Engagement invitation templates

Name the couple, say who is hosting, and give the date, time, venue and a reply-by date. A short line such as “Please join us to celebrate the engagement of” is enough. Add a dress code if there is one, and say whether gifts are expected or, as many hosts prefer, not at all.

Send engagement party invitations four to six weeks before the party. A ring ceremony with relatives travelling from other cities may need longer, around six to eight weeks. If the party is soon after the proposal, three weeks is acceptable, as long as you follow up with a phone call to close family.

Etiquette says no. Anyone invited to the engagement party usually expects an invitation to the wedding, so keep the engagement guest list to people you will also invite later. The exception is when the wedding will be very small or abroad and everyone already knows that.

In the US and Canada, gifts are not expected, though some guests bring a small one. In many Indian families gifts are exchanged between the two families at the ring ceremony rather than brought by guests. If you would rather have no gifts, say so kindly on the invitation or a details page.