If you are planning a retirement party for yourself or someone else, it can be easy to get so caught up in the details that you forget a very tiny but important detail: the invitation to the party!
Since it might feel like such a small detail, it’s easy to think you can leave this to much later, but don’t make that mistake. People’s calendars fill up faster than you think, so you want to get the invitation out sooner than later.
It can be tough coming up with the right words for this big moment, but whether you are writing the invitations for your own party or for that of someone else – with our top tips and examples, it will be a breeze.
Things you should include in the invitation
It’s easy to underestimate the amount of information you need to put on a retirement party invitation. You might think that only date and time is enough, but in reality, there’s a whole lot more needed to ensure a fantastic party and send-off for the guest of honor.
Read on for our overview of things you can’t miss on the retirement party invitation.
Date/Time:
This might be an obvious but crucial thing that you can’t forget to mention. Send the invites out well in advance so people have enough time to reschedule plans so that they can attend.
Send the invites out at least three weeks in advance. However, you might want this period to be even longer, depending on your culture. Some cultures tend to plan things months in advance. If the party is very informal and only for a small group of friends, then a shorter timeline will suffice.
Location:
Where is the party being held? If it’s a difficult-to-reach area, you’ll want to include directions as well as an address. If you are hosting the party in an open area like a big park, you can even consider drawing out a little map, so you be assured everyone will make it on time.
Reason for Party:
If you aren’t completely clear about the reason for the party, some people might just assume it’s a birthday party and show up with a birthday present.
Make it clear from the beginning that it’s a retirement party. Otherwise, you might have confused guests showing up with a birthday present.
Honoree’s Name:
Including the honoree’s name in writing will help less familiar guests ensure they have the correct spelling so when they write their retirement cards.
What to Wear:
Is the party a laid-back, casual affair in the park? Or do guests need to be dressed for a black tie party? Make sure to include enough details, so no attendee shows up underdressed for the party.
What to (or not to) Bring:
Ensure your invitation specifies “No gifts” if you don’t want to bring home a pile of presents.
RSVP Details:
Depending on where you are having the party, you probably need some kind of estimate of the number of attendees. Make it clear by when guests need to RSVP and by which method. Don’t forget the necessary contact details.
Any Other Details:
Perhaps you have very specific details that you want guests to know upfront. For example, the venue could be an adults-only space, so you want to definitely ensure guests don’t show up with kids in tow on the night.
Or maybe you want the guests to bring something special along to the party. The invitation is the best place to include all these little additional details.
Formal Wording
Invitations with formal wording usually see both the titles and last names of guests used. It’s common to start the invitation with a greeting such as, “Please join us for a retirement dinner honoring Jane Does.”
Always be sure that the tone of the invitation is very polite and sign off with something more formal such as “sincerely,” before adding your name at the bottom.
Casual Wording
Casual wording implies that although certain fundamental details will still be on the invitation, there’s a lot more leeway when it comes to how you actually write it. For example, you can, of course, use first names, but you also write it in such a way that the retiree’s personality shines through.
Retirement Invitation Examples
The wording you use on your invitation will, in large part, be dictated by the type of party you are hosting. In reality, this means that the invitation and wording of a black tie event will give off a very different tone than a casual get-together in your backyard.
Funny Invitation
She’s (finally) making it official!
So come help us celebrate Anne’s retirement.
Friday, 2 August, at 6 pm
At Anne’s new office (her home)
17 Church Street
Port Elizabeth, CA
We hope to see you there!
Army Invitation – Example 1
At Ease! Dave’s Finally Retired!
Join us for a celebration on the 17th of September.
Beers and Barbeque
63 Churchill Avenue at 6 pm
We hope to see you there!
Army Invitation – Example 2
Quick! March!
To the retirement party for
Sergeant Steven Anderson
On Friday, 12th August
17 Orchard Avenue
Rondebosch, Cape Town
Please RSVP by August 1st
RSVPs: [email protected]
Teacher Retirement Invitation Example
Finally, School’s Out Forever!
Join us for my Retirement Party at my home
12 Orchard Road
At 7 pm on April 13th
In lieu of gifts, please consider donating to your local schools!
Coworkers Invitation – Example 1
Dave Churchill is finally calling it a day!
Join us to celebrate decades of hard work
At our company headquarters
17 Miranda Avenue
1840 Port Elizabeth
June 6, at 3 pm
No RSVP is required.
Coworkers Invitation – Example 2
Join us to say farewell to Clive
After an illustrious career, he’s finally decided to retire
So we are celebrating with a farewell at the office
5 pm, Wednesday, June 12th
Coworkers Invitation – Example 3
Smith Consulting & Co. will forever be grateful for such a hardworking and dedicated employee so we can’t let this person go without a proper celebration. We invite all employees to be present at the party on 17th of June at Conference Room A.
Open House Invitation Example
It’s time for a celebration!
Come help me celebrate my new chapter
This Friday at 6 pm
At my home
16 Church Street, Port Elizabeth
Can’t wait to see you there!
In lieu of gifts, please consider donating to your local animal shelter.
Retirement Tea Party Invitation Example
Please join us for Afternoon Tea
Honoring the Retirement of Annabelle Smith
Sunday, September 6th
From 3 pm to 5 pm
At Orchard Tea Lounge
19 Miranda Avenue, EC
Sunday Dress Attire Requested
Please RSVP by August 20th
RSVPs: [email protected]
Formal Invitation – Example 1
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Clark
Please join us to celebrate Anne Gabel’s retirement from her law practice
A Celebratory Dinner
Friday, July 12th 2023
seven o’clock in the evening
Rose Patio
1245 Orchard Road,
Rondebosch, Cape Town
R.S.V.P. by June fifteenth
378-496-3384
Sincerely,
Claire Davis
Formal Invitation – Example 2
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Davids
Please join us to celebrate Claire Mitchell’s retirement with Dinner and Dancing
On Tuesday, First May 2023
At seven-thirty in the evening
At Vintage Club, Cape Town
R.S.V.P by June Twelve
0845810243
Informal Retirement BBQ Invitation Example
Join us for a celebration of Mary’s newfound freedom!
An informal BBQ at her favorite spot in the park
Meet us by the central fountain
Saturday, 12th July at 2pm
BYOB and whatever you want to BBQ
No RSVP required
Nurse Retirement Invitation Example
It’s time to finally hang up my scrubs for good.
Join us for my Retirement Party at my garden
12 Clifton Road
At 7 pm on May 17th
No RSVP required
Vet Retirement Invitation Example
Time to only look after my own fur babies
Join us for my Retirement Party at my home
17 Maple Road
At 6 pm on August 17th
In lieu of gifts, please consider donating to your animal shelters.
Virtual Party Invitation Example
Sandy Smith
Since we can’t be together in person
Let’s celebrate my retirement virtually
Join me for a celebration on Zoom
On May 5th at 7 pm
Zoom ID: XXXX
Zoom Password: XXXX
Partner Invitation – Example 1
Due to the fact that my husband will spend the rest of his life complaining, I would like to invite you all to his retirement party at 6 Miranda Street on September 2nd. As you are well aware, he likes gifts. Please RSVP by the 31st of August at [email protected]. We hope to celebrate with you.
Partner Invitation – Example 2
As a husband, it would be refreshing to see my partner reading a book instead of office files late into the evening. On that note, we are organizing a retirement party for her, and we would be delighted to see you there. Please join us for the celebration on the 6th of September at 7 pm at our home. Address: 47 Humerail Avenue, Port Elizabeth. No RSVP and gift is required.
Friends and Colleagues Invitation – Example 1
He is taking his tie off for the last time.
A retirement party for David with dinner and dancing.
The party will be hosted at 13 Cape Road, Amsterdam, 1203
16th May 2023 at 6:30 PM
Dress Code: Casual
RSVP Email: [email protected] by the 2nd May 2023.
Friends and Colleagues Invitation – Example 2
My family and I would like to share a special day in our lives as Ellen celebrates her retirement and the start of an exciting new chapter.
Join us for the celebration at 17 Cape Road, Amsterdam, 1203
16th June 2020 at 6:30 PM
No RSVPs and gifts are required.