The Art Of Crafting Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitation wording is an important part of the planning process, as it is one of the first elements that guests will see. The wording can be creative and whimsical or classic and traditional, but there are some basic elements that should be included. The invitation should include the names of the hosts (so guests know who to thank), the couple's names, the ceremony details, and any post-ceremony plans. Here are some examples of wedding invitation wording to inspire your own:

Formal Wedding Invitation Wording Examples:

- Mr. & Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address] Reception to follow.

- The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne 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 Reception to follow.

- Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Talia Camila Flores to Stephen Anthony Byrne 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 Reception to follow.

Casual Wedding Invitation Wording Samples:

- Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm Arctic Club Hotel 700 Third Avenue Seattle, Washington Dinner and dancing to follow.

- Mr. & Mrs. Flores would love your company at the marriage of their daughter Talia Flores to Stephen Byrne June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm Arctic Club Hotel 700 Third Avenue Seattle, Washington Dinner and dancing to follow.

- Together with their families Name & Name Invite you to their wedding Saturday, June 6, 2015, 3:45 pm Venue Dinner, drink, and merriment to follow.

How to word the request to attend

The request to attend is a crucial part of a wedding invitation. Here are some ways to word this section of the invite:

Formal Wording

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of [couple's names]"
• " [Names of hosts] request the honour of your presence at the marriage of [couple's names]"
• "You are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage of [couple's names]"
• "We invite you to share in our joy and request your presence at the wedding of [couple's names]"
• " [Couple's names] request the pleasure of your company at their wedding"
• "Together with their parents, [couple's names] request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Together with their families, [couple's names] invite you to their wedding"
• "Together with their families/you are cordially invited to the wedding of [couple's names]"

Informal Wording

• "You are invited to the wedding of [couple's names]"
• "Your presence is requested at the wedding of [couple's names]"
• " [Couple's names] joyfully invite you to share in a celebration of love and commitment"
• "Join us for the wedding of [couple's names]"
• "Please join us for our wedding"
• "Kindly join us at the wedding of [couple's names]"
• "Please come help us celebrate our love"
• "We're getting married, please join us!"

The couple's names

There are many ways to invite people to a wedding, and the tone and style of the invitation will depend on the couple's preferences and the formality of the ceremony. Here are some ideas for how "The Couples Names" could be included in the wedding invitation:

Formal Invitation Wording:

• The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of The Couple's Names.
• The Couple's Names request the honour of your presence at their marriage.
• You are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage of The Couple's Names.
• Together with their parents, you are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage of The Couple's Names.
• The Couple's Names request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their union.
• The Couple's Names joyfully request the pleasure of your company as they exchange vows.

Informal Invitation Wording:

• You are invited to the wedding of The Couple's Names.
• You are invited to celebrate the marriage of The Couple's Names.
• Your presence is requested at the wedding of The Couple's Names.
• The Couple's Names joyfully invite you to share in a celebration of love and commitment.
• The Couple's Names invite you to celebrate their marriage.
• The Couple's Names invite you to join them at their wedding.
• The Couple's Names invite you to share in their joy as they become husband and wife.

Creative or Non-Traditional Invitation Wording:

• In a dizzying development, The Couple's Names are tying the knot!
• It is our great joy to invite you to the wedding of The Couple's Names.
• The Couple's Names are getting hitched!
• Please come help us celebrate our love.
• The Couple's Names request the pleasure of your company as they exchange vows.
• With joyful hearts, The Couple's Names request your presence at their wedding.

Remember, these are just some suggestions, and you can customise the wording to suit your style and personality. Feel free to include phrases that reflect your joy and excitement, such as "We're getting married!" or "Join us as we celebrate our love."

Date and time

The date and time of the wedding are arguably the most important details to include in your invitations, so your guests can show up at the right place and time. The date and time are usually included in the same section of the invitation, along with the location and address.

For formal invitations, it is customary to write out the date and time in full. For example, "Saturday, the tenth of July, two thousand and twenty-one, at half past four o'clock". The use of "o'clock" or "half after five o'clock" is also typical for formal invitations, and you can include "a.m." or "p.m." if you wish. For casual invitations, you can use numerals, for example, "June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm".

If you are hosting your wedding at a well-known local landmark, you may choose to omit the address, but otherwise, it is a good idea to include it to avoid confusion. For example, "Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington".

Formal Invitation Wording Examples:

• Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon
• Saturday, the twenty-second of March two thousand eighteen at six o'clock
• Friday, the seventeenth of May two thousand nineteen at seven o'clock
• Saturday, the seventeenth of May two thousand twenty at two o'clock
• Friday, the fourteenth of November two thousand sixteen at six o'clock
• Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August two thousand fifteen at four o'clock
• Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o'clock

Informal Invitation Wording Examples:

• June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm
• June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm
• June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm
• June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm
• June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm
• June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm

Location

The location of the wedding is a crucial element to include in the invitation. Here are some ways to word this information:

The location section of the invitation typically includes the name and full street address of the wedding venue. It is important to provide clear and accurate information to ensure guests can easily find the venue. Here is an example:

"The Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington."

If the wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country as well. For instance:

"The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado, USA."

Additional Venue Information:

If there are multiple events taking place during the wedding, such as a ceremony and reception, it is essential to provide separate details for each. Here are some ways to indicate that the reception will follow the ceremony:

"Reception to follow" at [reception venue name and address].

"Dinner and dancing to follow" at [reception venue name].

"Drinks, dinner, and dancing to follow".

"Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow at [reception venue name]."

Time and Date:

When specifying the time and date of the wedding, it is common to write out the details in full for formal invitations. Here's an example:

"Saturday, the seventeenth of August, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon."

For modern or casual invitations, numerical figures can be used:

"Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m."

Dress Code:

Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. This information can be included in the lower corner or centre of the invitation. Here are some examples:

"Black-tie"

"Formal attire"

"Cocktail attire"

"Beach casual"

Reception details

The reception details are a crucial part of your wedding invitation, providing guests with the information they need to join the celebration. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft clear and informative reception details for your wedding invitations.

Location and Address

Include the name and address of the reception venue. If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can simply state "Reception immediately following" or "and afterward at the reception." However, if they are at separate venues, provide the full address for the reception.

Examples:

• "Reception to follow at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, 123 Elm Street, Anytown, USA"
• "Join us for a reception at The Grand Ballroom, 456 Main Street, Anytown, USA"

Time

Specify the start time of the reception, especially if it is at a different location from the ceremony. If the reception starts immediately after the ceremony, you can use phrases like "Reception to follow" or "Immediately following the ceremony."

Examples:

• "Please join us for a reception at 6:00 pm"
• "Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 pm, followed by dinner and dancing"

Dress Code

Include any dress code or attire guidelines for the reception. This can be stated directly or indicated through the tone and style of the invitation. For example, a formal invitation may imply a black-tie affair, while a casual invitation suggests a more relaxed dress code.

Examples:

• "Black-tie optional"
• "Cocktail attire"
• "Semi-formal attire requested"

Transportation and Directions

If the ceremony and reception venues are separate, provide directions or transportation details to help guests get from one location to the other. This can be included on a separate card or noted within the reception details.

Example:

• "Shuttle service provided between the ceremony and reception venues"
• "Directions: Take Highway 1 north for 10 miles, then turn left onto Elm Street. The reception venue will be on your right."

RSVP Information

Include RSVP details to ensure you can plan accordingly. You can include an RSVP card with the invitation or direct guests to your wedding website for online responses.

Example:

• "Please RSVP by May 15th at www.weddingwebsite.com"
• "Kindly respond by June 20th to confirm your attendance"

Frequently asked questions