Crafting Wedding Invitation Messages: A Guide

A wedding is one of the most important days in a person's life, and the presence of friends and family makes it even more special. The wedding invitation is the first glimpse guests will have of the upcoming nuptials, so it's important to get it right. Whether you're the couple, a parent of the couple, or a sibling of the bride or groom, here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect wedding invitation message.

Wording for Formal Wedding Invitations

The wording of formal wedding invitations may vary depending on who is hosting the wedding. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect formal wedding invitation.

Host Line

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and their names are listed at the top of the invitation. However, it is also acceptable and gracious to include the names of both sets of parents, regardless of who is paying for the wedding. If the couple and their parents are contributing, you can use a phrase such as "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families".

• One set of married parents hosting: "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams" (very formal, including middle name) or "Christopher and Sarah Williams" (less formal).
• One set of divorced parents hosting: "Mr. and Mrs. Allen Jones" and "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Levy". Keep each parent's name on a separate line.
• Both sets of parents hosting: "Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis" (formal) or "Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis" (less formal).
• Couple hosting with their families: "Together with their families".
• Couple hosting by themselves: You can skip the host line or start with a warm introduction such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

Honour or Pleasure

The next part of the invitation is where you extend the invitation to attend the wedding. This is also where you can set the tone for the celebration. Here are some examples:

• "Request the honour of your presence" is traditionally used for a religious service. Using the British spelling of "honour" adds a formal and traditional feel.
• "Request the pleasure of your company" is used for a non-religious ceremony.
• Other options include: "Invite you to celebrate with them", "Would love for you to join them", or simply "I cordially invite you all".

Names of the Couple

The names of the couple should be included in the invitation, usually a few lines down if they haven't been included in the host line. For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically goes first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, you can list the names alphabetically by last name or based on what looks best with the design.

• "at the marriage of their daughter Mr. Brian Charles Jamison" (if the bride's parents are hosting)
• "at the marriage of their children Cynthia Ann Zimmerli and Daniel Issac Schwartz" (if both sets of parents are hosting)
• "at the celebration of their union" (if the couple is hosting)

Date and Time

The date and time of the wedding should be spelled out in full for formal invitations. For example, "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 capitalised, and the year should be lowercase. The time of day should be spelled out, such as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock".

Venue

List the venue name and city, state on separate lines. For formal weddings, spell out the state name in full. The street address is not usually included unless the venue is a private residence. If the reception is at the same location, you can simply say "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is elsewhere, include it on a separate line or on a separate insert card.

Dress Code

Including the dress code on the invitation is optional but can be helpful for guests. If your wedding is black-tie, it must be included. If no dress code is specified, guests will infer the formality based on the invitation design. Here are some dress code examples:

• Black-tie: "Black tie required" or "Black tie invited".
• Formal attire: "Formal attire" or "Formal".
• Cocktail attire: "Cocktail attire".
• Beach casual: "Beach-casual".

Additional Information

You may include a separate reception card or additional information card with your invitation suite. This can include the wedding website, registry information, directions, transportation, and lodging suggestions. If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, include the line "Reception to follow" at the bottom of the invitation.

Wording for Informal Wedding Invitations

Informal wedding invitations can be a fun and lighthearted way to invite guests to your wedding. Here are some ideas for wording your informal wedding invitations:

Ditch Traditional Language

Informal wedding invitations can be more relaxed in tone and format. You can skip the formal hosting line and instead use a lighthearted opening statement. Use the couple's first names and avoid mentioning the bride's parents or who is covering the costs. Informal invitations can also use numerical symbols for dates and times instead of spelling the numbers out.

Hint at Fun Activities

If your wedding will include activities like games or dancing, feel free to hint at these in your invitation to suggest a less regimented schedule. For example, "Reception to follow with drinks, dancing, and games" or "Get ready to dance and play the night away." If you're only serving snacks and finger foods, be sure to mention this, perhaps with a phrase like "Light fare to follow."

Include Key Information

Even informal invitations should include key details like the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception. You may also want to reference COVID-19 restrictions if relevant.

Fun Opening Statements

Begin your invitation with a fun opening statement to set the tone. Here are some examples:

• "We can't wait to welcome you to our wedding."
• "Please bring yourself and your whole family to celebrate our wedding."
• "You've been there all along, so you have to be at our wedding, too!"
• "We're getting married! Please join us."
• "Join us for a drink and some bad wedding dance moves."

Sample Wording

• "You are invited to the wedding of [bride's name] and [groom's name]. Please join us on [date] at [time] at [location]. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "Together with our families, we joyfully invite you to celebrate our marriage on [date] at [time] at [location]. Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow."
• "[Bride's name] and [groom's name] invite you to share in their joy as they become husband and wife. Please join us on [date] at [time] at [location]. Reception details to follow."
• "Kindly join us at the wedding of [bride's name] and [groom's name] on [date] at [time] at [location]. We can't wait to celebrate with you!"

How to Invite Friends to a Wedding

A wedding is a very special occasion and a chance to celebrate with friends and family. It is a time to unite with those closest to you and share in the joy of two people coming together in marriage. Friends play a major role in making the event fun and memorable, so it is important to invite them in a thoughtful and meaningful way. Here is a guide to help you with the process:

Decide on the Tone and Format:

Before drafting your invitation, consider the tone and format you wish to use. Are you going for a formal or casual approach? Will you be sending physical invitations, or will you be inviting friends digitally? You can send invitations via text message, through invitation cards, or even create a wedding event page on social media and invite your friends that way.

Personalize the Message:

Make your friends feel special by personalizing the invitation message. Let them know how much their presence would mean to you and your partner. You can say something like, "We wholeheartedly want to invite you and your entire family to attend our wedding ceremony. Come and witness our vows and give us your sincere prayers for our future life together."

Include Important Details:

Provide clear and concise information about the wedding, including the names of the couple, date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception. If there is a specific dress code or theme, be sure to mention that as well. You may also include accommodation information for guests who are travelling, as well as details about any post-wedding activities.

Add a Personal Touch:

Share a meaningful quote or phrase that represents your relationship with your friends. You can also include a favourite memory or inside joke to make the invitation more light-hearted and fun.

"My dearest friend, I am thrilled to announce that I have found my soulmate and am getting married soon! I would be honoured if you could join me on this special day and give me your blessings. Your presence would mean the world to me."

"You have always been an integral part of my life, and I can't imagine celebrating this day without you by my side. Please join me and my partner as we exchange our vows and begin our new journey together."

"We are delighted to invite you to our wedding, where we will celebrate the union of two loving hearts. We kindly request your presence at [location] on [date] at [time]. We look forward to sharing this joyful day with you."

"As our beloved friend, we invite you to share in our overwhelming happiness as we take this next step in our relationship. We hope you can join us on [date] and be a part of our special celebration."

Remember to send your invitations with plenty of time to spare, and don't be afraid to follow up with your friends to confirm their attendance.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

How to Invite Family Members to a Wedding

When it comes to your wedding, you'll want your closest family members to be there to celebrate with you. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to invite family members to your wedding:

Choose Your Invitations

You can opt for traditional paper invitations, which are usually more formal, or go for a more modern approach and send digital invitations via email or messaging apps such as WhatsApp. Digital invitations are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and convenient, especially if you need to send reminders or updates.

Formal or Casual Tone

The tone of your invitation will depend on the relationship you have with your family members. If you have a close and casual relationship, you can be more light-hearted and playful in your wording. However, if your relationship is more formal or distant, a traditional and elegant invitation may be more appropriate.

Include Necessary Information

Regardless of the tone, make sure to include all the necessary information in your invitations. This includes the full names of the couple, the date, time, and venue of the wedding, as well as any other relevant details such as the dress code or wedding website. It is also customary to include the names of the parents or family members hosting the wedding.

Addressing Family Members

When addressing your invitations to family members, there are a few etiquette rules to consider:

• Use formal titles and full names, including middle names, on the outer envelope.
• For married couples, you can address them as "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name, or use both of their full names.
• If the couple has different last names, list the name of the person you are closest with first.
• For unmarried couples living together, use separate lines and list the person you are closest with first.
• For children under 18, include their names on the inner envelope, and for adult children, send separate invitations.

Timing and RSVP

Send out your invitations with plenty of time to spare—ideally, 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to respond and make any necessary arrangements. Include an RSVP date and a link to your wedding website or a custom RSVP form to make it easy for your guests to respond.

Personalize Your Invitations

Add a personal touch to your invitations to make your family members feel special. You can include a heartfelt message expressing your joy and honour at having them celebrate with you. Here are some examples:

• "Family is the foundation of our love story. Join us as we build our future together."
• "We've shared countless family moments, and now we want you to be part of our love story's next chapter."
• "You've been with us through thick and thin. Now, join us as we take the plunge into marriage."
• "Our love story is about to have its biggest plot twist yet. Will you be a part of this adventure?"

Wedding Invitation Quotes

The following are some examples of quotes that can be used in wedding invitations. These quotes can be used as inspiration or modified to fit the specific needs of the couple.

Heartwarming Quotes for a Traditional Wedding:

• "Two hearts, two families, one love. Today, we join together in the timeless bond of marriage."
• "In the presence of loved ones, we vow to honor and cherish each other as we begin our life as husband and wife."
• "Today, we gather to witness the merging of two souls, as we honor the sacred traditions that have bound couples for generations."
• "May our love be a reflection of the enduring love stories that have withstood the test of time."
• "In the embrace of tradition, we find the strength to build a future filled with love, respect, and devotion."

Unique Wedding Quotes for Indian Weddings:

• "In the tapestry of our love, we weave the vibrant colors of our cultural heritage, creating a masterpiece of a lifelong union."
• "Our wedding day is a canvas on which we paint the vibrant colors of our traditions, creating a masterpiece of love and unity."
• "May our marriage be adorned with the jewels of tradition, sparkling with the blessings of our families, and filled with the fragrance of love."
• "In the intricate henna designs on our hands, we find the essence of our love story, beautifully etched in the chapters of our lives."

Simple Wedding Invitation Quotes:

• "Join us as we begin our forever."
• "Together with our families, we invite you to celebrate our love and joy on our wedding day."
• "We're getting married! Please join us in the celebration of love."
• "With joy in our hearts, we request your presence on the day we exchange vows."
• "We're excited to celebrate our love, and your presence would make it even more special."
• "Together is a beautiful place to be. We invite you to join us on our wedding day."
• "Love brought us together, and together we invite you to share in our joyous celebration."
• "Together, we promise to create a life filled with love, happiness, and cherished memories."
• "Bound by love and destined for togetherness, we joyfully request your presence as we exchange vows and unite our lives."
• "Our love story continues to unfold, and we invite you to join us as we take the next step in our journey of togetherness."

Wedding Inviting Quotes for Friends:

• "As we embark on this journey of love, we want you, our dear friend, by our side. Join us in celebrating our special day and making beautiful memories together."
• "Dear friend, our hearts are filled with joy as we invite you to share in the celebration of our love. Your presence is the greatest gift we could ever ask for."
• "To our amazing friend, you've been there through thick and thin. Now, we request the honor of your presence as we exchange our vows and start this new chapter."
• "Your friendship has been a blessing, and now we seek your presence to bless our union on our wedding day."
• "In the company of friends like you, our wedding day will be truly magical. Please grace us with your presence as we exchange our vows."

In addition to these quotes, here are some general tips and examples for how to send a wedding invitation message:

• Invitations can be sent through text messages, invitation cards, social media, or even wedding invitation videos.
• It is important to include the date, time, and venue of the wedding in the invitation.
• The invitation should convey emotions and make the recipient feel appreciated and wanted at the wedding.
• Depending on the relationship with the recipient, the tone of the invitation can be formal, casual, or humorous.
• If sending invitations via WhatsApp, create a group to easily communicate with all the guests.

Frequently asked questions