A 40th birthday party usually has a more complicated guest list than any birthday before it. There are school friends and work friends, partners, neighbors, maybe parents, and plenty of guests who need to book a babysitter before they can say yes. The invitation has to be clear enough for all of them, and still sound like the person turning 40.
This guide gives you 40th birthday invitation wording for her and for him, lines for surprise, funny and elegant parties, the details that matter at this age, and designs you can open in the TwistInvite app. For short lines across every decade, see our milestone birthday invitation wording guide.
What to Include on a 40th Birthday Invitation
- Whose 40th, and who is hosting. A partner, friends or the birthday person themselves.
- The kind of party. Cocktails, a sit-down dinner, a night out or a backyard party. This tells people how to dress and whether to eat first.
- Date, time and address, plus parking or transit if it is not obvious.
- Adults only or family friendly. At 40 this is the question guests most want answered.
- Food and drinks. “Dinner served at 8” or “heavy appetizers and an open bar” saves people from eating twice.
- Gifts. If you’d rather not receive any, say so kindly.
- RSVP deadline, about ten days before the party.
40th Birthday Invitation Wording for Her
Forty and fabulous.
Join us for cocktails and dancing in honor of Rachel’s 40th birthday.
Saturday, June 19 · 8 pm · The Garden Room, 210 Elm Street
Cocktail attire. Please RSVP by June 9.
Forty years of Jess, and she’s only getting started.
Dinner with the girls on Friday, March 12 at 7:30 pm, Bella Notte.
RSVP by March 5 so we can book the long table.
- “Cheers to 40 years of Nicole: champagne, cake and all her favorite people.”
- “Forty, fierce and fabulous. Come celebrate Tanya.”
- “Laura is turning 40 and she’d like a night off. Join us.”
- “Here’s to 40 years of laughter, love and Lisa.”
40th Birthday Invitation Wording for Him
Mike is 40. Let’s get loud.
Saturday, October 16 from 9 pm, The Basement Bar, 44 Front Street.
DJ from 10. First round’s on Mike. RSVP by October 9.
Forty years in the making.
Join us for whiskey, cigars and a backyard fire for James’s 40th.
Saturday from 7 pm at our place. Adults only. RSVP to Kate by Wednesday.
- “Vintage 1987, aged to perfection.”
- “Chris is turning 40. Steaks are on the grill; you bring the stories.”
- “Forty and still the life of the party. Celebrate Tom with us.”
- “Help us roast, toast and celebrate Dave at 40.”
Surprise 40th Birthday Invitation Wording
Put the secret first, then the arrival time, then a way to reply that the birthday person can’t see.
Shh… it’s a surprise!
Join us to surprise Anna on her 40th birthday.
Saturday, April 10 · Please arrive by 6:45 pm; Anna walks in at 7:15.
The Lantern Room, 12 Harbor Way. Park on Bay Street so she won’t spot your car.
RSVP to Mark by April 1, and please keep it quiet.
Choose the RSVP list and the sharing channel carefully. A separate group chat without the birthday person is safer than a family chat. Our surprise party invitation wording guide covers decoy plans and what to do if someone lets the secret slip.
Funny 40th Birthday Invitation Lines
- “Forty: when your back goes out more than you do. Let’s change that for one night.”
- “It took 40 years to look this good. Come and see.”
- “Over the hill? Never heard of it. Join us for Steve’s 40th.”
- “Forty is the new thirty. Thirty-nine was getting old anyway.”
- “Come help us count the candles. Bring a fire extinguisher.”
Keep the age jokes to the people who will enjoy them. If the birthday person isn’t a fan of “over the hill,” go for warm instead of funny.
Elegant 40th Birthday Invitation Wording
The pleasure of your company is requested
at a dinner celebrating the fortieth birthday of
Elizabeth Moore
Saturday, the twentieth of November, at seven o’clock
The Wellington Club · Black tie optional
Kindly reply by the tenth of November
For a formal dinner, write dates and times in words, keep the details to five or six lines and add the dress code at the end. Our cocktail attire invitation wording guide explains what each dress code means for guests.
Details That Matter at 40
- Babysitters. Parents need more notice. A start time of 7 or 8 pm and an RSVP date two weeks ahead give them time to book.
- Adults only, said nicely. “We love your kids, but this one is a grown-ups’ night.”
- Mixed guest lists. If parents or older relatives are invited, mention seating, parking and when dinner is served.
- Gifts. “No gifts, please. Your company is the best present.” Or point to a cause: “In lieu of gifts, Sarah would love a donation to the animal shelter.”
- Two parties. A family lunch and a friends’ night out can go on one invitation as two events, or as two invitations sent to different lists.
40th Party Ideas With Lines to Match
- Cocktail party: “Shaken, stirred and forty.”
- Back to 1987: “Big hair, neon and mixtapes. Dress like the year Nick was born.”
- Garden party: “Flowers, rosé and forty candles in the garden.”
- Club night: “After hours for Amy’s 40th. Dancing until we can’t.”
- Dinner party at home: “Six courses, twelve friends, one birthday.” See birthday dinner invitations for more.
Short Versions for a Text Message
I’m turning 40 🎉 Drinks + dancing Sat Oct 16, 9 pm, Basement Bar. Link has the details and RSVP.
Surprise 40th for Anna! Sat Apr 10, be there by 6:45. Don’t tell her 🤫 RSVP in the link.
When to Send 40th Birthday Invitations
Send them four to six weeks before, or three weeks for a casual house party. For a destination party or a weekend away, send a save the date eight to twelve weeks ahead. Set the RSVP deadline ten days before, and send a reminder to anyone who hasn’t answered a few days before that.
Send It as a Video Invitation
With TwistInvite, you create the invitation in the app: choose a design, replace the sample text with your details, and upload your own photos or videos. You can import a song or hold to record a short message in your own voice. Share one link by WhatsApp, text or email. Guests open it in their browser and reply Going, Can’t make it or Maybe without an app or account, and you can ask how many people each guest is bringing.
None of these designs is made only for a 40th. Coral Poppy Fête is a birthday design; Underground After Hours and The Curious Cocktail Cabinet are party designs for a night out or a cocktail evening. Add the age in the details. Open the birthday designs in TwistInvite, or see more on our digital birthday invitations page. Planning the next big one? Read our 50th birthday invitations guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a 40th birthday invitation say?
Whose 40th it is, who is hosting, the type of party, the date, time and address, whether it is adults only, what food and drinks to expect, any gift note and the RSVP deadline.
How far in advance should you send 40th birthday invitations?
Four to six weeks before for most parties, three weeks for a casual house party, and eight to twelve weeks for a trip or destination party.
How do you say adults only on a 40th birthday invitation?
Keep it warm and direct: “We love your kids, but this one is a grown-ups’ night.” Put it near the date so parents see it before they plan.
What is a good line for a 40th birthday invitation for him?
Try “Vintage 1987, aged to perfection,” “Forty years in the making,” or “Chris is turning 40. Steaks are on the grill; you bring the stories.”
Do guests need an app to RSVP?
No. Guests open the TwistInvite link in a browser and answer Going, Can’t make it or Maybe. The host uses the app to make and send the invitation.
Create it in the TwistInvite app
Download free on iPhone or Android, then share one link with your guests.