Gilded Age Invitation Etiquette

The invitations should be issued a couple of days before the party, that those asked may make their arrangements to be present and not be forced to refuse because of conflicting engagements.

Manners and Customs Practiced in Polite Society

Unless there is to be a large number of guests, verbal invitations are preferable to written ones for a lawn party, as being more in keeping with the informality of the entertainment. If notes must be sent, Demorest advises that they should at least be easy in tone. Couch the requests for your friends society in plain, direct terms. 

The following will serve as a model:

25 SUMMER AVE., GREENFIELD, N. Y.

DEAR MRS. BROWN:

MAY I have the pleasure of seeing you at a little garden party at my house, on next Tuesday afternoon, at four o'clock?

                                               Cordially (or sincerely) yours,

Sept. 7, '87.                                              M. B. GRAY

Never sign a note Miss or Mrs. anything. Let the name stand by itself. The invitations should be issued a couple of days before the party, that those asked may make their arrangements to be present and not be forced to refuse because of conflicting engagements. – Sand Diego Daily Bee, 1887

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia