Warmly Welcoming Guests: A Gracious Wedding Invitation Guide

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, it's essential to include the who, what, where, and when. Here's a suggested introductory paragraph for your wedding invitation, with the traditional format in mind:

Together with their families, [Bride's full name] and [Groom's full name] request the honour of your presence at their wedding celebration. Join us on [date] at [time] as we exchange our vows and begin our journey as one.

This introductory paragraph sets the tone for a formal wedding and highlights the important details, including the couple's full names, the fact that both families are hosting, and the date and time of the ceremony. It also hints at the formality of the event by using honour and presence.

If you prefer a more modern and casual approach, you could consider something like this:

You are warmly invited to share in the joy as [Bride's full name] and [Groom's full name] unite in marriage. Join us for an intimate celebration on [date] at [time] as we say 'I do' and dance the night away.

This version is more conversational and uses phrases like warmly invited and share in the joy, creating a relaxed and joyous tone. It also emphasises the couple's names and includes a hint of the festivities to come with dance the night away.

Remember, these are just suggestions, and you can personalise the wording to match your style and the tone you wish to set for your special day.

'No Host' Wording: A clear and concise way to indicate that guests will be paying for their own meals

When inviting guests to a wedding where they will be paying for their own meals, it is important to be clear and concise in the wording of the invitation. Here are some paragraphs to help you craft a polite and informative invitation:

No Host Wording

A clear and concise way to indicate that guests will be paying for their own meals is to use the phrase "no host". This term explicitly states that the host will not be covering the cost of the guests' meals. It is best to include this phrase in a prominent location on the invitation so that guests can easily see it. For example, you could say, "Please join us for a celebration of love as we exchange our wedding vows. This is a 'no host' event, with guests responsible for covering the cost of their meals. We kindly request that you RSVP by [date] so we can provide the restaurant with an accurate headcount."

Provide Clear Details

In addition to stating "no host", it is important to provide guests with clear details about the meal and the associated costs. This could include mentioning the name and location of the restaurant, the time of the reservation, and an estimate of the cost per person. For instance, "We invite you to join us for a delightful evening as we celebrate our union. The event will be held at [restaurant name and address] on [date and time]. This is a 'no host' event, with guests responsible for their meal costs, which are estimated to be around $[price] per person. Kindly RSVP by [date] so we can ensure a memorable experience for all."

Choose Diplomatic Wording

When wording the invitation, it is crucial to choose diplomatic and polite language. Avoid phrases that may sound demanding or confrontational, such as "you are responsible for paying." Instead, opt for more gracious wording, such as "guests will be graciously covering their meal expenses." For example, "It would be an honour to have you celebrate this special day with us. Please note that this is a 'no host' event, and guests will be graciously covering their meal expenses. We kindly request your RSVP by [date] to facilitate arrangements with the restaurant."

Consider the Occasion

The tone and language of the invitation should also reflect the occasion. For a casual event, such as a wedding with close friends and family, informal language is perfectly acceptable. However, for a more formal occasion, such as a wedding with a larger guest list or a more sophisticated setting, a more formal and elegant tone is appropriate. For example, "We request the honour of your presence as we exchange our vows and begin our journey as husband and wife. This is a 'no host' event, and guests will be responsible for their meal costs. We ask that you RSVP by [date] to allow us to create a memorable experience for all who attend."

Alternative Options

If the idea of asking guests to pay for their meals makes you uncomfortable, there are alternative options to consider. You could choose to cover the cost of the meals yourself or suggest a potluck-style dinner where everyone contributes a dish. Another option is to select a less expensive restaurant or limit the menu options to more affordable choices. Ultimately, the wording of your invitation will depend on your personal preferences, the occasion, and your guest list. By being clear, concise, and considerate, you can ensure that your guests are well-informed and comfortable with the arrangements.

Honouring Deceased Parents: If relevant, you can include a line to honour a deceased parent

Honouring deceased parents is an important aspect of a wedding, and there are several ways to include a line to honour them in your wedding invitations. Here are some ideas to consider:

Including Deceased Parents in the Wording

It is common to include the names of the bride's and groom's parents on wedding invitations. If you wish to honour a deceased parent, you can list them alongside the living parent. Here is an example of formal wording for a traditional wedding:

> Mrs. Sharon Henderson

> and the late Mr. Nathan Henderson

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their daughter

> Preston John Brackman

> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July

> Two-thousand and twenty-six

> at six o'clock in the evening

> Dripping Springs, Texas

If you prefer a less formal approach, you can use wording such as:

> Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma

> the families and friends of

> at the celebration of their marriage

> on Saturday, July 21st, 2024, at 6:00 pm

> Bluxome Street Winery

> San Francisco, California

Alternative Ways to Honour Deceased Parents

If you don't feel comfortable including your deceased parent in the invitation wording, there are other ways to honour them. One idea is to include a line such as "daughter of the late [parent's name]" or "son of the late [parent's name]." Here is an example:

> The pleasure of your company is requested

> [Bride's name], daughter of the late [parent's name]

> [Groom's name], son of [parent's name]

> [Date and time]

> RSVP

Another option is to use a more general phrase such as "together with their families" or "at the marriage of their children" if both the bride's and groom's parents have passed away.

Additionally, you can choose to honour your deceased parent(s) during the wedding ceremony and reception through various symbolic gestures, such as displaying their photo, lighting a memorial candle, or including their favourite flowers in your bouquet or boutonniere.

Host Line: Include a line about who is hosting the wedding

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and traditionally names the hosts of the event, i.e. the people who are paying for the wedding. If you are hosting the wedding yourself, you can skip the host line altogether or start the invitation wording with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

• Together with full hearts
• With hearts full of love and joy

If you are including a host line, it is important to be concise and clear. Here are some examples of host line wording:

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

If the bride's parents are hosting:

• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; middle name is included)
• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams (formal)
• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams (formal; includes both first names)
• Christopher and Sarah Williams (less formal)

If the groom's parents are hosting:

• Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong (formal)
• Aaron and Alisha Wong (less formal)

If both sets of parents are hosting:

• Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis (formal)
• Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis (less formal)

If one set of parents are divorced:

Include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line without an "and" to connect the two names.

If the couple and their parents are contributing:

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

Attendance Request: Extend an invitation to guests to attend your wedding celebration

The wording of your wedding invitation should be a reflection of your wedding's level of formality. If you're telling guests to "come eat cake" with you, it's fair for them to assume they can leave their black-tie ball gown at home.

The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration! Traditionally, couples would include formal wording in the request line to denote a formal religious ceremony, whereas wedding invitations for modern celebrations tend to use more casual language.

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Invite you to join us"
• "Please join us to celebrate"
• "Love the pleasure of your company"

If you are paying for the wedding yourselves, you can omit the host line or start the invitation wording with a welcoming introduction.

• "Together with our families"
• "Together with full hearts"
• "With hearts full of love and joy"
• "Come party with us"
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends"
• "We would love to eat wedding cake with you"
• "With much love"

Couple's Names: Ensure the couple's names feature prominently on the invitation

When you are creating your wedding invitations, it is important to ensure that the couple's names are clearly legible and prominently featured. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name is traditionally written before the groom's name. However, for same-sex couples, the wording of the host line may dictate the order of the names. If one set of parents is hosting, their names will come first, followed by their child's name. If the couple is hosting themselves, the order of the names is entirely up to them.

• Capitalization and Punctuation: Capitalize the couple's proper names and titles. Avoid using punctuation, except after courtesy titles. This will help to draw attention to their names and make them stand out on the invitation.
• Avoid Abbreviations: It is generally recommended to spell out everything except courtesy titles. This will make the couple's names more prominent and easier to read.
• Consider Full Legal Names: Using both partners' full legal names can make them stand out, especially if you intend to use nicknames on other wedding materials, such as save-the-date cards or less formal pieces of the invitation suite.
• Name Placement: The couple's names may be placed high, low, or centered on the invitation, depending on the design. However, ensure that they are clearly visible and not overshadowed by other design elements.
• Font Size and Style: Consider using a larger font size or a different font style for the couple's names to make them stand out. This will help guests quickly identify who is getting married, especially if the invitation includes other important information.
• Highlighting Techniques: If your wedding colour scheme allows, consider using colour to highlight the couple's names. For example, you could use a coloured background or border around their names to make them pop. Alternatively, you could use bold, italics, or underline to emphasize their names.

Frequently asked questions