Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: A Guide

Wedding invitations are one of the first things your guests will see, so it's important to get them right. The wording of your wedding invitation should convey the essential details of your wedding, including the couple's full names, who's hosting, the ceremony location, and the reception venue. Here's a breakdown of the key elements to include:

1. Host Line: The opening line of a wedding invitation names the hosts of the event, usually the people paying for the wedding. This could be one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple and their parents, or just the couple.

2. Attendance Request: This is where you invite your guests to attend your wedding. Examples include request the pleasure of your company or invite you to celebrate with them.

3. Couple's Names: The names of the couple are typically displayed in larger, prominent text. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name traditionally comes first, while same-sex couples may choose alphabetical order or what looks best with the invitation design.

4. Date and Time: Traditional invitations spell out the date and time in full (Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon), while modern invites often use numerical figures.

5. Location: Include the name and full address of your wedding venue, especially for destination weddings or out-of-town guests.

6. Reception Details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, simply state reception to follow. Otherwise, include the full address and other details on a separate card.

7. Optional Details: You may include the dress code and RSVP information on the invitation or on a separate card.

Remember, these are guidelines, and you can add your personal touches to make your invitations unique and reflective of your wedding style.

Host Line: Names the hosts of the wedding

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. The hosts are usually the people paying for the wedding. Here are some examples of how to word the host line:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names, with middle names for very formal weddings. If they have different surnames, write "and" to join the two names.

• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; the 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 on a separate line. Do not use "and" to connect the two names.

• Ms. Pamela Jacobsen
• Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jacobsen

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, followed by the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names in alphabetical order by last name or in the order that looks best with the invitation design.

• Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis (formal)
• Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis (less formal)
• Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Adams and Mr. and Mrs. David Beckham (formal)
• Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes (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".

• Together with their families
• Together with our families
• Together with their parents
• Together with full hearts
• With hearts full of love and joy

Couple Hosting

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

• Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company...
• The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim...
• Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage...
• Miss Beyonce Knowles and Shawn "Jay Z" Carter are getting married...
• Sophia Devine and Matthew Johnson invite you to join them as they exchange vows...

Attendance Request: Extends an invitation to guests

The attendance request is where you extend the invitation to your wedding guests and let them know exactly what they are being invited to. Here are some examples of wording for this section of the invitation:

• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "The pleasure of your company"
• "At the marriage of their children"
• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Together with their parents, invite you to share in their joy"
• "With their families, invite you to celebrate"
• "Invite you to join them"
• "Are delighted to invite you"
• "Together with their families, invite you to share in their joy"

Couple's Names: The main event, usually in larger text

The couple's names are the most important part of the invitation and should be displayed in larger text. Here are some examples of how to word this section of the invitation:

Formal Wording

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Camila Flores & Stephen Anthony Byrne request the honour of your company at the celebration of their union"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Talia Camila Flores to Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Tom Byrne request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores to their son Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Flores and Mr. & Mrs. Byrne request the honour of your company at the marriage of their children Talia Camila Flores & Stephen Anthony Byrne"

Casual Wording

• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment"
• "Together with their parents Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Flores would love your company at the marriage of their daughter Talia Flores to Stephen Byrne"
• "Mr & Mrs. Byrne joyfully invite you to the marriage of Talia Flores to their son Stephen Byrne"
• "The Flores and Byrne families joyfully invite you to the marriage of Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne"

Other Wording Ideas

• "The future Mr. & Mrs. _____"
• "We invite you to share in our joy and request your presence at the wedding of _____"
• "Together with our families we joyfully invite you to the wedding of _____"
• "_____ invite you to join them in the celebration of their union"
• "_____ invite you to their wedding on _____"
• "Kindly join us at the wedding of _____"
• "Please join us for our wedding"
• "_____ will say 'I do''"
• "_____ invite you to join them as they say 'I do''"
• "Please come help us celebrate our love"
• "With joyful hearts, _____ request your presence at their wedding"
• "The wedding day of _____"
• "_____ are getting hitched"
• "_____ would be honoured to have you present when we exchange vows"

Date and Time: Should be spelled out in full for formal invites

When it comes to wedding invitations, the date and time are crucial elements that require careful consideration. Here are some detailed guidelines to ensure your invitations are clear, instructive, and elegant:

Spelling Out the Date and Time

It is customary to spell out the date and time in full for formal wedding invitations. This means writing out the day of the week, the date, and the year in letters rather than using numerals. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, the 17th of September 2024, at 4:30 p.m., you would write: "Saturday, the seventeenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and there should be no "and" when spelling out the year.

Time of Day

The time of day should also be spelled out. You would write "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock" instead of using numerals. The use of "o'clock" is traditional, but it can be omitted for half-hour times. Remember that "half after" is preferred over "half past." Indicating the time of day as "morning," "afternoon," or "evening" is also optional. Morning is considered to be from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 a.m., afternoon from 12:00 noon to 5:59 p.m., and evening from 6:00 p.m. onwards.

Consistency and Formality

Consistency is essential when it comes to the formality of your invitation. If you choose to spell out the date and time, ensure that the rest of the invitation follows suit. This includes the reception details and any other pertinent information. However, if you opt for a more casual approach, using numerals for the date and time is perfectly acceptable.

Flexibility

While tradition dictates that dates and times be spelled out in full, it is not a rigid rule. You can choose to break with tradition and use a more modern or creative approach. Ultimately, the most important aspect is ensuring that your guests have clear information about the date and time of your wedding.

Proofreading and Stationery

Finally, don't forget to proofread your invitations and consider working with a stationer to ensure that your invitations are not only error-free but also beautifully designed and consistent with your wedding theme.

Location: Full address, including street, city, state, and zip code

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few key elements that should be included to ensure guests have all the information they need. While the specific wording may vary depending on the formality of the event and cultural differences, here are some detailed and instructive paragraphs specifically focused on the location details to be included in wedding invitations:

Location Details:

The location section of a wedding invitation typically includes the name and full street address of the wedding venue. This ensures that guests can easily find the venue and avoids any confusion, especially if there are multiple locations with the same or similar names. It is also helpful to include the city, state, and zip code, allowing guests to navigate to the correct location, particularly if the street address is similar or identical in different cities.

For formal weddings, it is customary to write out the full state name, whereas numerals can be used for modern or casual invitations. Including the country name is also essential if the wedding is taking place abroad. For example, a formal invitation might read:

> The Ritz-Carlton

> 1234 Ocean Boulevard

> Miami, Florida 33131

> United States

However, it is important to note that including the zip code is optional and may be omitted if space is limited.

Additional Venue Information:

If there are multiple events or venues involved in the wedding celebrations, providing clear details for each location is crucial. This may include the ceremony venue, cocktail hour location, and reception site. For instance:

> Ceremony: The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club

> 1234 Ocean Boulevard

> Miami, Florida

> Cocktail Hour: The Ritz-Carlton Garden Terrace

> Reception: The Ritz-Carlton Grand Ballroom

Alternatively, if the ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" may be included.

Direction and Accommodation Information:

While not essential, providing additional details such as directions or accommodation suggestions can be incredibly helpful for guests, especially those travelling from out of town. This information can be included on a separate enclosure or details card to avoid overloading the invitation itself.

In summary, providing clear and concise location details on wedding invitations ensures that guests can easily find their way to the celebrations. Including the full address, city, state, and zip code prevents confusion and allows guests to navigate with ease, ensuring their timely arrival at your special day.

Frequently asked questions