Apollo's Templates
Party invitations · wording

Party Invitation Wording

89 short lines for the back of the card, 13 short verses and 13 ready-to-send texts, emails and letters, sorted by kind of party: casual, dinner, cocktails, dress codes, adults only, BYOB and potluck, pool and BBQ, theme parties, funny, block parties and text invitations. Every short line can go straight onto one of the free invitation designs: pick it here and the maker opens with it on the back.

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Wording by kind of party

Casual & just becauseDinner partyCocktail party & drinksDress codesAdults onlyBYOB, potluck & what to bringPool, BBQ & backyardTheme & costume partiesFunnyBlock party & neighborsText & online invitations

A party invitation does two jobs. The front says what kind of party it is and who is hosting; the back carries the date, the place, the RSVP and one practical sentence. That sentence is where most of the lines below belong: what to bring, the dress code, adults only, a rain plan, or how far to take the costume. For timing, guest lists and how to decline, see the party invitation etiquette guide.

9 lines · 2 verses

Casual & just because wording

Party invitation wording for a get-together with no occasion at all: a few friendly lines that say come over, stay a while, and that's the whole reason.

  • Come as you are · stay as long as you likeUse it
  • No occasion. Just good people.Use it
  • Snacks, music and good companyUse it
  • Drop by anytime after sevenUse it
  • Bring a friend · we have plenty of foodUse it
  • Because it has been too longUse it
  • Kids and dogs welcomeUse it
  • Open house · come and go as you pleaseUse it
  • We'll have the porch lights onUse it

No reason needed

No birthday, no holiday,no reason at all,just friends and good food:come over, y'all.

Too long

It's been too longsince we all sat down,so pull up a chairand stay a while in town.
8 lines · 2 verses

Dinner party wording

Dinner party invitation wording, from a relaxed supper with friends to a long table and several courses. The line on the back usually says when dinner is served and what, if anything, to bring.

  • Drinks at seven · dinner at eightUse it
  • Three courses and one long tableUse it
  • Family style · come hungryUse it
  • Bring a bottle if you likeUse it
  • Please share any dietary needsUse it
  • Dinner by candlelightUse it
  • Dessert and coffee to followUse it
  • Seating is limited · please reply soonUse it

A seat at the table

The table is long,the candles are lit,there's a seat with your nameand a glass next to it.

Dinner with friends

Good food tastes betterwith good friends around:join us for dinnerand stay till the plates are down.
8 lines · 2 verses

Cocktail party & drinks wording

Cocktail party invitation wording for an evening of drinks and small plates: the hour, the attire and the promise of something good in a glass.

  • Cocktails and small plates from sevenUse it
  • Signature drinks all nightUse it
  • Shaken, stirred or sparkling waterUse it
  • Heavy hors d'oeuvres servedUse it
  • Wine, cheese and good conversationUse it
  • Champagne at eight · dancing at nineUse it
  • Mocktails for anyone who'd like oneUse it
  • Bring your best toastUse it

Shaken or stirred

Shaken or stirred,sparkling or neat,come raise a glassand take a seat.

An evening in

Small plates, tall glassesand the lights turned low:an evening of good conversationwith everyone we know.
9 lines · 0 verses

Dress codes wording

Dress code wording for party invitations: black tie, cocktail attire, all white, black and white, garden attire and come as you are. Put the dress code on the back, or in the badge on the front when the whole party depends on it.

7 lines · 0 verses

Adults only wording

How to say adults only on a party invitation without sounding unwelcoming. Name the guests on the envelope, then let one gentle line on the back make it clear.

9 lines · 1 verses

BYOB, potluck & what to bring wording

Party invitation wording for what guests should bring: a bottle, a dish to share, a lawn chair or a swimsuit. One clear line saves a dozen text messages.

Potluck

You bring a dish,we'll bring the plates;together we'll makea feast that's great.
9 lines · 2 verses

Pool, BBQ & backyard wording

Pool party and backyard BBQ invitation wording: swimsuits, sunscreen, lawn chairs, rain plans and when the grill gets going.

  • Bring a swimsuit and a towelUse it
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a towelUse it
  • Grill fires up at fourUse it
  • Burgers, dogs and lawn gamesUse it
  • Rain or shineUse it
  • If it rains, we move to the garageUse it
  • Lifeguard on duty · all ages welcomeUse it
  • S'mores provided · bring a warm layerUse it
  • Bring a blanket for the lawnUse it

Pool party

The water is warm,the sun is out,grab a towel and a friend:that's what summer's about.

Backyard BBQ

The grill is hot,the drinks are cold,the lawn games are out:come join the fold.
9 lines · 2 verses

Theme & costume parties wording

Wording for decade parties, casino nights, murder mysteries, masquerades and other theme parties, where the line on the back tells guests how far to take the costume.

  • Costumes encouragedUse it
  • Dress in your best 80sUse it
  • Flapper and dapper attire encouragedUse it
  • Masks provided at the doorUse it
  • Your character arrives on the enclosed cardUse it
  • Play money only · prizes for the top threeUse it
  • Boots and hats welcomeUse it
  • Theme optional · fun requiredUse it
  • Bell-bottoms and big collars encouragedUse it

Dress the part

Dust off the feathers,the pearls and the hat,the decade is callingand we're dressing for that.

A night of mystery

A candle, a key,a note left behind:come to dinner, play your part,and see what you find.
8 lines · 1 verses

Funny wording

Funny party invitation wording: light lines that make guests smile before they arrive, without making the invitation hard to read.

Because why not

We looked at the calendarand found nothing to celebrate,so we're throwing a party anyway:please don't be late.
7 lines · 1 verses

Block party & neighbors wording

Block party and meet-the-neighbors invitation wording, written for the whole street: where to set up, what to bring and that the kids are welcome.

  • Bring a chair, a dish and the kidsUse it
  • Street closed to cars from noonUse it
  • Name tags at the welcome tableUse it
  • New to the street? Come say helloUse it
  • Every house on the block is invitedUse it
  • Bring a dish · we'll bring the tablesUse it
  • Leashed dogs welcomeUse it

Meet the street

We wave from the drivewayand nod at the mail;let's finally meetand swap a few tales.
6 lines · 0 verses

Text & online invitations wording

Short party invitation lines that read well on a phone, for a card sent by text, WhatsApp or email instead of the mail.

  • Text back to RSVPUse it
  • Reply to this message by FridayUse it
  • Bring a friend · just let me knowUse it
  • Save the date · invite to followUse it
  • Thumbs up to RSVPUse it
  • Address and parking in the next textUse it
13 samples

Party invitation texts, emails and letters

For a text or WhatsApp invitation, an email, or a letter for the neighbors: copy one, replace the words in square brackets, and attach the card as a phone-sized PNG.

Email · Warm, casual

Party invitation email

Subject: You're invited: a party at our place on [Date]

Hi [Name],

We're having people over for no particular reason, and we'd love for you to come.

Date: [Date] Time: [Time] Place: [Place, Address]

There will be food, drinks and plenty of good company. The invitation is attached; just reply by [RSVP Date] so we know how much to make.

Hope to see you there, [Host Name]

Text message · Short, friendly

Party invitation text message

Hey! We're having a few people over on [Day], [Date] at [Time], at [Address]. Nothing fancy, just food, drinks and good people. Can you make it? Invitation attached. Let me know by [RSVP Date]!

Email · Warm, a little formal

Dinner party invitation email

Subject: Dinner at our home on [Date]

Dear [Name],

We would love to have you to dinner on [Day], [Date]. Drinks are at [Time], with dinner served at [Time].

Please let us know of any dietary needs, and reply by [RSVP Date] so we can set the table.

Warmly, [Host Names]

Email · Polished, friendly

Cocktail party invitation email

Subject: Cocktails on [Date]

Hi [Name],

Please join us for cocktails and small plates on [Date] from [Time] to [Time] at [Place, Address].

Cocktail attire. There will be signature drinks and something non-alcoholic for anyone who'd prefer it.

Kindly reply by [RSVP Date]. [Host Names]

Text message · Sunny, casual

Pool party text message

Pool party at our place on [Day], [Date], [Time] to [Time]! Bring a swimsuit, a towel and sunscreen; we'll have food and drinks. Kids are welcome (there will be an adult watching the pool at all times). Let us know by [RSVP Date]. Address: [Address].

Email · Relaxed

Backyard BBQ invitation email

Subject: BBQ at our place on [Date]

Hi [Name],

We're firing up the grill on [Date] at [Time] and would love for you to come by. We'll have burgers, hot dogs and veggie options; bring a side dish or a dessert if you like, and a lawn chair.

If it rains, we'll move into the garage. Reply by [RSVP Date] so we know how much to buy.

See you there, [Host Name]

Email · Gracious

Adults-only party invitation email

Subject: An evening for grown-ups on [Date]

Hi [Name],

We're hosting an adults-only evening on [Date] at [Time], at [Place, Address], and we'd love for you to join us.

We know finding a sitter takes planning, so we wanted to give you plenty of notice. Please reply by [RSVP Date].

Can't wait to catch up, [Host Names]

Email · Friendly, organized

Potluck party invitation email

Subject: Potluck on [Date]: what will you bring?

Hi everyone,

We're hosting a potluck on [Date] at [Time], at [Place, Address]. We'll provide the main dish, plates, cups and drinks.

Please bring one dish to share, and add it to the sign-up list here: [Link], so we don't end up with six potato salads.

Reply by [RSVP Date]. [Host Name]

Email · Playful

Theme party invitation email

Subject: [Theme] party on [Date]: dress the part!

Hi [Name],

You're invited to a [Theme] party on [Date] at [Time], at [Place, Address].

Costumes are encouraged but never required; come as dressed up (or not) as you like. There will be food, drinks and a prize for the best outfit.

Please reply by [RSVP Date]. [Host Name]

Letter · Neighborly

Block party letter for neighbors

Dear neighbors,

We're hosting a block party on [Date] from [Time] to [Time] on [Street], between [Cross Street] and [Cross Street]. The street will be closed to cars from [Time].

Please bring a chair, a dish to share and the kids. We'll provide tables, drinks and a few games.

Questions? Knock on [House Number] or call [Name] at [Phone]. Please let us know you're coming by [RSVP Date].

See you on the street, [Host Names]

Reminder · Friendly

Party reminder message

Subject: See you [Day]!

Hi [Name],

A quick reminder about the party this [Day] at [Time], at [Place, Address]. Parking is [Parking Note].

If your plans have changed, just reply and let us know. Can't wait to see you!

[Host Name]

Text message · Short, upbeat

Save-the-date text

Save the date! We're throwing a party on [Date] in [City]. Invitation with all the details to follow, but put it on the calendar now.

Text message · Gracious

Declining a party invitation (reply)

Thank you so much for the invitation! Unfortunately we can't make it on [Date], but we hope you have a wonderful time, and we'd love to see you soon.

Put it on a card
Party Invitation Maker
109 free designs in three colors each. Pick a wording for the back, download a PDF, PNG or Word file.
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Before you send
Party Invitation Etiquette
When to send, adults only, dress codes, BYOB, RSVPs and how to decline.
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Browse the designs
Party Invitations
Dinner and cocktails, pool and backyard, decades, theme nights and more: 109 in all.
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Frequently asked questions

What should a party invitation say?
Who is hosting, what kind of party, the date and start time, the full address, and how to RSVP and by when. Then one practical line: the dress code, what to bring, adults only, or where to park.
How do I say adults only on a party invitation?
Address the invitation only to the adults, then add one warm line on the back: "Adults only, please" or "An evening for grown-ups". The adults-only group below has more.
How do I put a dress code on an invitation?
In the badge on the front when the party depends on it (Dress in White, Cocktail Attire), or as the line on the back. Add "encouraged" to a costume theme so nobody feels they can't come without one.
What do I text for a party invitation?
The day, the time, the address and how to reply, with the card attached as a phone-sized PNG. The text messages below are ready to copy.
Updated October 2026