Black Tie Engagement Party Invitations

Three formal engagement invitations for an evening that calls for a dress code: Bow Tie, a fine-line tuxedo front and bow tie under the label Black Tie; Candlelit Dinner, a long table under a three-arm candelabra headed Engagement Dinner, In Honor Of; and Formal Card, a card within a card in a deep engraved border, worded the traditional way: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lin request the pleasure of your company at a dinner celebrating the engagement of Margaret Lin and Edward Shaw. Formal Card's back reads Black tie requested. Bow Tie opens in Black & Gold, Candlelit Dinner in Ivory & Gold and Formal Card in Navy & Silver.

3 designs

Pick one and customize it

Hosting tip

If the dress code is black tie, say so on the card and nowhere vaguer. Black tie means tuxedos and floor-length or formal cocktail dresses; if you'd be happy with dark suits, write Black tie optional instead. Guests plan outfits around that one line, so it belongs on the front, as on Bow Tie, or as the back note, as on Formal Card.

How it works

Details, wording, colors, download

Open any design above in the maker. Type the couple's names, the date and the place; on the monogram designs the initials are live text too. The back repeats the frame and sets the details in small capitals, with one line for the hosts, the dress code or what will be served. A smooth 110 lb ivory or cream card stock shows the fine lines best.

Pick one of the three palettes drawn for the design, then download a 5 x 7 PDF (front and back), a two-per-sheet letter PDF for home printing, print-shop PNGs with bleed, 4 x 6 PNGs for a photo counter, a phone-sized PNG to text or email, or a Word file. For more lines to put on the card, see the engagement party invitation wording ideas and the etiquette guide.

More Signature Collection

Other signature collection engagement invitations

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Stepped Frame — Jazz Age Deco engagement invitation

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3 designs · Stepped Frame, Chevron Sunburst, Deco Arch

Champagne Tower — Champagne Toast engagement invitation

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3 designs · Champagne Tower, Clinking Coupes, Bottle & Ribbon

Roses & Ranunculus — Engraved Garden engagement invitation

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3 designs · Roses & Ranunculus, Magnolia Branch, Anemones & Olive

Oversized Ampersand — Modern Editorial engagement invitation

Modern Editorial

3 designs · Oversized Ampersand, Editorial Photo, Fine-Line Arch

All elegant engagement invitations: the signature collection

Frequently asked questions

How do I word a formal engagement dinner invitation from the parents?

Formal Card is set up for it: the hosts' names at the top (Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lin), then request the pleasure of your company at a dinner celebrating the engagement of, then the couple's names joined by and. Replace the names and keep the order.

What's the difference between black tie and black tie optional?

Black tie asks for tuxedos and formal gowns or cocktail dresses. Black tie optional says a tuxedo is welcome but a dark suit is fine. Type whichever you mean in the back note.

Which design is for a dinner rather than a party?

Candlelit Dinner, headed Engagement Dinner with Dinner for family and dear friends on the back, and Formal Card, which names the dinner in its wording.

Updated October 2026