BBQ Invitation Wording: 30 Examples to Copy
A BBQ invite is usually one line in a group chat, and that's fine until you're standing in the store trying to guess how many burgers to buy. "Come by Saturday!" gets you a lot of hearts and no numbers.
So here are 30 examples, sorted by the kind of BBQ. Pick one, change the date and the address, and add a reply-by line. At the end there's a short note on what to include and how to send it so you know how much to put on the grill.
Backyard BBQ wording
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The grill is clean for the first time since last summer. Come over on Saturday, June 12 from 3 pm, [address]. Burgers, sausages and cold drinks on us.
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Backyard BBQ at ours, Saturday, July 17, from 4 pm until the citronella candles burn out. Bring whatever you like to drink. Please reply by the 13th so I buy enough buns.
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Low effort, high sausage count. BBQ at [name]'s on Sunday, June 13 at 2 pm. Come through the side gate, we'll be in the back.
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Summer's here and so is the grill. Join us for a BBQ on Saturday, June 26 from 3 pm at [address]. Veggie options on the grill, kids and dogs welcome.
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We bought a new grill and need people to test it on. Saturday, August 7, 4 pm, [address]. Reply by Wednesday with how many of you are coming.
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Burgers, a cooler full of drinks and a lawn that could use some foot traffic. BBQ at our place, Sunday, August 15 from 1 pm. Bring a lawn chair if you have one.
Family cookout wording
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Family cookout at Grandma's this year. Saturday, July 10 from noon at [address]. Uncle [name] is on the grill, so bring an appetite and some patience. Please reply by July 5 with names, kids included.
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It's been too long since we were all in one yard. Family BBQ on Sunday, June 27 at 1 pm, [address]. Swimsuits for the kids, lawn chairs for the grown-ups. Let us know by the 22nd.
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The [last name] family cookout is back. Saturday, August 21 from 2 pm at [park], pavilion 3. Food, lawn games and the yearly water balloon fight. Reply by August 14 so we get the headcount right.
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Cousins, aunts, uncles and whoever they're dating. Cookout at [address] on Saturday, July 24, 1 pm. We've got the meat, bring a side if you want to.
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Family reunion BBQ on Saturday, August 28 at [park]. Tables are reserved from 11 am to 6 pm. Please reply with how many adults and kids by August 18 so we order enough food.
Birthday BBQ wording
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[Name] is turning 40 and wants a grill, a cooler and everyone he knows in one backyard. Saturday, June 19 from 3 pm at [address]. No gifts, come hungry.
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Birthday BBQ for [child's name], who is turning 7 and has requested hot dogs and a water slide. Sunday, July 11, 2 to 5 pm, [address]. Bring a swimsuit and a towel. Reply by the 6th.
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Celebrate [name]'s 30th with ribs and a very large cake. Saturday, August 14 from 4 pm, [address]. Please RSVP by August 9, I'm smoking the meat the night before.
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Another year older, same grill. BBQ for [name]'s birthday on Saturday, September 11 at 3 pm. Drinks provided, bring a chair.
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Dad's 65th, and he has agreed to let someone else do the grilling. Sunday, June 20 (Father's Day as well) at 1 pm, [address]. Let us know by the 14th.
Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day
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Memorial Day BBQ at ours. Monday, May 31 from 1 pm, [address]. The grill's on, and the pool's open if the weather plays along. Reply by the 27th.
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Fourth of July cookout! Sunday, July 4 from 4 pm at [address]. Burgers, hot dogs and a good view of the fireworks from the back porch. Please RSVP by June 30.
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Red, white and barbecue. Join us on Saturday, July 3 from 3 pm at [address], a day early so nobody has to pick between us and their in-laws. Bring a side if you like.
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Last BBQ of the summer. Labor Day, Monday, September 6, from 2 pm at [address]. We'll grill whatever's left in the freezer, plus whatever you bring.
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Labor Day weekend cookout on Sunday, September 5 at 1 pm, [address]. Food and drinks covered, lawn games out, kids welcome. Please let us know by September 1.
Potluck BBQ wording
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We'll do the grill, you do the sides. Potluck BBQ on Saturday, July 31 from 4 pm at [address]. Reply with what you're bringing so we don't end up with five potato salads.
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Bring a side, a salad or a dessert. We've got burgers, veggie patties and drinks. Saturday, June 5, 3 pm, [address].
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Block party BBQ on Saturday, September 18 from 3 pm. Every house brings one dish and a chair. The grills will be set up in front of number [house number].
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Potluck cookout at [park], Sunday, August 8 at noon. The grill is on us. Pick a dish on the list so the food adds up: [link]
If most of the food comes from guests, the potluck invite maker gets you started, and with a free account you can add a "who brings what" list so people claim a dish when they reply.
Rain-plan lines
Add one line so nobody has to text you on the morning of:
- "If it rains, we move to the garage. Same time, same food."
- "Rain date: Sunday, June 13, same time."
- "Weather looks bad? Check the invite link on Saturday morning, I'll post an update there."
- "Rain or shine. We have a tent and a lot of umbrellas."
Short versions for the group chat
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BBQ at ours, Sat June 12 from 3. Burgers on us. Reply here: [link]
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Family cookout Sat July 10 at Grandma's, noon. Reply with names, kids too: [link]
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Fourth of July BBQ, Sun from 4. Who's in? [link]
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Potluck BBQ Sat July 31, 4 pm. Say what you're bringing: [link]
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Labor Day grill, Mon Sept 6, from 2. Yes or no so I know how much to buy: [link]
What every BBQ invite needs
Guests don't need much, but they ask about these every time:
- Date and start time, and whether it's a drop-by afternoon or a sit-down meal.
- The address, and whether to come through the side gate.
- What's on the grill, and if there's something for vegetarians.
- What to bring: nothing, drinks, or a side dish.
- Kids and dogs welcome or not, and swimsuits if there's a pool.
- How to RSVP and by when.
The food is the reason for the reply-by date. Ask for replies two or three days before you shop, and ask for numbers with the kids included.
RSVP lines that get answers
The invite sets the tone, but the RSVP line decides whether you get a headcount. A few that work:
- "Reply by Thursday so I know how much meat to buy."
- "Let us know how many of you are coming, kids included."
- "Tap the link to say yes or no. Ten seconds, no account needed."
- "Tell us if you're vegetarian and we'll put something on the grill for you."
Name a date and say why you need it. Then make replying easy.
Sending it
BBQ invites mostly go out in a group chat, and the replies come back as thumbs-up and "maybe, depends on the weather". You can't shop for a thumbs-up.
Send a link instead. With the free BBQ invite maker you put your wording on a card, share one link, and guests reply with their name and how many they're bringing. No signup for them, and the headcount updates as replies come in. If the weather turns, a free account lets you post an update for everyone who has the link.
If you already have a card and only need the replies, the BBQ RSVP page does that part on its own.
Have fun at the grill :)
Planning something else? Here are invitation wording examples for every occasion.
