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Party Invitations: Complete Guide, Costs and Checklist
Quick answer: Invitations need who, what, when, where, RSVP and a gift note, sent 3–4 weeks ahead. Thank-you cards should go out within two weeks of the event.
What to know before you buy party invitations
This party invitations guide answers the questions we are asked most at Jofete: how much to buy, which material to choose and what a complete set should contain. Every section answers one question in full, so you can read it top to bottom or jump straight to the part you need.
On this page
- What should a child’s birthday invitation say
- Do you need save-the-dates as well as invitations
- How do you word 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th or 50th milestone birthday invitations
- What should a party invitation include
- What wording should a party invitation use
- What size and envelope should an invitation be
- What RSVP deadline should you put on a party invitation
- When does a party need place cards or table numbers
- What should a party thank you note say
- When should you send thank you cards
What should a child’s birthday invitation say?
A child’s invitation needs the child’s name and age, date, start and finish times, address, RSVP contact and whether parents should stay. Adding a drop-off and pick-up time is the single detail parents most often have to chase.
Full guide: What should a child’s birthday invitation say — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
Do you need save-the-dates as well as invitations?
Only for weddings and events more than four months out. A save-the-date holds the date with no detail; the invitation carries the venue, times and RSVP. For a birthday, one invitation three to four weeks ahead replaces both.
| Event | Send save-the-date | Send invitation |
|---|---|---|
| Birthday | not needed | 3–4 weeks ahead |
| Baby shower | not needed | 4–6 weeks ahead |
| Wedding | 6–12 months ahead | 6–8 weeks ahead |
| Large milestone | 8 weeks ahead | 6 weeks ahead |
Full guide: Do you need save-the-dates as well as invitations — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
How do you word 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th or 50th milestone birthday invitations?
State the milestone age, hosting style (dinner, cocktails or open house), dress code, and whether the party is a surprise in the first three lines. Adult guests plan transport and babysitters around the format, so clarity beats clever rhymes.
Full guide: How do you word 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th or 50th milestone birthday invitations — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
What should a party invitation include?
Every invitation needs who, what, when, where, RSVP and a dress or gift note. Add the theme so guests can dress to it, and set an RSVP date at least five days before the party so you can finalise numbers.
Full guide: What should a party invitation include — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
What wording should a party invitation use?
Keep it to a host line, an event line, a details block and an RSVP line. Write ‘Join us for’ instead of ‘You are cordially invited’ unless the event is formal, and give the RSVP deadline its own sentence so it is not skimmed past.
Full guide: What wording should a party invitation use — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
What size and envelope should an invitation be?
The practical default is A6 (105 × 148 mm) for a C6 envelope, or 5 × 7 inch when the card carries a photo. Anything larger needs a bespoke envelope, costs more to post and is harder to pin to a fridge.
Full guide: What size and envelope should an invitation be — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
What RSVP deadline should you put on a party invitation?
Set the RSVP deadline 7 to 10 days before a home birthday party and 14 to 21 days before a catered or venue event. That leaves two days to chase silent guests and five days to confirm final cake, food and favor bag counts.
Full guide: What RSVP deadline should you put on a party invitation — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
When does a party need place cards or table numbers?
Use place cards whenever more than 12 guests sit for a plated meal or when dietary requirements vary, and add table numbers once you pass three tables. For casual buffets, food-label tent cards on the buffet line matter far more than assigned seats.
Full guide: When does a party need place cards or table numbers — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
What should a party thank you note say?
Name the gift, say how it will be used and close with a personal line. Three sentences is enough: ‘Thank you for the serving dish — we used it for the cake and it will be out every birthday. It was lovely to see you on Saturday.’
Full guide: What should a party thank you note say — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
When should you send thank you cards?
Send thank-you cards within two weeks of the event. Mention the specific gift or help, keep it to three or four sentences, and hand-write the name even when the message is printed. Late is far better than never, but after a month the note reads as an afterthought.
Full guide: When should you send thank you cards — step-by-step method, quantities and mistakes to avoid.
Where to go next
Use the links below for the exact format, quantity or theme you are planning. Each page answers a single question in full, so you can jump straight to the detail you need.
