— Guide
Birthday invitation wording, from first birthdays to grown-up parties
Birthday invitation wording needs to say whose birthday it is, when and where the party is, and how to reply. For a child's party, add when it ends and whether parents stay. Every example below was written for this page and is free to copy and edit.
First birthday
One year ago Mia arrived and turned our days upside down. Come and eat cake with her while she works out what candles are.
Our little one is turning one. We'd love you there for the first slice of cake and the first very messy face.
Twelve months of tiny socks and long nights. Help us mark Leo's first birthday with a slow afternoon in the garden.
She can wave, clap and say no. Now she's one, and we want the people who held her this year in the room.
Short line above the names
Turning one
Short line above the names
First birthday
Toddler
Two years old and already in charge. Leo is having a party and he says you're on the list.
Three candles, one very loud singer. Join us for Ada's birthday before the cake disappears.
Ada is two. Expect bubbles, music and a lot of running in circles.
Kids' party
Sam is turning seven and the backyard is getting ready. Games, pizza and cake, come hungry.
Big news. Noor is eight and throwing a party for her favourite people, which includes you.
Bring your best dance moves. Theo's ninth birthday starts at the park and ends with cake.
It's Lily's birthday and she has planned every game herself. She'd love you to come and play.
Ten is a big number. Help Omar count it out with games, snacks and a cake taller than last year.
Party at our place. Water fights in the afternoon, so pack a towel and a change of clothes.
Theme parties
Dinosaurs have taken over the living room. Costumes welcome, roaring encouraged.
Calling all astronauts. Mission control is at our house and the countdown starts at three.
Capes on. Our hero turns six and needs a full team for the cake rescue.
Practical lines
A short note to your guests
This is a drop-off party. Pick-up is at five at the front gate.
A short note to your guests
Grown-ups, there's coffee in the kitchen if you'd like to hang around.
A short note to your guests
Please tell us about any allergies in the reply form so we can plan the food.
A short note to your guests
Siblings are welcome, just add them to your reply.
No gifts
A short note to your guests
Your company is plenty. No presents, please, just bring your appetite for cake.
A short note to your guests
Ada has more toys than shelves. If you'd like to bring something, a favourite book to swap is perfect.
A short note to your guests
No gifts this year. We'd rather spend the afternoon playing with you.
Adult birthday
Thirty arrives on Saturday. I'd like to meet it with a long table and the people I love most.
I'm turning forty and I'm not keeping it quiet. Dinner, music and you, that's the whole plan.
Another year, another excuse to gather everyone. Come for drinks and stay as long as you like.
Fifty years of stories and I still want new ones. Join me for an evening that adds a few more.
Surprise party
Shh. It's a surprise. Please arrive by seven and park around the corner.
Maya has no idea. Help us pull off a surprise for her thirtieth and keep this link to yourself.
Secret party ahead. The guest of honour walks in at eight, we'll need you there before.
Text message
Hi, it's Elif. Can's turning six on the 14th and we'd love Ben to come. Details and the reply form are in the link.
Hello! We're having a small party for Mia's first birthday. Everything you need is in this link, hope you can make it.
Party time for Sam. Open the link for the time and the map, and let us know there if you're coming.
Closing line
A short line at the foot of the invitation
See you at the party
A short line at the foot of the invitation
Cake waits for no one
What to write on a birthday invitation
- Whose birthday it is, plus the age when that's part of the fun
- The day, date, start time and end time
- The venue with a full address
- For kids, whether it's a drop-off party or parents should stay
- A theme or what to wear, only if there is one
- How and by when to reply
Kids' parties are read by parents
The child is the guest, but a parent decides. Keep the fun in the first line and put the practical details right after it. An end time matters more than a clever rhyme, because it tells a parent when to come back. If it's a drop-off party, say so plainly so nobody is left wondering whether to stay.
First birthday wording
A one-year-old can't send invitations, so first birthday wording usually comes from the parents, either as "we" or playfully in the baby's voice. Name the baby, say it's the first birthday, and keep the party short. Most guests at a first birthday are family, so a warm tone works better than a formal one.
How to say no gifts
Put it in one friendly line in the note to guests, not in the first line of the invitation. Give a reason if you like, and offer an alternative such as a book swap, so guests who want to bring something still know what fits. Avoid asking for money in the same line.
Where the wording goes on a digital invitation
On a Digitally Invite invitation the name, date, time and venue have their own fields, so the wording only needs the human part. A short line goes above the name, for example "Turning one". The longer text goes in the note to guests, and a closing line can sit at the bottom. Replies come through the RSVP form, and parents can mention allergies in its note field.
Frequently asked questions
How do you word a kids' birthday invitation?
Start with one fun line about the child and the party, then give the date, start and end time, address and how to reply. Add whether parents should stay.
What do you write on a first birthday invitation?
The baby's name, that it's the first birthday, the date, time and place, and a line from the parents. A short, warm text is enough.
Should a birthday invitation include an end time?
For a child's party, yes. Parents need to know when to pick up. For an adult party it's optional.
How far ahead should I send birthday invitations?
Two to three weeks for a kids' party, and three to four weeks for a bigger adult celebration or a surprise.