Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: Language And Style

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They are one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel when it comes to your wedding, and they also convey critical information. The invitation wording should be clear and appropriate, and it's important to follow certain etiquette rules to ensure your message is polite and formal.

The invitation should include: the host line, a request line, the couple's names, the date, time, and location of the ceremony, and the reception details. Other details such as dress code, wedding website, and RSVP information can be included on a separate enclosure card.

The host line typically includes the name(s) of the people hosting and paying for the wedding, which is often the bride's parents, but can also be both sets of parents, the couple, or the couple and their parents. The request line is where you invite your guests to join the celebration and can be formal or casual depending on the tone of the wedding. The couple's names are usually displayed in larger text, with the bride's name traditionally coming before the groom's.

The date, time, and location are essential to ensure your guests know when and where to show up. For formal invitations, these elements are usually written out in full, while modern invites may use numerical figures. Finally, the reception details let guests know what to expect and how to plan for the day.

Host Line: Names of the event hosts, usually those paying for the wedding

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event, usually those paying for the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and their names come first. However, including the names of both sets of parents is a gracious option, regardless of who is paying.

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

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

• 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 on a separate line. 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 what 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 Hosting with Their Families

When the couple and both their families are contributing, you can add a line such as:

• 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 or start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

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

Request Line: Invite guests to the wedding celebration

The request line is where you extend the invitation to your wedding celebration and can be used to set the tone for your special day. Here are some examples of request lines for a wedding invitation:

• "Request the honour of your presence" – traditionally used to denote a religious ceremony.
• "Request the pleasure of your company" – used to denote a non-religious ceremony.
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

The tone of the request line can be formal or casual, depending on the style of your wedding. For a formal wedding, the request line can be something like:

• "Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter"
• "Request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children"

For a casual wedding, the request line can be more light-hearted and conversational:

• "Come party with us"
• "Join us as we celebrate our wedding"
• "We would like to invite you to share in our joy"

The request line can also be used to give a hint of the wedding theme or style:

• "You are invited to a celebration of their union"
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends"

Remember, the most important rule is to create a wedding invitation that represents you and your partner and conveys the essential details of your wedding celebration.

Couple's Names: The couple's full names, with the bride's name first

The bride's name typically goes first on a wedding invitation, followed by the groom's name. This tradition stems from the custom of the bride's parents hosting and paying for the wedding.

Formal Wording

When the bride's parents are hosting

"Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Chloe Marie Sinclair, to Matthew James Denton on Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August, two thousand eighteen, at three o'clock in the afternoon at Glochester Catholic Church, Dublin, Ireland. Reception to follow."

When both sets of parents are hosting

"Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Lauren Martinez and Joseph Benjamin on Saturday, the fifteenth of January, two thousand twenty-two, at five o'clock in the afternoon at Kempa Villa, 71555 Jaguar Way, Palm Desert, CA, 92260. Dinner and dancing to follow."

When the couple is hosting

"The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Chloe Marie Sinclair and Matthew James Denton on Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August, two thousand eighteen, at three o'clock in the afternoon at Glochester Catholic Church, Dublin, Ireland. Reception to follow."

Informal Wording

When the bride's parents are hosting

"Christopher and Sarah Williams invite you to share in their joy as their daughter, Chloe Marie, ties the knot with Matthew James Denton on Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August, 2018, at three in the afternoon. Reception details to follow."

When both sets of parents are hosting

"Kenzie and Jennifer Smith, along with Mark and Sally Reyes, invite you to celebrate the union of their children, Chloe Marie Sinclair and Matthew James Denton, on Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August, two thousand eighteen, at three o'clock in the afternoon. Join us for dinner and dancing at the reception that will follow at the West Palm, 825 Oceanside Ave, St. Petersburg."

When the couple is hosting

"Chloe Marie Sinclair and Matthew James Denton are getting married! Save the date for their big day on Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August, two thousand eighteen, at three in the afternoon. Join us at Glochester Catholic Church, Dublin, Ireland. Merriment and festivities to follow."

Remember, these are just examples, and you can always personalise the wording to match your style and tone. Feel free to include middle names or opt for first names only, especially for a less formal celebration.

Date, Time, and Location: Date and time in full, with location name and address

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the rules of etiquette are not that complicated. Here are some instructive examples of how to word the "Date, Time, and Location" section of a wedding invitation:

Date and Time

For formal weddings, it is customary to write out the date and time in full, using words instead of numerals. For example:

• "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four"
• "Saturday, 30th of July, 2022, four thirty in the afternoon"

For casual weddings, it is acceptable to use numerals. For example:

• "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, 10.11.2014, at 5:30 p.m."

Location

The name and full street address of the wedding venue should be included, along with the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well. Here are some examples:

• "The Ritz-Carlton, 1234 Main Street, San Francisco, California, 94102, United States"
• "Gulf Beach Resort Motel, 5678 Gulf Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida, 34242, United States"

If the wedding is taking place at a well-known venue or a private residence, it is acceptable to omit the street address. Here are some examples:

• "The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California"
• "The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado"

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply say:

• "Reception to follow"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"

If the reception is at a different location, include the venue name and address on a separate line or on a separate insert card. For example:

• "One&Only Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. Reception to follow"
• "Casa de la Guerra, Santa Barbara, California. Dinner and dancing to follow"

Reception Details: Notify guests of post-ceremony plans

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply say "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is held at a different location, you should include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card tucked inside the main invitation.

If the reception is elsewhere, you can include the location on a different line. Include the time if the wedding reception is not immediately following the ceremony.

If you're not serving a full meal, it would be helpful to let guests know by saying something like, "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing."

• "Reception immediately following the ceremony"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow" (if a full meal isn't served)
• "Feasting and merriment to follow"
• "Dining, dancing, and happily ever after to follow"

Frequently asked questions