Invitation etiquette
A short guide to writing an invitation that suits your guests in the Gulf. Take what fits your occasion; the ready-made lines are in the text editor.
Customs differ a little between Gulf countries and between families. If a guest uses a title themselves, write it the way they write it.
Titles and honorifics
The title goes before the name, and one title is usually enough. A rank and an academic title may go together, as in "His Excellency Dr". Put the higher one first, and in formal invitations write titles out in full.
| Title (Arabic) | Used for |
|---|---|
| صاحب السمو (His Highness) | Rulers and crown princes, and members of ruling families who hold the style. |
| صاحب السمو الملكي (His Royal Highness) | Saudi princes who are sons and grandsons of the founding king. |
| سمو الشيخ / سمو الأمير (His Highness Sheikh / Prince) | Members of ruling families styled Highness: "Prince" in Saudi Arabia, "Sheikh" in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain. |
| معالي (His Excellency) | Ministers and equivalent ranks in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. |
| سعادة (His Excellency) | Ambassadors, under-secretaries, council members and senior officials; in Qatar also ministers. |
| الشيخ / الشيخة (Sheikh / Sheikha) | Members of ruling families and some notable families, by local custom; preceded by Excellency or Highness according to office. |
| فضيلة الشيخ (His Eminence Sheikh) | Religious scholars and judges. |
| الدكتور / الدكتورة (Dr) | Doctorate holders and physicians. |
| المهندس / المهندسة (Eng.) | Engineers; a common and valued title in the Gulf. |
| الأستاذ / الأستاذة (Ustadh / Ustadha) | A general title of respect for teachers and professionals, and for anyone whose title you do not know. |
| السيد / السيدة (Mr / Mrs) | A neutral title that suits everyone. |
| Military ranks | The rank goes before the name (Major General, Brigadier, Colonel…); senior ranks are preceded by Excellency. |
Addressing guests
An Arabic invitation addresses guests in the respectful plural ("… have the honour of inviting you", "your presence"). For a ladies' event, Arabic uses the feminine plural.
- In Arabic the verb agrees with the host: a company (feminine) "تتشرّف", a council or a man "يتشرّف".
- On an envelope or in a message to one named guest: "His Excellency Dr …" in English; "… المحترم" or "المكرّم …" in Arabic.
- On wedding invitations some families write "their daughter" (كريمتهم) instead of the bride's name. It is the family's choice; both are correct.
- A basmala or a verse at the top of a wedding invitation is a common custom, not a requirement.
Companions and children
Say clearly and kindly who the invitation covers, in a short line at the foot of the card, so nobody is embarrassed at the door.
- "This invitation is personal": the named guest only.
- "This invitation admits two" (or three, …): when companions are welcome.
- "Ladies only": for women's celebrations.
- "We kindly ask that children stay at home": the polite form. The Gulf saying "children's paradise is their homes" (جنّة الأطفال منازلهم) is common and friendly in Arabic, though some guests find it too direct.
- "Please show this invitation at the door": when someone checks codes at the entrance.
Replies (RSVP)
Ask for a reply politely, with a date if you need one. Formal: "Kindly confirm your attendance". Private: "Let us know you can come".
- Set the reply date about a week before the event, so there is time for seating and catering.
- With our messages a guest only taps "Coming" or "Can't come", so no phone number for replies is needed.
- Remind those who have not replied once or twice at most, and gently.
Apologies, and answering them
Declining is a courtesy in itself; thanking the guest for it keeps the goodwill.
- Formal: "… regrets that a prior engagement prevents attending, with every good wish."
- Warm: "So sorry I can't make it. Congratulations, and many happy returns of the day."
- The host's answer: "Thank you for letting us know, and for your kind wishes."
Formal or private
A formal invitation speaks in the third person, gives titles in full and the date with the weekday, Gregorian and Hijri. A private one is warmer and speaks in the first person: "With all our love, we invite you to share our joy".
- Formal: no emoji, no abbreviations, short clear sentences.
- Private: a warm closing line, such as "Your presence will complete our joy".
- Either way, the right name and the right title matter more than any ornament.
Companies and official bodies
An organisation's invitation opens with its name exactly as in its official identity, then the occasion, then the date and venue. When the event is under someone's patronage, the patronage line comes first.
- Patronage: "Under the patronage of His Excellency …" at the top of the card.
- A company: "… has the pleasure of inviting you to the launch of …".
- A government body: "The Ministry of … has the honour of inviting Your Excellency to …".
- Dress code: "Dress code: formal or national dress" where needed.
- Protocol: "Please arrive fifteen minutes early" when senior guests attend.
Ready-made lines
These lines are in the text editor under "Ready-made lines", in Arabic and English, and go onto the card in one tap.
Start your invitation