party invitation ideas

by a professional party planner

on this page:

  • The types of party invitations you should never send
  • Why the best-selling invitations are often the most unoriginal, uninspiring, and impersonal ones
  • How to make sure your party invitation ‘sells’ your party and encourages RSVPs
  • How to make sure your invitation is anything but ordinary
  • How to create eye-catching or unusual invitations when your party doesn’t have a theme
  • How your invitation can inspire your party’s theme, design, and decor.

i’m matt james

professional event producer

  • 29 years event-planning experience
  • Winner of 30 industry awards
  • Clients include:
  • Elton John,
  • Stella McCartney,
  • Sarah Jessica Parker,
  • Kevin Spacey……and more

welcome

Matt James professional event planner
OPEN BIO
CONTENTS

ON THIS PAGE

01 custom photo invitations

Celebrate the person, not just the occasion by customizing your party invitations with cute, funny, or embarrassing old photos

50th birthday party photo collage invitation showing the birthday boy 'through the years'
Look Who's 30 30th birthday invitation card with two photo cutouts, shown with envelope
Custom watercolor birthday invitation for Jonathan Turns Five with a painted portrait of a boy in a striped shirt
60th birthday video invitation, unedited product photo
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02 in the style of…

Invitations designed in the style of familiar objects grab people’s attention and make a big first impression

Retro VHS-style wedding invitation set reading 'Til Death Do Us Part, with a video cassette tape
Restaurant guest check style dinner invitation reading Will You Have Dinner With Us
Airplane boarding pass style wedding save the date reading Come Fly With Us for Jessica and David
Cassette tape style birthday invitation reading Phillip's 50th Birthday Party
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03 Unconventional Materials / Form

If your party doesn’t have a theme, invitations with an unconventional material / form make a big first impression

Custom printed pink balloon reading Rachele is turning 26, with birthday party details
Clear acrylic invitation reading Sixteen for Olivia's Sweet 16, with a rose gold pen and paperclip
Wedding invitation laser engraved on a round wood disc with monogram initials
Mirrored acrylic wedding invitation for Tamicka and Antonne held in a woman's hands
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04 decades invitations

For milestone birthdays or theme parties where you want an instantly recognizable reference for guests to feel the vibe

1980s scrapbook style Vintage 1986 birthday invitation with a photo, cassette tape and roller skate stickers for Rachel's 40th birthday
1970s Disco Diva birthday invitation with an illustrated woman in round sunglasses for Jennifer's 50th birthday
1990s VHS tape style birthday invitation reading Let's Hit Rewind for Jackson's 40th birthday
1950s I Love Lucy style TV birthday invitation reading You're Invited to a Zany Birthday Bash, Ann Turns 50
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05 themed invitations

Invitations with a strong visual identity can inspire your party’s theme, design, and decor

Mediterranean blue and white tile baby shower invitation with lemons reading Ciao Baby for Isabella Bianchi
Retro vintage motel sign style pool party invitation for Emma's 8th birthday
Art Deco Gatsby style gold and black 60th birthday surprise party invitation for David
Gold disco ball 30th birthday invitation set with a round dark card for Madison Thompson
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in this section

advice from a pro

Why You Need to Make an Effort

  • Everybody worries whether people will show up to their party; even the professionals.
  • That’s why your invitation really matters.
  • If you’re expecting guests to give up their evening, commit weeks in advance, arrange babysitters, buy a gift, get dressed up, and travel across town to celebrate with you,
  • the invitation needs to say ‘this is a special occasion’.
  • It needs to stand out, make a strong first impression, spark interest, set the tone, and give a taste of what’s to come.
  • I’m always amazed that some of the best-selling invitations online are also some of the most unoriginal, uninspiring, and impersonal ones;
  • they rarely reflect the personality of the host or communicate the theme, style, or tone of the event —
  • and they always rely on cliches: glitter and cocktails for women, whiskey and beer for men.
  • Snore!
  • Invitations sell the event; they need to excite and inspire people so that they actually want to attend — not just come because they feel obliged to.
  • Generic invitations just don’t do that.
  • So whether it’s something personal, creative, or unusual – your invitation needs to be anything but ordinary.
  • And I’d strongly advise you to choose a printed invitation over a digital one.
  • Nowadays, it’s rare to receive personal correspondence in the mail, so when a stiff, hand-addressed, luxurious, colored envelope unexpectedly lands in your mailbox, it instantly feels special.
  • Remember, if you want people to make an effort, then you have to.
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MATT’S TIPs

Matt James professional event planner

Note: Affiliate links on this page earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

in this section

01 custom photo invitations

Celebrate the Person, Not Just The Occasion

  • Customizing your party invitations with cute, funny, or embarrassing old photos of the guest of honor is the easiest way to make them more personal.
  • It’s entertaining for guests; many of whom might never have seen them as a cute baby, cheeky little kid, or scruffy college student,
  • and the self-deprecating nature tells people they don’t take themselves too seriously; that they can laugh at all their bad old haircuts and crimes of fashion,
  • which sets the tone for the event; warm, light-hearted, relaxed, down to earth, and fun.
the idea

Through The Years Collage Invitations

Let guests take a walk down memory lane with this photo collage invitation showing the guest of honor ‘through the years’.

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Custom photo collage birthday invitations showing the birthday boy/girl 'Through the Years'
the idea

Look Who’s Invitations

Bring a smile to guests’ faces with these Look Who’s… invitations featuring cute, funny, or embarrassing throwback photos of the guest of honor.

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Look Who's Invitations design collection cover showing childhood and adult photos in bold LOOK lettering
the idea

Custom Watercolor Invitations

Turn a favorite photo of the guest(s) of honor, your venue, or even your new home into a beautiful watercolor painting style invitation.

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Custom Watercolor Invitations cover showing a painted boy's portrait for Jonathan Turns Five with reference photo
the idea

Custom Video Invitations

For when you just want a quick and inexpensive option or don’t have everyone’s mailing address, these animated video invitations can be sent straight to people’s phones.

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animated custom video party invitation displayed on mobile phone screens for any age birthday or occasion
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in this section

02 in the style of…

First Impressions Matter

  • Invitations designed in the style of familiar objects grab people’s attention and pique their curiosity.
  • Choose a design that:
  • reflects the guest of honor’s personality, hobbies, or interests;
  • such as cassette or record invitations for music lovers or book invitations for readers;
  • sets up a party theme and gives a taste of what’s to come;
  • an airline ticket or passport invitation is a great way to frame a country-themed event without giving too much away;
  • or just adds a creative twist to bring a smile to their face;
  • a dinner invitation in the style of a restaurant check.
  • If the invitation isn’t exciting, people assume the event won’t be,
  • so use the design to make a big first impression and give them something to look forward to.
the idea

Movie / Album / Book Invitations

Make a big first impression by sending out invitations in the style of a retro VHS tape, vinyl record sleeve, or paperback novel.

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Retro VHS noir wedding invitation, 'Til Death Do Us Part, styled as a classic movie video tape
the idea

Airplane Ticket Invitations

Not just for destination weddings, an airplane ticket invitation is a clever way to tease any country-themed party without giving too much away.

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Wedding invitation designed as an airline boarding pass with couple names and flight details
the idea

Cassette Tape Invitations

Cassette tape invitations work well for music lovers, nostalgic 80s-themed parties, or milestone birthdays for those who grew up in the age of mixtapes.

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Birthday party invitation designed as a retro cassette tape with track-label text
the idea

Book Invitations

Book invitations are a creative way to frame weddings, milestone birthdays, graduations, or retirement parties by inviting guests to join you in writing the next chapter.

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Wedding invitations designed as small hardcover books with colorful spines and hand-lettered names
the idea

Restaurant Check Invitations

Add a creative twist to a themeless dinner party at home or birthday meal at a restaurant with a restaurant check invitation.

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Dinner invitation designed as a restaurant guest check with handwritten-style text
the idea

Passport Invitations

A passport invitation isn’t just for destination weddings or country-themed parties; you can also use it to frame a milestone birthday, turning a 50th into a “Passport to 50.”

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Retirement invitation designed as a passport booklet with travel stamps and photo
the idea

Custom Dollar Bill Invitations

A big, showy occasion deserves an equally showy invitation, and a custom dollar bill printed with a playful “Come make it rain” suits a Gatsby or Vegas-style party while making the guest of honor feel like a million bucks.

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Birthday invitation designed as a hundred-dollar bill with a custom photo insert
the idea

Vinyl Record Invitations

Vinyl record invitations are great for music lovers, decades-themed parties spanning 1950s rock and roll to 1970s disco, or milestone birthdays for people born in those eras.

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Birthday invitation designed as a vinyl record label reading They Say It's Your Birthday
the idea

Telegram Invitations

Borrow the urgency once reserved for news that mattered: a telegram invitation makes any occasion feel important, with the classic “STOP” adding old-school charm without being too formal.

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Birthday invitation designed as a vintage telegram with typewriter-style text

in this section

03 unconventional materials / form

Anything But Ordinary

  • If you want people to RSVP, your invitation needs to say ‘this is a special occasion’.
  • So, if your party doesn’t have a theme, you can still create an unusual, eye-catching, or creative invitation with an unconventional material or form.
  • Nowadays, most mail is just bills and junk, so a physical invitation is exciting enough as it is; discovering something unexpected inside the envelope makes it feel even more special.
  • And the material you choose can even help communicate the style of the event;
  • metal, mirror, or transparent acrylic reads modern and contemporary,
  • wood or lace reads rustic and bohemian,
  • and jigsaw puzzle or balloon says quirky and playful.
  • All of which suggest this party will be anything but ordinary.
the idea

Balloon Invitations

Add a playful twist to your invitations by printing the information on a balloon so guests have to blow it up to read the details.

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balloon custom printed with birthday party invitation details
the idea

Acrylic Invitations

Swap traditional card for a transparent acrylic invitation when you want a modern, stylish twist that feels effortless yet premium.

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Sweet sixteen invitation printed on clear acrylic with gold script Sixteen lettering
the idea

Wood Invitations

When your event calls for something down-to-earth and unpretentious, a wood invitation still makes for an eye-catching, unconventional choice that brings natural warmth to the occasion.

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Wedding invitation laser engraved on a round wood disc with monogram initials
the idea

Mirror Invitations

A mirror invitation brings an elegant, glamorous, sophisticated shine to any occasion, while still feeling modern and stylish.

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Wedding invitation printed on a mirrored acrylic card held up and reflecting the holder
the idea

Lace Invitations

Delicate lace invitations naturally suit weddings and bridal showers, but their romantic, feminine, and vintage charm works just as well for any occasion calling for an elegant, traditional touch.

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Engagement party invitation printed on sheer lace-bordered fabric with a martini glass icon
the idea

Laser Cut Invitations

Choose a laser cut invitation for an elegant, sophisticated look, where the intricate detail alone makes any occasion feel more special.

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Wedding invitation with gold laser-cut Art Deco panels framing a navy insert card
the idea

Metal Invitations

Choose a metal invitation when you want to surprise guests with something they probably haven’t received before, a modern twist that signals this occasion is anything but ordinary.

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Wedding invitation engraved on brushed metal with an angular geometric border
the idea

Jigsaw Puzzle Invitations

An interactive jigsaw puzzle invitation doesn’t have to just be for weddings; when guests engage by piecing it together, they’re far less likely to forget to RSVP, and it’s a charming, subtle nod to bringing everyone together to celebrate.

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Wedding invitation engraved on a wooden jigsaw puzzle with removable puzzle pieces

in this section

04 decades invitations

Feel the Vibe

  • It might not be the most original choice, but a decades-themed invitation gives you an instantly recognizable reference for a milestone birthday celebration;
  • it’s a way to acknowledge the age they’re turning, without resorting to all the obvious age-related cliches, such as 40 & Fabulous, 50 Rocks, or Old as Dirt.
  • And these invitations are an easy way to set the tone, inspire your guests, and give a clear taste of what’s to come.
  • Of course, you don’t have to reserve these just for milestone birthdays:
  • decades work just as well as a standalone theme for any occasion;
  • a ‘Back to the 80s’ or ‘70s Disco’ theme can work just as well for bachelorette parties, retirement parties, or pretty much any event where you just want people to dress up, let go, and feel the vibe.
the idea

1950s Party Invitations

A 1950s invitation makes a fitting choice for a milestone birthday honoring someone born in that decade, works just as well as a standalone theme for any party, or turns a 50th birthday into a chance to “come celebrate in ’50s style.”

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50th birthday invitation styled as a 1950s TV screen with a retro sitcom character
the idea

1960s Party Invitations

A 1960s invitation is a great way to mark a milestone birthday for someone born in that decade, works just as well as a “blast from the past” standalone theme, or lets a sixtieth birthday become an excuse to celebrate 60s style.

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50th birthday invitation with a retro 1960s portrait and Blast From The Past text
the idea

1970s Party Invitations

A 1970s invitation suits a milestone birthday for someone born in that decade, makes a seventieth birthday the perfect excuse to celebrate ’70s style, or stands alone as a 70s disco theme for any party.

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50th birthday invitation styled as a 1970s Disco Diva poster with sunglasses portrait
the idea

1980s Party Invitations

Whether it’s a milestone birthday for someone born in the 1980s or a standalone “Back to the 80s” theme, a 1980s invitation sets the vibe.

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40th birthday invitation styled as an 80s scrapbook with a Polaroid photo and VHS stickers
the idea

1990s Party Invitations

Rewind to the 90s to celebrate a milestone birthday for someone born in that decade, or use it as a standalone 90s throwback theme.

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40th birthday invitation designed as a stack of colorful VHS tape spines

in this section

05 themed invitations

A Source of Inspiration

  • In my experience, people often rush to pick out their invitation before considering their party’s overall theme or design concept;
  • feeling the pressure to just take action, get the invitations out, and figure the rest out later.
  • But choosing a design in isolation, with nothing to anchor it to yet, is exactly why they end up with unoriginal, uninspiring, and impersonal invitations based on tired old stereotypes;
  • glitter and cocktails for her, whiskey and beer for him.
  • If you’re unsure what you want your party to be, browsing themed invitations is actually a good place to start,
  • since the artwork is already a visual representation of the theme or design concept.
  • For example, a Mediterranean invitation’s color palette and motifs, lemons and blue tile, can carry straight through to the rest of your party’s design.
  • So, choose an invitation that gives your event a strong visual identity, one that can inspire your own party planning while giving your guests a clear visual of what to expect.
the idea

Mediterranean Party Invitations

A summery Mediterranean theme is a great way to give your event the breezy, laid-back elegance of an Amalfi Coast aesthetic.

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Baby shower invitation with blue and white Mediterranean tile pattern and lemon branches
the idea

Disco Party Invitations

A disco theme creates an instantly recognizable, playful vibe that will get everyone up and dancing.

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30th birthday invitation with a glittering gold disco ball and starry black card
the idea

Pool Party Invitations

Pool parties are naturally a casual affair, but the right invitation can elevate it with a retro vibe or a touch of Palm Springs glamour.

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Kids birthday invitation styled as a retro pool party postcard with a flamingo float
the idea

1930s Gatsby Art Deco Invitations

A 1930s Art Deco/Gatsby theme is the perfect choice for when you want to add a little old Hollywood glamour or black tie sophistication to your event and give your guests the opportunity to dress up.

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60th birthday invitation with a gold Art Deco Gatsby-style border on black background
the idea

Studio 54 Party Invitations

A Studio 54 theme will lend your party a hedonistic, VIP nightclub vibe, full of glamour, sparkle, and dance-till-dawn energy.

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50th birthday disco invitation with a gold and silver dot pattern and bold 50 graphic
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more adult birthday party ideas

Hit the ‘Read More’ button below to check out my main page of birthday party ideas for adults.

adult birthday party dessert table tapestry backdrop with photos showing the guest of honor 'through the years'
senior woman standing with a group of friends at a party holding up fan faces of her face in front of theirs
too late to die young rude balloon birthday party decorations
man standing next to a custom pinata of himself
read more

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