Text Message Invitations for Every Occasion: Birthdays, Weddings, and Everything in Between

30 April 2024

Dhaval Gajjar

SMS messaging is not new; we are all aware of it. It is an old and popular communication technology that needs no introduction! In today's tech-centric modern era, it plays a vital role in communication. Even when you have planned any event or a party, sending text message invitations is still popular.

Do you know why?

This is because people can send and receive text messages instantly. Besides, they read it promptly. As per the study, people all across the globe send approximately 23 billion text messages every day. Yes! You read it right!

Isn't it mind-blowing? 8.4 trillion text messages each year!

Text messages are short, sweet, easy to deal with, and affordable, so they are a good option for event invitations. There is a high chance that people would read and respond to it. You can even use text message invitation templates like ready-to-use text message birthday invites to invite guests to the birthday party.

This blog will discuss everything about text message invitations in detail. Therefore, without further ado, let us get started.

What are text message invitations?

A text message invitation is an event invitation which is sent through SMS or MMS. The event can be anything like a birthday party, wedding, reception, success party, networking session, graduation party, etc. Instead of using traditional invitation methods like printed invitations or an email, SMS invitations are sent directly to the guest's mobile phone. The text message generally contains event details like date, time, venue, and any other event-related information.

Why choose invitation text messages over other communication channels?

Traditionally, whenever people want to invite someone to an event, they send an invitation via post or email. However, there are a few drawbacks to this kind of communication.

When you send an invitation via post, you need to get that invitation printed. After that, you must seal text invitations in the envelopes and write the address on them. Take that invite to the post office. So, this process is quite a hassle and costs you more. On the other hand, there is a high chance that the post will get lost. Besides, delivery time will be dependent on your guest's location and time of the year. There is a high chance that your invitation will be delivered after the event.
Now, regarding email invitations, the scenario is different. For example, your recipients might not check their emails regularly. So, there is a high chance that your invites might get lost. It might even happen that your recipients muted their email notifications. In this case, they will not get to know about your email.

That's why SMS is the best option, as it has a high open, read, and response rate. Your guests will be unlikely to ignore your text message and will send you a quick response with YES or NO, whether or not they can attend the event.

Hey [guestname]
We are planning our parent's 50th anniversary on 21st May 2024 (detailed attached). Please reply YES or NO to let us know if you can attend. [https://tinyurl.com/a7xyuca3]

What are the benefits of text message invitations?

Text message invitations provide various benefits, so they are an effective and popular communication choice when planning an event.

SMS can be delivered instantly. You can share time-sensitive information about the event.
You can add a personal touch to the invitation to make it look more engaging and meaningful.
Text messages are more cost-effective than sending paper invitations.
You can expect quick responses to text messages, which can help you make timely arrangements based on the response received.
As text messages are accessible globally, you can easily reach a diverse group of recipients regardless of their technological response.
SMS is environmentally friendly as it reduces paper waste.

When is the right time to send text message invitations?

Usually, you should send the SMS invitation before three to four days. So guests will have enough time to reply, and you will know how many people are planning to attend the event.

For that, you can use the text message scheduler, which will help you send timely SMS invitations to your guests. You can even send SMS reminders before one day to ensure that no one forgets the event.

How do you construct a text message invite?

There are three different ways to construct a text message invitation.

1) Include the invitation in the body of the text message.

Regarding SMS invites, you only have 160 characters to impress and grab the recipients' attention. Therefore, your text invite copy should be clear, crisp, and concise. Keep the tone of the message formal or casual according to the event type. However, remember your SMS copy should be compelling and encourage guests to give a response. You can even use SMS automation tools which will help you set auto-reply. So, your guest’s common queries can be resolved quickly.

2) Send MMS

You can design an attractive digital poster using Canva or Adobe Illustrator and attach it to your text message invitation. It will convert your SMS into MMS. Remember, MMS is more expensive than SMS but by following a few tips you can get the desired response (outcome).

3) Attach a digital invite via the link.

You can store your digital invites on Google Drive or Dropbox and access them through the link. Use the URL shortening app to shorten the link and include that link in your text message body. It is a good option when you want to give full details in just one SMS.

What are the different ways to send text message invites?

There are two ways to send text message invites. The first one is through your smartphone's built-in SMS app, and the second one is with the help of professional SMS services like Textdrip.

Whenever you want to send bulk messages accurately, you should go for opting for professional service. Doing this lets you send your guests two-way personalized event invitations. As SMS offers a higher response rate, you will get a quick reply to your message to know how many people will attend the event.

For example, if you want to send birthday text invites, you can use the following template.

Birthday Text Message Invitations

Hey [guest name],
You are invited to the birthday party of [name] this [day], time], at [location]. Are you coming? RSVP today – reply YES or NO.

You can schedule this SMS or send it instantly to all guests.

5 sample text message invitation templates

1) Office Event

Hey [guest name],
You are invited to attend our office’s annual meeting followed by dinner. Date: [date] time: Time], Venue: [location], Please RSVP by [RSVP date]. Let’s meet and have productive discussion!
Thank you!

2) Wedding

Hey [guest name],
[Groom name] & [bride name] are tying the knot on [date] [time] at [venue]. Please be a part of this joyous occasion. RSVP by [date] by replying to Y or N.

3) Launch of a new store/hotel

Hi [guest name],
You are invited to the grand opening of our brand new store on [date] [time]. Save the date. Can you make it? RSVP by [date]. Hope to see you there!

4) Retirement Party

Hey [guest name],
Be our guest on [date, time] as we celebrate [name] 's retirement party. Please let me know if you are able to come. It's a surprise! RSVP by [date].

5) Success Party

Hi [guest name],
Let's congratulate [name] for achieving first grade in [exam name]. We have arranged a surprise success party on [date, time] at [location]. Your presence matters a lot!
Thanks!

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, if you are considering a quick, convenient, and effective way to send invitations, SMS is the perfect choice. You don't need to spend your hard-earned money on leaflet printing or postage or even waste your valuable time creating an email that has a high chance of getting missed.

Text message invitations are direct, affordable, and impactful. In addition to this, they have high open and response rates. When you get a quick reply from your guests, it will be helpful for you to track RSVPs and plan your event seamlessly.

Whether you are planning a big fat wedding or a small birthday party, using a professional service provider like Textdrip can help you send personalized messages to each guest. Besides, you will also get the advantage of bulk SMS text, guest list management, scheduling, helpful analytics, and bulk SMS sending.

So, book a demo or try Textdrip's up to 30-day free trial service along with up to 2500 free credits to experience the difference. Textdrip is a versatile SMS automation tool along with AI capabilities that will help you streamline communications.

FAQ's

How can I craft a text message invitation?

Your text message should be clear, short, and crisp and include a personal touch. Also, remember to include RSVP instructions and attach a URL invite link whenever needed.

Should I go for an SMS automation tool to send text message invitations?

Yes, choosing the right SMS automation tool like Textdrip can help you make the text message invitation process hassle-free. You can set auto-reply, add personal touch, schedule messages, and even take advantage of various features.

What is a text message invitation?

In a text message invitation, you can send the invitation via SMS or MMS to your guest's mobile phone instead of traditional event invitation methods like sending a postcard or an email.

Is a text message invitation a good option?

Yes, it is a popular and cost-effective way to invite your loved ones to the event.

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