準備晚會是一個繁瑣而開心的過程，當你訂好菜單，重新布置了客廳，購置了全新的餐具，還差什么呢？邀請朋友們來晚會！打電話當然簡單可取，但寫一封誠懇的英文邀請函會顯得更加隆重。
Hosting a dinner party can involve a lot of preparation, depending on how many people it is for and how elaborate the proceedings will be. One of the first jobs of hosting a dinner is to write the invitations for each of your guests. These invitations should contain all the important information about the dinner party that your guests need to know. How formal your invitation is ultimately depends on the type of dinner party you intend on having.
一封完整的邀請函要包括晚會的所有重要信息，包括時間、地點、人員、著裝要求（有些晚會主人會確定dressing code，通常是一個主題元素，比如polka dots波點，大家的身上都要有一個波點的元素）。邀請函要多正式是根據晚會的正式程度定的。下面就向大家介紹寫作晚會邀請函的步驟。
1 State the request and the purpose of the dinner in your first line. For example, "James and Natalie invite you to join them for dinner to celebrate their first wedding anniversary." A more formal invitation might read, "Mr and Mrs Smith request the pleasure of your company at a dinner to celebrate their first wedding anniversary."
在文章的第一行寫上邀請對方來晚會的初衷和目的。比如“James和Natalie邀請你來參加一周年結婚紀念日晚會。”更正式的寫法比如“Smith夫婦希望能有幸邀請您共同見證他們的結婚一周年紀念日晚會。”
2 Write the date and time that the dinner party will be held. For example, "Tuesday, 5th July 2011, 7:30 p.m."
接下來寫上晚會的時間。比如“2011年7月5日（周二），晚上7：30”
3 Inform your guests where the dinner is taking place. For example, "At Home," or "At Two Chefs Restaurant." Be sure to include the address of the venue.
記得寫明地點。比如“在我家”，或者“在雙主廚餐廳”。記得要寫明具體的地址。
4 Provide details concerning the dress code. Black tie or smart casual are typical dinner party choices.
提供具體的著裝要求。黑領帶，或者休閑正裝是常見的晚會著裝。
5 Place an RSVP at the base of the invitation with contact details such as a phone number or email address. The RSVP requests that recipients inform you whether they will attend or not. With a more formal invitation, you can include a reply card and a self-addressed envelope for responses.
在邀請函下方附上回執。（RSVP是回執的意思，來自法語 répondez s'il vous plaît, 意思是 "Respond, if you please.”）回執可以通過電話或者郵箱回復�；貓淌亲寣Ψ礁嬷阍覆辉敢獬鱿�。更正式的回執通常會有一張卡片和一個用來答復的信封，方便客人回復。
其實寫清楚一封英語的晚會邀請函也不是那么難，對不對？只要掌握要點，飽含誠意，記得要回執，這個過程就可以簡單有序地完成啦！
