Less formal, still elegant
For guests who'd find formal phrasing stiff.
We'd be delighted if you could join us for dinner [Occasion] on [Date] at [Time], at [Address]. Dress is [Dress code]. Please reply by [Reply by]. [Host name(s)]
Formal dinner party invitation
An elegant invitation for a seated dinner at home or a private dining room, with dress code and a firm reply date.
When to use it
- You're hosting a sit-down dinner for an occasion: an anniversary, a celebration or important guests.
- You want guests to know it's dressier than a casual dinner.
Preview
The pleasure of your company
Dinner to celebrate our tenth anniversary
- Saturday 21 November
- 7pm for 7.30pm
- 22 Linden Grove
The card shows example details until you add your own.
The wording
Email subject
An invitation to dinner, [Date]
[Host name(s)] request the pleasure of your company at dinner [Occasion]. [Date] [Time] [Address] Dress: [Dress code] Kindly reply by [Reply by], and let us know of any dietary requirements. [Host name(s)]
Words in [brackets] are the details to fill in, here or after you paste it.
Variations
The same invitation, adjusted for a different setting or channel. Your details carry over.
What to ask in the RSVP
Ask only what changes your plans. For this kind of event, that's:
- Will you attend? (Accept / Decline)A seated dinner needs an exact count.
- Dietary requirementsYou'll plan a full menu around them.
Leave out
- Meal choices: at home, you set the menu.
More on this in what to ask guests when they RSVP.
Tips before you send
- Send it two to three weeks ahead.
- "7pm for 7.30pm" tells guests when to arrive and when you'll sit down.
- Follow up personally with anyone who hasn't replied two days after the reply date.
More dinners & gatherings templates
Dinner party invitation
A short, friendly dinner invitation for home, ready to paste into email, text or WhatsApp. It asks about food needs up front.
Preview and copy →Casual drinks invitation
A quick invitation for drinks at home or at a local, short enough for a group chat.
Preview and copy →Backyard BBQ invitation
A relaxed invitation for a barbecue at home: what you're providing, what to bring, and whether kids are welcome.
Preview and copy →Sending it by email, text or WhatsApp, and tracking replies
- Email: paste the wording into a new message, use the subject line above, and put guests in BCC if they don't all know each other.
- Text or WhatsApp: use the short version. Send it to each guest, or to a group chat if everyone already knows each other, and pin it so the details are easy to find.
- Tracking replies: for a handful of guests, a note on your phone works. For more, collect answers in one place, like a shared spreadsheet or a simple online form with the RSVP questions above.
- EvntBuild: event software that will send invitations by email, text and WhatsApp, with RSVP forms that only ask what applies and replies kept in one place. It's opening soon and isn't live yet. Join the EvntBuild waitlist to hear when it opens.