How to Write a Class Reunion Invitation

Where did the years go? This question may go down as one of the most-asked in human history. One day, you're in college. The next day, you're at your daughter's high school graduation. Then, along come class reunions that celebrate these benchmarks. If you'd like to be part of the festivities, volunteer to help with the arrangements for the big bash. Start out by coming up with great invitation copy. Make it serious or amusing. Offer the committee several options and let the group decide which best represents the spirit of your class. As a bonus, your former class members are bound to be impressed when they find out that you're the author of the invite.

Instructions

1. Write a formal invitation. When the color of the night is glamorous black and the mood is as elegant as an event can be, your invitation should reflect that tone. Use this sample language as your base and fine-tune it accordingly:

   Celebrate an important milestone in each of our lives:
   Our fifteen-year class reunion.
   See old friends and dance the night away:
   Saturday, September fourth, two thousand twelve
   Cocktails: five - Dinner: seven - Dancing: nine o'clock
   The Crystal Ballroom
   Chicago, Illinois
   Your hosts: The Maine High School Class of 1997
   Black tie requested

2. Write a humorous invitation. Humor is in the eye of the beholder, so if you choose to use a humorous approach when you draft invitation language, make certain you don't offend. Use this sample as a jumping off point for your light-hearted invitation language:

   Has it really been 15 years?
   You don't look a day over 14, classmate!
   Check out everyone else at our 15th reunion:
   Saturday, September 4, 2012
   Cocktails at 5, dinner at 7 and dancing at 9
   The Motown Palace
   Detroit, Michigan
   Your hosts: The Birmingham High School Class of 1997
   Wear your coolest outfit

3. Write a nostalgic invitation. Use shared experiences when you create invitation copy. Did your school win a big competition the year you graduated? Use that landmark to write and design an invitation that won't be ignored.

   Share the pride you felt when our school won the state basketball tournament!
   You're invited to our fifteen-year class reunion.
   Revisit our days of glory while you catch up with old friends:
   Saturday, September 4, 2012
   The festivities start at 5:30 p.m.
   Miami Senior High School Gym
   Miami, Florida
   Your hosts: The Miami Senior High School Class of 1997

4. Writing a time-capsule invitation. Unearth facts and trivia about the year in which your graduation ceremony was held as a jumping-off point for your invitation language. Make the invitation look just like the front page of a newspaper. Use the following invitation copy to get you started:

   Read all about it! Cape Cod University reports breaking news:
   The 1997 Class Reunion is scheduled for June 30, 2012.
   Join us for a night under the stars; festivities start at 5 p.m.
   Ocean View Yacht Club
   Cape Cod, Massachusetts
   Your hosts: The Cape Cod U Class of 1997
   Suggested dress: Nautical chic

5. Write an online invitation. Save postage money for the big party by writing your invitation on your computer and saving it as a PDF file for classwide email distribution.

   Your former classmates invite you to celebrate
   Our fifteen-year class reunion!
   See old friends and recapture your fondest memories.
   Saturday, June 30, 2012
   Cocktails start at 5 p.m.; dinner and dancing to follow
   The Green Room of the Hyatt Hotel
   Portland, Oregon
   Your hosts: The Portland Central Class of 1997
   Black tie optional

6. Write an out-of-the-box invitation. Grab attention by doing something unexpected. Create large (8.5 by 11 inches) invitations on a nice paper stock using your computer to set the type, roll them up and put them into cardboard mailing tubes. Fill the tube with confetti before you pop on the lid and seal it for mailing. Make the copy as special as the invite:

   When time comes to celebrate a milestone in our lives,
   The event won't be complete without you in attendance!
   Please join your friends and schoolmates
   for the Billings College 15th Reunion
   Saturday, June 30, 2012
   The Railroad Station Banquet Hall
   Billings, Montana
   Your hosts: the Billings College Class of 1997
   Attire: cocktail dress and jacket

Tips & Warnings

• The suggestions in this article are just that; feel free to mix and match phrases to make your invitation every bit as special as the reason it's being written and sent.