Wedding and graduation invitations are traditionally formal, engraved announcements. Other special occasions that warrant invitations can include the following:

• Business Events: Trade shows, open houses, exhibitions, new product introductions, premieres, new business openings

• Business Parties: Birthdays, employee relocations, maternity leaves, promotions, retirements

• Civic and Cultural Events: Art shows, commemorative occasions (such as the renaming of a bridge or street in honor of a local citizen), concerts, fundraisers, historical society exhibitions, stage productions

• Educational Events and Programs: Conferences, open houses, seminars, speechs, workshops

• Family Celebrations: Anniversaries, baby showers, baptisms, bar or bat mitzvahs, First Communions, graduation, holiday celebrations, reunions, weddings, wedding receptions, wedding showers

Creating an Invitation

Invitations are as varied as the events for which they can cover. While a personalized invitation is always the best option, sometimes it isn't a practical one. The nature of the event will set the tone for the appropriate type of invitation.

Once you've chosen a format for your invitation, you need to decide on the content. It's essential that an invitation contain all of the who, what, where, when, and why information. In addition, the how information is often how much. (If there is a fee for attending the event, somehow you need to state so up front.) Place this information in a logical order.

Information about attire should go on the lower right-hand corner of a formal invitation. Attire descriptions include black tie, casual, costume, evening attire, formal, informal, semi-formal, and white tie.

When typing an informal invitation, it's acceptable to list things. Lists make the items stand out, so they're more easily noticed and remembered.

Informal Invitation

(Date)

Dear Alex and Amanda and family,

Summer's almost over so it's time to make plans for our Annual Neighborhood Labor Day Weekend Cookout. (Where has the time gone?)

We'll be holding the cookout on Sunday, September 7. As usual, we plan on eating at about 3 p.m. — and throughout the rest of the evening, as long as the food holds out.

As in the past, we're hoping you'll bring a side dish and a dessert to share.

Dennis will be up at the crack of dawn, smoking ribs and getting all of his other specialties ready for the grill. We'll provide the:

Buns

Paper plates/Napkins

Silverware

Meat

Beverages

However, feel free to bring along any extra soft drinks, heartier beverages, or other things you wish to share as well. (Your homemade bread and butter pickles were a hit at last year's event!)

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Dennis and Ann