Wedding Invites: Spelling Out Directions, A Good Idea?

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, but the most important rule is to create a beautiful invitation that represents you, your partner, and the celebration to come. While the rules of wedding invitation etiquette are not complicated, there are some conventions to follow. For instance, traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is also an option. If the couple is hosting, they can opt to skip the host line or start with a warm and welcoming introduction. The invitation should include the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information.

Spell out the date and time

When it comes to wedding invitations, the date and time are crucial elements that require careful consideration. Here are some detailed guidelines on how to spell out the date and time for your special day:

Spell Out the Date:

• Traditional Format: For formal invitations, the traditional way to write the date is to spell out the day of the week, followed by the numerical date and the full month. For example, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October". The day of the week should be capitalised, and there should be a comma after it. If the date falls between the 21st and 31st of a month, use a hyphen between the tens and ones, like "twenty-eighth". The year is typically written as "two thousand and twenty-four" without the "and" and on a separate line.
• Compound Dates: Dates such as May 28th are compound and are written as "Saturday, the TWENTY-EIGHTH of May" with the month in capital letters.
• Casual Format: For a more casual wedding, you can write the date more informally. For instance, "Saturday, May 17th, 2025". You may also use numerals as a design choice, such as "Saturday, 8/15/2026".
• Consistency: Ensure consistency in date formatting across all enclosures, including the response card. For instance, if the invitation says "the seventeenth of April", the RSVP card could say "Kindly respond by the seventeenth of April" or "Please reply by April 17th" for a more informal tone.

Spell Out the Time:

• Traditional Format: For formal invitations, spell out the time in full without using numerals. For instance, 3:30 p.m. would be written as "half after three o'clock". If the time is on the hour, simply write "four o'clock". Avoid using "half past" and instead use "half after". The time should be written in lowercase letters.
• Informal Format: For a more casual event, you can write the time numerically, such as "4pm" or "5:30pm". Ensure that the format of the time matches the tone of the date.
• Indicating Time of Day: You don't need to specify "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless the wedding is scheduled for 8, 9, or 10 o'clock, where there could be confusion. Any time after 5 p.m. is considered the evening, and between noon and 4:30 p.m. is the afternoon. Simply write noon for a 12 p.m. ceremony.

Remember, the most important aspect is to provide clear information about the date and time of your wedding to ensure your guests' attendance and punctuality.

Include reception information

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few key details to include to ensure your guests have all the information they need. Here are 4-6 paragraphs focused on including reception information:

If your wedding ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, you can simply include a line on your invitation such as "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." This lets guests know that they don't need to go to a different location for the reception. It's also a good idea to include the start time of the reception if it's not immediately following the ceremony.

However, if your reception is at a separate location from the ceremony, you'll need to include more detailed information. Create a separate reception card to include in your invitation suite. On this card, provide the name and address of the reception venue, as well as the start and end times. It's also helpful to include directions from the ceremony venue to the reception venue, especially if they are not close to each other.

If your wedding spans multiple days or includes other events like a welcome drinks session or a day-after brunch, consider including a weekend events card. This card can outline all the events taking place during the wedding weekend, providing guests with a clear itinerary. Be sure to include event names, dates, times, and locations.

Additionally, if you have guests coming in from out of town, an accommodations card can be helpful. On this card, provide hotel options near your wedding venue and include a deadline for making reservations if possible. If you're covering guests' accommodations, be sure to indicate that on the card as well.

When it comes to the design and wording of your reception information, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, consistency is key. Ensure that the style, font, and tone of your reception information match the rest of your invitation suite. Secondly, be clear and concise. Provide all the necessary details without overwhelming your guests with too much information. Finally, don't forget to proofread! Check for any typos or errors before finalizing your invitations.

Write out addresses

When writing out addresses on wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is recommended to write out the full names of your guests on the outer envelopes, avoiding the use of nicknames or initials. This includes using appropriate titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", or "Mx." for those who prefer a gender-neutral option. For married couples, traditional etiquette suggests using "Mr." and "Mrs." together with the husband's full name, followed by the wife's first name. However, a more modern approach is to include both spouses' first names or write out their full names.

When addressing unmarried couples living together, list their full names on one or two lines, starting with the person you are closest to. For single individuals with a plus-one, include their name on the inner envelope, or simply indicate "and Guest" if you don't know their date's name.

When it comes to writing out the address itself, there are a few formatting guidelines to follow. While it is not necessary to write out street numbers, you should spell out the full words for street types, such as "Street", "Avenue", or "Boulevard". For a more formal invitation, spell out the city and state names, such as "Washington, District of Columbia". However, for a casual wedding, abbreviations like "WA" or "DC" are acceptable. The zip code should always be written in numeric form.

Finally, consider the overall presentation of your envelopes. While it is not required, using inner envelopes can add a touch of elegance and allow for more flexibility in addressing your guests. The outer envelope serves as the mailing envelope and includes all the information needed by the postal service. The inner envelope contains the names of the invited guests and any additional enclosures, such as reception cards or maps.

Use titles and full names

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to use titles and full names. This is the traditional way to address invitations and is considered more formal. Using titles and full names is also a good option if you are unsure how guests prefer to be addressed or if they use their middle name or a nickname.

Married Couple With the Same Last Name:

For a heterosexual couple, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. [First name] [Last name]," while the inner envelope can be more informal, such as "Mr. and Mrs. [Last name]" or "[First names]." If the couple prefers to have the wife's name included, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. [First name] [Last name] and Mrs. [First name] [Last name]."

Married Couple With Different Last Names:

For a heterosexual couple with different last names, the outer envelope can be addressed with both names on the same line, with the woman's name first. If the names are too long, they can be listed separately. The inner envelope can be more informal, with just the first names or the last names of the couple.

Married Couple With One Hyphenated Last Name:

If one spouse has a hyphenated last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. [First name] [Last name] and Mr. [First name] [Hyphenated last name]." The inner envelope can be shortened to the first names or last names of the couple.

Unmarried Couple:

For an unmarried couple living at the same address, the outer envelope should include both names on one line, with the person you are closest to listed first. The inner envelope can be more informal, with just the first names or last names.

Single Female:

For a single female over the age of 18, use "Ms." on the outer envelope, while the inner envelope can be shortened to "Ms." or the first name. If she is younger than 18, "Miss" is more appropriate. If a single female has been given a plus one, indicate this only on the inner envelope, such as "and guest" or the name of the guest if you know it.

Single Male:

For a single male over the age of 18, use "Mr." on the outer envelope. The inner envelope can be shortened to "Mr." or the first name. If a single male has been offered a plus one, indicate this only on the inner envelope, similar to the single female.

Married Couple With Distinguished Titles:

If one or both members of the couple have distinguished titles, such as doctors, lawyers, judges, or military personnel, it is proper to address them by their titles. The person with the higher-ranking title should be named first. For example, for a couple where one is a lawyer and the other is a judge, the outer envelope can be addressed as "The Honorable [First name] [Last name] and Mr./Ms. [First name] [Last name]." The inner envelope can be shortened to the titles and last names or first names.

Family, Including Children:

When inviting a family with children, the outer envelope should include only the parents' names or "The [Last name] Family." The inner envelope should list all invited family members by name, including children over the age of 18. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" if desired. Boys do not need a title until they are 16, when they can be addressed as "Mr."

Casual Weddings:

For a more casual wedding, you may choose to use only first and last names without titles on the wedding invitations. This is especially appropriate if your wedding is very informal, such as a backyard barbecue or picnic. However, it is still recommended to use more formal wording for older or more conservative guests.

Remember, it is always a good idea to double-check the preferred titles and names of your guests before addressing the wedding invitations. This ensures that you are using the names they are most comfortable with and avoids any confusion or offence.

Include the host line

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. If multiple parties are hosting, you only need to include names if you're going for a formal feel. If you're hosting the wedding yourself, this line can be omitted.

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names (with middle names for very formal weddings). If they have different last names, write "and" to join the two names. For example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; middle name is included)

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams (formal)

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams (formal; includes both first names)

> Christopher and Sarah Williams (less formal)

One Set of Divorced Parents Hosting

Include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name. Do not use "and" to connect the two names; instead, give each name its own line. For example:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory

> Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner

> Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, then the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names according to preference or in the order that looks best with the invitation design. For example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis (formal)

> Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis (less formal)

Couple Is Hosting With Their Families

When the couple and both of their families are contributing to the cost of the wedding, many choose to add a line such as "Together with their families" as the host line. For example:

> Together with their families

> Together with our families

> Together with their parents

Couple Is Hosting Themselves

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line altogether or start the invitation wording with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

> Together with full hearts

> With hearts full of love and joy

Frequently asked questions