Writing Wedding Invitation Bodies: Where To Start And How

Writing the body of a wedding invitation can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. The most important rule is to create a beautiful wedding invitation that represents you, your partner, and your love. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Host Line:

The opening line of a wedding invitation usually includes the host(s) or the people paying for the wedding. This could be one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple, or the couple and their parents. Capitalize proper names and titles, and use punctuation only after courtesy titles.

Request Line:

This is where you invite your guests to join your celebration. Traditionally, formal language is used for religious ceremonies, while casual language is used for modern or non-religious services. Common wording options include invite you to join and the pleasure of your company.

Couple's Names:

Ensure that the couple's names are front and center, with the bride's name typically coming before the groom's. For same-sex couples, the order of names is up to you. Consider using both partners' full legal names and avoiding abbreviations, except for courtesy titles like Doctor.

Date, Time, and Location:

Provide the wedding date, start time, and venue name and address. For formal invitations, spell out the date and time rather than using numerals. Include the full address for destination weddings or out-of-town guests.

Reception Details:

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, simply state reception to follow. Otherwise, include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate card.

Dress Code and RSVP:

Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. You can mention it on the invitation or include it on a separate card or your wedding website. Also, indicate how guests should RSVP, such as through a response card, email, phone, or wedding website.

Include the names of the hosts

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

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation, even for very formal affairs. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option, no matter who foots the bill. More and more couples these days are also hosting their own weddings, or doing so together with their parents.

If it's a collaborative affair hosted and paid for by the couple and both sets of parents, you can use wording such as:

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

If you want to include the name of a parent who is deceased, you'll need to rearrange things, as someone who has passed can't actually serve as a host. Try this, 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 on the fifth of May, two thousand seventeen at one o'clock in the afternoon at The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California. Dinner and dancing to follow. Black tie required."

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, you can include them all, just keep each parent on a separate line. If you're going to include the name of a stepparent, keep it on the same line as their partner. It might seem complex at first, but all it requires is a few more lines. This is an example of how a bride with divorced (and remarried) parents worded the wedding invitation:

> "Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland 01.06.18 | 4 p.m. Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church Newport, California. Reception immediately after."

Extend an invitation to attend the wedding

There are many ways to extend an invitation to a wedding, and the tone and style of the invitation should match the wedding's theme and level of formality. Here are some examples of how to craft an invitation to attend the wedding:

Formal Invitation

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Jessica, to Mr. Edward Jones on [date] at [time] at [location]. Reception to follow at [location]. R.S.V.P by [date] to [address]."

Informal Invitation

Jessica and Edward are getting hitched! Please join us as we celebrate our wedding on [date] at [time] at [location], followed by drinks and dancing. R.S.V.P by [date] to [address]."

Creative Invitation

"It's a match! Jessica and Edward invite you to witness their love and tie the knot on [date] at [time] at [location]. Let's eat, drink, and be married! R.S.V.P by [date]."

Modern Invitation

"You are cordially invited to the wedding celebration of Jessica Smith and Edward Jones. Join us on [date] at [time] at [location]. Dinner, dancing, and merriment to follow. R.S.V.P online at [wedding website]."

Simple Invitation

"You are invited to the wedding of Jessica Smith and Edward Jones on [date] at [time] at [location]. Reception to follow. Kindly respond by [date]."

Remember, these are just a few examples, and you can personalise the invitations to match your style and the theme of your wedding. Feel free to include additional details or change the wording to make it unique and special.

List the names of the couple

The names of the couple are the most important part of the invitation. They should be displayed in larger text and perhaps a fancy typeface.

If the bride's parents are hosting, the traditional format is:

> Mr. and Mrs. [Father's Name] [Mother's Name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter [Bride's Name] to [Groom's Name] [Date] at [Time] at [Venue Name and Address] Reception to follow

If the groom's parents are hosting, the format is:

> Mr. and Mrs. [Father's Name] [Mother's Name] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son [Groom's Name] to [Bride's Name] [Date] at [Time] at [Venue Name and Address] Reception to follow

If both sets of parents are hosting, the invitation might look like this:

> [Bride's Parents' Names] and [Groom's Parents' Names] request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] [Date] at [Time] in the afternoon at [Venue Name and Address] Reception to follow

If the couple is hosting themselves, the invitation might read:

> The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of [Bride's Name] to [Groom's Name] [Date] at [Time] at [Venue Name and Address] Reception to follow

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name coming first does not apply. Alphabetical order or what sounds better are both good options.

If the couple is hosting together with their families, the invitation could say:

> [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] together with their families request the honour of your presence at their marriage [Date] at [Time] at [Venue Name and Address] Reception to follow

Provide the date and time

The date and time of your wedding are essential details to include in your invitation. Here are some tips and examples to help you provide this information effectively:

Formatting the Date and Time

• Spell Out the Date and Time: Traditional wedding invitation wording typically spells out the date and time in full. For example, "Saturday, the twentieth of June [two thousand fifteen] at half after three o'clock." Using numerals for the date and time is more common in modern or casual invitations, e.g., "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 pm".
• Time of Day: For formal invitations, specify the time of day, such as "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening". Avoid vague phrases like "in the morning" or "in the evening."
• A.M. vs. P.M.: The use of A.M. or P.M. is optional. If you choose to include it, write it in lowercase letters.
• Year: Including the year is optional, but if you do, spell it out, e.g., "two thousand twenty-five".

Providing Clear Information

• Be Specific: Ensure your guests have all the information they need by including the date, start time, and location of the ceremony.
• Avoid Confusion: Clearly distinguish between the ceremony and reception times, especially if they are at different venues.
• Consider Time Zones: If your wedding is a destination wedding or has many out-of-town guests, specify the time zone to avoid confusion.
• Spell Out Numbers: In formal invitations, spell out numbers, especially dates, to prevent misunderstandings. For example, write "July 2, 2025" instead of "7/2/2025."
• Venue Address: Include the full address of the venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is abroad, add the country as well.

Examples:

• Traditional/Formal: "Saturday, the twentieth of June [two thousand fifteen] at half after three o'clock."
• Casual: "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon."
• Modern: "Saturday, 27 September 2014, at noon."
• With Noon and Midnight: Instead of using numbers for noon and midnight, spell them out as "noon" and "midnight."
• Without A.M. or P.M.: You can indicate the time of day without using A.M. or P.M. by writing something like "one o'clock in the afternoon."

Include the location and address

When it comes to the location and address, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the street address of the venue is usually only included if omitting it would cause confusion or if the wedding is taking place at the host's home. In these cases, be sure to include the full address, writing out the city and state in full. If the wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well.

Formal Wedding Invitation

> Doctor and Mrs. James Stuart Evans, Jr.

> request the honour of your presence

> at the marriage of their daughter

> Mr. Brian Charles Jamison

> Saturday, the twentieth of June

> [two thousand fifteen]

> at half after three o'clock

> First Congregational Church

> Spring Hill, Minnesota

> and afterward at the reception

> Spring Hill Golf Club

Casual Wedding Invitation

> Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

> invite you to share in their joy

> as they celebrate the marriage of their daughter

> Ms. Audrey Abraham

> to Mr. Thomas Wilson

> Saturday, the tenth of July, two thousand twenty-three

> at four o'clock in the afternoon

> 1234 Oak Street, Austin, Texas

> Reception to follow

Creative Wedding Invitation

> It's a beach wedding!

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carter

> invite you to celebrate with their daughter

> Ms. Sarah Carter

> as she weds Mr. Daniel Richards

> Saturday, the twenty-fifth of June, two thousand twenty-three

> at four o'clock in the afternoon

> Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles, California

> Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow

Modern Wedding Invitation

> With much love, Mr. and Mrs. Carter

> invite you to join them in celebrating

> the marriage of their son

> Mr. Thomas Carter Jr.

> to Ms. Emily Williams

> Saturday, the tenth of July, two thousand twenty-three

> at four o'clock in the afternoon

> The Beach House, Malibu, California

> 12345 Ocean Avenue

> Reception to follow

Frequently asked questions