Party Charlie Planning Secret No 9 – The Invitation
Start creating the energy for your event by tempting your guests with the invitation. Get your guests excited! Your invitation must have some high-energy words, terms like fun-filled, enchanting, and casual but exciting. Make people want to attend. Just a time and a date will not stimulate excitement or energy.
As hard as it may be to believe, invitations are often an afterthought to many party planners. But the importance of the invitations cannot be overemphasized: It is the first and foremost vehicle used to communicate the appropriate message to your guests! Remember that you get only one chance to make a first impression – make sure it’s the right one.
Save the Date
Send a “save the date” teaser about two or three months before your party. The teaser can read something like, “Join us for an incredible, fun-filled party to celebrate [your occasion]. Check your calendar and set aside the date of [month, day, year]. Your official invitation will be coming soon.” You want people to come to your party, so the better the teaser, the better the response. Put some creativity into it!
Designing the Invitations
There is no hard and fast rule about whether an invitation should be plain or fancy, but it’s a good idea to reflect the kind of party you’re having in the style of invitation you choose. If you’re planning a casual get-together, a simple invitation is appropriate. If you’re planning a gala, then a fancier invitation will give your guests an idea of what to expect.
What to Include in the Invitations
Name:
Type of event: (such as formal wedding, cocktails, dinner, casual BBQ, etc.)
Day and Date: (for example, “Wednesday, June 15th”)
Time:
Location/Map:
Attire:
RSVP: (including phone number, email address, and date by which to respond)
How to Instruct Guests Regarding Attire
The most common question people have after reading an invitation is, “How should I dress?” On your invitation, indicate whether it’s casual attire, dressy, black tie, etc.
The Final Word on Invitations
You’re under no obligation to invite your neighbors unless you want to. But it’s a very classy move to inform the neighbors behind you, in front of you, and beside you that you’re having a party. Also, let them know when it will end and whether or not you’ll have loud music or a live band or DJ. This way they can make plans to avoid the hustle and bustle by being away.
Charlie Scola, affectionately known as Party Charlie and author of “Party Planning Secrets”, is a leading innovator in the party planning industry for over 30 years providing party planning advice, entertainment, design, staffing, rentals and more. Party Charlie’s goal is to continuously deliver the newest and most unique party entertainment and supplies available making your party a huge success.
Party Charley is a show on Actors Reporter on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production. The content of Party Give your guests opportunities to participate in the festivities. Have games, quizzes, or giveaway prizes for the best costume or best dancer. On of Charlie’s favorite ways of creating participation is through a murder mystery.
Charley is courtesy of Charley Scola, the author of “party planning secrets – the ultimate guide to a successful party.”
For more information, please visit www.PartyCharlie.com or call Charlie directly at 310-542-1234.
Party Charlie is syndicated monthly on Actors Reporter, a channel on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.