Crafting The Perfect Dinner Wedding Invitation Wording

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They set the tone for the wedding and convey critical information. The wording of a wedding invitation typically includes the host line, a request line, the couple's names, the date, time and location of the ceremony, and the reception details. The invitation should also indicate how guests should RSVP and may include a dress code.

The host line is where the name(s) of the event host(s) appear, usually the people paying for the wedding. The request line is where guests are invited to join the wedding celebration. 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 of the ceremony should be included, followed by the reception details, which let guests know what type of festivities to expect.

There are many ways to word a wedding invitation, from formal and traditional to creative and whimsical. The most important rule is to create a beautiful invitation that represents the couple and communicates the vital details of the wedding.

Honoring deceased parents

Including Deceased Parents in the Invitation Wording

The invitation wording can be adjusted to honor your deceased parent(s) gracefully. Here are some examples:

• "Together with their families, [Couple's names] and [names of parents, including the late [Name of deceased parent]], request the honor of your presence at their wedding."
• "The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of [Couple's names], [Name of bride/groom], daughter/son of [Name of deceased parent] and [Name of surviving parent] to [Name of groom/bride]."
• "[Name of bride/groom], daughter/son of the late [Names of deceased parents], and [Name of groom/bride], son/daughter of [Names of parents], request the honor of your presence at their wedding."

Other Ways to Honor Deceased Parents

In addition to the invitation wording, there are other ways to include and honor your deceased parents during your wedding dinner:

• A loving tribute in the wedding program: A special message, poem, or reading recited during the dinner celebration can be a heartfelt way to honor your deceased parent(s).
• A meaningful song: Playing a song that holds a special memory or was a favorite of your deceased parent(s) can be a touching tribute.
• A memory table: Setting up a dedicated table with photos and mementos of your deceased parent(s) can be a visual way to include them in the celebration.
• A candle lighting ceremony: Lighting a candle in memory of your deceased parent(s) can be a symbolic and heartfelt gesture.
• A special toast: During the dinner, a special toast can be made to honor and remember your deceased parent(s), allowing guests to share memories and celebrate their lives.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Choose the options that feel right for you and your partner, and don't be afraid to get creative. Your guests will surely appreciate the thoughtful and heartfelt gestures honoring your loved ones.

Including step-parents

Including the Bride's Step-Parents

If the bride has a close relationship with her step-parents and wants to include them on the invitation, a few adjustments can be made to the wording. Here's an example:

> Mr. & Mrs. Flores, Mr. & Mrs. Hill, Mr. & Mrs. Byrne and Mr. & Mrs. Lin request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne

In this example, the bride's biological parents and step-parents are all included, with each couple listed on a separate line.

Including the Groom's Step-Parents

Similarly, if the groom wants to include his step-parents, the invitation can be worded as follows:

> Mr. & Mrs. Tom Byrne and Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jones request the honour of your company at the marriage of their children, Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne

Again, each set of parents is listed on a separate line, with the groom's biological parents appearing first, followed by his step-parents.

Including Both the Bride's and Groom's Step-Parents

When both the bride and groom have step-parents they want to include, the invitation can become a little lengthier. Here's an example:

> Mr. & Mrs. Flores, Mr. Thomas Hill, Mrs. Elizabeth Hill, Mr. & Mrs. Byrne and Mr. & Mrs. Lin request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne

In this example, the bride's biological father is listed separately, followed by her mother and step-father together, and then the groom's parents.

Honoring Step-Parents in a Less Formal Way

If you prefer a less formal approach and want to keep the invitation wording simpler, you can use phrases like "Together with their blended families" or "Together with their loved ones" to include step-parents without listing all the names. This approach captures the essence of your unique family structure while maintaining a concise and elegant invitation.

Key Points to Remember:

• There is no one-size-fits-all approach to wedding invitations. Feel free to adapt and personalise the wording to reflect your family dynamics and relationships.
• It's essential to list the names of the bride's parents before the groom's, regardless of whether you're using a formal or informal style.
• When including step-parents, list each set of parents on separate lines.
• The mother's name typically comes first, unless she is not contributing financially to the wedding.

The couple's names

Formal Wording

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

"Together with their families, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] request the honour of your presence at their wedding on [Date] at [Time] at [Venue Name and Address]. Dinner and dancing to follow."

Casual Wording

"[Bride's Name] & [Groom's Name] invite you to share in their joy at their wedding on [Date] at [Time] at [Venue Name and Address]. Reception to follow."

Modern Wording

"[Bride's Name] & [Groom's Name] would love to eat wedding cake with you on [Date] at [Time] at [Venue Name and Address]. Reception to follow."

Simple Wording

"[Bride's Name] & [Groom's Name] are getting married on [Date] at [Time] at [Venue Name and Address]. Reception to follow."

Date, time and location

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

Date and Time:

Spell out the date, day of the week, month, and year. For formal invitations, write out the time of day (e.g., four o'clock or half-past four o'clock) and indicate whether it is in the morning, afternoon, or evening. For casual invitations, you can use numerals for the time (e.g., 4:00 pm or 4:30 pm).

Examples:

• Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon
• Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon

Location:

Include the name and full street address of the venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is abroad, add the country as well. The street address is usually omitted unless it is necessary to provide clear directions or if the wedding is held at a private residence.

Examples:

• Hotel Chantelle, New York City, NY
• Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington

Additional Details:

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice. For separate locations, you can include the reception details on a separate card. If the reception is not immediately after the ceremony, specify the time as well.

Examples:

• Reception immediately following at [venue name and address]
• Dinner and dancing to follow at [venue name and address]

Post-ceremony plans

The post-ceremony plans section of your wedding invitation is where you can share the details of your wedding reception, including the time, location, and any other pertinent information. Here are some ideas and examples to help you word this section of your invitation:

Formal Post-Ceremony Wording

If you are having a formal wedding, you may want to use traditional and elegant wording to describe your post-ceremony plans. Here are some examples:

• "An evening of celebration to follow"
• "Followed by an evening of celebration"
• "Reception immediately following at [location]"
• "Dinner to follow at [location]"
• "Reception to follow at [location]"
• "Reception to follow at the residence of [host's name]"

Informal Post-Ceremony Wording

For a more casual or informal wedding, you can use light and playful wording to describe the post-ceremony festivities. Here are some ideas:

• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Followed by dinner and dancing"
• "Drinks and dancing to follow"
• "Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow"
• "Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow"
• "Adult reception to follow"

Different Location Reception Wording

If your reception will be held at a different location than the ceremony, be sure to include the address or direct guests to your wedding website for more information. Here are some ways to word this:

• "Reception immediately following at [location]"
• "Dinner to follow at [location]"
• "Reception to follow at [location]"

Reception Activities

You can also give guests a glimpse of the activities they can expect at the reception, such as:

• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow (if you're not serving a full meal)"
• "Feasting and merriment to follow"
• "Dining, dancing, and happily ever after to follow"

Timing

If there is a significant gap between the ceremony and reception, you may want to include the timing in your invitation. For example:

"Reception to follow at 7:00 pm at [location]"

Host Information

If someone other than the couple is hosting the reception, you can include their name in the post-ceremony plans section. For example:

"Reception hosted by [host's name] to follow at [location]"

Frequently asked questions