Guide To Diy Wedding Invitations For Self-Hosted Weddings

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They set the tone for the wedding and convey critical information. When hosting a wedding yourself, you can omit the host line or start the invitation with a warm and welcoming introduction. The invitation should include the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information. The date, time, and location of the ceremony should also be included, and it is helpful to indicate how guests should RSVP.

Host Line: Include the names of the hosts, usually the people paying for the wedding

Host Line

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and traditionally includes the names of the people hosting the wedding, usually the people paying for the wedding. The host line is included to recognise the hosts of the wedding.

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" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

If the wedding is hosted by one set of parents, include their full names, with middle names for very formal weddings. If they have different last names, use "and" to join the names. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams" or "Christopher and Sarah Williams".

If the wedding is hosted by both sets of parents, list the bride's parents' names first, followed by the groom's parents' names. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis".

If the couple is hosting with their families, you can include a line such as "Together with their families" or "Together with our families".

If you want to include the name of a deceased parent, they can be honoured alongside one of the couple's names. For example: "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez and the late Robert Martinez".

For divorced parents, include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line. If you want to include a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as their partner. For example: "Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner".

Request Line: Invite your guests to join your wedding celebration

The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. This is where you extend the invitation to attend your wedding, and you can use it to set the tone for your celebration. Here are some examples of wording for the request line:

• "The honour of your presence is requested"
• "The pleasure of your company is requested"
• "Invite you to share in the joy of our marriage"
• "Would love for you to join us"
• "Invite you to celebrate with us"

If you are having a religious ceremony, you can use the wording "request the honour of your presence". The British spelling of "honour" indicates a more formal tone. For a non-religious ceremony, you can use "request the pleasure of your company".

You can also include the names of the couple in the request line, for example:

• "Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney request the pleasure of your company"
• "Together with full hearts, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company"

The request line is an opportunity to set the tone for your wedding celebration, so choose wording that reflects the style and formality of your event.

Couple's Names: Make sure the couple's names are front and centre

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the names of the couple are of utmost importance and should be displayed prominently and creatively. Here are some tips to ensure the couple's names are front and centre:

Size and Style

The names of the couple should be the most prominent feature of the invitation, usually displayed in larger text than the rest of the content. A fancy typeface can also be used to make the names stand out and create a stylish impression.

Placement

The couple's names are typically placed after the host line and the request to attend. This ensures that the names are not missed and are given the attention they deserve.

Name Order

For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. However, same-sex couples can choose to list their names alphabetically or based on their preference and what sounds better.

Full Names or First Names

For formal weddings, it is customary to write out the full names of the couple. However, for less formal celebrations, using first names only can create a more intimate and casual feel.

Honouring Deceased Parents

If one of the couple's parents is deceased, their name can be included alongside the couple's name as a way of honouring them. For example: "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez".

Creative Wording

Feel free to get creative with the wording of the invitation to make it unique and engaging. For example, instead of a traditional "request the honour of your presence", you could say "with hearts full of love and joy" or something similar to set the tone for your celebration.

Remember, the most important aspect is to create a beautiful invitation that represents the couple and their love. So, feel free to personalise the wording to make it truly special.

Date, Time and Location: Include everything your guests need to show up at the right place and time

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the date, time, and location are essential. Here are some tips to ensure your guests have all the information they need to arrive at the right place at the right time:

Date and Time:

• Spell out the date and year for formal invitations to prevent confusion. For example, write "July 2, 2025" instead of "7/2/2025."
• For formal invitations, spell out the time of day using phrases like “four o'clock” or “half after four o'clock.” Avoid using a.m. or p.m. and instead opt for phrases like “in the morning,” “in the afternoon,” or “in the evening.”
• For casual invitations, using numerals for the date and time is acceptable.

Location:

• Include the name and full address of the wedding venue, especially if the wedding is taking place abroad or at a private residence.
• For formal invitations, write out the state name in full. If all guests are local, omitting the state is acceptable.
• If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice.
• If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate line or a separate reception card.

Reception Details: Notify guests of what's scheduled to follow the ceremony

A wedding reception timeline is necessary to keep the reception running smoothly and ensure guests are aware of what's to come. Here is a detailed plan for the reception, following the ceremony:

Cocktail Hour

The cocktail hour is a great opportunity for guests to mingle, enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres, and relax before the main reception. This is usually an hour-long and can include light entertainment such as a photo booth or background music. The couple often uses this time for a photo session, but they may choose to join the guests for drinks and celebrations.

Invitation to Dinner

After the cocktail hour, a loved one, wedding planner, or venue staff member will announce that dinner is about to be served and invite guests to take their seats. This is a good time to round up guests and ensure they know where to go, especially if there is a seating plan. This transition from cocktail hour to dinner usually takes around 15 minutes.

Grand Entrance of the Couple

Once guests are settled, the newlyweds will make their grand entrance. This is a chance for the couple to celebrate their new union and be introduced for the first time as a married couple. This is often done with a fun or upbeat song, and the couple may choose to dance their way in.

First Dance

Following their entrance, the couple may choose to go straight into their first dance. This is an opportunity for an intimate moment together on the dance floor, with all eyes on them. The dance can be choreographed or a simple slow dance to a sentimental song.

Welcome Speech and Toasts

The couple will then be seated, and there is an opportunity for a welcome speech and toasts. This is a chance for the couple to thank their guests for attending and say a few words. Parents or other family members may also give a speech to welcome guests and offer a blessing before the meal.

Dinner

Dinner is usually a more formal part of the reception, with guests seated and enjoying a meal. This can be a plated dinner or a buffet, and the couple may choose to visit each table to greet their guests. Toasts can also be made during the dinner, with the best man, maid of honour, and other guests sharing a few words.

Parent Dances

After dinner, there is often an opportunity for parent dances, such as the father-daughter and mother-son dances. These dances are a special moment for the couple to share with their parents and a way to signal that dinner is wrapping up.

Open Dance Floor

With the parent dances concluded, the dance floor is now open to all guests. This is a chance for everyone to let loose and enjoy themselves, with the couple leading the way. The dance floor usually stays open for around two hours, with guests taking breaks to visit the bar or dessert table.

Cake Cutting

The cake-cutting ceremony is a signal to guests that the reception is coming to an end. The couple will cut the cake and pose for photos, and guests may be served dessert.

Last Song and Grand Exit

The last song is a chance for a final dance, whether slow or fun, before the couple makes their grand exit. Guests will then depart, and the reception comes to a close.

After-Party

Some couples choose to continue the celebrations with an after-party, either at the same venue or a different location. This is a more relaxed portion of the evening, where guests can continue to mingle and dance the night away.

The above timeline can be adjusted to fit the couple's preferences and the timing available at their venue. It is important to provide a clear schedule for guests to follow, ensuring they are aware of the order of events and what is expected of them.

Frequently asked questions