50th Wedding Anniversary Invitations: Golden Wording for Every Kind of Celebration

A 50th wedding anniversary invitation names the couple, says "fifty years" or "golden anniversary" up front, and tells guests who is hosting, when and where, what kind of celebration it is (party, dinner, vow renewal or Mass) and how to reply. Gold is the traditional color. Below are 25+ lines to copy, each paired with a video design.

This guide is only about the 50th. For other milestones, see our anniversary party invitation ideas and wording guide; for the 25th, see 25th wedding anniversary invitations. You can also start from one of our anniversary party invitations and send it as a single link.

Featured TwistInvite DesignsGolden Anniversary InvitationsPick an anniversary video design in the app, add the wedding photo, their song and a message from the family, and share one link guests RSVP to in their browser.

What to Include on a 50th Anniversary Invitation

• The couple's names, often with the wife's maiden name for family who knew her then.
• The milestone: "50th wedding anniversary", "golden anniversary" or "fifty years of marriage".
• The wedding date, if you like: "Married June 18, 1977".
• Who is hosting. Usually the children or grandchildren; say so in the first line.
• Date, time and place, with an end time for an afternoon party.
• What kind of celebration: open house, dinner, vow renewal, Mass and lunch.
• Gift preference. Many couples prefer "no gifts"; say it kindly.
• Reply-by date and how to reply. Older guests appreciate a phone number as well as the link.
• Accessibility notes: parking close to the door, step-free entrance, seating.

Hosted by the Children

Formal

Warm

Pair it with: Day One, Still Us. A watercolor lane by a lake with a young bride and groom at the top and the same couple, white-haired, walking arm in arm at the bottom, under "Day One · Still Us · A love story for a lifetime". It says "fifty years later" without a word from you.

Hosted by the Couple

Pair it with: Two of a Kind Celebration. Two glasses, red and white wine, touch among burgundy and cream roses and a satin ribbon, with "Two of a Kind · Made to celebrate together". Best for a dinner or toast hosted by the couple.

A Surprise Golden Anniversary

Send surprise invitations by text to each guest rather than in a group chat the couple might be in, and say clearly who to reply to.

Vow Renewal or Mass of Thanksgiving

Pair it with: Running Into Forever. A couple walks hand in hand down a lantern-lit path between rows of guests holding candles, toward a stone archway, under "You're invited · Running into Forever · Come celebrate the journey". Best for a vow renewal or an evening celebration.

An Elegant Golden Anniversary Dinner

An evening of gold
Dinner in honor of Robert and Margaret Allen
fifty years married
Saturday, June 19, at seven o'clock
Lakeview Country Club · Cocktail attire, a touch of gold welcome
Please reply by May 29

Pair it with: Lakeside Golden Vows. The video opens on a lakeside villa and moves into a marble-columned banquet hall with chandeliers, ivory tables, white flowers, candles and a floral archway. Best for a formal dinner at a club, hotel or garden venue.

Short Versions for a Text

• Mom and Dad's 50th! Sat June 19, 2–5 p.m., our house. Details and RSVP: [link]
• Fifty golden years for Robert and Margaret. Join us June 19: [link]
• Surprise 50th for Mom and Dad, June 19 at 5:30. Don't tell them! [link]
• Golden anniversary dinner, June 19 at 7. Please RSVP by May 29: [link]

Gift Lines and Other Tricky Ones

• No gifts: "Your presence is the only gift they'd like."
• A charity instead: "In lieu of gifts, the couple would be grateful for a donation to [charity]."
• Memories instead: "Instead of gifts, please bring a favorite photo or memory of Robert and Margaret to share."
• Adults only: "An evening for the grown-ups; we hope you'll enjoy a night off."
• Late RSVP from older relatives: "You can also call Susan at [phone] to reply."

Ideas for the Video Part

• Then and now. Upload the wedding photo from 1977 and one from this year.
• Their song. Import the song from their first dance as the audio.
• A message from the grandchildren. Hold to record 15 seconds: "Grandma and Grandpa have been married for fifty years, and we're throwing them a party. Come celebrate with us on June 19!"
• Or from the couple themselves, if it's not a surprise: "Fifty years ago today, we got married. We'd love to see you."

When to Send

How to Send It

1. Pick a template in the TwistInvite App, where invitations are created and edited.
2. Add your event details, the old photos, the song and a hold-to-record message.
3. Share the link by text message or in the family chat, with one of the lines above.
4. Guests open it in their browser and answer Going, Can't make it or Maybe, with no app and no account, which matters when many guests are in their seventies and eighties. You see every reply in the App.

The free plan includes 3 events a month, free templates, RSVP tracking and 15-second video messages. Premium is $2.99 a week, $8.99 a month or $39.99 a year (USD; the App Store sets local prices). Open the TwistInvite App to start the golden anniversary invitation. Writing the toast too? Our wedding invitation wording examples can help with formal phrasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who usually hosts a 50th wedding anniversary party?

Most often the couple's children or grandchildren host, but many couples host their own celebration. Say who is hosting on the first line of the invitation.

What is the traditional color for a 50th anniversary?

Gold. You can reflect it in the design or with a dress code line such as "a touch of gold welcome".

How do I say no gifts on a 50th anniversary invitation?

Keep it short and warm: "Your presence is the only gift they'd like." You can also suggest a charity donation or ask guests to bring a favorite memory.

How far in advance should I send 50th anniversary invitations?

Six to eight weeks for a large party or dinner, with a save the date three to four months ahead for family who will travel.

Can older guests RSVP without an app?

Yes. They open the link in any browser and tap Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading anything or creating an account. Adding a phone number for replies also helps.