Guides & ideas
An invitation guests can actually plan around
The details an invitation needs, clear wording for different gatherings, and how Dearly’s calendar and private RSVP links work.
Separate the welcome from the practical details
Start with who is inviting the guest and what you are celebrating. Then make the date, arrival time and venue easy to find. A warm opening should not hide the information someone needs to arrange travel or childcare. If only named guests are invited, say so kindly; if partners or children are welcome, be equally clear. Do not leave the guest to infer the guest list from a photograph.
Put the full street address in the location field, not only a venue nickname. Use the message for parking instructions, dress preferences, accessibility information or a reply-by date if needed. Do not claim an accessible entrance or available parking unless you have checked with the venue. These details vary from event to event.
Check the time zone and the calendar entry
Dearly stores the event date and time in the host’s selected time zone. Choose the zone for the place where the event happens, particularly when guests live abroad. Preview the displayed date and 24-hour time before sharing. An optional end time should be later than the start for a same-day event; avoid inventing an end time if the gathering is open-ended.
Guests can download a calendar file from the finished invitation. Open that file in your own calendar as a final check of the title, location and time. If the schedule changes, edit the creation through your management link and tell guests what changed. An existing calendar entry on a guest’s device is not a live subscription and may need updating separately.
Understand the three different links
The invitation link is for guests. The management link belongs to the host and can edit or delete the event and show responses. After replying, each guest can save a separate private response link to update their own RSVP. Other guests cannot browse the RSVP list. A lost private link has no account-based recovery, so keep the relevant link in a place you can find later.
Examples to make your own
Practical ways to write a personal message, plan an invitation, and share memories with care. Every example is a starting point: replace the details with your own.
A wedding invitation
Amira and Youssef would love to celebrate with you. Please join us for our wedding on 20 June 2027 at 17:00, in the venue’s local time. The full address is below. Please reply by 1 June using this invitation. We look forward to sharing the day with you.
A birthday gathering
Come celebrate Lina’s birthday with an afternoon together on 12 September at 15:00. We’ll share cake and conversation at the address below. Please let us know whether you can come and how many invited guests are in your group.
A small dinner
We’d love to have you over for dinner on Friday 8 May at 19:30. This invitation is for you and your partner. Please reply by Wednesday and leave a note about any food needs you want us to consider.
Before you send
- Verify the full date, local time zone, address and guest scope.
- Test the calendar file and keep the host’s management link private.
- Tell guests explicitly about changes after they have replied.