Wording Wedding Website For Invite-Only: Etiquette And Examples

When it comes to wedding invitations, the wording is important. It's not just about including the right information; the language you use can also convey the level of formality, from black-tie to casual. So, how do you indicate that your wedding is invite-only?

The key is in the host line, which is where the name(s) of the event host(s) appear. This is typically the person or people paying for the wedding. If you're keeping your wedding intimate and invite-only, the host line might just include the couple's names, or the couple and their parents.

- Together with their families, [Couple's names] request the honour of your presence at their wedding...

- [Couple's names] together with their parents [Names of parents] invite you to share in their joy at their wedding...

- The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of [Couple's names]...

How to word invites for an adults-only wedding

Deciding whether to invite children to your wedding is one of the most difficult guest list questions. If you've decided your wedding will be adults-only, the best thing you can do is be clear and consistent about the parameters. Here are some ways to communicate this to your guests:

Addressing the Invitations

The best solution to addressing your invitations clearly is to use a name band. Name bands are paper wraps that are digitally printed with your guest names and wrapped around your pieces to keep everything together. They allow you the space to list the names of each invited guest, helping to avoid any 'plus ones' and allowing you to list the names of children if they are invited.

If name bands are outside your budget, the next best option is to include a note on your invitations, response cards, or information cards. You can also be clear about who is invited by addressing the envelopes correctly. Only those listed on the inner envelope are invited to the wedding, making it clear from the outset who is included. For example:

> Outer Envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sullivan

> Inner Envelope: Mike and Annie

Wording on the Invitations

While it’s generally not recommended to explicitly state “adults only” or “no children” on the invitation itself, you can subtly convey the message through your reception card. Phrases like “intimate ceremony” or “cocktail reception” held at a “luxury hotel” or “downtown nightclub” can suggest a child-free event, as these venues are typically not suitable for children.

• “Please join us for an adult reception at six o’clock”
• “Please note this will be an adults-only celebration”
• “Adult (18 and older) reception to follow”
• “We respectfully request no children under 16 at the reception”
• “Adults only Reception”
• “Children over 16 years of Age Only”
• “Although we love your little ones, this is an adult-only affair”
• “The bride and groom request that this be an adults-only reception”
• “Please celebrate with us at an adults-only reception immediately following the ceremony”
• “Due to limited venue space, adults only please”
• “Due to budget/space limitations, we are unable to extend the invitation to children”
• “Although we love your children, we regretfully cannot accommodate them at the venue due to restricted numbers”
• “Although we adore your children, due to budget/space constraints we ask that only adults attend.”

Wording on the Wedding Website

Most couples have wedding websites that contain a comprehensive list of details for their upcoming wedding. On your site, be sure to include an FAQ page. Include the question "Can we bring kids?” and clearly state that, while you love all those little ones in your lives, you really want your family and friends to be able to have a fantastic time without worrying about their kids.

Spreading the Word

You can ask your bridal party and the family of the bride to help spread the word. Tell your families, wedding party, and other close friends and relatives that you’re going kid-free for your wedding. They don’t need to shout it from the rooftops on your behalf, but if they know what you’ve decided, they’ll be better informed to answer questions from other guests.

How to word invites for a child-friendly wedding

If you're inviting children to your wedding, it's important to carefully consider how to word your invitations. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect child-friendly wedding invitation:

Be Clear and Consistent

It's crucial to be clear and consistent in your wording to avoid any confusion or hurt feelings. If you're inviting children, specify this directly and make it a general rule for all guests. You can make exceptions for children of immediate family members or those in the wedding party, but be sure to communicate this clearly to avoid any misunderstandings.

Address Invitations Carefully

When addressing invitations, be explicit about who is invited. Include the names of the invited guests, both on the envelopes and the response cards. This ensures that guests know whether their children are invited or not. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" typically indicates that children are not included, while "The Smith Family" would include them.

Provide Advanced Notice

Give parents plenty of notice so they can make childcare arrangements. Be sensitive to their needs, especially if you're having a destination wedding or if guests have to travel long distances. Remember that it may be challenging for parents to attend without their children or to find childcare in unfamiliar locations.

Example Wording for Child-Friendly Weddings

• "We invite you and your family to join us in our celebration."
• "The Smith Family would be delighted if you could join us with your little ones."
• "We're excited to celebrate with guests of all ages. Please feel free to bring your children."
• "Our wedding will be a family-friendly affair, and we'd love for your children to attend."
• "We're happy to accommodate children at our wedding. We kindly request that you include their names on the response card."
• "Please join us for a fun-filled celebration with guests of all ages. Your children are more than welcome!"
• "As our wedding venue is child-friendly, we'd be delighted if your children could attend."
• "We're excited to celebrate with our loved ones of all ages. Your children are warmly invited."

Remember, it's your special day, and you can decide who you want to invite. Be considerate in your wording, provide clear communication, and give guests enough notice to make the necessary arrangements.

How to word invites for a reception-only wedding

If you're planning a private wedding ceremony followed by a larger reception, clear wedding reception-only invitation wording is crucial. The key to phrasing this type of invitation is to announce your marriage, not invite guests to witness it. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect reception-only wedding invitation:

Tips for Wording Reception-Only Wedding Invitations:

• Make two separate guest lists: one for guests invited to the ceremony and reception, and another for those invited to the reception only.
• If your wedding and reception are on different days, you will likely need two separate invitations. The first invitation will be for the wedding ceremony, and the second for the reception.
• If both events are on the same day, the main invitation should include reception details only. Include a separate insert card with ceremony details that will only be sent to guests invited to both events.
• Include an RSVP card in every envelope to get an accurate head count for both events.

Examples of Reception-Only Wedding Invitation Wording:

• "We exchanged vows in a private ceremony on March 28, 2023, in Syracuse, New York. Please join Blake and Cameron to celebrate our marriage on Saturday, May 23, 2023, at 6 p.m. at The Hay-Adams in Washington, DC."
• "Avery Smith and Regan Jones will be married in a small ceremony on Saturday, the tenth of August. Please join us at their wedding reception on Saturday, the twelfth of September, Two-thousand twenty-four, at seven o'clock at The Coronado in Saint Louis, Missouri."
• "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage reception of their daughter Anne Elizabeth and James Lucas Williams on Saturday, the twenty-sixth of September, two thousand twenty, at half past six o'clock at Bragg-Mitchell Mansion in Mobile, Alabama."
• "Please join Anne and James Williams for cocktails, dinner, and dancing to celebrate our marriage on Saturday, the tenth of October, 2020, at half past six o'clock at Bragg-Mitchell Mansion in Mobile, Alabama."

How to word invites for a wedding with multiple venues

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are some basic elements that should be included no matter the style or tone. These are:

• The request to come to the wedding
• The names of the couple
• Reception information

Host Line

The opening line on a wedding invitation 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 yourselves, this line can be omitted. Here are some examples:

• "Together with their families"
• "Together with our families"
• "Together with their parents"

Attendance Request

The request to attend lets guests know exactly what they're being invited to. Here are some options:

• "The honour of your presence" (traditionally used to denote a religious service)
• "The pleasure of your company" (used to denote a non-religious ceremony)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

Couple's Names

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text (and often in a fancy typeface). For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically goes first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, names can be listed alphabetically or based on what looks best.

Date and Time

Traditional wedding invitation wording requires the date and time to be spelled out in full, e.g. "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon". For modern invites, numerical figures are often used.

Location

Write the name and full street address of your wedding venue, including the state and zip code. If your wedding is abroad, include the country as well. If the reception is at the same location, you can simply say, "Reception to follow". If the reception is elsewhere, include the full address on a separate details card.

Reception Details

If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time. If it's at a different location, include the address on a separate details card. Here are some examples:

• "Reception to follow"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow"

Dress Code

Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful. It should be mentioned in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite, or on a separate details card.

Multiple Venues

If your ceremony and reception are at different venues, include the details for both. You can include the address for both locations on the invite or just the venue name, with the address on a separate details card. Here are some examples:

• "Ceremony at Location 1. Followed by dinner, drinks, and dancing at Location 2."
• "Ceremony commences 10:30 am [Church name], [Suburb]. Celebration continues 12 pm [Venue name], [Suburb]."

How to word invites for a wedding with divorced parents

The wording of wedding invitations can be a tricky task, especially when dealing with divorced parents. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you navigate this situation:

Host Line:

The host line is the opening line of the invitation, naming the hosts of the event. If the parents of the couple are divorced, there are a few ways to word this section:

• If one divorced parent is hosting: Use the parent's name, followed by "requests the honor of your presence" or "requests the pleasure of your company". For example, "Mr. John Smith requests the honor of your presence at the marriage of his daughter, Jane Smith, to Mr. John Doe."
• If one divorced parent is hosting with a new spouse: Include both names, followed by "request the pleasure of your company". For example, "Michelle and Timothy Wright request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Monroe, to Kevin Charles Black."
• If both divorced parents are jointly hosting: List the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line, followed by "request the honor of your presence". Avoid using "and" between the names. For example, "Mrs. Michelle Wright and Mr. John Monroe request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Elizabeth Ann Monroe, to Kevin Charles Black."
• If one parent is deceased: Honour the deceased parent by including their name. For example, "Mrs. Sarah Smith, daughter of the late Mr. John Smith, requests the pleasure of your company at her wedding to Michael Alan Timmons."

Couple's Names:

The names of the couple being married are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface. For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically goes first, followed by the groom. For same-sex couples, you can list the names alphabetically or based on design preference.

Date and Time:

Traditional wedding invitations spell out the date and time in full (e.g., "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon"). For modern invites, numerical figures can be used (e.g., "Saturday, 9/15/2024, 4:30 p.m.").

Location:

Include the name and full address of the wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is abroad, add the country as well. If the reception is at the same location, simply state "Reception to follow." Otherwise, provide the full address on a separate details card.

Dress Code:

Including dress code information is optional but helpful for guests. Mention it in the lower corner or centre of the invite, or use a details card or wedding website.

Other Considerations:

• Keep the invitation concise and clear, providing only essential details.
• Use separate envelopes or lines on the RSVP card to indicate the number of seats reserved for each household if you want to specify "no children."
• Avoid stating "adults-only" on the invitation; instead, spread the word through family and friends and include this information on your wedding website.
• If both sets of parents are contributing financially, include both parents' names on the host lines, with the bride's parents' names listed first.

Frequently asked questions