Guide To Crafting Wedding Invites For Ceremony And Reception

Wedding invitations are a crucial logistical element of your big day. They are the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding's style and also communicate essential details. The proper wording of a wedding invitation provides all the essential details, like the couple's full names, who's hosting the nuptials, the ceremony location, and the reception venue. Here is a breakdown of what to include and how to word your wedding invitations.

Include the request to attend

The request to attend is an essential part of a wedding invitation. This is where you extend an invitation to your wedding and set the tone for your celebration. Here are some examples of how to word the request to attend:

• "Request the honour of your presence" – traditionally used to denote a religious service. Using the British spelling of "honour" adds a formal and traditional feel.
• "Request 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"
• "At the marriage of their children"

The wording can vary depending on the formality of the wedding and the relationship between the couple and their parents. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the request to attend can be more casual and welcoming, such as "Come party with us" or "Come eat cake with you".

If the wedding is a collaborative affair hosted and paid for by the couple and both sets of parents, you can use wording such as "Together with their parents, [couple's names] request the pleasure of your company...".

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. The names can be listed in alphabetical order or simply in the order that sounds better.

List the names of the couple

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to consider the couple's marital status, titles, and surnames. Here are some guidelines for listing the names of the couple on the invitations:

Married Couple with the Same Last Name:

For a heterosexual couple, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For a more modern approach, include both first names, with the husband's name coming first. If you prefer a more casual tone, simply use "Mr. & Mrs." followed by their last name or call them by their first names only.

Outer envelope (formal): Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren

Outer envelope (modern): Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Michelle Warren

Outer envelope (informal): Mr. & Mrs. Warren or Thomas and Michelle

Married Couple with Different Last Names:

When addressing a married couple with different last names, list both their first names. You can choose to write the woman's name first or the person whom you are closer with. If you are equally close to both, alphabetical order is a safe option.

Outer envelope: Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez

Married Couple with One Hyphenated Last Name:

When addressing a spouse with a hyphenated last name, include both their first names on the outer envelope, followed by their surnames, with the hyphenated name listed last.

Outer envelope: Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft

Unmarried Couple:

For an unmarried couple living together, include both names on separate lines on the outer envelope. Start with the person you are closest to, or use alphabetical order. If they have different last names, you can also write their names on the same line.

Outer envelope: Mr. Stanley Kim

Outer envelope: Ms. Amanda Rhee

Outer envelope: Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee

Same-Sex Couple:

The same etiquette applies to same-sex couples as to any other couple. If they are married or live together, list both names on the same line. For different last names, you can use alphabetical order or choose the name of the person you are closest with to be first.

Outer envelope: Ms. Susan Bunch and Ms. Carol Willik-Bunch

Outer envelope: Mr. Mitchell Pritchett and Mr. Cameron Tucker

Provide reception information

If the ceremony and reception are held in the same location, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, you should include the venue's name and address on a separate line. You may also want to include the time if the wedding reception is not immediately following the ceremony.

If you are not serving a full meal, you could say something like: "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing".

If the ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, include the line "Reception to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. If the reception is held at a different venue, it should be treated as a separate event. Include a separate reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite.

If your wedding is black tie, you must include that on the invitation. If you don’t include wedding attire information on the invitation, guests will infer it based on the formality of the wedding invitation itself.

Add the date and time

When it comes to the date and time of your wedding, there are a few different ways to word your invitations depending on whether you're going for a formal or casual tone.

For formal wedding invitations, it's traditional to write out the date and time in full. For example:

> Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon.

The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year.

The time of day should also be written out in full, e.g. "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock". To indicate the time of day, you can add "in the afternoon" or "in the evening".

If you're having a casual wedding, you can use numbers to convey the date and time. For example:

> Saturday, 15th September 2021, 4:30 pm

If you're using numbers, choose a legible font to avoid any confusion. For example, a "2" that looks like a "5" could cause some issues!

If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply say "reception to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include the full address and other details on a separate card tucked inside the invitation.

If you're having a small, intimate ceremony followed by a larger reception, it's becoming increasingly popular to send out two sets of invitations. One set can invite guests to both the ceremony and reception, while the other set invites guests to the reception only.

Include the location

When it comes to wedding invitations, the location of the ceremony and reception is an important detail that should be included. Here are some tips and guidelines for including the location in your wedding invitations:

Providing Clear and Accurate Information:

• Include the name of the venue: Mention the name of the venue where the ceremony and reception will be held. This can be written as "Venue Name, City, State" or "Venue Name on one line, and 'City, State' on the following line."
• Omit the street address: Traditionally, the street address of the venue is not included unless its omission may lead to confusion or if the event is taking place at a private residence.
• Provide the city and state: Write out the city and state in full. For very formal invitations, it is customary to spell out the state name instead of using the postal code abbreviation.

Formatting and Layout:

• Separate cards for ceremony and reception: If you have a lot of information to include, consider using separate cards for the ceremony and reception details. This can be especially useful if the ceremony and reception are held at different locations.
• Include "Reception to follow": If the reception immediately follows the ceremony at the same location, you can simply state, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."
• Provide reception details on a separate line: If the reception is at a different location, include it on a separate line or on a separate insert card, known as a reception card.

Timing and Logistics:

• Include the date and time: Provide the date and time of both the ceremony and reception, especially if they are held at different times or on different days.
• Be consistent with the format: Write out the date, time, and timing in full for formal invitations (e.g., "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon"). For casual weddings, using numerals is acceptable.
• Consider travel time: If the ceremony and reception are held at different venues, allow ample time for guests to travel between locations. You may also choose to have the ceremony earlier in the day to provide enough time for celebrations and photographs before the reception.

Customization and Personalization:

• Include directions and transportation: If the venue is in a remote location or difficult to find, consider including directions or transportation information on a separate information card.
• Provide lodging suggestions: For guests who may need accommodation, include lodging suggestions or a wedding website where they can find more information.

Frequently asked questions