Writing Invitation Letters to 150th Anniversary Celebrations

Writing a great invitation letter will set the tone for your anniversary celebration.

Throwing a 150th anniversary party is a great way to bring people together to commemorate an important milestone. Whether you're celebrating an organization's anniversary or your town's 150th annual costume party, the invitation is the first thing guests see. Keep the language brief and to the point and be sure to include key information about who, what, where and when. The simpler your wording, the more details your guests will remember.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Printer
• Paper
• Envelopes
• Stamps

Instructions

1. Organize all the key information you want in your invitation before you start composing the actual invitation. Double check to be sure you haven't left out any need-to-know information.

2. Decide if you want to hand-write or print invitations. Consider having a commercial print shop run off a large number of invitations or order them from an online vendor. For a smaller celebration, hand-written invitations add a personal touch. Use good quality card stock and envelopes and write the details yourself. Make the invitation an elegant keepsake guests will cherish long after the 150th anniversary.

3. Go over your guest list a few times to make sure you haven't left anyone out. Base the number of invitations and envelopes you'll need on the guest list.

4. Decide how you want to announce the party. If it's formal, write, "The honor of your presence is requested at the 150th anniversary celebration of the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce." For a less formal event, write something like "Join us as we celebrate 150 years of the Rockford Street Carnival."

5. Include the date, location, time, dress code and cost, if applicable.

6. Be sure to include a respond-by date and the name of a contact, if you need a head count for food and drink. Add a self-addressed, stamped envelope and response card for a formal celebration.

7. Mail the invitations one month before the event to ensure a proper count for the party and to give guests time to make travel or other arrangements.

Tips & Warnings

• If you include a mailable RSVP, use a self-addressed, stamped note card to save on envelopes.

• Be prepared for a few extra guests who forgot to RSVP.

References

• My Expression: Invitation Letter
• Letter Writing Guide: Writing an Invitation Letter

Resources

• LoveToKnow: Writing Formal Invitation Letter
• PartyPlanningStory: Writing Inviations Can Be Fun