Crafting Traditional Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Putting together a traditional wedding invitation can be a confusing process, but it's not rocket science. Here are the steps to follow:

- Proofread your wedding invitations for any errors or inaccuracies.

- Confirm the spelling of your guests' names on the envelopes.

- Place the invitation card, reception card, response card, and any other enclosure cards in the correct order, usually from largest to smallest.

- Calculate the correct amount of postage for your invitations, as they may require more than a standard stamp due to their weight and thickness.

- Send out your invitations early, typically 4-6 weeks ahead of your wedding.

Host Line: Include the names of the hosts (traditionally the bride's parents)

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and traditionally names the bride's parents as the hosts of the event. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is also acceptable and gracious, regardless of who is paying for the wedding.

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

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

Examples:

• 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

List the mother's name first, followed by the father's name. Keep each name on a separate line and do not use "and" to connect them.

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, followed by 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.

Examples:

• 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 their families are contributing to the wedding, you can add a line such as "Together with their families" as the host line.

Examples:

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

Couple Is Hosting Themselves

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can omit the host line or start the invitation with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

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

Attendance Request: Ask guests to attend

The attendance request is the section of the wedding invitation that lets guests know what they are being invited to. Here are some examples of how to word the attendance request for a traditional wedding invitation:

• "The pleasure of your company is requested"
• "The honour of your presence is requested" (the British spelling of "honour" indicates the ceremony will be held in a church or another house of worship)
• "We request the pleasure of your company"
• "We would love for you to join us"
• "We invite you to celebrate with us"

The tone of the attendance request can be formal, fun, casual, creative, or modern, depending on the style of the wedding. For example, a fun or casual wedding invitation might say:

• "Come party with us"
• "Come eat, drink, and be merry"
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends"

The attendance request can also be more formal, such as:

• "We request the honour of your presence"
• "We request the pleasure of your company"
• "We invite you to share in our joy"

The wording of the attendance request can be tailored to reflect the level of formality of the wedding and the personalities of the couple.

Couple's Names: Displayed in larger text

The names of the couple are usually the main event of a wedding invitation and are displayed in larger text and oftentimes in a fancy typeface.

For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically goes first, followed by the groom's name. If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can just be her first and middle name (without last name). In that case, the groom's name is either listed in full, or his first and middle names are listed, followed by the line "Son of Mr. & Mrs. [Father's First Name] [Father's Surname]."

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first and the man's second is not applicable. Whether it's "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily," it's going to be lovely either way. When writing their own names, same-sex couples can choose to go in alphabetical order or simply with what sounds better.

For a less formal feel, you may opt to list first names only.

Traditionally, the date and time should be spelled out in full. For example, if your ceremony is on September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording should read, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon." The day of the week and the month should be capitalized, and the year should be lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year.

The time of day should be spelled out as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock." Evening begins at five o'clock. From noon until four o'clock is considered afternoon.

• Stacey Bullington and Peter Cunningham
• Isaac and Allison
• Grace and Russell Fitzpatrick
• Samantha Maxx and Andrew Isaac
• Chase Mattson and Kelianne Stankus

Date and Time: Spell out in full for traditional invites

When it comes to traditional wedding invitations, the date and time are typically spelled out in full. For example, if your wedding ceremony is taking place on the 15th of September 2024 at 4:30 pm, the wording should be: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon".

The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year. The time of day should be written out in full, for instance, "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock". From noon until 4 pm is considered the afternoon, and evening begins at 5 pm.

• "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon"
• "On Saturday, the sixteenth of August two thousand and twenty-five"
• "At two o'clock in the afternoon"
• "Half after four o'clock"
• "Four-thirty in the afternoon"

Location: Include the venue's full address

When it comes to the location of your wedding, it's important to include the venue's full address to ensure your guests can easily find it. Here are some tips and examples to help you with this section of your traditional wedding invitation:

Providing Clear and Detailed Information

It is essential to include the full address of your wedding venue to avoid any confusion, especially if there are multiple locations with the same or similar names. The address should include the venue's name, street address, city, state, and zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country as well. Here's an example:

"The Ritz-Carlton

1234 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

United States"

Formatting and Spacing

When writing out the address, consider formatting and spacing for a polished look. Use consistent line breaks and spacing between each element of the address. You may also want to bold or underline the venue name for added emphasis. Here's how the above example could be formatted:

"The Ritz-Carlton

1234 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

United States"

Omit Street Address for Well-Known Locations

In certain cases, you may choose to omit the street address if the venue is a well-known landmark or if providing the full address would make the invitation appear overly cluttered. In such cases, including just the city, state, and zip code can be sufficient. For example:

"Golden Gate Park

San Francisco, CA 94122"

Including Multiple Venues

If you have multiple venues for different parts of your wedding, such as the ceremony and reception, you can include both addresses on the invitation. Use clear headings to distinguish between the locations, and consider providing additional details for each venue to guide your guests smoothly from one place to another. For instance:

"Ceremony:

St. Paul's Cathedral

123 Cathedral Lane

New York, NY 10011

Reception:

The Hudson Ballroom

456 7th Avenue

New York, NY 10036"

Proofreading and Consistency

Be sure to proofread the addresses for accuracy and consistency. Double-check the spelling of street names, venue names, and other details. Ensure that the format and style of the addresses are consistent throughout the invitation, including the use of abbreviations (or lack thereof) and punctuation.

Remember, the location and address section of your wedding invitation is crucial for helping your guests find their way to your special day. Take the time to craft this part of the invitation clearly and accurately, and don't be afraid to ask for help from your wedding party or a stationery expert if needed.

Frequently asked questions