Creative Ways To Invite Guests To Your Wedding

Wedding invitations are a crucial aspect of wedding planning, as they provide guests with essential information about the big day. The invitation sets the tone for the festivities and ensures that guests are well-informed about the various events, dress code, and RSVP deadline. While the invitation's aesthetic and design are important, it is also necessary to focus on the wording and etiquette to ensure that all the necessary details are included. This includes information such as the couple's full names, the hosts of the event, the ceremony location, reception venue, and other pertinent details.

What to include in the invitation

The content of a wedding invitation is crucial, as it provides guests with essential information about the event. Here is a detailed breakdown of what to include in the invitation:

The Host Line

The host line is an optional element that acknowledges the individuals or families hosting the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents are listed as hosts, but modern variations include both sets of parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of the couple and their parents. Here are some examples:

• "Together with their families"
• "Together with our families"
• "Together with their parents"
• "Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company"

The Attendance Request

This section extends a warm invitation to the guests, setting the tone for the celebration. Here are some options for wording this section:

• "The pleasure of your company" is requested
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Request the honour of your presence"

The Couple's Names

The names of the couple are usually the highlight of the invitation, often displayed in larger and more ornate text. For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically comes first, while same-sex couples may opt for alphabetical order or aesthetic preferences.

Date and Time

The date and time of the wedding should be clearly stated. Formal invitations tend to spell out these details in full, while modern invites may use numerical figures. Here is an example of formal wording: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon."

Location

Provide the name and full address of the wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is abroad, include the country as well. For formal invitations, spell out the state name.

Reception Details

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" will suffice. For separate locations, include the reception details on a separate card or insert.

Dress Code (Optional)

Including dress code information is helpful but not compulsory. It is usually mentioned in the lower corner or centre of the invite or on a separate details card. Here are some examples:

• "Black-tie"
• "Formal attire"
• "Cocktail attire"
• "Beach-casual"

RSVP Instructions

Provide clear instructions for guests to respond to the invitation, such as a reply card with a stamped and addressed envelope or an online RSVP option with a URL or email address.

How to word the invitation

The wording of a wedding invitation is an important piece of the wedding puzzle. It is one of the first things your guests will see, and it conveys critical information about the event. Here is a guide on how to word the invitation:

Host Line

The host line is where the name(s) of the event host(s) appear. The hosts are usually the people paying for the wedding. The wording will vary depending on who is hosting: one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple and their parents, or just the couple.

• "Together with their families"
• "Together with our families"
• "Together with their parents"
• "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company"
• "Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith request the honour of your presence"

Request Line

The request line is where you invite your guests to join the celebration. Traditionally, formal wording is used to denote a religious ceremony, while casual language is used for non-religious services.

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

Couple's Names

Make sure the couple's names are front and centre. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes first, while for same-sex couples, the wording of the host line may dictate the order.

Date, Time, and Location

Include the date, start time, and location of the ceremony. For formal invitations, spell out the date, time, and location in full. For modern invitations, numerical figures are often used.

Reception Details

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, simply state "Reception to follow." If the reception is elsewhere, include the full address on a separate card.

Dress Code

Including dress code information is optional but helpful for guests. If the wedding is black-tie, it must be included on the invitation.

RSVP Details

Indicate how guests should RSVP, such as by including a wedding website, email, or phone number, as well as an RSVP deadline.

Formal Wedding Invitation

"Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim, Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four, at half after four, at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow."

Casual Wedding Invitation

"Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding, Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon, at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow."

When to send the invitation

Sending out your wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure your guests can make the necessary arrangements. Here are some tips to help you decide on the best time to send out your wedding invites:

The Sweet Spot

The ideal time to send out wedding invitations is around two to three months before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules, make travel arrangements if needed, and RSVP. It also allows you to get a final headcount and complete your seating chart before the big day.

For Out-of-Town Guests

If you have guests travelling from out of town or from another country, it is recommended to send their invitations earlier. Aim for eight to twelve weeks before the wedding to give them enough time to request time off work, book accommodations, and plan their travel.

Save-the-Dates

Before sending out the official invitations, you can opt to send save-the-date cards to give your guests a preliminary notice. These are typically sent out six to twelve months before the wedding, ensuring your guests can reserve your wedding date on their calendars.

Destination Weddings

For destination weddings, it is courteous to send out invitations as early as possible, even up to a year in advance. This allows guests ample time to plan their trip, especially if they intend to turn it into a family holiday.

Cultural Differences

The timing of sending out wedding invitations can also depend on cultural differences. For example, in Sweden, it is common to send out invitations a year in advance, whereas in the US and UK, sending them two to six months before the wedding is considered normal.

How to address the envelopes

When addressing your wedding invitations, following some simple guidelines will make the job seamless. Here is some advice on how to address the envelopes to various guests.

To a Family with Children

Even when children are invited, the outside envelope should be addressed only to their parents. Children's names should appear on the inner envelope, starting with the oldest, followed by their siblings in order of decreasing age. If you are taking a more formal approach on the inner envelope, refer to a boy under 13 as "Master" and a girl or young woman under 18 as "Miss".

To a Couple With Different Last Names

Address the female guest first, whether they are living together or not. If it's a married couple and the wife has chosen to keep her maiden name, use "Ms.". For an unmarried couple, write their names on separate lines without "and". On the inner envelope, both can be addressed by their titles and respective last names.

When One Guest Is a Judge

Use "The Honorable" to recognise a judge, and list them first. If both spouses have different professional titles, generally list the wife first: "The Honorable Pamela Patel and Lieutenant Jonathan Patel, U.S. Navy".

When One Guest Is a Doctor

If the husband is a doctor, the titles will appear as "Doctor and Mrs.". If the wife is a doctor, her degree "outranks" her husband's social title of "Mr.", and the wife should be listed first, with "Doctor" spelled out. If both spouses are doctors, write "The Doctors", followed by their family name.

Etiquette for Adding a Plus-One

Spouses of attendees should always be invited. When it comes to your friends' significant others or dates, use your discretion depending on your budget and how long the couple has been together (six months is a good gauge). If you are inviting someone with a plus-one, try to find out their date's name and send two separate invitations. If that's not possible, address the outside envelope to the primary invitee, with the inside envelope reading "[Name] and Guest". If you know their date's name, it's more personal to include it on a separate line.

How to Address a Wedding Invitation to a Single Person

When addressing an invitation to a single person, include their title, first name, and last name.

How to Address a Wedding Invitation to a Married Couple

If you are inviting a couple, either name can appear first. Traditionally, the male name comes first; however, either way is suitable by modern standards.

How to Address a Wedding Invitation to a Married Couple with Different Last Names

You can choose either name to put first and address accordingly.

How to Address a Wedding Invitation to an Unmarried Couple

Invitations to unmarried couples should follow the same standard as invitations to married couples with different last names. List your primary guest first. In other words, if you invite a friend and their partner but do not know their partner, your friend’s name will appear first.

How to Address a Wedding Invitation to an Engaged Couple

Invite engaged couples using maiden names and following the same guidelines as addressing an unmarried couple.

How to Address a Wedding Invitation to Guests with Distinguished Titles

Always address guests using their distinguished/professional title.

How to Address a Wedding Invitation to a Single Guest that Gets a Plus One

Everyone invited should be listed on the envelope. If you invite a single person and welcome them to bring a guest, you would address the envelope to that person and "and Guest". If you know the name of their plus one, you should add it in place of 'and Guest'.

Addressing Invitations with Nicknames

You should use the guest's proper first name. Using William instead of Bill, for example, is good etiquette. You do not necessarily need to do this if a guest has never used their formal name. For example, if you know someone who has always been called Frank, it is appropriate to use Frank instead of their legal name, Francis.

Addressing Invitations with First Names Only

If you are going for a more casual tone, you may address envelopes using only first names. You should only use first names if you know the guests and they are in your general age range or younger. For instance, you could invite your best friend to a casual wedding using her first name on the envelope. However, you should use first and last names for older or less familiar guests. 'First names only' should not be used for formal or semi-formal weddings.

Formal Addressing Rules for Wedding Invitation Envelopes

• Use formal names (no nicknames).
• Middle names aren't necessary, but must be spelled out if used (no initials).
• Spell out all words such as Apartment, Avenue, Street, etc.
• Abbreviate Mr., Mrs., Ms. and Jr.
• Write out professional titles such as Doctor or Professor.

How to assemble the invitation suite

Assembling your wedding invitation suite is a lot less complicated than you may think. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare your supplies

Before you begin, ensure you have all the pieces of your invitation order, addressed envelopes, postage, envelope moistener, and any other adhesives or supplies needed to assemble the invitation suite. Wash and dry your hands to avoid getting marks on the paper, and consider skipping this part if you have nail polish on as it may rub off on the paper.

Step 2: Stack the enclosures

Place the RSVP card under the flap of its envelope, ensuring the card is face up and the addressed side of the envelope is face down. Then, stack the enclosures face-up in order of size, with the largest piece on the bottom.

Step 3: Place them in the right order

Wedding invitation etiquette dictates the order in which all the pieces of the wedding invitation suite should go. Typically, each card is placed face up in size order, starting with the largest. The order should be as follows:

• Invitation card
• Reception card
• Response card
• Small enclosure (e.g. for reception details, accommodation, or travel info)
• Large enclosure (e.g. for accommodation, travel info, or schedule of events)
• Response envelope (printed side up, flap on the right side)

Step 4: Add a tissue paper or vellum overlay (optional)

If you have chosen to include a tissue paper or vellum overlay, place it on top of the invitation card.

Step 5: Add a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap (optional)

If you want to add a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap to your invitation suite, assemble it now. Belly bands are narrow strips of paper that are designed to wrap around your suite and come with clear stickers to seal them. To assemble:

• Stack your invitation suite with the invitation on the bottom and all cards facing up.
• Center the belly band over your stack and place the included clear sticker on one end.
• Flip your suite and band over so everything is face down.
• Fold the non-stickered end around the suite.
• Wrap the stickered end around and adhere to the other end.

If you are using a ribbon, wrap it around your assembled invitation stack and tie it in your desired style. Then cut the ends and use the ribbon length as a template to cut the rest of your ribbons.

Step 6: Insert the suite into the envelope

If you are using an inner envelope, place it inside the mailing envelope with the guest names facing the open side of the envelope. Then, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope (left edge first for a single-card invitation, folded edge first for a folded invitation). Ensure that the text is print-side up, so that when the flap is opened, guests can immediately see the text.

Step 7: Seal the envelope

Use an envelope moistener, a damp sponge, or saliva to activate the glue on the mailing envelope flap. Press down firmly to seal or place the envelope under a heavy book. If your envelopes don't stay closed, try using double-sided tape or a glue stick.

Step 8: Calculate postage and send

Take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to weigh it and confirm the correct amount of postage needed. Then, buy the postage and send out your invitations!

Frequently asked questions