Anniversary invitation wording for every milestone
Anniversary invitations often come from someone other than the couple: grown children planning a surprise, a friend hosting a dinner, or the couple inviting people to a vow renewal. The wording has to name the milestone, make clear who is hosting, and settle the gift question before a dozen relatives call to ask.
The examples below run from early anniversaries through a 50th and beyond, with casual, formal and surprise versions. Pick one close to your plans, fill in the bracketed details, and borrow from the RSVP and tricky-situation lines for secrecy, donations, old photos and guests who need step-free access.
42 examples · 7 styles · copy any line in one tap
First, fifth and tenth anniversaries
For earlier milestones, usually hosted by the couple and lighter in tone.
One year married, and we still like each other. Come celebrate with us. [Date], [Time] [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date] [Name] and [Name]
The first anniversary is traditionally the paper one, so consider this your paper invitation, minus the envelope. Cake, drinks and a replay of the wedding toasts. [Date], [Time], [Venue] Reply by [RSVP date]
A year ago you danced with us. We'd love a rematch. First anniversary party for [Name] and [Name]. [Date] at [Time] [Venue], [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date]
Five years, one mortgage, zero regrets. [Name] and [Name] are marking their fifth anniversary with dinner and dessert. [Date], [Time] [Venue] Please reply by [RSVP date]
Ten years ago we said our vows in front of many of you. This time there are no speeches, only a good dinner and people we love. [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address] Kindly RSVP by [RSVP date] Mei and Andre
We eloped, and some of you still haven't forgiven us. Let us make it up to you at our first anniversary party. [Date], from [Time] [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date]
25th silver anniversary
Twenty-five years calls for something a little bigger, whether the couple or their children host.
Twenty-five years [Name] and [Name] Please celebrate their silver anniversary with dinner and dancing. [Date] at [Time] [Venue] [Address] Replies by [RSVP date]
A quarter century ago we made a promise in a small chapel in [City]. We'd love to celebrate keeping it with the people who helped. [Date], [Time] [Venue] RSVP by [RSVP date] [Name] and [Name]
Their children invite you to celebrate twenty-five years of marriage for [Name] and [Name]. [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address] Kindly reply to [Host name] by [RSVP date]
In honor of the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of [Name] and [Name] the pleasure of your company is requested [Day], [Date] at [Time] [Venue] Please respond by [RSVP date]
Wear a little silver. We're toasting 25 years of [Name] and [Name] with cocktails and a slideshow of their wedding-album hairstyles. [Date], [Time] [Venue] RSVP by [RSVP date]
Stop in anytime between [Time] and [Time] to congratulate [Name] and [Name] on 25 years together. Coffee, cake and old photo albums on the table. [Date] [Address] A reply by [RSVP date] helps with the cake order.
50th golden anniversary and beyond
For 40th, 50th and 60th celebrations, often planned by the family with older guests in mind.
Fifty years of marriage [Name] and [Name] You are invited to a celebration of their golden anniversary [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address] RSVP to [Host name] by [RSVP date]
The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of [Name] and [Name] invite you to celebrate 50 years since the day it all began. [Date] at [Time] [Venue] Please reply by [RSVP date]
Half a century together deserves a room full of stories. Please come ready to share your favorite memory of [Name] and [Name]. [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address] Reply by [RSVP date]
On [Date], 50 years to the day, [Name] and [Name] return to [Venue], where they were married. We hope you'll be there too. Reception at [Time] [Address] Kindly respond by [RSVP date]
An afternoon celebration of [Name] and [Name]'s 50th anniversary, with tea, sandwiches and plenty of chairs. [Date], [Time] to [Time] [Venue] The hall is step-free, with parking at the door. RSVP by [RSVP date]
Sixty years married. We checked the math twice. Celebrate [Name] and [Name]'s diamond anniversary with the family. [Date], [Time] [Address] RSVP to [Phone or link] by [RSVP date]
Vow renewal
When there's a ceremony as well as a party, usually hosted by the couple.
[Name] and [Name] invite you to witness the renewal of their wedding vows [Date], [Time] [Venue] Reception to follow Kindly reply by [RSVP date]
We'd say it all again, and this time we'd like you there to hear it. Please come to our vow renewal and the party after. [Date], ceremony at [Time] [Venue], [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date]
Toes in the sand, same promises, twenty years on. A vow renewal at [Venue] at sunset. [Date], [Time] Summer casual; flat shoes recommended RSVP by [RSVP date]
After a year that tested us, we want to stand up and choose each other again, surrounded by the people who carried us through. [Date], [Time] [Address] Please reply by [RSVP date] [Name] and [Name]
With gratitude for [Number] years of marriage, [Name] and [Name] will renew their vows at [Venue], followed by lunch in the fellowship hall. [Date], [Time] Kindly RSVP by [RSVP date]
We married at city hall with two witnesses and a sandwich. This time we're doing it properly: vows, dinner and dancing. [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date]
Surprise party from the kids
For children or grandchildren planning in secret, with arrival times and cover stories spelled out.
It's a surprise. Help us celebrate [Number] years of Mom and Dad. Please arrive by [Time]; they arrive at [Time]. [Date], [Venue], [Address] RSVP to [Host name] at [Phone or link] by [RSVP date]
Mom thinks she's going to a quiet dinner for Dad's birthday. Instead, a room full of their favorite people will be waiting. Please help us pull it off. [Date], arrive by [Time] [Venue] Reply privately to [Phone or link] by [RSVP date]
From their kids and grandkids: a surprise party for [Name] and [Name], married [Number] years and still holding hands at the grocery store. [Date], [Time] [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date], and please keep it quiet.
Surprise anniversary party for [Name] and [Name]. We're making a memory book, so please bring a note or send one to [Phone or link] by [RSVP date]. [Date], guests arrive by [Time] [Venue]
Surprise 40th anniversary for Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Leon [Date] Park at [Venue] and walk over by [Time]. Lights off at [Time]; they walk in a few minutes later. RSVP to [Host name] by [RSVP date]
We're flying in from three states to surprise our parents on their anniversary, and we'd love you in the room when they see us. [Date], [Time] [Address] RSVP to [Phone or link] by [RSVP date], and please don't mention it to them.
Casual backyard celebration
For barbecues, potlucks and garden parties where the mood is relaxed and kids run around.
[Number] years and still arguing about how to light the grill. Backyard barbecue for [Name] and [Name]'s anniversary. [Date], from [Time] [Address] Bring a lawn chair. RSVP by [RSVP date]
No fuss, just friends. Bring a dish to share and help us mark [Number] years for [Name] and [Name]. [Date], [Time] [Address] Let us know by [RSVP date] what you're bringing.
Lemonade, string lights and the garden in full bloom. An anniversary party for [Name] and [Name]. [Date], [Time] to [Time] [Address] Replies by [RSVP date]
Bring the whole family. Burgers, a bounce house for the kids, and cake for the couple who started it all. [Date], [Time] [Address] RSVP with your headcount by [RSVP date]
We don't need a ballroom. We need our friends, a cooler and a long summer evening. Come celebrate our anniversary. [Date], [Time] [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date] [Name] and [Name]
Anniversary boil: shrimp, corn, potatoes and newspaper on the tables. Celebrating [Name] and [Name], married [Number] years. [Date], [Time] [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date]
Dinner for close family
For a small meal at home or a restaurant, where who pays may need a line of its own.
A small dinner to celebrate [Name] and [Name]'s [Number] years of marriage. [Date], [Time] [Venue], [Address] We've booked a table for [Number], so please reply by [RSVP date].
Sunday supper at the house, with Grandma's recipes, to toast [Number] years for [Name] and [Name]. [Date], [Time] [Address] Tell [Host name] by [RSVP date] if you can make it.
Dinner is our gift to Mom and Dad, and to all of you. Please just bring your appetite. [Date], [Time] [Venue] RSVP by [RSVP date]
We're taking Mom and Dad to [Venue] for their anniversary. Their meal is on the family; everyone else orders and pays their own. [Date], [Time] Reply by [RSVP date] so we can book.
The grandkids have prepared a toast, and we hear it is long. Anniversary dinner for [Name] and [Name]. [Date], [Time] [Address] Please let us know by [RSVP date].
The family of [Name] and [Name] requests your company at a dinner marking [Number] years of marriage [Date], [Time] [Venue] Kindly reply by [RSVP date]
Ways to ask for RSVPs
- Please reply by [RSVP date] so we can confirm numbers with the venue.
- Kindly RSVP to [Host name] at [Phone or link] by [RSVP date].
- This is a surprise, so please reply only to [Host name] by [RSVP date].
- Let us know by [RSVP date] how many are coming, including children.
- Please respond by [RSVP date] and mention if you need a seat near the entrance.
- RSVP by [RSVP date], and if you have a favorite photo of the couple, send it along with your reply.
- The favor of a reply is requested by [RSVP date].
- A yes or no by [RSVP date] helps us plan the dinner; we'll miss you if you can't come.
- Regrets only, please, to [Phone or link] by [RSVP date].
Short versions for a text or group chat
- Surprise party for Mom and Dad's [Number] years, [Date] at [Time]. Don't tell them. Details: [Phone or link]. Reply by [RSVP date].
- We made it to 25. Drinks and cake at our place [Date], [Time]. Can you come? [Phone or link]
- [Name] and [Name] turn 50 years married. Party [Date], [Time], [Venue]. RSVP by [RSVP date]: [Phone or link]
- Anniversary dinner for the family, [Date] at [Time], [Venue]. Let me know by [RSVP date] so I can book.
- Vow renewal on [Date] at [Time], party after. We'd love you there. Info and RSVP: [Phone or link]
- Backyard BBQ for our anniversary, [Date] from [Time]. Kids welcome, no gifts. [Address]
Wording for tricky situations
Please, no gifts. They have everything they need except an evening with all of you.
In place of gifts, [Name] and [Name] would be touched by a donation to [Charity].
This is a surprise, so please reply only to [Host name] and keep it off social media until after [Date].
This is an adults-only evening, so we hope you'll enjoy a night off.
The venue is step-free with parking near the entrance. If you'd like a ride, let [Host name] know when you reply.
The family is covering [Name] and [Name]'s dinner; guests are asked to order and pay for their own meals.
Have an old photo of the couple? Please send a copy to [Phone or link] by [RSVP date] for the slideshow.
Together, [Name]'s and [Name]'s children invite you to celebrate [Number] years of their parents' marriage.
Common wording mistakes
- ✓Getting the ordinal wrong. Double-check suffixes like 32nd, 43rd and 51st, or sidestep them by writing "32 years" instead.
- ✓Sending a surprise invitation where the couple can see it. Avoid shared family email accounts and group chats they're in, and repeat the secrecy note near the RSVP line.
- ✓Not naming one RSVP contact when several siblings host. Pick one person to collect replies so answers don't scatter across four phones.
- ✓Leaving guests to guess about gifts at a milestone. Some wonder whether silver or gold gifts are expected; if you'd rather have none, say so in one gentle line.
- ✓Skipping practical notes for older guests. Mention steps, parking distance or seating for an outdoor party so everyone can plan to attend comfortably.
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Anniversary invitation wording FAQ
What do you write on a 50th anniversary invitation?
Most 50th anniversary invitations name the couple, mention fifty years or a golden anniversary, and say who is hosting, often their children or grandchildren. Add the date, time, venue and an RSVP contact. Many families include a line about gifts, such as no gifts or a charity, and a request for photos or memories to share at the party.
Who usually hosts an anniversary party?
Couples often host their own early anniversaries. Milestones such as a 25th, 40th or 50th are commonly hosted by grown children, other relatives or close friends, sometimes as a surprise. Customs vary by family, and plenty of couples prefer to plan their own milestone party. Whoever hosts should appear on the invitation and handle the replies.
Do guests bring gifts to an anniversary party?
Practice varies. Many guests bring a card or a small gift, and some follow traditional themes such as silver for a 25th or gold for a 50th. For milestone parties, couples often ask for no gifts or suggest a donation instead. If you have a preference, one short line on the invitation saves guests from guessing.
How far in advance should anniversary party invitations go out?
Three to four weeks is common for a local party. For a milestone anniversary, a surprise that needs careful coordination, or guests who will travel, send invitations about six weeks ahead, or share a save-the-date earlier. Ask for replies one to two weeks before the event so you can confirm food and seating.
How do you word a vow renewal invitation?
In most cases the couple hosts, so the invitation comes from them. Say they are renewing their vows, mention how many years they have been married if they like, and give the ceremony time, venue and whether a reception follows. The tone can range from formal third person to a personal note; match it to how the day will feel.
Wording for other occasions
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