean-up after everyone’s left).

Where?

Another essential part of your birthday invitation wording is the details of your venue. Make sure there’s enough information for people to find their way there – no one wants to spend the first hour of their party replying to a glut of messages about postcodes and street numbers.

Extra details

Is there anything else you want your guests to know? For example, you might ask them to bring drinks or food, or tell them about the dress code. Or, you may need everyone to know that it’s a surprise party – you wouldn’t want someone spoiling the big reveal.

RSVP

Finally, ask your invitees to let you know whether they can attend or not. Include your contact details and, if you want, a date by which they should respond.

The anatomy of a birthday invitation

Birthday invitation wording for adults

Birthday parties come in different shapes and sizes, so it’s a good idea to think about what type of bash you’re throwing before you write your birthday invitation text. Will it be a grand, formal occasion, or a couple of pints at your local? Is there a special milestone being celebrated? Whatever it is, try to strike the right tone in your invitation. Here are a few examples:

Birthday invitation wording for kids

We know that planning a children’s party can often be akin to a military operation, so here are some examples of birthday invitation wording for kids to help make one of your tasks that little bit easier:

Themed birthday party wording

Whether you’re an actual kid or just a big kid, themed parties are often the best ones. You’ll need to make sure your guests know what to expect though, so include all the important details in your birthday invitation text – and why not be a little creative, too?

Themed invitation examples for kids

Themed invitation examples for adults