Birthdays & partiesRelaxed: warm and easy-goingAdults

Relaxed birthday party invitation

A warm, low-key invitation for a birthday at home, in a park or at a bar. It says when, where and what to bring, and asks for one clear reply.

When to use it

  • You're hosting friends for your own birthday and want it to feel easy, not like a formal event.
  • The party is at home, in a backyard, at a park or at a local bar, with food and drinks but no set program.
  • You want to know numbers and food needs without sending a long form.

Preview

You're invited

Sam's birthday

  • Saturday 21 November
  • 4pm until late
  • our place, 12 Elm Street

Reply by Wednesday 18 November

The card shows example details until you add your own.

Your details

Optional. Anything you type goes straight into the wording. Nothing is sent or saved.

The wording

Email subject

Come celebrate my birthday on [Date]

Hi everyone,

It's my birthday and I'd love to celebrate with you. Nothing fancy: good food, a few drinks and my favourite people in one place.

When: [Date], from [Start time] until [Finish time]
Where: [Place and address]
Bring: [What to bring]

No gifts needed, just you. Partners and housemates are welcome too, so let me know who's coming.

Could you reply by [Reply by]? A quick yes or no and how many of you is perfect, plus anything you don't eat.

Hope to see you there,
[Your name]

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.

Short version for text or WhatsApp

For a group chat or a quick message to each friend.

Hey! I'm having people over for my birthday on [Date] from [Start time] at [Place and address]. Would love you to come. Can you let me know by [Reply by] if you can make it, and if you're bringing anyone?

Picnic or park version

Says what you'll provide and what guests should bring to sit on.

Hi everyone,

I'm celebrating my birthday with a picnic and I'd love you to join me.

When: [Date], from [Start time]
Where: [Place and address]

I'll bring cake, plates and a few blankets. Bring something to drink, a snack to share if you like, and a chair or rug if you have one. If the weather turns, I'll message everyone the morning of with a backup plan.

Let me know by [Reply by] if you can make it.

[Your name]

Bar or restaurant version

Makes it clear who pays, so nobody has to ask.

Hi everyone,

I'm celebrating my birthday at [Place and address] on [Date] from [Start time], and I'd love you to come along.

I've booked an area for us. Drinks and food are on a pay-as-you-go basis, so order whatever you like whenever you like.

Could you let me know by [Reply by]? I need to confirm numbers with the venue.

See you there,
[Your name]

What to ask in the RSVP

Ask only what changes your plans. For this kind of event, that's:

  1. Can you come? (Yes / No)The one answer you need from everyone.
  2. How many of you are coming?Only because partners and housemates are welcome. Drop it if the invitation is just for them.
  3. Anything you don't eat?Ask when you're cooking or ordering food. Skip it for drinks only.

Leave out

  • Full names and phone numbers: you already know your friends.
  • Song requests or plus-one names: nice to have, but they make the reply longer than it needs to be.

More on this in what to ask guests when they RSVP.

Tips before you send

  • Send it two to three weeks ahead, or one week for something very casual.
  • Ask for replies in one place (the group chat, a reply to the email, or a form) so you're not counting across apps.
  • Send a short reminder the day before with the address and start time.

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.