A text message invitation is an event invite sent by SMS instead of by mail or email. It lands next to texts from friends instead of in a crowded inbox, guests can RSVP with a one-word reply, and you can follow up with a reminder the day before. Below: what to put in one, 21 ready-to-use templates, and how to collect RSVPs by text.
Key takeaways
- Every invite needs five things: what, when, where, who it’s from, and one way to RSVP.
- Keep it to one text. Every template below fits in a single 160-character segment, checked with the same rules our credit calculator uses.
- Ask for a one-word reply like YES or NO. It’s the easiest RSVP to give and the easiest to count.
What to Include in a Text Invitation
A text has no room for a design, so every word has to do a job. Include:
- Who it’s from. A name or business name in the first few words, so it isn’t mistaken for spam.
- What the event is. “Maya’s 30th,” not “a party.”
- When. Day, date, and start time. Add an end time if it matters.
- Where. The venue name, or a link for an online event.
- One way to RSVP. “Reply YES or NO” beats “let me know.” Add a deadline if you need a headcount.
Optional: the guest’s first name, a dress code, parking tips, or a registry link. If you’re texting for a business, add “Reply STOP to opt out” to promotional invites and only text people who agreed to hear from you.
How to Create and Send a Text Invite
For a handful of friends, your phone’s messaging app works. For a guest list of 30 or more, a group text gets messy: everyone sees everyone’s number, and every “Count me in!” pings the whole group. A texting service sends each guest a private copy and brings replies back only to you.
1. Import Your Guest List
You need a phone number for each guest, and ideally their permission to text them. In TextSpot, create a group for the event and import your contact list from a spreadsheet, or add guests one by one.
2. Write Your Invitation
Start from a template below. Use variables to insert each guest’s first name automatically, so 200 guests each get a text that reads like it was written for them. Keep it under 160 characters so it sends as one text.
3. Send It or Schedule It
Send right away, or schedule it for a time your guests are likely to read it, like early evening. Then schedule your reminder texts at the same time, so the follow-ups go out on their own.
Text Message Invitation Templates
Swap in your details. Words in {braces} are placeholders. Each character count treats a placeholder as 10 characters, so a long venue name or link can push a template past 160. Paste your final version into the calculator below the templates to check before you send.
If guests don’t have your number saved, start with your name, like “Maya here:”, so they know who’s inviting them.
Birthday and parties
Hi {first name}! You're invited to Maya's 30th on Sat {date}, 7pm at {place}. Reply YES if you can make it or NO if not.(125 characters, 1 segment)Surprise party for {name} on {date} at 6:30pm, {place}. Please arrive by 6:15 and keep it secret! Reply YES to RSVP.(127 characters, 1 segment){first name}, we're throwing a holiday party Fri {date} from 6 to 10pm at {place}. Bring a friend! Reply YES or NO by {date}.(134 characters, 1 segment)You're invited to Leo's 5th birthday! Sat {date}, 2 to 4pm at {place}. Reply YES with how many kids are coming.(118 characters, 1 segment)
Weddings and showers
Save the date! {name} and {name} are getting married {date} in {city}. Formal invite to follow. Reply STOP to opt out.(134 characters, 1 segment)Hi {first name}, you're invited to Sarah's bridal shower Sun {date} at 1pm, {place}. Please reply YES or NO by {date}.(127 characters, 1 segment)Baby shower for {name}! Sat {date}, 11am at {place}. Registry: {link}. Reply YES to RSVP.(104 characters, 1 segment){first name}, we hope you can join us for our wedding on {date}. RSVP by {date}: reply YES, NO, or the number of guests.(126 characters, 1 segment)
Business and networking
{company}: you're invited to customer appreciation night, Thu {date}, 5 to 7pm at {place}. Reply YES to save a spot, STOP to opt out.(141 characters, 1 segment)Hi {first name}, join our free workshop on {topic}, Tue {date} at 12pm. Register: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out.(121 characters, 1 segment){company} grand opening Sat {date}, 10am! First 50 guests get a gift. Reply YES and we'll hold one for you. STOP to opt out.(129 characters, 1 segment)Hi {first name}, our team lunch is Fri {date} at 12:30, {place}. Reply YES or NO by Wed so we can confirm the headcount.(125 characters, 1 segment)
Schools, churches, and teams
{school}: Back to School Night is Thu {date}, 6pm in the gym. Meet your child's teachers. Reply YES if you'll attend.(123 characters, 1 segment){church} invites you to our fall picnic Sun {date} after the 10am service. Bring a side dish! Reply YES with your headcount.(130 characters, 1 segment)Team party! Sat {date}, 4pm at {place}. Families welcome. Reply YES with the number coming so we order enough pizza.(123 characters, 1 segment){first name}, you're invited to the {school} reunion on {date} at {place}. Tickets: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out.(125 characters, 1 segment)
Webinars and online events
Hi {first name}, you're invited to our live webinar on {topic}, {date} at 1pm ET. Save your seat: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out.(137 characters, 1 segment){company}: free online class Tue {date} at 7pm. Join: {link}. Reply YES for a reminder an hour before. STOP to opt out.(128 characters, 1 segment)
Reminders and follow-ups
Reminder: {event} is tomorrow at {time}, {place}. Can't wait to see you! Reply NO if your plans changed.(114 characters, 1 segment)Hi {first name}, we haven't heard back about {event} on {date}. Can you make it? Reply YES or NO.(102 characters, 1 segment)Thanks for coming to {event}, {first name}! Photos are here: {link}(72 characters, 1 segment)
Text blast cost calculator
Paste your message and list size to see how many credits it uses. 1 credit = 1 SMS segment.
Merge fields like {first name} are counted as 10 characters. Picture messages (MMS) are billed differently from SMS.
Planning a wedding? See our wedding invitation texts and wedding reminder texts.
How to Collect RSVPs by Text
The fastest RSVP is a one-word reply. Here is how to set it up so you aren’t chasing answers:
- Ask for a specific word. “Reply YES or NO” gets cleaner answers than “let us know.” For a headcount, ask for a number: “Reply with how many are coming.”
- Read replies in one place. With TextSpot, every reply lands in your SMS inbox next to the guest’s name, so you can see who said yes at a glance.
- Confirm automatically. Set an autoresponder on the word YES, so every guest who RSVPs gets an instant “Thanks, see you there!” plus parking or entry details.
- Follow up with the quiet ones. A few days before your deadline, send the “we haven’t heard back” template to guests who haven’t replied.
One invite, a one-word reply, an automatic confirmation
Hi Jordan! You’re invited to Maya’s 30th on Sat Nov 14, 7pm at Rosie’s Taproom. Reply YES if you can make it or NO if not.
YES
Thanks, see you there! Street parking is free after 6pm.
For more on running an event by text, from invite to day-of reminders, see turning texts into RSVPs.
Send a Reminder Before the Event
An invite sent three weeks out is easy to forget. Schedule two follow-ups when you send the invite:
- RSVP deadline reminder: two or three days before you need a final count, to guests who haven’t replied.
- Day-before reminder: to everyone who said yes, with the time, the address, and parking or entry details.
Keep reminders shorter than the invite. Guests already know what the event is. They need the time and the place.
Text Invitations vs. Email Invitations
| Text invitation | Email invitation | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it lands | The guest’s messages, next to texts from friends | An inbox that may filter it to promotions or spam |
| Room for design | None. Words and an optional image | Full design, photos, and long details |
| How guests RSVP | A one-word reply | Click a link or write back |
| Best for | Short notice, casual events, reminders, quick headcounts | Formal events and invitations with a lot of detail |
The two work well together: send a formal email or paper invite for a wedding, then use texts for the save-the-date, the RSVP nudge, and the day-before reminder.
Best Practices for Text Message Invitations
- Personalize it. A first name at the start makes a group send feel like a personal invite.
- Send at a sensible hour. Between 9am and 8pm in your guests’ time zone.
- Use one text, not three. Long invites split into several segments, each one billed as a credit, and some phones show them as separate texts.
- Skip emoji in big sends. One emoji changes how the whole text is encoded and can cut the space from 160 characters to 70, which doubles the cost of a long-ish invite.
- Get permission for business invites. Customers, members, and parents should have opted in to texts. Include “Reply STOP to opt out” on promotional invites.
Who Uses Text Invitations
Anyone who needs people to show up: birthday and holiday parties, weddings and showers, retirement and graduation parties, school events, church gatherings, team parties, retreats, workshops, grand openings, and webinars. Businesses use them most for customer events, classes, and open houses, where a quick headcount matters.