Have a party, wedding, grand opening, or major event coming up? Ditch the snail mail and send a video invitation instead! It's more personal and impressive than a Facebook post.
If you're looking for more wedding invite inspiration specifically, check out our full blog post of wedding video invitation ideas. For all others, continue reading and start creating with Animoto's free invitation video maker!
TLDR: To create an invitation video, include these essential elements:
- Personal photos to set the event's theme and tone.
- The date, time, and location.
- Colors, fonts, and music that match your specific event vibe or brand.
- A call to action and link for guests to register, buy tickets, or RSVP.
What are the benefits of video invitations?
If you have a special event, you want your guests to get excited and show up ready to go. It's just as true for weddings as it is for conferences--your invitation sets the scene for your event.
Using a video invitation can help you:
- Boost attendance and engagement: A dynamic video is more likely to grab attention and get people excited to attend.
- Tell a bigger story: Combine photos, video clips, music, and text to set the scene and share the event’s purpose.
- Stand out online: Easily share your video on social media, in emails, or through messaging apps to reach more guests.
What should you include in a video invitation?
Every invitation video must answer these four core questions to be effective:
- What is the event? Clearly state the occasion (e.g., "Surprise 30th Birthday" or "Annual Charity Gala").
- When is it happening? List the date and the specific start/end times.
- Where is the location? Provide the venue name and address (or a link to a map).
- How do I RSVP? Tell guests exactly how to confirm their attendance and provide a deadline.
How to make an invitation video
We'll take you through the steps to make an invitation video for your event. Note that the videos in this post are templates too! Click through to learn how to add your own photos, video clips, and text, and update the colors and font to make them your own.
1. Grab a video invitation template
The easiest way to get started is with a video template. Luckily, Animoto has tons of free video templates to choose from! Your backyard barbecues, conferences, and everything in between are all covered.
You can use this template for a variety of events, or check out our template collection below to find the right fit.
Remember, you can always change the text, colors, font, photos, and more!
2. Select your photos and video clips
Choose images that reflect the theme and set the tone for your next shindig.
| Weddings | Engagement photos, photos of the couple, pictures of the ceremony space or wedding colors. |
| Birthday Parties | Photos of the guest of honor, images of their favorite things, photos that hint at the party's theme. |
| Business Events | Past event photos, images of key speakers, photos of the event space or previous attendees. |
If you don’t have many images to choose from, look through Animoto’s Getty Images stock image library for photos and video clips of balloons, cake, or friends toasting with champagne.
3. Use text to give guests the details
Make sure your video includes all the essential details your guests need. Begin with an inviting phrase like "You're Invited!" followed by the event's title (e.g., "Joey's 6th Birthday Party").
The most critical information to include is:
- Date, time, and location: The who, what, and where of your event.
- RSVP instructions: Let guests know how and when to RSVP.
- Website or link: Provide a link to your wedding registry, event page, or registration form.
4. Choose your colors, font, and music
Make your video hit home by adding your brand colors, wedding theme colors, or whatever colors set the scene. Then, choose a font to help tell that story.
Finally, pick a song to tie it all together. All of the templates come with a licensed song automatically, but you could also upload your own track or choose one with a different vibe.
5. Close it out
A call to action is an essential final step that encourages people to RSVP, register, or find out more about your event. This simple prompt will increase sign-ups and attendance by making the next step clear and easy. Without it, potential attendees may not know what to do next.
Free invitation video templates
Ready to get started? Here's a glimpse at some of the invitation video templates that are available for free in Animoto. Choose your favorite or explore our full library to hit the ground running.
For professional events:
For charity events:
For dinner events:
For birthday parties:
For outdoor events:
Frequently Asked Questions
Try Animoto's free video invitation maker
Event planning is a long and exhaustive process. Before it even begins, you can set it up for success by creating a stunning invitation video like the ones above!
You can even follow it up with recaps, too
