Attendance Request

• Start the invitation with an attendance request. If the party is being hosted by someone other than the couple's parents, consider a nonspecific request such as, "Please join us to celebrate the engagement of Jane and John" or "Your presence is requested to help celebrate the engagement of Jane and John." In the case of the parents hosting the party, the invitation could be as follows, "(name of bride's Father and Mother) along with (name of groom's Father and Mother) invite you to celebrate the engagement of their children Jane and John." Traditionally, the male's name comes before the female, but to be politically correct consider putting the female's name first when referring to the engaged couple and the male's name first when referring to the parents.
  
  

Specifics

• Include the date, time and address of celebration. How formal the invitation is will determine the proper way to write the specifics. In a formal invite, consider writing out all numbers and time, for example, Date: Saturday, the Eleventh of November; Time: Three O'clock in the Afternoon; Location: Seventy-Six Hundred Falling Leaf Drive. Use numerical symbols for a more laid-back, informal feel to the invitation. Include a specified ending time for the party. If there is not a specific ending time, follow the beginning time with a question mark or with the phrase "until late."
  
  

RSVP

• Give an "RSVP by..." date. For example, RSVP By: Tuesday, the First of November. To have an accurate head count for food and drinks, make the RSVP date at least two weeks before the celebration. Give at least two ways for attendees to RSVP. This can include phone numbers, email and phone or a separate, pre-stamped, RSVP card.
  
  

Themes

• Specify if there is a theme associated with the celebration and dress code. Let your attendee know whether to dress casual or cocktail attire. Consider a catchy line like, "We request that you dress to impress."
  
  

Personalizing

• Consider ending with an appropriate quote or poem -- this can give the invitation a romantic and formal appeal. Make the poem or quote's subject about love, commitment or devotion.