Anniversary party invitation wording: 50 messages for 25th, 50th and surprise parties

An anniversary party invitation says whose anniversary it is, how many years, and how to celebrate. Lead with the couple's names and the number; it is the headline.

What every anniversary invitation needs

1. 1WhoThe couple's names, the way family knows them: Linda and Frank Moretti.
2. 2Which yearThe number, and the year they married if you like: 50 years, since 1976.
3. 3When and whereDate, time and place. Say if it's a dinner, an open house or a party.
4. 4HostThe couple, their children, or both.
5. 5Reply byTwo to three weeks before, so the venue or caterer has numbers.

Add these only when they apply:

50 anniversary party invitation wording ideas

Swap in your own names, years and places.

1st to 10th anniversary

1. 01One year down, forever to go. Join us to celebrate our first anniversary.
2. 02We said I do a year ago today. Come raise a glass with us.
3. 03Five years, two dogs and one very small kitchen. Celebrate with us.
4. 04Ten years married and still each other's favourite. Join us for dinner.
5. 05A decade of love and laughter. Please join Sam and Priya for their 10th anniversary.

25th, silver anniversary

6. 06Please join us to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of Karen and Mike Walsh.
7. 07Twenty-five years of marriage. Come celebrate our silver anniversary with us.
8. 08Silver looks good on them. Help us toast Karen and Mike's 25 years.
9. 09A quarter century together. Join our family for a silver anniversary dinner.
10. 10Twenty-five years ago they said I do. Join us as they say it all over again.

40th, ruby anniversary

11. 11Please join us to celebrate forty years of marriage for Joan and David.
12. 12Forty years, one love. Celebrate Joan and David's ruby anniversary.
13. 13Ruby red and still in love. Dinner for Mom and Dad's 40th, Saturday at six.
14. 14Four decades of adventure. Help us honour Rosa and Luis.

50th, golden anniversary

15. 15Please join us to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Linda and Frank Moretti.
16. 16Fifty golden years. Join us for an afternoon in honour of Linda and Frank.
17. 17Married June 12, 1976. Still holding hands. Celebrate their golden anniversary.
18. 18Half a century of love. Our family invites you to Mom and Dad's 50th.
19. 19Fifty years, four children, nine grandchildren and one love story. Come celebrate.
20. 20Gold is the colour of the day. Join us for Grandma and Grandpa's 50th.

60th and beyond

21. 21Sixty years of marriage. Please join us to celebrate Margaret and Harold.
22. 22A diamond anniversary: sixty years together. Join our family for lunch.
23. 23Married in 1966 and still dancing. Celebrate their 60th with us.
24. 24Sixty-five years of love. An open house in honour of Mary and Joe.

Hosted by the children

25. 25The children of Linda and Frank Moretti invite you to celebrate their parents' 50th anniversary.
26. 26Together with their families, Sarah, Tom and Anna invite you to honour Mom and Dad.
27. 27Our parents taught us what love looks like. Please join us to celebrate their 40 years.
28. 28Their children and grandchildren request the pleasure of your company at a golden anniversary dinner.

Surprise

29. 29Shh! A surprise 25th anniversary party for Karen and Mike. Please arrive by 6:30.
30. 30They think it's a quiet dinner. It isn't. Help us surprise Mom and Dad on their 40th.
31. 31Surprise! (Well, not yet.) Join us for Joan and David's secret anniversary party.
32. 32Fifty years deserves a surprise. Please keep it secret and be there by five.

Vow renewal

33. 33Please join us as we renew our vows after 25 years of marriage.
34. 34Twenty-five years later, we would say I do all over again. And we will.
35. 35Linda and Frank invite you to witness the renewal of their wedding vows.
36. 36Same couple, same promise, fifty years on. Join us for our vow renewal.

No gifts

37. 37Your presence is the only gift they need. No gifts, please.
38. 38In lieu of gifts, bring your favourite memory of the two of them.
39. 39They have everything they need after 50 years. Just bring yourselves.
40. 40No gifts, please. A card with a memory would mean the world.

Casual and funny

41. 41Twenty-five years and they still haven't agreed on the thermostat. Come celebrate.
42. 42Forty years married. Clearly he's still not allowed to pick the restaurant.
43. 43Fifty years and zero returns. Help us celebrate Mom and Dad.
44. 44Backyard barbecue for our 10th anniversary. Bring a chair and an appetite.

Church and community

45. 45Please join the church family after the 11 o'clock service to honour Pastor James and Ruth on 40 years of marriage.
46. 46Fellowship hall, Sunday after service: cake and coffee for the Hendersons' 50th.

Text messages

47. 47Mom and Dad's 50th is Saturday the 14th at 6. Can you make it?
48. 48Surprise party for Karen and Mike's 25th on the 3rd. Don't tell them!
49. 49We're having people over for our 10th anniversary Friday at 7. You in?
50. 50Open house for Grandma and Grandpa's 60th, Sunday 2 to 5. Come by.

Who should host?

Early anniversaries are usually hosted by the couple. Milestones like the 25th, 40th and 50th are often hosted by the children, who send the invitations in their own names. A surprise party is always hosted by someone else; pick one organiser so guests know who to ask.

Anniversary colours by year

Collect messages from everyone

Family is spread out and not everyone can come. The free group card passes round as a link: everyone adds a line, and the couple opens it like a real envelope on the day.

When to send

For a big milestone with guests flying in, send a save the date three months out first.

Paper or digital?

Grandkids reply on their phones, and grandparents keep the paper. A digital invitation collects replies in one list; you can still print a few for the relatives who want one. Paper&Seal invitations open like a real envelope and are free for up to 25 guests.

FAQ

What do you write on an anniversary party invitation?

The couple's names, which anniversary it is, the date, time and place, who is hosting, and a reply-by date. Add a line on gifts or dress if it matters.

Who sends the invitation for a 50th anniversary?

Usually the children, in their own names: The children of Linda and Frank Moretti invite you. The couple can host it themselves too.

Is it OK to say no gifts on an anniversary invitation?

Yes. Say it kindly in one line, like Your presence is the only gift they need, and suggest a memory or a card instead.