George Boyle
Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They convey critical information, set the tone for the event, and give guests a glimpse of what to expect. The wording of a wedding invitation typically includes the host line, a request line, the couple's names, the date, time, and location of the ceremony, and the reception details. The invitation may also include an RSVP and dress code. While traditional invitations follow certain formatting rules, couples are free to add their own creative touches and choose a style that suits their wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Host Line | Names of the event hosts, usually the people paying for the wedding. |
| Attendance Request | Request to attend, e.g. "invite you to join", "please join us to celebrate", "the pleasure of your company" |
| Couple's Names | The couple's full names, with the bride's name first for heterosexual couples. |
| Date and Time | Written in full for formal invites, or numerals for modern invites. |
| Location | Full address, including street, city, state, and zip code. |
| Reception Details | "Reception to follow" if at the same venue, or full address on a separate card if elsewhere. |
| Dress Code | Optional, but helpful. Include in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite. |
What You'll Learn
Hosts and Inviting Guests
The first line of a wedding invitation is the host line, which names the hosts of the event. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts, and their names are listed first. However, it has become increasingly common to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts, regardless of who is paying for the wedding. This can be done for different-sex couples by listing the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, followed by the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, the names can be listed according to preference or in an order that looks best with the invitation design.
If the couple and their parents are contributing to the wedding, the host line can be something like "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families". For example:
> Together with their families
> Jane Smith and John Doe
> Together with
> Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
> and
> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Doe
> Request the pleasure of your company
If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the host line can be omitted or replaced with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:
> Together with full hearts
> Jane Smith and John Doe
> Request the honour of your presence
If a parent of either the bride or groom has passed away, they can be honoured alongside their child's name. For example:
> Jane Smith, daughter of Robert Smith and the late Elizabeth Smith
> And
> John Doe, son of Thomas and Mary Doe
> Request the pleasure of your company
In the case of divorced parents, each parent's name should be listed separately. If including a step-parent, their name should be kept on the same line as their partner. For example:
> Dr. Robert Smith and Elizabeth Smith
> And
> Thomas Doe and Mary Doe
> Invite you to the wedding of their children
> Jane Smith and John Doe
The Request to Attend
There are several ways to request the pleasure of your guests' company, including:
- "The pleasure of your company"
- "At the marriage of their children"
- "Would love for you to join them"
- "Invite you to celebrate with them"
- "The honour of your presence" (traditionally used to denote a religious service)
The Names of the Couple
Traditionally, the bride's name always precedes the groom's name. Formal invitations issued by the bride's parents refer to her by her first and middle names, and the groom by his full name and title. If the couple is hosting by themselves, their titles are optional.
For same-sex couples, there is no traditional rule, and the names can be listed alphabetically or simply in the order that sounds better.
The Date and Time
For formal weddings, the date and time are usually written out in full. For example:
> Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon
For casual weddings, numerals are fine.
The Location
The name and full street address of the venue are usually included, along with the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is taking place abroad, the country should also be included. If the venue is a private residence, the street address is typically not included.
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Couple's Names
The names of the couple are usually the main event on a wedding invitation, often displayed in larger text and a fancy typeface.
For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can be written using her first and middle name only (without her last name). In this case, the groom's name is either listed in full or his first and middle names are followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs. [Father's first name] [Surname]."
For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first and the man's name second does not apply. Whether it's "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily," it's perfectly acceptable. Same-sex couples can choose to list their names alphabetically or simply go with what sounds better.
For less formal invitations, you may opt to list only first names.
Formal Wedding Invitation Wording
> The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim
> Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael
Fun Wedding Invitation Wording
> Come party with us! Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot
> Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes hope you'll join them on the dance floor to celebrate the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael
Casual Wedding Invitation Wording
> Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding
> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith along with Mark and Sally Reyes invite you to share and celebrate the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael
Creative Wedding Invitation Wording
> Good food, good drinks, good friends! Jack Smith & Mason Kim request you celebrate with them as they get hitched
> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes can't wait to celebrate with you at the marriage of Olivia Rose and John Michael
Modern Wedding Invitation Wording
> Jack Smith & Mason Kim would love to eat wedding cake with you
> Jack Smith & Mason Kim and their joyful parents hope you will attend their wedding
Simple Wedding Invitation Wording
> Jack Smith & Mason Kim are getting married
> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes invite you to the wedding of Olivia Rose and John Michael
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Date, Time and Location
The date, time, and location are essential components of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and examples to help you word this section effectively:
Date and Time:
Spell out the date, day of the week, and year in full for formal invitations. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one". The day of the week and the month should be capitalised. It is optional to include the year, and there is no need for the conjunction "and" when spelling out the year.
For the time, use "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock" instead of numerals. You can also specify the part of the day, such as "in the afternoon" or "in the evening". The use of "a.m." or "p.m." is optional. For informal or casual invitations, numerals are acceptable, e.g., "4:00 p.m." or "4:30 p.m. in the afternoon".
Location:
Provide the name of the venue and its full street address, including the city and state. If the wedding is abroad, include the country as well. The street address is usually omitted unless its exclusion may cause confusion or the wedding is at the host's home. Zip codes or postcodes are generally not included.
If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice. For separate locations, include the reception address on a separate line or a details card enclosed with the invitation.
- "Saturday, the seventeenth of August, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon"
- "Saturday, the sixteenth of October, two thousand and ten, at four o'clock in the afternoon"
- "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon"
- "Saturday, the fourth of July, Nineteen ninety-nine, at half past seven in the evening"
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Reception Details
The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation. This is where you let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony.
If your ceremony and reception are in the same location, you can simply write "reception to follow" or "reception immediately following". If the reception is held elsewhere, include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card.
If your wedding is a more formal affair, you may want to include the dress code on the reception details card. For example, "Black-tie invited". If you are having a more casual wedding, you might write "dress as you wish, dine as you like, dance as you please".
You can also include information about the type of reception, such as "dinner and dancing to follow", "dinner and drinks", or "cocktails and canapes".
If you are having a themed wedding, you can reflect this in the reception details. For example, a rustic wedding could have "barn dancing and bonfire to follow".
Remember to include the time of the reception if it is not immediately after the ceremony.
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RSVP and Dress Code
When it comes to RSVPs, it's important to give your guests a clear deadline for their response. This is usually around four to eight weeks before the wedding. You can also include a line for guests to write their names, and a way for them to indicate whether they are accepting or declining the invitation. You may also want to ask about any dietary requirements they may have.
- Kindly respond by [date] - Accepts with pleasure - Regretfully declines
- We can't wait to celebrate with you! Please RSVP by [date] - Wouldn't miss it for the world! - Will toast from afar!
- Be there, or be square. RSVP by [date] - Hell yes! - Damn it, can't make it... but we have a good excuse!
As for dress code, you can include this information on your wedding invitation, on a separate information card, or on your wedding website. It's a good idea to give your guests an idea of the expected level of formality, and you can also provide suggestions for specific attire.
- White Tie Celebration: Please join us in your most royal formalwear.
- Black Tie: We ask that men wear a tuxedo and women wear a floor-length gown.
- Cocktail Attire: We suggest that men wear a suit or dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi or knee-length dress or dressy separates.
- Dressy Casual: We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. For this time of year, we suggest the following attire: women - sundresses, lightweight separates, and flats or wedge heels; men - light dress shirts with khakis or other lightweight slacks; jackets and ties are optional.
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Frequently asked questions
Include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line. If the mother is not remarried, use the courtesy title "Ms." If you wish to include a stepparent, list the mother and stepfather's names first, followed by the father and stepmother's names.
To include the names of two parents with different last names, use the courtesy titles "Mr.", "Mrs.", or "Mx." and list their names in alphabetical order by last name. To include the names of two parents with the same last name, use the courtesy titles and list their names in alphabetical order by first name.
Traditional wording for inviting guests to a wedding includes phrases such as "request the honour of your presence" or "request the pleasure of your company."
For formal invitations, spell out the time of day using phrases such as "four o'clock in the afternoon" or "half after four o'clock." For informal invitations, it is acceptable to use numerals, such as "4:00 p.m."
The reception details section of a wedding invitation should include the location of the reception, as well as any pertinent information such as the dress code or other festivities planned. If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, a simple phrase such as "reception to follow" is sufficient.
