Writing Wedding Invitations: The Proper Etiquette

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They set the tone for the wedding and convey critical information. 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's a guide on how to properly write out wedding invitations.

How to word the host line

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and it names the hosts of the event. If multiple parties are hosting, you only need to include names if you want a formal feel to your invites. If you're hosting the wedding yourselves, this line can be omitted.

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names (with middle names for very formal weddings). If they have different last names, write "and" to join the two names.

• 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)

One Set of Divorced Parents Hosting

Include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name. Do not use "and" to connect the two names; instead, give each name its own line.

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, then the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names according to preference or in the order that looks best with the invitation design.

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

Couple Is Hosting With Their Families

When the couple and both of their families are contributing to the cost of the wedding, many choose to add a line such as "Together with their families" as the host line.

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

Couple Hosting

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, 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

How to include a request line

The request line is an important part of a wedding invitation as it is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. It is the second section of a traditional wedding invite and comes directly after the host line.

The request line traditionally uses formal wording to denote a formal, religious ceremony. However, modern celebrations tend to use more casual language.

• "Request the honour of your presence" – using the British spelling of "honour" denotes a more formal tone.
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to join"
• "Please join us to celebrate"
• "Love the pleasure of your company"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"

If you are having a non-religious ceremony or a more casual wedding, you might opt for more informal language in the request line.

• "Come party with us"
• "Are getting married"
• "Are tying the knot"
• "Would be honoured to have you present when we exchange vows"
• "Join us for the wedding of"
• "Kindly join us at the wedding of"

The wording you choose for the request line can also reflect the theme or tone of your wedding. For example, if you're having a fun and light-hearted celebration, you might say something like, "Come eat cake with us" or "Join us for dinner and drinks".

Remember, the most important thing is to include a warm and welcoming invitation that represents you and your partner. Feel free to add your own personal touches and style to the request line.

How to format the couple's names

The couple's names are the main event and are usually displayed in larger text and perhaps a fancy typeface. There are a few different ways to format the couple's names, depending on the couple's preference and the formality of the wedding.

Traditional Format

For a formal wedding invitation, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's full name and title. For example:

> "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jane Smith to John Brown."

If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top of the invitation, the bride's name can just be her first and middle name, without her last name. In that case, the groom's name is either listed in full or with his first and middle names followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Brown."

Same-Sex Couples

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name coming first does not apply. Alphabetical order or what sounds better can be used instead. For example:

> "Emily and Zara request the pleasure of your company at their wedding."

Informal Format

For a less formal wedding, first names only may be used. For example:

> "Jane and John are getting married! Please join us to celebrate."

Collaborative Affair

If the wedding is a collaborative affair hosted and paid for by the couple and both sets of parents, the invitation can include "Together with their parents" before listing the couple's names. For example:

> "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company at their wedding."

Honouring a Deceased Parent

If you want to include the name of a parent who has passed away, the format will need to be rearranged slightly, as someone who has passed cannot serve as a host. For example:

> "Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honour of your presence at their wedding."

How to list the date, time and location

When it comes to listing the date, time, and location of your wedding, there are a few different ways to go about it, depending on the formality of your wedding. Here are some detailed instructions on how to list this information on your invitations:

Date

For a formal wedding, the date is usually spelled out in full. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, September 15, 2024, you would write: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four". The day of the week and the month should be capitalized, and there should be no "and" when spelling out the year.

For a more casual wedding, you can write the date more informally, such as: "Saturday, September 15th, 2024" or use numerals as a design choice.

Time

When it comes to the time of your wedding, formal invitations usually spell out the time in full, with no numerals. So, for a wedding starting at 4:30 p.m., you would write: "at half after four o'clock" or "half past four o'clock". The time should be written in lowercase letters, and you don't need to specify "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless the time falls between 8-10 a.m. or p.m., where there could be confusion.

For a casual wedding, you can use numerals and write the time as "4:30 p.m." or "4:30 in the afternoon".

Location

For the location, list the name of the venue, followed by the city and state on the next line. For formal weddings, the state name is usually spelled out. The street address is not typically included unless the venue is a private residence or omitting it would cause confusion. If your wedding is abroad, include the country as well.

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include the full address and other details on a separate card tucked into the invitation.

Formal Wedding

"Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four o'clock

[Venue Name]

[City, State]"

Casual Wedding

"Saturday, September 15th, 2024, 4:30 p.m.

[Venue Name]

[City, State]"

Creative/Fun Wedding

"Saturday, August 17th, 2024, at half after four in the afternoon

Join us for dinner and dancing

[Venue Name]

[City, State]"

How to word the reception details

The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation, providing guests with essential information about the celebration that follows the ceremony. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to word the reception details elegantly and effectively:

Location and Timing:

• If the ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." This indicates that guests can expect the reception to take place immediately after the ceremony.
• When the reception is held at a different location, provide the full address and other pertinent information. This can be included on a separate details card tucked into the invitation suite or on the same card as the ceremony details, depending on space.
• If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, be sure to include the time. For example, "Reception at 6:00 pm" or "Join us for the reception at sunset."

Tone and Theme:

• The wording of the reception details can reflect the tone and theme of your wedding. For a more formal affair, use traditional phrasing such as "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to be held at." For a casual or whimsical wedding, feel free to get creative with phrases like "Eat, drink, and be merry at the reception" or "Let's continue the celebration at the reception."
• If your wedding has a specific theme, you can incorporate it into the reception details. For example, for a garden-themed wedding, you might say, "Join us for an enchanted evening in the garden."

Activities and Entertainment:

• If you plan to have specific activities or entertainment at the reception, you can give guests a sneak peek by including it in the invitation. For example, "Join us for dinner, dancing, and a photo booth at the reception."
• For a fun twist, you can incorporate a playful rhyme or pun into the reception details. Something like, "The fun has just begun! Join us for the reception."

Dress Code:

• Including dress code information on the invitation is optional but can be helpful for guests. If you choose to include it, place it in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invitation or on a separate details card.
• The level of formality of the invitation itself will also give guests an idea of the expected attire. A very fancy invitation may indicate a black-tie affair, while a simpler invitation suggests a more casual dress code.

Remember to keep the reception details concise and clear, providing guests with all the essential information they need to know about the celebration.

Frequently asked questions