10 50th birthday party invitation and wording ideas that aren’t over the hill
If you or someone you love is about to finish their 50th trip around the sun, it’s time for a party! Celebrate this momentous birthday with an event that’s just as legendary—whether it’s a spectacular soirée or a barbecue with buddies.
To help with the planning process, we picked out a few 50th birthday party invitations for all different types of parties. Find inspiration from one of these designs with matching 50th birthday party invitation wording suggestions that let guests know all the party information they need—while getting them excited to celebrate this milestone occasion!
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What goes on a 50th birthday party invitation?
The right 50th birthday party invitation wording provides guests with all the details they need to know, including the time, location, dress code, and gift situation (yes, you can mention gifts in a birthday invitation). No matter what type of 50th birthday party you’re planning, make sure to include these details:
- Guest of honor: Put their name front and center on the invitation so everyone knows whose birthday it is! For a special touch, add a Photo Gallery Block to include pictures of them throughout the years—and don’t forget those cute baby pics!
- Host: If you’re throwing your own birthday party, let guests know, with wording like, “I’m turning 50!” Otherwise, list the host’s name so guests know who’s in charge. If you’re cohosting with friends or family members, add everyone as a cohost to the invitation so you all receive the same updates and messages from guests on the Comment Wall.
- Date and time: List the date, day of the week, and time of the party. If you have an end time, add that too. If you’re hosting a surprise party, make sure to include the time guests should arrive, as well as when the guest of honor plans to arrive.
- Venue: Are you hosting at home or another location? Include the name and street address of your party venue as well as any special details, such as driving directions or parking instructions.
Celebrate five decades of fun with invitations for the party of the (half) century.
Optional information you can add to a 50th birthday invitation includes:
- Theme and/or dress code: Let guests know how to dress for your party, whether that’s cocktail attire, business casual, or a specific party theme. Add wording like “Semi-formal attire requested” or “Dress in your best disco outfit!”
- RSVP deadline: For larger parties that need accurate headcounts for venues and vendors, ask guests to RSVP by a certain date. Use Group Sending if you want to send one invitation to multiple members of a friend group or family—then one person can RSVP for everyone!
- Gift information: Should guests bring gifts to the party? Add a Gifts Block to your Paperless Post invitation to include the guest of honor’s gift wishes, such as a desired charity donation, an online wish list, or wording that states “no gifts, please.”
50th birthday party invitation ideas and wording
Ready to pick out the best 50th birthday invitation? From photo cards to surprise 50th birthday invitations, take inspiration from our 50th birthday invitation wording examples to bring all your guests together for a party to remember.
1. Casual gathering
Some 50-year-olds prefer to spend their special day with just a few special people. Invite their inner circle to a small gathering with the casual-yet-cool “Chambray Stripe” invitation by Sugar Paper. Add party details into the 50th birthday party invitation wording:
Mike’s turning 50!
Join us to celebrate the big guy with a backyard BBQ.
Sunday, May 19th
5 p.m.
Mike and Jill’s place: 193 Amaranth Way
RSVP by May 12th so we have enough burgers for everyone.
Bring a side dish to share!
2. Cocktail party
Break out the little black dress or that extra-flattering suit—it’s time for a 50th birthday cocktail party! After you’ve stocked the bar and ordered personalized napkins, send an elegant invitation like “Milestone Manuscript” by Stephanie Fishwick. Include invitation wording like:
You’re invited to a special cocktail party
to celebrate Heather’s 50th birthday.
Saturday, August 30th
7–9 p.m.
Begonia Meadows Country Club, Ballroom C
886 Chestnut Ave
RSVP by August 20th
In lieu of gifts, please make a donation to Heather’s favorite charity:
New York Collie and Sheepdog Rescue.
3. A comedic affair
If the guest of honor loves pranks, jokes, or silly puns, their party should reflect their great sense of humor. Send funny 50th birthday invitations like “The F Word” by Cheree Berry Paper & Design or “I’m a Year Younger than Next Year” by Derek Blasberg. Match the tone of your event with humorous wording like:
Dennis has survived half a century!
(We can’t believe it, either.)
Help him welcome the next half
with dinner and drinks at Maxwell Street Bar.
300 Maxwell Street (park in the back lot)
Saturday, December 2nd
We’ll be there from 7 p.m. to closing,
so stop by anytime.
The party theme is “Over the Hill.”
Bring Dennis everything he’ll need to survive his extreme old age!
4. Surprise party
Shh! Keep the birthday plans top secret when you host a surprise party for the guest of honor. Make the agenda clear with a surprise party invitation like “The Gilded Age” and wording like:
IT’S A SURPRISE PARTY!
Join us for Lindsey’s top-secret 50th birthday party
on Wednesday, January 15th
at her sister Shannon’s house
(644 Foxglove Way)
Get there at 5:00—Shannon’s bringing Lindsey over at 5:30!
Park around the corner on Hazel Street or Iris Avenue
so L doesn’t see your car.
RSVP by January 8th
And remember—DON’T TELL LINDSEY!
5. The person of the hour
Put the focus where it belongs—on the guest of honor! For invitations that pay tribute to the new 50-year-old, upload their picture to a photo card like “Curls Ahead.” Add admiring wording like:
Perry’s wisdom and kindness over the years
has helped us through our wildest fears.
Now, let’s celebrate a first-rate man
at a party with his biggest fans!
You’re invited to Perry’s 50th birthday party
hosted by his brothers, Fred and Aaron
Saturday, September 17th
7–10 p.m.
Juniper Hotel and Suites,
Douglas Kennedy Memorial Banquet Hall
9357 Laurel Boulevard
Semi-formal or cocktail attire requested
We’ll be giving toasts all night long—come prepared!
RSVP by September 3rd
6. Weekend trip
Some birthdays are too big to celebrate in just one day! A weekend getaway is an unforgettable way to ring in the big 5-0—especially if more than one person in your group is hitting the same milestone. Invite your favorite friends with a decorative invitation like “Scribble Print” by Oscar de la Renta and wording like:
We’re off to Vegas, baby!
Join us on a girl’s trip to celebrate
Rachel, Simone, and Anne’s 50th birthdays.
Friday, October 13th to Sunday, October 15th
Meet at Rachel’s house so we can drive together,
or meet us at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas!
Bring your swimsuit, casino money, and clothes for going out.
No gifts, please—your presence is our present!
Travel accommodations and hotel block information are below.
RSVP by September 15th
7. Birthday brunch
If the guest of honor is extra busy these days—or if your group prefers daytime outings—a birthday brunch is a great way to ring in a 50th birthday. Use the pretty “Pop of Gold” invitation by Sugar Paper and sweet wording like:
It’s Michelle’s 50th birthday—and all she wants
is a day with her best friends.
Join us for a special birthday brunch
on Sunday, November 10th
11 a.m.
Marigold Cafe (992 Mulberry Road)
RSVP by November 1st, please!
8. Dinner party
If dinner is more their thing, host a semi-formal dinner party to toast the guest of honor over great food and conversation. Send guests the “Gold Floral” invitation by Rifle Paper Co. with a message like:
You are cordially invited
to a dinner celebrating the 50th birthday of
Andre Carbajal
on Saturday, May 22nd
5 p.m.
Hosted by Will and Simon Taylor at their home
129 Moonflower Way
RSVP by May 15th
Respond below with any food allergies or sensitivities, please.
A bottle of wine is always appreciated.
9. The good ol’ days
If the guest of honor still feels like a kid at heart, throw a party themed on their favorite decade of their youth (hello, disco party). Upload now-and-then pictures to the aptly named “Time Flies” photo card by Paperless Post with wording like:
Let’s relive 1975—the year Beatrice Murphy was born!
Join us for a ‘70s-themed party
to celebrate Beatrice’s 50th birthday.
Sunday, April 10th
8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Beatrice and John’s place: 155 Nightshade Street
St. Louis, Missouri
Wear your best ‘70s clothes
and be ready to do the hustle, YMCA, and the Funky Chicken
in a dance contest!
10. Professional partier
If someone in the office is turning 50, don’t let it pass by like a normal work day. Plan an epic workplace party that the whole team will remember for at least the next few fiscal quarters. Send colleagues an invitation like “Balloon Birthday” by kate spade new york through email or a shareable link on your office Slack channel. Make sure to include details and wording like:
Celebrate Manny’s 50th birthday
Tuesday, March 15th, 12–1 p.m.
in the 7th floor break room.
Hosted by Iggy, Ned, and the sales department
Enjoy a catered buffet lunch from Riverside Grill
while we wish Manny a happy 50th!
Celebrate good times with Paperless Post
Age may be just a number, but a 50th birthday isn’t just another day. Give those five decades their due when you use Paperless Post to invite guests to the big event. Our curated collection of invitations will brighten up any inbox while our guest management tools and features help you plan everything with ease. And if you need more milestone birthday party invitations—or even some ideas on things to do on your birthday—we have your back there, too!
