Anniversary Party Invitation Wording: 25th, 40th, and 50th Examples for Every Host

Twenty-five, forty, fifty years. Every anniversary milestone is a story about two people who kept choosing each other, and the party is a chance for everyone who has been part of that story to say so. Whether it's a backyard barbecue for a 25th or a formal dinner for a 50th, the invitation is where the celebration starts.

Below you'll find anniversary party invitation wording for every situation: when the couple hosts, when their children host, milestone-specific lines for the 25th, 40th, 50th, and 60th, surprise parties, "no gifts" requests, and vow renewals. Copy any example as written, or swap in your own names, dates, and details.

What an Anniversary Invitation Should Include

An anniversary invitation has a few jobs: say who is being celebrated, what milestone it is, and how guests can join in. Include:

• The couple's names. First names for a casual party ("Linda and Joe"), or full names for something formal ("Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Moretti").
• The milestone. "Their 40th wedding anniversary" or "forty years of marriage." If you want to name the traditional theme, like ruby or gold, this is where it goes.
• The wedding year (optional). "1986–2026" is a lovely touch, especially on 40th and 50th invitations.
• Who is hosting. The couple, their children, grandchildren, or friends.
• Date, time, and location. Include an end time for a daytime party or a restaurant booking.
• The type of event. A dinner, an open house, a dessert reception, or a party with dancing.
• Dress code (optional). "Garden party attire," "cocktail attire," or a color theme like "wear something red."
• RSVP details. A reply-by date and how to respond. For older relatives, a phone number alongside the digital RSVP is a thoughtful extra.
• A gift note (optional). More on that below.

Start with a design from our anniversary party invitations, which include silver, ruby, and golden milestone templates, then add your wording.

Wording When the Couple Hosts

When a couple throws their own anniversary party, the wording usually comes straight from them, and it can be as sentimental or as playful as they like.

Warm and simple:

Twenty-five years and still dancing.
Please join Michelle and Brian
as we celebrate our silver anniversary.
Saturday, June 12 · 6 p.m.
Our home, 214 Birch Road

Formal, from the couple:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes
request the pleasure of your company
at a dinner celebrating their
fortieth wedding anniversary
Saturday, the eighth of May
seven o'clock in the evening
The Oak Room, Riverside Inn

Lighthearted:

We've survived 30 years, two kids, three dogs, and one very long road trip.
Come celebrate with us!
Karen and Phil's 30th Anniversary Party
Backyard barbecue · Saturday, August 7 · 4 p.m.

A tip for couples writing their own invitation: let it sound like you. If you're known for your sense of humor, a funny line will feel right to your guests. If you're more private, a short, gracious invitation says plenty. And if the party is at home, a note like "Casual dress, comfortable shoes for dancing" saves guests from guessing.

Short and sweet:

Join us as we celebrate 20 years of marriage.
Drinks, dinner, and dancing at The Hartwell.

Wording When the Children Host

For milestone anniversaries, especially the 40th, 50th, and 60th, the couple's adult children traditionally host. It's a way to honor their parents, and it means the couple doesn't have to plan their own celebration. The host line usually names the children (and sometimes the grandchildren).

Formal, children hosting:

The children of
Margaret and Edward Collins
request the honor of your presence
at a celebration of their parents'
fiftieth wedding anniversary
Saturday, the nineteenth of June
two o'clock in the afternoon
St. Mark's Parish Hall

Warm, from the family:

Please join us in celebrating
40 years of love for our mom and dad,
Teresa and Carlos Rivera
Hosted by Ana, Luis, and Sofia, with love from the grandkids
Saturday, April 24 · 5 p.m.
Bella Vista Restaurant

Grandchildren hosting:

Grandma and Grandpa said "I do" 60 years ago,
and we'd love for you to help us celebrate!
Hosted by the grandchildren of Dorothy and Frank Miller

Siblings splitting the hosting: List everyone, in age order or alphabetically, so no one feels left out: "Hosted by their children, Michael and Jenna, Laura and Chris, and David."

Milestone Wording by Year (25th Silver, 40th Ruby, 50th Gold, 60th Diamond)

Each major milestone has a traditional theme, and working it into your wording (or your colors) gives the invitation an instant sense of occasion.

25th anniversary: silver

The silver anniversary is often the first big milestone party. Couples usually host it themselves, and the tone can be fun.

Twenty-five years of silver linings.
Join us for a silver anniversary celebration
honoring Jessica and Mark.

A quarter century of love, laughter, and leftover pizza.
Come celebrate our 25th!

40th anniversary: ruby

The ruby anniversary stands for passion and lasting love, and it's a milestone many families celebrate in a big way. Red flowers, candles, and table linens make a natural theme, and a family dinner is a classic format. Here's 40th wedding anniversary invitation wording for every style.

Formal 40th, children hosting:

Please join us in celebrating
the ruby wedding anniversary of
Patricia and George Anderson
Forty years of marriage, 1986–2026
Hosted by their children
Saturday, the twelfth of December
six o'clock in the evening
The Grand Ballroom, Fairview Hotel

Warm 40th, couple hosting:

Forty years ago we said "I do,"
and we'd say it again tomorrow.
Please join us for dinner and dancing
to celebrate our ruby anniversary.
Linda and Joe Moretti

Casual 40th:

40 years, still each other's favorite.
Come raise a glass to Sue and Tom!
Saturday, May 15 · 3 to 7 p.m. · The Lake House

40th with a color theme:

Help us paint the town ruby red!
Celebrate 40 years with Carol and Jim.
Wear a touch of red if you'd like.

A few 40th-specific tips: if the couple married in 1986, adding "Since 1986" or "1986–2026" under their names is a nice detail. A photo from their wedding day next to a recent one makes a lovely invitation, especially on a digital design. And because 40th anniversary guests often span three generations, include a phone number for RSVPs alongside the online reply link.

50th anniversary: gold

The golden anniversary is the classic big celebration, usually hosted by the couple's children.

Fifty golden years.
Please join us in celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of
Barbara and Richard Sullivan
1976–2026

Half a century of love.
Join the family for a golden anniversary luncheon
honoring Mom and Dad.

60th anniversary: diamond

A diamond anniversary is rare and deserves a gentle, joyful invitation. Keep it shorter, use a larger font, and consider an afternoon event so it's easier for the couple and older guests.

Sixty years, and still shining.
Please join us for a diamond anniversary tea
celebrating Evelyn and Harold Brooks.

Other milestones you might celebrate: the 10th (tin or aluminum), 20th (china), 30th (pearl), and 35th (coral).

Surprise Anniversary Party Wording

A surprise anniversary party needs one thing above all: guests who understand it's a secret. Put that up front, and give them a way to RSVP that won't reach the couple.

Keep this one quiet!
Lisa and Kevin have no idea we're celebrating
their 25 years of marriage.
Saturday, October 9 · Please arrive by 6:30 p.m.
The couple arrives at 7.
RSVP to Megan (not to Lisa or Kevin!) by September 28.

Help us surprise Mom and Dad on their 40th!
They think it's a quiet family dinner.
Let's prove them wrong.

Tips for keeping the secret:

• Build in a buffer. Give guests an "arrive by" time a half hour ahead of the couple's entrance.
• Send RSVPs to the organizer only. A digital invite that goes to guests' phones, not a shared family email, is the safest option.
• Have a reason to get the couple there. A "small family dinner" at the same venue is the classic cover.

Browse our surprise party invitations for designs, and our guide to surprise party invitation wording has more ideas for keeping the plan under wraps.

How to Say "No Gifts" on an Anniversary Invitation

Many couples celebrating a later milestone already have everything they need, and they'd rather guests simply show up. A short, warm line on the invitation works best:

Your presence is the only gift we need.

No gifts, please. Your love and friendship have been our greatest gifts.

Instead of a gift, we'd love a favorite memory or photo for our anniversary book.

The couple kindly requests no gifts. If you wish, a donation to [charity name] would mean so much to them.

A "memory card" request is especially sweet for a 40th or 50th party. Ask guests to bring a handwritten note or old photo, and collect them in a box or album the couple can keep. For more ways to phrase it, see our guide on how to write "no gifts" on an invitation.

Vow Renewal Invitation Wording

A vow renewal combines a short ceremony with a celebration, so its invitation sits somewhere between a wedding invitation and a party invitation. Mention both the ceremony and the reception.

Formal:

Together with their children,
Susan and Michael Grant
invite you to witness the renewal of their wedding vows
in celebration of their thirtieth anniversary
Saturday, the fourteenth of August
four o'clock in the afternoon
Grace Chapel
Dinner and dancing to follow

Warm and personal:

Twenty-five years ago, we promised forever.
Now we'd love to say it again, with all of you there.
Please join us as we renew our vows.

Simple and modern:

I do, again!
Join Rachel and Tom as they renew their vows,
followed by a backyard reception.

If the vow renewal is followed by a sit-down meal, our dinner party invitations are a good fit for a smaller, more intimate gathering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who hosts a 50th anniversary party? Traditionally, the couple's adult children host the 50th, often with help from grandchildren. The couple can also host their own celebration.

What is the 40th wedding anniversary called? The 40th is the ruby anniversary. Red flowers, candles, and accents are popular themes.

What are the main anniversary milestones? The 25th is silver, the 40th is ruby, the 50th is gold, and the 60th is diamond.

How far in advance should anniversary invitations be sent? Four to six weeks ahead for most parties, and six to eight weeks for a large milestone celebration or if guests are traveling.

Is it OK to say "no gifts" on an anniversary invitation? Yes. A short, gracious line like "Your presence is the only gift we need" is perfectly polite.

Can I send anniversary invitations online? Yes, and it's especially handy when family is spread out. Sending to 10 people or fewer costs nothing on Rizz Invites, while a single per-invite payment unlocks bigger lists: $14.99 for 50 guests, $29.99 for 150, or $64.99 for 1,000. You won't be signed up for a subscription.

Ready to celebrate the years? Choose a design from our anniversary party invitations and send it to family and friends in minutes.