A baptism invitation should include seven things: the child's full name, the parents' names, the date and time of the ceremony, the church's full name and address, the reception details if a celebration follows, how to RSVP with a deadline, and, optionally, the godparents' names. Send it 4 to 6 weeks before the ceremony. This guide covers copy-ready wording for baptisms, christenings, dedications, first communions, and confirmations, along with the etiquette questions families ask most. When the words are ready, Greenvelope's digital baptism invitations pair them with designs from independent artists, delivered inside an animated envelope with built-in RSVP tracking and an ad-free experience for every guest.
What Should a Baptism Invitation Say?
A baptism invitation should name the child, the parents, and the occasion, then give guests everything they need to attend both the ceremony and the celebration. Here is the full checklist in the order guests read it:
- The occasion and child's name: "Please join us for the Baptism of Theodore James Rivera." Use the child's full name; this is one of the few events where formality is the norm.
- The parents' names: Traditionally both parents extend the invitation. "Anna and Peter Okafor invite you to..."
- Date and time with the day of the week: Ceremonies are often part of or immediately after a regular service, so an exact time matters.
- The church's full name and address: Guests unfamiliar with the parish need both.
- Reception details: If a luncheon or gathering follows, say where and when: "Luncheon to follow at the Rivera home." If guests are invited to only one or the other, make that explicit.
- RSVP method and deadline: A specific date about two weeks out. Greenvelope collects replies automatically and reminds only the guests who have not answered.
- Godparents (optional): Naming the godparents on the invitation is a lovely way to honor them: "Godparents: Maria Santos and Daniel Cruz."
Christening vs. Baptism vs. Dedication: What's the Difference?
Baptism is the sacrament itself: the water rite welcoming a person into the Christian faith, practiced across Catholic, Orthodox, and most Protestant traditions. Christening refers to the naming ceremony that traditionally accompanies infant baptism, and in everyday use the two words describe the same event; "christening" simply leans toward the celebration and the name, while "baptism" names the rite. A dedication is different: practiced in many Baptist and non-denominational churches, it presents the child to the congregation and commits the parents to raising them in faith, without performing a baptism, which those traditions reserve for an age of personal choice.
For invitation purposes, use the word your church uses. The wording structures below work for all three; only the occasion line changes.
Baptism Invitation Wording Examples
For a baby boy
Please join us for the Baptism of
Theodore James Rivera
Sunday, June 14 at 10 a.m.
St. Monica Catholic Church, 421 Chapel Street
Luncheon to follow at the Rivera home
Kindly reply by May 31
For a baby girl
With joyful hearts, Daniel and Priya Alvarez
invite you to celebrate the Baptism of their daughter
Lucia Maren Alvarez
Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m.
Holy Family Church, 88 Cedar Avenue
Brunch reception to follow in the parish hall
Godparents: Elena Alvarez and Marco Reyes
Please reply by February 21
Christening Invitation Wording
With love and gratitude, Anna and Peter Okafor
invite you to the Christening of their daughter
Grace Adaeze Okafor
Saturday, April 18 at 11 a.m.
Holy Trinity Church, 90 Bell Lane
Celebration to follow in the church garden
Kindly reply by April 4
Dedication Ceremony Invitation Wording
A dedication invitation reads a touch less formal than a baptism's, reflecting the ceremony itself, and it often mentions the service it takes place within.
Join us as we dedicate our son
Elijah Cole Bennett
to a life of faith and love
Sunday, September 20 during the 9:30 a.m. service
Grace Community Church, 15 Orchard Road
Brunch to follow. Please reply by September 6
Baptism and First Birthday Combined Invitation Wording
Combining the baptism with a first birthday is increasingly common, and the invitation's job is sequencing: make clear there are two parts, where each happens, and that guests are invited to both.
One special day, two celebrations!
Please join us for the Baptism and First Birthday of
Mila Rose Tanaka
Saturday, May 9
Baptism at 10 a.m., St. Andrew's Church, 12 Summit Road
Birthday lunch to follow at noon at the Tanaka home
Kindly reply by April 25
First Communion Invitation Wording
First communion invitations follow the baptism structure with the child's role front and center, and reception details matter even more since the Mass and the celebration are often in different places.
Please join us as
Sofia Isabelle Marchetti
receives the Sacrament of her First Holy Communion
Sunday, May 3 at 9 a.m.
Our Lady of Peace Church, 300 Hillside Avenue
Celebration brunch to follow at Vito's Trattoria, 12 Main Street
Kindly reply by April 19
Confirmation Invitation Wording
With faith and gratitude, please join us as
Lucas Daniel Nguyen
receives the Sacrament of Confirmation
Saturday, October 17 at 5 p.m.
Sacred Heart Cathedral, 1 Cathedral Plaza
Dinner celebration to follow. Reply by October 3
Catholic Baptism Invitation Etiquette
A few conventions matter most in Catholic tradition. Use the church's full formal name, since "St. Monica Catholic Church" reads correctly where "St. Monica's" is casual. The child's full given name appears on the invitation, especially when it includes a saint's or family name chosen for the occasion. Godparents are commonly honored by name on the invitation, and if the baptism takes place during a regularly scheduled Mass, say so, since guests will plan for a full service rather than a brief ceremony. Gifts are never mentioned on the invitation; guests who wish to give will ask. And formality in the wording ("request the honor of your presence") is welcome but not required; warmth matters more than register.
When to Send Baptism Invitations
Send baptism, christening, and dedication invitations 4 to 6 weeks before the ceremony, with the RSVP deadline about two weeks out so the reception headcount can settle. First communion and confirmation invitations follow the same window. If many guests are traveling, lean toward six weeks. For how these fit alongside every other send in a busy family season, our invitation timing guide covers the full calendar.
Planning the Celebration
The invitation is one step in a short sequence: confirm the date with the church, choose the godparents, build the guest list (typically family, godparents' families, and close friends), send invitations, and plan the reception, whether that's a luncheon at home or a reserved room nearby. Greenvelope's RSVP tracking and guest messaging carry the logistics from send to ceremony day, and the baptism invitation collection covers every style from traditional cross motifs to soft florals and photo designs, each customizable and delivered in an animated envelope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a baptism invitation say?
A baptism invitation should include the child's full name, the parents' names, the date and time with the day of the week, the church's full name and address, reception details if a celebration follows, an RSVP method with a deadline, and optionally the godparents' names.
What is the difference between a christening and a baptism?
Baptism is the water rite welcoming a person into the Christian faith; christening is the traditional naming ceremony that accompanies infant baptism. In everyday use the words describe the same event. A dedication, by contrast, presents a child to the congregation without baptizing them, in traditions that reserve baptism for an age of personal choice.
When should you send baptism invitations?
Send baptism invitations 4 to 6 weeks before the ceremony, with the RSVP deadline about two weeks before the day. Lean toward six weeks when guests are traveling. First communion and confirmation invitations follow the same window.
Do you put the godparents' names on a baptism invitation?
You can, and it's a meaningful way to honor them. A simple line such as "Godparents: Maria Santos and Daniel Cruz" after the ceremony details is the conventional placement. It's optional; many families instead introduce godparents at the reception.
Can you combine a baptism and a first birthday party?
Yes, and it's increasingly common. The invitation should clearly sequence the two parts: the ceremony time and church first, then the birthday celebration's time and location, with one RSVP covering both.
What should a first communion invitation include?
A first communion invitation should name the child, the sacrament, the Mass date and time, the church's full name and address, and the reception details, which matter especially since the celebration often happens at a different location than the Mass. Close with an RSVP deadline about two weeks out.