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Party Invitations - Etiquette
It really doesn't matter whether you are planning a child's birthday party, a friend's baby shower, baptism / christening, or a casual gathering of good friends and family, invitations set the tone and theme of your events and occasions. Talk For Tots want your party or occasion to come off without a hitch and a good start is etiquette; timelines and salutations to R.s.v.p's--you'll want to know the scoop before you begin your planning process! Below is some guidlines to make sure you are in the know. Enjoy!
Info You Need:
General Etiquette for Invitations
Who's on the Invitation List
The guest list for any event depends upon the theme, style and character of the occasion itself. A child's birthday party invitation list has a completely different guest list than a Baptism. Find a list of parties and events below for specifics because you will want just the right mix of guests to share in the joy of your special event.
Sending Invitations
Formal events and occasions warrant invitations be sent six to eight weeks prior to your event. For a more casual occasion, send invitations two to three weeks before the celebration giving guests adequate time to schedule and prepare for the festivities.
What to Include on the Invitation
Depending on the party or event, special celebrations can have variety of themes to choose from, such as a pool party or a Luau. Talk For Tots offers you a lengthly guide to sample verses and wording to ensure that you have just the right words composed when inviting guests to your event. SEE GUIDE HERE The typical invitation includes:
The Introduction / Description of Event / Occasion:
When composing your invitation, you will want to include a short phrase inviting your friends and family to the event.
- Examples:
- Her future is filled with ribbons & curls . . .
She is having twin baby girls!
You are invited to a baby shower for
- Jump on your train, put it in gear...
The party won't start until you are here!
Full Name of the Honoree:
After all, it's the reason for the event or occasion! Include the full name(s) of the person being honored, such as mommy-to-be or the birthday girl.
Event Date & Time
You'll want the day and date of the shower or party, followed by the time. On time frames, it is perfectly acceptable to include an end time on an invitation. If time is an issue for your event, you should include the time the party closes so guests know to make travel arrangements for children pick up times.
If your event is a formal affair, avoid using any abbreviations in your invitation.
- Examples:
- Informal /Casual: Friday, April 23, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
- Formal Affair: Friday, the twenty-third of April at seven o'clock in the evening.
Event / Occasion Venue & Location:
If the event venue has a name (e.g. Riverside Hotel), you'll want to include this on the invitation along with the address. In either case, the address should only include the street and city names for local guests. When inviting guests from out-of-town, include the name of the state. Zip codes are not necessary and should be omitted. Additionally, maps or driving directions will ensure that your guests arrive without incident.
- Additional Information:
Also within this section, indicate appropriate attire for your event whether it be costumes for costume parties, dinner jacket, black tie affair for formal dinners especially if you think there may be any ambiguity. Maybe your party requires additional instruction like whether or not guests should bring their own towels to a pool party, or maybe a sleeping bagand pillow for a slumber party even what to bring to a potluck--this information should go in this section as well if room permits. It is acceptable to include a separate "checklist" of sorts for guests to keep it all straight!
Hostess and RSVP:
It is common place to use the abbreviation of the French request, "réspondez s'il vous plait"; a request for guests to indicate whether or not they will be attending the event. Include an RSVP deadline date, your name and a phone number or email address.
- Examples:
- Please RSVP by June 21, 2010
Michele Shepherd (208) 455-6789 or michele@msn.com
- Kindly reply to Michele
by June 21, 2010
(208) 455-6789 or michele@msn.com
- RSVP at your convenience
Michele Shepherd (208) 455-6789
- Regrets only
(this phrase is used when you want guests to RSVP if they are NOT attending)
- On Reply Cards
For your informal occasions like birthday parties, guests can simply RSVP via phone or email. For the more formal events, such as weddings, baptisms or baby dedications, to encourage guests to respond quicker, send a reply card and self-addressed, stamped envelope with the invitation.
- Example:
_________________ will _____attend. The favor of a reply is requested before April 23, 2010.
Baby Shower Invitations - Etiquette
Who's on the Invitation List
Comprise your invitation list of mommy-to-be's closest friends and dearest family. Once you have compiled the list of guests, ask the Honoree to finalize the guest list, ensuring that no one is accidentally over looked. If this is mommy-to-be's second baby shower, you can invite her closest friends or those who haven't yet attended a baby shower for her.
When to Have the Baby Shower
Host the baby shower at least a monthbefore the baby's due date, if not two months. This allowsample time for the expectant mother to register for needed shower gifts before baby arrives. Alternatively, a "Welcoming Baby Home Shower" can be given a few weeks after the baby arrives. This nicely accommodates special out-of-town friends and relatives who may have been unable to attend prior baby showers.
Sending Baby Shower Invitations
Etiquette dictates sending baby shower invitations two to three weeks prior to the shower. When sending baby shower invitations to guests that live out of town, send their invitations about a month in advance. This will ensure that baby shower invites arrive in time for guests to plan their schedules.
What to Include on the Invitation
Invite guests to a baby shower with Talk For Tots' custom printed invitations that include important details, such as date and time, locale, the party theme and attire, respond date and any other items the guests should know including what gift to bring for mommy-to-be!
Children's Birthday Party Invitation Etiquette
Who's on the Invitation List
You will want to give your child a memorable birthday party...good friends, food / cake, games...everything YOU like at a great party! The company of good friends is, of course, the most important thing so if kidos are old enough, have them help you compile their guest list. Encouraging parents to stay during the party will often lend you an extra helping hand when serving cake and ice cream of when opening gifts. You indicate that parents are welcome to stay during the party on your invitations.
- Example:
- "Parents welcome to enjoy the party with us"
What a kind gesture to make sure you have refreshments on hand to serve adult guests ;)
Sending Birthday Party Invitations
Send birthday party invitations two to three weeks prior to child's birthday party. If you are hosting the child's birthday party at a more formal venue such as a restaurant, you'll want to send party invitations at least 5 weeks in advance and then ask guests for an RSVP. Simply mail invitations or it is acceptable to hand deliver the invitations. If you choose to hand deliver, have the child deliver the party invitation.
On Birthday Gifts
It is acceptable to state on your party invites "no gifts, please" if you do not want this to be an issue.
On Thank You Notes
It is a good idea to have a friend or family member take notes at the child's birthday party on who gave what gift. You can read more about encouraging children to write thank you notes HERE.
Baptism, Christening & Baby Dedication Invitations Etiquette
Baby Dedications, Christenings and Baptisms are formal religious ceremonies that parents partake of in relation to their commitment to raising their children in the faith. Guest list includes close freinds varying from office colleagues to church body / congregation members to relatives. These occasions are more formal in nature.
Who's on the Invitation List
Invitations to Baby Dedications, Christenings and Baptisms should only include those with close ties, i.e. relationships or friendships with parents and in some cases, grandparents of the baby.
Sending Baby Dedication / Baptism / Christening Invitations
Send invitations 5 - 6 weeks prior to the event providing guests plenty of time to plan to attend. You might consider and RSVP line if a dinner or luncheon is hosted prior or after the event.
- Notes On Enclosures
It is not uncommon for friends and relatives on the guest list to travel longer distances to attend your child's dedication, baptism or christening. Accommodations are a necessity so including a list of local hotels, directions to the event, transportation options, even restaurant options and other miscellaneous information with the invitations is helpful. Indicate "enclosures" directly on the invitation so that they are not missed or lost and guests will look for this helpful information within the invitation envelope.
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