Anniversary Invitation Wording

Putting together your anniversary invitation wording? What can seem like a quick and easy task can quickly become a nightmare. Knowing the etiquette for anniversary parties can be tricky. Just exactly how formal should an invitation for an anniversary party be? Is it a time to be funny or formal?

A good guide to planning your invitation wording is by thinking about the kind of anniversary party you are planning to have. Is it a casual affair with a few friends? Perhaps you are planning a more formal affair with a large number of guests?

An invitation can set the tone for a party. It gives guests an impression of what to expect and how they should dress.

You anniversary party invitations should have all the necessary information guests need. For example, if you are having an anniversary party for your parents you may like to include this in the invitation. Of course, you'll need to state the location, time and date. It's also important to mention whether a meal or snacks will be served, a dress code and perhaps an indication if gifts are or are not expected.

Formal anniversary invitation wording

If you are planning a formal wedding anniversary party make sure that your guests are aware of this. Keep the design of your invitations crisp and clear, it may pay to have them professionally printed. They should be sent by post, not just email.

This is definitely not the place for a funny photo or joke.

It is important to mention dress code for a formal anniversary party, you may like to say 'dinner suit/evening dress', 'black tie' or simple just 'formal dress'.

A simple way to word your formal wedding anniversary invitation could be;

This could be followed by the time, date, location and dress code. If you are hosting a party for your parents, you should mention this in the invite.

'Together with their families, Sally and Richard invite you to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of their parents, Bobbie and Jane Smith. Please join us for a night of dinner and dancing.'

Feel free to play around with your wording to get the right balance for your own personalities. You may like something more sentimental, fun or colourful.

'Bob and Jane Smith have shared 25 years of life, laughter and happiness. Together with their families they invite you to celebrate their love at their anniversary party.'

Informal anniversary invitation wording

If you are planning a more casual party then you can have a little bit more fun with your invitations. You can get away with using bright colours and designs. It's also acceptable to send your invites by email, or even Facebook. A casual party means that you can get away with using humour. Maybe it's time to get out the photo of you both with 80's perms and stonewash jeans.

Of course, you still need to make room for all the important information. Make sure the time, date and location of the party is easy to read. For a dress code you may like to write 'smart casual' or something similar.

An informal anniversary party means that you have plenty of room to play around with your anniversary invitation wording. If you like you can still use the formal wording like in the examples above, otherwise you can be as fun and frivolous as you like.

'Twenty five years together means its time to celebrate! Please join Bob and Jane Smith for their 25th wedding anniversary. A night of great company, rocking music and plenty of champagne awaits.'

While it's against all invitation etiquette, you could always simply write your anniversary invitation wording out in the first person.

'Fifteen years ago we made our wedding vows. Since then we've shared tears, laughter, had three beautiful children and loved every minute of our lives together. Please come and help us celebrate!'

Making your invitations special

A lovely way to make your anniversary invitation wording more meaningful is to include something that is special to your and your partner. Perhaps you could even slightly reword the wording form your original invitations or your original wedding vows. There could also be a poem, quote or a song lyric that is sentimental to the both of you.

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