Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invite: Guide To Wording

Wedding invitation wording is an important piece of the planning puzzle. It's one of the first things guests will see, and it conveys critical information. The good news is that the rules of wedding invitation etiquette aren't that complicated. The primary tenet is to create a beautiful invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day while communicating vital details. Here's a breakdown of what to include and some examples to inspire your own unique wording.

The host line: Who is hosting the wedding?

The host line is an important element of your wedding invitation, as it establishes who is hosting and extending the invitation to the event. This line can also offer insight into the style and tone of the wedding. Traditionally, the host line would include the names of the bride's parents, indicating their role in hosting the celebration. In more modern times, however, there are many variations to this approach, reflecting changing social norms and the unique dynamics of each couple's situation. Here are some common scenarios to consider when wording the host line for your wedding invitations:

Traditional Format:

If you want to follow tradition, the host line would typically feature the names of the bride's parents, with the father's name appearing first. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Jane Smith, to Mr. John Doe." This format emphasizes the role of the bride's parents in hosting the wedding and is often used when they are financially contributing to the event.

Both Parents Hosting:

When both the bride's and groom's parents are involved in hosting the wedding, you can include all of their names in the host line. An example would be, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson cordially invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children, Jane and John." This wording showcases the unity and support of both families.

Couple Hosting:

Nowadays, it is also common for the couple to host their own wedding, especially if they are financially independent or prefer a more contemporary approach. In this case, the host line can be as simple as, "Jane Smith and John Doe invite you to share in the joy of their wedding." This phrasing places the emphasis on the couple and their invitation to their loved ones.

Divorced or Remarried Parents:

When dealing with divorced or remarried parents, there are a few options to consider. If one parent has remarried, you can include the step-parent's name, such as "Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Mary Smith." If both parents have remarried, you can list their names separately, like "Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Mary Johnson, and Mr. Robert Johnson and Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson." Alternatively, you can opt to use the phrase "the parents of the bride/groom" to maintain a neutral tone.

Single Parent or Other Family Member:

If one parent is hosting, you can simply write their name, such as "Mrs. Smith." In cases where a step-parent has played a significant role in the couple's life, you can include them as well, for example, "Mrs. Mary Smith and Mr. Robert Johnson." If someone other than a parent is hosting, such as a grandparent or another relative, adjust the wording accordingly, like "Grandmother of the bride, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, requests your presence."

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can adapt the wording to fit your specific situation and relationship with your parents or family members. The host line is an opportunity to honor and acknowledge those who are supporting and celebrating your special day with you.

The request line: How to invite your guests

The request line is where you extend an invitation to your guests to join your wedding celebration. This is where you can include formal wording to denote a formal religious ceremony or use more casual language if you're planning a non-religious service or a more casual wedding ceremony.

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to share in their joy"
• "Joyfully request the pleasure of your company"
• "Request your presence"
• "Invite you to share in our celebration of love"
• "Invite you to witness the exchanging of rings"
• "Invite you to join"
• "Please join us to celebrate"
• "Love the pleasure of your company"

The request line is usually followed by the couple's names, the date, time, and location of the ceremony, and the reception details.

Couple's names: Whose wedding is it?

There are many ways to word a wedding invitation, depending on the formality of the occasion, who is hosting, and whether you want to include any additional information.

Whose Names and What Order?

For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes before the groom's name. For same-sex couples, the wording of the host line may dictate whose name comes first (i.e. if one set of parents is hosting, their names will come first, and their child's name should follow). If you are hosting the wedding yourselves, it is up to you whose name comes first.

Host Line

The host line is where the name(s) of the event host(s) appear. The hosts are usually the people paying for the wedding. Depending on who is hosting, the wording will vary: it could be one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple and their parents together, or just the couple.

Request Line

The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. Traditionally, couples use formal wording to denote a formal religious ceremony, while modern celebrations tend to use more casual language.

Couple's Names

Make sure the couple's names are front and centre. They may be placed high, low, or centre, depending on your invitation design, but make sure they are clearly legible and prominently featured.

Date, Time, and Location

Don't make your guests guess! Include everything they need to show up at the right place and time.

Reception Details

The party line comes at the end of the invitation and notifies guests of what's scheduled to follow the ceremony.

Examples

Hosted by One Set of Parents

> Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Lively invite you to share in the joy of marriage uniting their daughter Blake Ellender to Ryan Rodney Saturday, the ninth of September two-thousand twelve at noon Boone Hall Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Dinner and merriment to follow.

Hosted by Both Sets of Parents

> Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Adams and Mr. and Mrs. David Beckham request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children Victoria Caroline to David Robert Joseph Saturday, the fourth of July Nineteen ninety-nine at half past seven in the evening Luttrellstown Castle Clonsilla, Ireland Reception to follow.

Hosted by the Couple

> Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage Saturday, 27 September 2014 at noon Aman Canal Grande Hotel in Venice, Italy Festivities to follow.

Hosted by Divorced Parents

> Ms. Pamela Jacobsen Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jacobsen invite you to share in their wedding festivities at the marriage of their daughter Jordan to Paige Saturday, the tenth of April two thousand and twenty-one at half past six in the evening Hotel Chantelle New York City, NY Dress as you wish, dine as you like, dance as you please.

Hosted by Parent, Including Deceased Parent

> Mrs. and Mr. Michael Francis Middleton request the honour of your company at the marriage of their daughter Catherine Elizabeth Middleton to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge Son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales Friday, the twenty-ninth of April two thousand and eleven at eleven o'clock in the morning at Westminster Abbey – 20, Deans Yard London, England Reception to follow.

Date, time and location: When and where is the wedding?

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

Date and Time

Spell out the date, day of the week and year for formal invitations. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four". The day of the week and month should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase.

For the time, spell out "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock". You can also include "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" for clarity. Formal invitations traditionally avoid using a.m. or p.m.

Location

Write the name and full street address of the venue, including the city, state and zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well.

The venue's street address is usually not included unless the venue is a private residence or there is a possibility of confusion.

Examples

• "Saturday, the seventeenth of August, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four o'clock in the afternoon"
• "Friday, the sixteenth of September, at five o'clock in the evening"
• "Saturday, the fourth of July, nineteen ninety-nine, at half past seven in the evening"
• "Saturday, the tenth of April, two thousand and twenty-one, at half past six in the evening"

Reception details: What happens after the ceremony?

The reception is a time for celebration and there are endless ways to make it unique and memorable. Whether your wedding is formal or casual, there are many ways to infuse your personality into the reception details. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Location and Timing:

• If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" on your invitation.
• If the reception is at a different location, include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card tucked into the invitation.
• Include the time if the wedding reception is not immediately following the ceremony.

Food and Drink:

• Serve local delights or cuisine that holds a special meaning for you. For example, if you're from New England, offer clam chowder and lobster rolls, or go with chili and tacos for a Texas vibe.
• Set up a tasting bar with your favourite libations, such as beer, wine, or tequila.
• Get creative with your dessert options. Consider a "farm stand" of fresh fruit, a donut display, or a carnival-style sweets station with treats like maple bacon funnel cakes and strawberry chili cotton candy.
• Provide a refreshing treat on a hot day with a Sno-Cone machine, popsicle bar, or ice cream stand.

Decor:

• Opt for magical lighting with strings of delicate lights and large hanging bulbs for an enchanting atmosphere.
• Create a unique backdrop for photos, such as a chalkboard with fun props or a colourful streamer tunnel.
• Incorporate natural elements like moss garlands, wood slices, and herb centrepieces for a woodsy or rustic vibe.
• Add a personal touch with a custom monogram of your initials, displayed on everything from wedding signs to table numbers and favours.
• Make your exit memorable with a fun send-off, such as a motorcycle getaway or confetti-filled containers in your wedding colours.

Entertainment:

• Hire a live band or performer, such as a dance troupe or fire eaters, to get the party started.
• Set up lawn games like croquet, badminton, and jumbo Jenga for guests to enjoy during cocktail hour.
• Create a mini photo studio or a GIF photo booth at the reception for guests to capture memorable moments.
• Surprise your guests with a choreographed dance routine involving the bridal party.

These ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. Feel free to get creative and think outside the box to make your reception truly unforgettable!

Frequently asked questions