Inviting someone to an event is more than just sending an address and date—it’s about conveying respect, warmth, and anticipation.
The phrase “We request your presence” is a formal and polite way to invite guests, but it may sometimes feel stiff, repetitive, or too corporate.
Using other ways to say “we request your presence” allows you to match the tone of your invitation to the occasion, whether it’s a wedding, business conference, casual party, or community gathering.
Choosing the right phrase can make your invitation more inviting, professional, or personal. This article provides 22+ alternatives, complete with examples, context guidance, and tone explanations.
By the end, you’ll know how to invite guests in a way that feels natural, respectful, and tailored to the event.
What Does “We Request Your Presence” Mean?
The phrase “We request your presence” is a formal expression used to invite someone to attend an event.
Grammar Breakdown
- We request → polite, formal verb indicating a wish or appeal
- Your presence → refers to the person attending the event
It is commonly used in professional invitations, formal letters, wedding cards, and ceremonial notices.
When to Use “We Request Your Presence”
This phrase works best in situations where you want to be formal and respectful:
- Formal Events: Weddings, galas, award ceremonies, official meetings
- Business Events: Conferences, corporate dinners, product launches
- Written Use: Invitations, letters, emails, event announcements
- Spoken Use: Announcements, formal speeches, ceremonial contexts
It is less suitable for casual or informal events, such as birthday parties or friendly gatherings.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “We Request Your Presence”?
Yes. The phrase is considered polite, professional, and respectful.
- In Business: Perfect for corporate events, formal invitations, and networking sessions
- In Personal Life: Appropriate for weddings, milestone celebrations, and formal parties
- Tone Consideration: It may feel too formal for casual, relaxed, or informal events
Pros and Cons of Using “We Request Your Presence”
Pros
- Clear and formal
- Polite and respectful
- Suitable for written invitations and official contexts
- Easily understood by most English speakers
Cons
- Can sound stiff or overly formal
- May not feel personal or warm
- Not ideal for casual or friendly events
- Limited emotional nuance
12 Alternative Phrases to Say “We Request Your Presence”
Here are 12 alternatives with detailed explanations, examples, and usage guidance.
1. Phrase: You Are Cordially Invited
Meaning: A polite and formal invitation.
Explanation: Often used in wedding invitations, galas, and ceremonies.
Example Sentence: “You are cordially invited to the annual charity gala on June 15th.”
Best Use: Formal, Business, Personal
Worst Use: Casual events
Tone: Formal / Neutral
2. Phrase: We Would Be Honored by Your Presence
Meaning: Shows respect and appreciation for the guest.
Explanation: Adds warmth and makes the invitation feel special.
Example Sentence: “We would be honored by your presence at our wedding ceremony.”
Best Use: Formal, Personal
Worst Use: Casual parties
Tone: Formal / Warm
3. Phrase: Please Join Us
Meaning: Simple and polite request to attend.
Explanation: Works for both formal and informal events; versatile.
Example Sentence: “Please join us for our annual fundraising dinner.”
Best Use: Formal, Informal, Business, Casual
Worst Use: Very ceremonial events
Tone: Friendly / Neutral
4. Phrase: Your Presence Is Requested
Meaning: Directly asks for attendance.
Explanation: Formal; similar to the original phrase but slightly more concise.
Example Sentence: “Your presence is requested at the board meeting on Friday.”
Best Use: Formal, Business
Worst Use: Informal gatherings
Tone: Formal / Neutral
5. Phrase: We Invite You to Attend
Meaning: Polite, professional invitation.
Explanation: Good for corporate and official events.
Example Sentence: “We invite you to attend the product launch next week.”
Best Use: Formal, Business
Worst Use: Casual social events
Tone: Formal / Neutral
6. Phrase: It Would Be a Pleasure to Have You
Meaning: Expresses that the guest’s attendance is appreciated.
Explanation: Adds a friendly, welcoming tone.
Example Sentence: “It would be a pleasure to have you at our community celebration.”
Best Use: Semi-formal, Personal
Worst Use: Strictly formal documents
Tone: Friendly / Warm
7. Phrase: We Warmly Invite You
Meaning: Expresses a friendly and polite invitation.
Explanation: Suitable for personal and semi-formal events.
Example Sentence: “We warmly invite you to our annual holiday gathering.”
Best Use: Personal, Semi-formal
Worst Use: Corporate memos
Tone: Friendly / Emphatic
8. Phrase: Kindly Attend
Meaning: A very polite way to ask someone to be present.
Explanation: Often used in formal written invitations.
Example Sentence: “Kindly attend the graduation ceremony on March 10th.”
Best Use: Formal, Business
Worst Use: Casual events
Tone: Formal / Neutral
9. Phrase: We Would Love to Have You
Meaning: Friendly and welcoming invitation.
Explanation: Great for informal or casual events, conveys warmth.
Example Sentence: “We would love to have you at our housewarming party.”
Best Use: Informal, Personal, Casual
Worst Use: Corporate or ceremonial invitations
Tone: Friendly / Warm
10. Phrase: Your Attendance Would Be Appreciated
Meaning: Formal, polite request for someone to attend.
Explanation: Common in business and official events.
Example Sentence: “Your attendance would be appreciated at the upcoming board meeting.”
Best Use: Formal, Business
Worst Use: Casual social events
Tone: Formal / Neutral
11. Phrase: Please Be Our Guest
Meaning: Invites the person warmly and politely.
Explanation: Works well for personal events or celebrations.
Example Sentence: “Please be our guest at the anniversary dinner next Saturday.”
Best Use: Semi-formal, Personal
Worst Use: Corporate memos
Tone: Friendly / Warm
12. Phrase: Join Us for This Special Occasion
Meaning: Polite invitation highlighting importance of the event.
Explanation: Suitable for personal and corporate celebrations.
Example Sentence: “Join us for this special occasion as we celebrate our company’s 10th anniversary.”
Best Use: Semi-formal, Business, Personal
Worst Use: Very casual meetups
Tone: Formal / Friendly
Comparison Table (Top 7 Alternatives)
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Worst Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| You Are Cordially Invited | Formal | Weddings, Ceremonies | Casual parties |
| We Would Be Honored by Your Presence | Formal / Warm | Personal, Weddings | Casual events |
| Please Join Us | Friendly / Neutral | Business, Informal | Strict ceremonial |
| Your Presence Is Requested | Formal | Business, Official | Casual gatherings |
| We Invite You to Attend | Formal | Corporate, Official | Casual parties |
| It Would Be a Pleasure to Have You | Friendly / Warm | Semi-formal, Personal | Formal documents |
| Kindly Attend | Formal / Neutral | Graduation, Business | Informal events |
FAQs
1. Can I use these phrases in business emails?
Yes. Phrases like “We invite you to attend” or “Your attendance would be appreciated” are ideal for professional invitations.
2. Which phrase is best for wedding invitations?
Use “You are cordially invited” or “We would be honored by your presence” for a formal wedding invitation.
3. Are any phrases suitable for casual parties?
Yes. Phrases like “We would love to have you” or “Please join us” are perfect for informal gatherings.
4. Is “Kindly attend” too formal for personal events?
It can feel stiff in personal, casual events. Use warmer alternatives like “Please be our guest” instead.
5. Can these phrases be used in printed invitations?
Absolutely. All 12 phrases are suitable for printed invitations, cards, or event flyers.
Conclusion
Using different ways to say “We request your presence” allows you to tailor your invitation to the event, audience, and tone.
While the original phrase is formal and polite, alternatives provide warmth, friendliness, and personal touch when needed.
By experimenting with phrases such as “You are cordially invited”, “Please join us”, or “We would love to have you,” your invitations become more engaging, respectful, and memorable.
Variety in language also shows confidence and fluency in English communication.
David Jonson is an experienced English language writer who specializes in clear, practical, and learner-friendly content. He helps students and professionals improve their communication skills with confidence.