Guide To Typing Wedding Invitations: At-Home Edition

Wedding invitations are one of the first things your guests will see, so it's important to get them right. The good news is that the rules of wedding invitation etiquette are not that complicated. The primary tenet is actually much simpler and more straightforward than you might think. The most important rule is that you create a beautiful wedding invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day to come, while also communicating the vital details of the wedding.

Choosing a font and design

• Consider the formality of your wedding: The font and design you choose should reflect the level of formality of your wedding. For a formal wedding, consider using a script or serif font, while for a more casual or modern wedding, you can opt for a sans-serif or minimalist font.
• Match the font to your wedding theme: If you have a specific wedding theme, try to choose a font that complements it. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, you might opt for a font with a handmade or organic feel.
• Legibility is key: While you want your font to be stylish, it's important to choose something that is easy to read. Avoid overly intricate or decorative fonts that may be difficult for your guests to decipher.
• Be consistent: Choose one or two fonts that you can use consistently throughout your invitation suite, including any inserts or RSVP cards. This creates a cohesive look and makes your invitations easier to read.
• Play with size and weight: Varying the size and weight (boldness) of your font can help create a visual hierarchy and draw attention to important information. For example, you might use a larger font for the couple's names and a smaller font for the date and time.
• Consider the colour: The colour of your font should contrast with the background colour or pattern of your invitations to ensure legibility. If you're printing your invitations at home, consider the cost of coloured ink or using a coloured paper stock.
• Add decorative elements: Incorporate design elements such as monograms, symbols, borders, or patterns to enhance the overall design of your invitations. These can be used to frame your text or add visual interest.
• Include engagement photos: Consider adding engagement photos to your invitations to make them more personal and engaging for your guests.
• Proofread and print test copies: Before finalising your design and font choices, be sure to proofread your invitations for any errors and print test copies to ensure that they look and read exactly as you intend.

Including the right information

Host Line:

The host line is where you introduce the hosts of the wedding, traditionally the couple's parents. However, nowadays, it is also common to include both sets of parents or even the couple themselves as hosts. Here are some examples:

• "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores and Mr. Tom Byrne & the late Mrs. Nancy Byrne request the honor of your company at the marriage of their children Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne"
• "Together with their families, [Couple's names] invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot"

Request Line:

The request line is where you formally invite the guests to the wedding. Here are some options:

• "Request the honor of your presence" for a religious ceremony
• "Request the pleasure/honor of your company" for a non-religious ceremony
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would like you to help celebrate"

Couple's Names:

When introducing the couple, the bride's name traditionally comes first, followed by the groom. However, for same-sex couples, you can choose the order based on preference or what looks best with the invitation design. Feel free to include full names, but traditionally, only the bride's first and middle names were used, with the groom's full name.

Date and Time:

For formal invitations, dates and times are usually spelled out in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon." For more casual invitations, using numerals is also acceptable.

Venue Address:

Include the address of the venue, along with the city and state/province. The street address is usually included unless the venue is well-known or the ceremony is held at the host's home.

Reception Information:

Let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. If the reception is at the same location, a simple "Reception to follow" will suffice. If it's at a different venue, include the location and time. You can also indicate the dress code here, especially if it's a black-tie event.

How to word the invitation

The wording of your wedding invitation will depend on the tone and formality of your wedding, as well as who is hosting it.

The Host Line

The host line is where you name the people hosting the wedding. Traditionally, this was the bride's parents, but nowadays, it could be the groom's parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of both sets of parents. Here are some examples:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Talia Camila Flores to Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Together with their parents, Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Together with their families, Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes request the honor of your presence at their wedding..."

The Request Line

The request line is where you formally invite your guests to the wedding. This could be something like:

• "Request the honor of your presence" (usually reserved for religious services)
• "Request the pleasure/honor of your company" (usually used when the service is not religious)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would like you to help celebrate"

The Couple's Names

When there is a bride and groom, the bride's name typically comes first. Feel free to include both the bride and groom's full names, but traditionally, only the bride's first and middle names appeared, as the bride's parents were paying for the wedding, so her surname was already mentioned.

Date, Time, and Location

On a traditional, formal wedding invitation, the names of all times and dates are spelled out (e.g. "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon").

The location of the wedding ceremony should include the address of the venue (unless it's a well-known place), the city, and the state/province.

The Reception Line

Let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. This could be something simple, such as "Dinner and dancing to follow" or "Reception to follow". If the reception is at a different location, be sure to note the time and address.

Special Requests

You can indicate a dress code in the reception line, such as "black-tie reception to follow". To indicate that children are not invited, you can write "adult reception" or include a box on the RSVP card for guests to indicate how many adults will be attending.

RSVP cards

RSVPs are a critical part of your wedding stationery suite. They are the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding, so it's important to get them right. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to type RSVP cards for your wedding invitations at home.

What to Include on an RSVP Card:

• A blank line for guests to write their names. On a formal RSVP card, you can write an "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper title (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss).
• An attendance line for guests to accept or decline the invitation. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circles, or fill-in-the-blank lines.
• A deadline for guests to respond by, featured prominently on the card.
• Food preferences and any dietary requirements or allergies.
• A special request line, such as song requests or drink preferences.

RSVP Wording Ideas:

The traditional RSVP wording is "Accepts with Pleasure/Regretfully Declines", but you can add a creative twist with phrases like:

• "Yasss, let's party!"
• "Ready to eat, drink and see you get married!"
• "Will toast to you two from afar"
• "Will be there with bells on"

Formatting and Design:

• Match your RSVP cards to your wedding invitation design scheme.
• Include your wedding colours, fonts, and any monograms or symbols.
• Use borders and patterns to add visual interest.
• Pre-address and stamp the envelopes for your RSVP cards.

When to Send:

• Send your RSVP cards out with your wedding invitations, six to eight weeks before the wedding.
• Set an RSVP deadline of around four weeks before the wedding date.
• Remind guests to RSVP a week before the deadline to ensure a timely response.

Top Tips:

• Number your RSVP cards and invitations to keep track of responses.
• Use invisible ink to mark guests' initials on the back of each card in case their names are missing or tricky to read.
• Include a stamp on each envelope to increase the chances of a timely response.

Printing and postage

Printing and posting your wedding invitations is an exciting step in the wedding planning process. Here are some tips to help you with this task:

Printing

• Printing at home — If you're printing your wedding invitations at home, it's important to choose high-quality paper and ink to ensure the best results. Consider ordering a sample of your chosen invitation design to see how it looks and feels before placing a large order. This will allow you to make any necessary adjustments and ensure that the final product meets your expectations.
• Professional printing services — Alternatively, you can use a professional printing service, which can offer a wider range of printing options, such as foil stamping, letterpress, or laser cutting. They will also ensure that your invitations are printed correctly and on time.

Postage

• Timing — It's recommended to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements and plan their schedules. For destination weddings or weddings during busy times of the year, consider sending invitations three months in advance to give them ample time to plan and prepare.
• RSVP management — To make it easy for your guests to respond, include a physical RSVP card with pre-printed response envelopes. You can also direct guests to your wedding website to RSVP online. If you choose to include a physical RSVP card, provide a deadline for responses, usually about three to four weeks before the wedding.
• Addressing envelopes — When addressing your invitation envelopes, use formal titles and spell out guests' full names. For married couples with the same last name, you can address them together. If you're having an adults-only wedding, only include the names of the invited adult guests on the envelopes.

Frequently asked questions