1. Invitations Invitations are essentially advertisements for your event.
Invitations set the tone for your party.
Make sure the style (writing and paper) of your invitation indicates whether your event is formal or informal.

2. Writing an Invitation
State the occasion, date, time, and place. Include addresses and a map if necessary.
Make sure you send your invitations out with ample advance notice.
Express that you are looking forward to seeing the person.

3. Invitation Mechanics
Do not use abbreviations and do not use contractions (don't; we'll) except for name titles, such as Mr., Mrs., etc.
For formal invitations, spell out the date and time of the event:
six o'clock on the sixth of June (formal)‏
6:00 on June 6th (informal)‏

4. The Lower Part R.s.v.p. Mention if refreshments will be served.
List any charges that may apply.
Dress code
If you do not want gifts, briefly state that gifts are not wanted or needed. Explain that their presence is the only gift you need.

5. R.s.v.p.
R.s.v.p. means "please reply." This is used in order to know who is able or unable to attend and how many guests to prepare for.
Responses can be handled through many methods :
phone
"fill-in" response card via mail
handwritten response on personal stationery
*If you need a mail in response, include a self-addressed, stamped reply card or envelope with your invitation.

6. R.s.v.p. Methods
Phone: R.s.v.p. by May 15th (or Please respond by) to Mary George at R.s.v.p by May 15th to A fill-in response card: The favour of a reply is requested by the fifth of May
M_________________________________ _______ accepts (or will attend) _______ regrets (or will not attend)

7. Formal Invitation Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Rasool
cordially invite you to a reception
celebrating the engagement of
Mary Jane Rasool and Robert Yates
to be held Sunday, the sixth of June
at six o'clock
Pierre's Cafe
800 23rd Street NW
Washington, DC
RSVP Semi-Formal Dress
(202)

8. Events Held in Honor of Another Person
Formal Invitation:
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at a 60th birthday dinner in honor of Mary Jones Saturday, the fifth of May six o´clock in the evening 555 North Elm Street Lumberton, North Carolina R.s.v.p. by April 23rd
Casual Invitation: Please join us for a 60th birthday dinner in honor of Mary Jones Saturday, May 5th at 6: North Elm Street Sarah and John Smith Regrets only

9. We want to celebrate with you
We want to celebrate with you! Please join us for a Barbecue Friday, July 4th 6:00 - Dinner * 9:00 - Fireworks Grammercy Place The Blair Family
Fireworks and Family Fun! The Hamiltons Saturday, July 4th 4 p.m. until Old Stratford Mill Road Woodford Barbecue - Volleyball - Swimming - Fun for All R.s.v.p Patriotic Casual

10. The Republican National Committee requests the pleasure of your company for Dinner benefitting the campaign of President George W. Bush Saturday, September the fifth at seven o´clock Four Seasons Hotel Pennsylvania Avenue $5,000 per plate
The Fourth of July is most special when shared with family and friends. Please save the date of July 4th, for the Morgan Family Reunion Greenwich, Connecticut Lisa, Vanessa and Thom Morgan Invitation to follow

11. Personal Invitation
You are invited to Michael Carison's 10th birthday!
Date: Saturday June 12, 1999
Time: 11:30 am to 3:00 pm
Where: 345 Eastern Avenue
Lodi, Washington
Call Tonia at (307) to RSVP

12. Business Invitation Longman's Transportation Services
Cordially invites you to the
15th Annual Employees Appreciation Picnic.
The whole family is welcome!
12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 22, 1999
South Redding Creek Park
Redding, Maryland
Food, drink, games, and
entertainment will be provided.

13. Charity Event Invitations
You are cordially invited to attend the annual Gala of Stars and Cars featuring celebrities and their wheels Saturday, June 17, Dinner and Dancing at seven o´clock The Roof Terrace Peterson Automotive Museum Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles * Silent auction and live auction benefiting the Peterson Automotive Museum Foundation and children´s educational programs
The Board of Directors of the Back Bay Historic Preservation Guild Cordially invites you to a Dinner Dance to benefit the Streetlight Project Saturday, the fifth of May The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston 6:30 Cocktail Hour 7:30 Slide Presentation by Maya Longfellow, Urban Archeologist 8:30 Dinner and Dancing Commence Chestnut Hill Swing Band Black tie

14. Addressing an Invitation
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith Five Elm Street Lumberton, North Carolina 28358
Note that traditionally westerners will use first the title (Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss), than the first name of only the male (when addressing a married couple), and lastly the family name.