Creative Ways To Verbally Invite People To Your Wedding

When it comes to wedding invites, the written word is a powerful tool. But what about those times when you want to invite someone to your wedding in person? Here's a guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of oral wedding invitations.

The first step is to extend the invitation in a warm and friendly manner. You could say something like, We would be honoured if you could join us on our special day. This sets the tone for your conversation and lets the person know that their presence is important to you.

Next, you'll want to provide the essential details about the wedding. This includes the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception. Be sure to give clear and specific information to avoid any confusion. For example, you could say, The ceremony will be held at St. Mary's Church at 4 pm on Saturday, and the reception will follow at the Country Club.

It's also a good idea to mention the dress code, especially if you're having a themed wedding or if there are specific cultural or religious attire expectations. This will help your guests feel prepared and ensure they fit in with the celebration's atmosphere.

If there are any additional events or activities that guests should be aware of, such as a cocktail hour before the reception or a brunch the day after, be sure to mention those as well. This gives your guests a full picture of what to expect during the wedding festivities.

Finally, ask for an RSVP to help with your planning. You could say, Please let us know if you're able to make it so we can save a spot for you. This way, you can get an accurate headcount for catering and seating arrangements.

Remember, when inviting someone orally, it's important to be clear, concise, and friendly. This will ensure your guests feel welcomed and excited to celebrate your special day with you.

Honoring deceased parents

When it comes to honouring deceased parents at a wedding, there are many ways to do so tastefully and respectfully. Here are some ideas to consider:

Wedding Invitations

It is not customary to mention deceased parents on wedding invitations, as the parents listed are usually the hosts. However, you can include the name of a deceased parent alongside one of the couple's names. For example: "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez."

Flowers and Fabrics

Flowers are a beautiful way to incorporate a special memory without being too overt. You could use your loved one's favourite blooms in your bouquet or table arrangements. Similarly, you could wrap your bridal bouquet in a sentimental fabric, such as lace from your mother's wedding dress.

Music and Poetry

Incorporating music or poetry is another way to honour a deceased parent. You could include a moment of reflection during the ceremony and ask your officiant to announce a moment of silence. Alternatively, you could play their favourite song or read a meaningful poem during the ceremony or reception.

Scent and Jewellery

Scent is strongly linked to memory, so wearing a special perfume or cologne can be a subtle way to feel your loved one's presence. Additionally, if you have any jewellery or cufflinks that were passed down to you, wearing them on your wedding day can be a meaningful way to honour your deceased parent.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are excellent conversation starters, so using a special recipe or serving a signature drink in memory of your parent can be a wonderful tribute. For example, you could offer your grandmother's award-winning cookies or name a cocktail after your father.

Photos and Memorabilia

If you want to make a more visible display, you could set up a memorial table with framed photos, mementos, and a floral arrangement. Alternatively, you could wear a photo boutonnière or add a photo charm to your bouquet.

Seating

Another way to honour a deceased parent is to reserve a seat for them at the ceremony. You could use one of their jackets, place a bouquet of flowers, or block off the seat with ribbons and a custom sign.

Wedding Programme

If you prefer a more subtle approach, you can include a special "In Loving Memory" section in your wedding programme, acknowledging those who are no longer with you. You could also add a favourite quote or poem that holds a special meaning.

Including step-parents

When it comes to wedding invitations, the traditional format includes the host line, request line, names of the happy couple, date and time, location, and reception information. Here's a guide on how to orally invite people to your wedding, including step-parents:

Host Line

The host line is where you mention the hosts of the wedding, typically the bride's parents in a traditional setting. However, it is becoming increasingly common for both sets of parents or even the couple themselves to host. When including step-parents, the key is to keep the wording simple and streamlined. Here's an example:

"Together with their families, [Couple's Names] invite you to their wedding."

If you want to include the names of step-parents, you can add them in a line below the host line. For example:

"Together with their families,

[Couple's Names]

Along with [Names of Step-parents]

Are delighted to invite you to their wedding."

Request Line

The request line is where you ask your guests to join you on your special day. You can tailor this line to match your style and the formality of your wedding. Here are some examples:

"Request the honor of your presence"

"Invite you to join the celebration"

"Request the pleasure of your company"

"Would love for you to celebrate with us"

Couple's Names

Traditionally, the bride's name is listed before the groom's. However, you can arrange the names in the order you prefer, especially for same-sex couples. Feel free to use full names, including middle names, or opt for just first and last names or nicknames.

Date, Time, and Location

Include the full date and time to avoid any confusion. For formal invitations, write out the date and time in full, including the "o'clock." Mention the venue's name, road, and state to provide your guests with enough information for their travel plans.

Reception Information

If the reception is at the same location, a simple "Reception to follow" will suffice. However, if it's at a different venue, include the location on a separate line or a reception card. You can also add a line about what guests can expect, such as "Drinks and dancing to follow."

Dress Code

Including a dress code on your invitation is helpful for guests. It can be as simple as "Formal" or "Casual", or you may specify further with "Black-tie" or "Beach-casual."

RSVP and Additional Information

Traditionally, paper invitations include an RSVP card. However, you can also use a wedding website or an online RSVP system for easier guest management. If you have multiple events during the wedding weekend, activity cards or your wedding website can provide guests with all the necessary details.

Who to list first

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are a few conventions to follow, but ultimately, you can choose to structure your invites in a way that feels most comfortable to you and your partner. Here are some tips on how to decide who to list first:

For Different-Sex Couples

Tradition dictates that the bride's parents host the wedding, so their names would typically be listed first. However, it has become more common to include both sets of parents' names as hosts, especially if both are contributing financially. In this case, the bride's parents' names would be listed first, followed by the groom's parents.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, or with their parents, the bride's name is usually listed before the groom's. This is because the bride's parents are typically the hosts and are paying for the event.

For Same-Sex Couples

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of listing the woman's name first does not apply. Instead, you can choose to list names alphabetically or based on what sounds best. The same goes for the inclusion of middle names—this is entirely optional and based on personal preference.

For Less Formal Weddings

If you're opting for a less formal wedding, you may decide to only include first names, or first and last names, for both members of the couple.

Honouring a Deceased Parent

If you wish to include the name of a deceased parent, you will need to rearrange the wording. Here is an example: "Ariana Smith, daughter of Mr Austin Smith and the late Kristen Smith, request the pleasure of your presence."

What to include

When inviting people to a wedding orally, it's important to include the same information that you would on a paper invitation. Here are the key elements to include:

Who is Hosting

Start by stating who is hosting the wedding. This is usually the person or people paying for the wedding. It could be one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of the couple and their parents. For example:

> "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company..."

> "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax invite you to celebrate..."

> "The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne..."

Request to Attend

Next, include a request for the guest to attend the wedding. This could be formal or casual, depending on the tone of the wedding. Some examples include:

> "The pleasure of your company is requested..."

> "We invite you to share in our joy and request your presence..."

> "Please come and help us celebrate our love..."

Couple's Names

Make sure to include the names of the couple getting married. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name is usually listed first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, you can list the names alphabetically or in the order that sounds best.

> "Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy..."

> "The wedding of Victoria Caroline and David Robert Joseph..."

> "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love..."

Date, Time, and Location

Provide the date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony. For formal invitations, spell out the date, time, and address in full. For casual invitations, you can use numerical dates and times.

> "Saturday, the eleventh of June, two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon, Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington..."

> "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon, [venue name and address]..."

Reception Details

Let guests know if there will be a reception following the ceremony and provide any relevant details. If the reception is at a different location, include the address. You can also mention any dress code or other pertinent information.

> "Reception to follow at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, 123 Main Street..."

> "Dinner and dancing to follow at the Smith Residence, with a black-tie dress code..."

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can always adapt and personalize your oral invitation to fit your style and the tone of your wedding.

How to ask

There are many ways to ask your loved ones to attend your wedding orally, and the best approach for you will depend on the tone and formality of your wedding, as well as your relationship with the invitee. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to ask someone to attend your wedding:

• Introduce yourself and your partner: This is especially important if the invitee doesn't know you or your partner well. A simple "Hi, I'm [your name], and together with my partner, [partner's name], we'd like to invite you to our wedding" can be a great start.
• Provide basic information about the wedding: Let the invitee know the date, time, and location of the wedding. You can also mention the dress code and any other relevant details, such as whether it will be an indoor or outdoor event.
• Express your desire for their presence: This is where you can get creative and make the invitation personal. Here are some examples of phrases you can use:

• "We would be honoured if you could join us on our special day."
• "It would mean a lot to us if you could be there to celebrate with us."
• "We're hoping you can make it and help us kick off our new life together."
• "Your presence at our wedding would mean the world to us."

• Provide details about the reception: If there will be a reception after the ceremony, let the invitee know. You can say something like, "There will be a reception following the ceremony with dinner, drinks, and dancing."
• Ask for an RSVP: Let the invitee know how they can confirm their attendance. Provide them with a phone number, email address, or wedding website where they can respond. You can also ask them to RSVP by a specific date if needed.
• Handle special circumstances gracefully: If you are having an adults-only wedding or have other special requests, communicate these clearly and politely. For example, you could say, "We're keeping the ceremony and reception adult-only, but we'd love to plan a get-together with the kids another time."
• Show your excitement and gratitude: Finally, don't forget to express your excitement about your wedding and your gratitude for their potential attendance. A simple "We hope you can make it, and we're so excited to celebrate with you!" can go a long way.

Remember, the most important thing is to be clear, concise, and heartfelt in your invitation. Choose a tone and wording that reflects your personality and the style of your wedding.

Frequently asked questions