Top 10 Invitation Ideas & Tips
Planning an event and looking for inspiration for your invitations? An invitation is the first impression your guests will get of your event, so it’s really important that it is something that grabs their attention. Make the right impression with our top 10 ideas and tips for events invitations.
1. Go digital
Paper invitations have value, but for big events you need efficiency and traceability, so you should go digital. (Thank goodness we no longer need to hunt down each and every guest in person, or sit biting our nails as we wonder if the post office has accidentally misplaced an envelope!)
2. Choose an angle
You’ll want to send your digital invitation as an e-vite instead of an email so that you can customise it and make it stand out. This will up your chances of getting replies. E-vites can be fun, thematic, even bling-y, so think about how to distinguish your e-vite and make it memorable.
3. Utilise appropriate software
A reliable online invitation service can save you a whole lot of time and effort. Plus, with all the RSVP details stored online you can access your event information anywhere, any time. You’ll be able to easily capture particulars like guest dietary preferences and head-counts. You’ll also be able to make use of handy features like reminding your guests of your event via SMS. You can choose from customisable templates or have your own designed!
4. Make it memorable
If you’re going to go with a physical invite, do it in tandem with an e-vite: let the e-vite serve the functional side of things while the physical invite can offer that little extra that gets guests excited and talking. For example, if you’re launching a new cookbook, send each guest a big wooden spoon with their name carved into it. A tag attached by ribbon could state the event and date. Everything else can go into the e-vite. Going the pre-made route doesn’t have to be dull or boring. Add some confetti into the envelope before you seal it, for a dash of dazzle.
5. Shoot a movie
There’s usually a story behind every celebration so let your guests in on it! Watch these beautiful videos for inspiration. And then watch some more. The wonderful thing about smartphones and social media platforms is that it’s now easier than ever to create fun, quirky invites to your events. Shoot it on your iPhone, edit it in an app, upload it and you’re good to go!
Tips to bear in mind when creating invitations
6. Send your invites out in good time
Make sure your guests have enough notice to fit the event into their calendars. Don’t forget to include an RSVP cut-off date. You should also check with non-responders after this date to confirm their RSVP status. If you are using a professional RSVP software system, automatic reminders can be sent to those that haven’t yet responded.
7. Make sure the date and time of your event is prominent
Including the day of the week (don’t assume people have a calendar on hand) so there is no room for misinterpretation.
8. Include all the necessary extras
Maps/venue details and contact information, just in case your guests need them.
9. Have back-ups
If you’re buying pre-made invitations, make sure you buy spares, in case you make mistakes when writing on them.
10. Proof-read your invitations before you send them off
It sounds silly, but don’t neglect it. There’s nothing more annoying for a guest than receiving an invite with their name spelled incorrectly. Ensure that venue address details, email addresses, cell phone numbers and the like are correct, to ensure that your guests can communicate properly with you.
Want even more inspiration?
- Check out these 10 out-of-the-box wedding invitations
- Examples of golf invitations from The RSVP Agency
- 25 Super Creative Invites
- 30 Beautiful Invitation Cards
