So you’re having a party… where do you start? If you ask us, it all comes down to first impressions, and in this case, that means your invitations. The etiquette for sending notice of your party varies depending on the type of event you’re throwing. Whether it’s a formal wedding reception or a child’s fifth birthday, there’s a card and a style that will make your next party that much easier. And no matter the occasion, we love these Paperless Post x Gray Malin invitations to make sending and RSVP-ing simple. Keep scrolling for our tips for on what to include on invitations of every type…

If you’re throwing a kid’s birthday party…

First and foremost, let parents know what type of activities will be involved, so they can plan accordingly. It may be helpful to include a set start and end time so they can also plan around their little one’s nap schedules and other weekend activities. This also avoids a lingering goodbye stage that can often lead to tantrums.

With older children, it’s always a good idea to let parents know if they should stay for the party, or if they can drop their children off. Finally, more and more parents are requesting no gifts nowadays. Include a note if you prefer books to toys, or suggest a donation to a charity, a homemade card, or something else in lieu of presents.

If you’re hosting a baby shower…

Baby shower invites can be tricky since oftentimes it’s the friends or family members who will plan the party. If you’re sending invitations on behalf of the couple, keep in mind their wishes and make sure to respect their privacy. If the parents are doing a gender reveal at the baby shower, or they’re waiting until the baby is born, a neutral invite like this one or this one is a safe route to take. Be sure to also include a specific note if it’s women only (the traditional option), or if men are also invited, as well as any registry information.

The couple may request specific items if they already have children or received lots of hand-me-downs from family members. Making this clear on the invite will ensure they have the perfect pieces to make welcoming their new addition a little easier.

If you’re getting married…

Congratulations! This is one of the most exciting days, and making the guest list can be one of the best (and most stressful) processes. Once you have an idea of who you want to be by your side on the big day, it’s time to send out the Save The Dates. These are sent 6 to 8 months before the wedding (and if it’s a destination wedding, you’ll want to send it as early as possible, and make a note on the card, so guests have time to make travel accommodations). A simple card with your names, the date, and the location are all you usually need for a Save The Date, but it’s always a good idea to include any extra information you have that might make your guests’ planning a little easier. For example, if you’re having a destination wedding, it’s helpful to create a wedding website with travel accommodations and other information listed, and include the URL on the Save The Date card.

A more formal wedding invitation usually goes out about 8 weeks before the wedding. On this one, it’s traditional to include the bride and/or groom’s parent’s names if they are hosting the event, as well as the venue and exact times. For both the Save The Date and the formal invitation, remember to include registry information, as some people will want to begin sending gifts as soon as you get engaged. Additionally, if your wedding reception is difficult to get to by car, you may want to add an additional note that there will be shuttles provided.

Anything we missed?

We hope these tips make your party planning process a little bit easier (and the parties themselves a lot more fun!) To shop all GM x Paperless Post invites, head to this page.

Happy party planning!

Xx Team GM

Photos: Gray Malin