Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: A Guide To Wording

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They set the tone for the wedding and convey critical information. The primary tenets of wedding invitation etiquette are actually much simpler and more straightforward than you think. The most important rule is to create a beautiful wedding invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day to come. Here is a breakdown of what to include in your wedding invitation:

- Host Line: Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts, but including the names of both sets of parents is also acceptable. If the couple and their parents are contributing, you can opt for something like, Together with their parents/families.

- Request Line: This is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. Common wording options include request the honour of your presence and invite you to celebrate with them.

- Couple's Names: The names of the couple should be front and centre. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name traditionally comes first. For same-sex couples, alphabetical order or what sounds better can be used.

- Date, Time, and Location: Include the wedding date, start time, and venue. For formal invitations, spell out the date, time, and location in full.

- Reception Details: Notify guests of what's scheduled to follow the ceremony, such as Reception to follow or Dinner and dancing to follow.

The host line: Include the names of those hosting the wedding (traditionally the bride's parents)

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and it names the hosts of the event. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. Here are some examples of how to word the host line, depending on who is hosting the wedding:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

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

• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; the 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

Include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name. Do not use "and" to connect the two names; instead, give each name its own line.

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.

• 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 of their families are contributing to the cost of the wedding, consider adding a line such as "Together with their families" as the host line.

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

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you may skip 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

The request line: Invite your guests to join your wedding celebration

The request line is where you extend the invitation to your wedding celebration and set the tone for the event. Here are some examples of wording for the request line, depending on the style and formality of your wedding:

Formal Wedding

• "Request the honour of your presence" (or "honour" spelled as "honor")
• "Request the pleasure of your company"

Fun Wedding

• "Come party with us"
• "Eat, drink and be merry"

Casual Wedding

• "Share in our joy"
• "Share in their joy"

Creative Wedding

• "We are thrilled to invite you to celebrate the union of..."
• "With pride and joy, we invite you to share a special day in our lives as we..."

Modern Wedding

• "Would love to eat wedding cake with you"
• "Jack Smith & Mason Kim and their joyful parents hope you will attend their wedding"

Remember, the request line is an opportunity to be creative and set the tone for your wedding celebration. Choose wording that reflects your style and the level of formality you desire.

The couple's names: The names of the couple should be front and centre

The names of the couple are the most important part of the wedding invitation and should be the most prominent feature. Here are some tips to ensure the couple's names stand out:

Font and Size

Use a larger font size for the couple's names than the rest of the text. This will make the names stand out and be immediately noticeable to the recipient. You can also consider using a fancy typeface to add a touch of elegance and further draw attention.

Placement

Place the couple's names in a prominent position on the invitation, such as at the top or centre. This will ensure they are the first thing that catches the eye when the invitation is read.

Host Line

If you are including a host line, which is traditional in wedding invitations, the couple's names should still be the most prominent feature. The host line can be included as a smaller subtext or placed above or below the couple's names to ensure their names remain the focal point.

Format

When writing the couple's names, consider using their full names, including middle names, for a more formal invitation. For a less formal invitation, you may opt to use only their first names. Same-sex couples can choose to list their names alphabetically or based on personal preference and what sounds better.

Divorced or Remarried Parents

If the parents of the couple are divorced or remarried, and you want to include their names, simply give each parent their own line. This will ensure the couple's names remain the central focus of the invitation.

Deceased Parents

In the case of a deceased parent, you can honour them by including their name alongside the couple's. This can be done without taking attention away from the couple's names by using the format: "Name of Person, daughter/son of Name of Parent and the late Name of Deceased Parent."

Date, time and location: Include the wedding date, start time and venue

When it comes to wedding invitations, the date, time, and location are essential details that require careful consideration. Here are some instructive and focused guidelines on how to word this critical information:

Formal Wedding Invitation Wording:

Spell out the date, time, and venue in full. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be: "Saturday, the seventeenth of August, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four o'clock in the afternoon." The day of the week and the month should be capitalized. The year is typically written in numerals, with a hyphen between "two thousand" and "twenty-four."

Venue Information:

Write out the name and full street address of the venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If your wedding is abroad, be sure to include the country as well. An example could be: " [Venue Name], 1234 Main Street, New York, NY, 10010."

Combining Ceremony and Reception Information:

If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state: "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." This concise approach ensures your invitation remains elegant and uncluttered.

Informal or Casual Wedding Invitation Wording:

For a less formal wedding, you have more flexibility. You can use numerals and a more conversational tone. The date and time could be written as: "Saturday, 8/17/2024, 4:30 p.m." or "Saturday, August 17th, 4:30 p.m."

Time of Day Specifications:

It is essential to specify whether the wedding is in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Morning is up to noon, afternoon is from noon to 5 p.m., and anything from 5 p.m. onward is considered evening.

Reception at a Different Location:

If your reception is at a different venue, include a separate reception card with the event details. An example could be: "Please join us for a reception at six o'clock in the evening. [Reception Venue Name and Address]."

Remember, the key is to provide clear and concise information about the date, time, and location of your wedding while maintaining a style that reflects the tone and formality of your special day.

Reception details: Notify guests of what's scheduled to follow the ceremony

Reception Details

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include the venue's name and address on a separate insert card. If it's not a full meal, you might want to specify this, for example, "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 not serving a full meal)
• "Feasting and merriment to follow"
• "Dining, dancing, and happily ever after to follow"
• "California wedding celebration to follow"
• "An evening of dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Merriment to follow"

Frequently asked questions