Debut invitation wording: samples for an 18th birthday
A debut invitation has more to say than a regular birthday: the celebrant's name, a formal program, a dress code, and often a special request to the people in the 18 Roses or 18 Candles. Here are samples in English, Taglish, and Tagalog to copy and change.
What to put on a debut invitation
- The celebrant's full name, and that she or he is turning 18.
- The date and time, and the venue with its city.
- When the program starts, if guests should arrive before it.
- The dress code, and the color motif if there is one.
- The parents' names, if you want them on it.
- A reply date and how to reply.
English samples
Together with her family, [Parents' names]
request the pleasure of your company at the debut celebration of
[Celebrant's full name]
[date] · [time]
[Venue, City]
Dinner and program to follow.
Formal attire. Kindly reply by [date].
Mark the date!
[Name] is turning 18!
and you're invited
[date] · [time]
[Venue, City]
Dress code: [formal / color theme]
Please reply by [date].
Taglish sample
Eighteen na si [Pangalan]!
Gusto ka naming kasama sa selebrasyon!
[petsa] · [oras]
[Lugar, lungsod]
Dress code: [dress code]
Paki-RSVP po bago ang [petsa]. See you!
Tagalog sample
Buong pagmamalaki naming inaanyayahan kayo sa ika-18 kaarawan ng aming anak na si
[Buong pangalan]
sa [petsa], ganap na [oras]
sa [Lugar, lungsod].
Susundan ito ng hapunan at palatuntunan.
Maaari po ninyong ipaalam sa amin bago ang [petsa] kung makakadalo kayo. Maraming salamat po.
Dress code and color motif lines
Formal attire.
Ladies: gown or cocktail dress. Gentlemen: barong or suit.
Color motif: [colors].
Please avoid [color], which [Name] will wear.
Asking people to be part of the program
Traditions differ by family, but a debut often includes the 18 Roses (people who each dance with the celebrant), the 18 Candles (each person lights a candle and shares a short message), and the 18 Treasures (each person gives a small gift). These are usually asked in person before the invitation goes out. These samples can go in a message.
Will you be one of [Name]'s 18 Roses?
We would love for you to dance with her at her debut on [date] at [venue].
Please let us know by [date].
Gusto ka sana naming maging isa sa 18 Roses ni [Pangalan]!
Sasayaw ka kasama niya sa kanyang debut sa [petsa], [oras], sa [lugar].
Paki-sabi po sa amin bago ang [petsa].
Tips before you send it
- Say right at the top that it's a debut and whose it is. Guests decide how to dress from that.
- Put the dress code and color motif before the reply line, so people see them before they answer.
- If there are two parts, like a Mass and then the party, give both places and both times.
- Ask for replies at least two weeks before, so you can tell the caterer how many are coming.
- If you'd rather not receive gifts, say so kindly, for example: “Your presence is the best gift.”
Make it in Paanyaya
Pick a debut design, then open Wording samples in the card editor to fill your card with one of these wordings, with your date, time, and place already in. Replace the [brackets] with your own words, and add your guest list. You can put your guests in groups, like “18 Roses” or “Family”, and each part of your program can be shown to everyone or only to some groups, so your 18 Roses see their call time and nobody else sees it. Every guest replies on their own invitation, and a QR code on it speeds up check-in at the door.
Designs to start from
Shown with sample names. Change any of the words, or use your own photo instead.
Join us as she turns eighteen
Andrea at 18
an evening of roses and memories
Especially for
Lola Nena
Saturday, January 23, 2027
6:00 PM
Quezon City
Roses invitation designMatching envelopeWith a matching envelope Join us as she turns eighteen
Sofia at 18
A night of gold and grace
Especially for
Lola Nena
Saturday, March 20, 2027
7:00 PM
Taguig City
Gold sparkle invitation designMatching envelopeWith a matching envelope Join us as she turns eighteen
Bianca at 18
Eighteen candles, eighteen wishes
Especially for
Lola Nena
Saturday, February 6, 2027
6:00 PM
Pasig City
18 candles invitation designMatching envelopeWith a matching envelope Join us as she turns eighteen
Mika at 18
A night to remember
Especially for
Lola Nena
Saturday, June 12, 2027
7:00 PM
Antipolo
Tiara invitation designMatching envelopeWith a matching envelope
More designs: Debut invitations.
Questions
What should a debut invitation say first?
The celebrant's name and that it's a debut. Then the date, time, and place, then the dress code, then how to reply. Guests read from the top and stop when they have what they need.
Can my 18 Roses see a different schedule from everyone else?
Yes. In Paanyaya you can put guests in groups and show a part of your program only to some groups, so the group sees its own call time and other guests don't see it.
How many guests can I invite?
Up to 2,000 guests on one event, and you can paste a list from Excel or Google Sheets instead of typing them one by one.
Is Paanyaya free?
Yes. Designing the card, sending links to every guest, replies, and check-in at the door are all free, with no ads on your guests' invitations and no watermark on the card.
Ready when you are
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Make your debut invitation