What to write on an engagement invitation
The announcement before the wedding: joyful and often spontaneous. Eight ways to phrase it, from a simple message to a real invitation.
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An engagement marks the moment a couple announces their intention to marry, whether right after a proposal or at a small party for family and close friends. Unlike a wedding, there is no required format: some couples are happy with a message or a shared photo, others host a real evening with a dedicated invitation.
Do not confuse this modern engagement party with the tenaim, the traditional rite of signing an engagement contract, more formal and codified, practiced mostly in some Ashkenazi and Orthodox communities. If your family is holding (or considering) a tenaim, see the dedicated guide, “What to write on a tenaim invitation”: its wording follows different conventions (the breaking of the plate, the reading of the contract, and so on).
What the invitation should include
- The names of both partners
- The nature of the event (a simple announcement, cocktail party, dinner) if you are hosting a party
- The date and place, if a party is planned
- The tone: spontaneous and joyful almost always suits here better than formality
- The RSVP, if a party is planned
Many couples use this announcement to give a first hint about the wedding to come (“we’re getting married next year!”) without giving a precise date. That is perfectly acceptable, and even advisable if the wedding date is not yet set.
Example wordings
She said yes! David and Sarah are engaged The wedding will follow, and we’ll keep you posted.
We have something to celebrate! David and Sarah are delighted to invite you to celebrate their engagement on [date] at [time] [Venue], [address] Cocktail dinner · RSVP by [date]: [link]
Mr. and Mrs. Cohen and Mr. and Mrs. Levy are delighted to announce the engagement of David & Sarah and invite you to a reception given in their honor on [date], [time] [venue] RSVP: [link]
בס״ד Mr. and Mrs. Kedouri and Mr. and Mrs. Sharabi are delighted to announce the engagement of Eliyahu & Naomi and invite you to a reception in their honor on [date] at [time] [venue] RSVP: [link]
They said yes! Noa and Yuval are engaged, and they’re celebrating with you on [date] at [time], [venue]. Mazal tov! Come one, come all. RSVP: [link]
He proposed this weekend at [venue], and she said yes, in tears (of joy). We’re celebrating with you on [date], [time], [venue]. Come raise a glass! RSVP: [link]
David + Sarah = engaged We’re celebrating on [date] at [venue]. See you soon for what comes next (the wedding is coming) RSVP: [link]
After five years together, David asked the question, and Sarah said yes. The engagement party is on [date] at [venue], until we see you at the wedding next year. We can’t wait to share this chapter with you. RSVP: [link]
Honorifics
If the parents of both families host the party together and are named in the text, name the two families equally (alphabetical order or by seniority, according to family custom), and avoid listing one family before the other for no reason. If a parent has recently passed away, z"l after the name remains the correct form if you choose to mention them: zichrono livracha for a man, zichrona livracha for a woman (“of blessed memory”).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Announcing a firm wedding date that is not yet confirmed: it is better to stay vague (“next year,” “soon”) than to have to correct yourself later.
- Forgetting to say whether it is a simple announcement or a real invitation to a party: many loved ones wonder whether they should save a date or just react to a message.
- Mixing up the tone of an engagement (spontaneous, light) with that of a wedding: wording that is too ceremonious for a party among close friends can ring false.
- Leaving out the RSVP when a meal or cocktail party is planned: even a small party needs a head count.
Checklist: don’t forget
- Names of both partners
- Nature of the event (announcement only, or a party)
- Date, time and place if a party is planned
- A mention (optional) of when the wedding might be
- RSVP if a meal or cocktail party is hosted
- A tone that matches the mood you want
What’s next?
An invitation true to your traditions.
In 4 languages, with Hebrew set the way it should be and replies tracked household by household.
