The Couple's Guide To Wording Their Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are an important part of the planning process. They are one of the first things guests will see and touch, and they convey critical information. The wording of a wedding invitation can be tricky, but it's important to choose clear and appropriate language that reflects the tone and formality of the event.

When the couple is hosting the wedding, the invitation can simply state the names of the couple without any host line. For example:

> The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim...

or

> Come party with us! Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot...

If the couple is hosting the wedding with their families, the invitation can include a line such as Together with their families before listing the couple's names.

It's important to include essential details such as the date, time, and location of the ceremony, as well as any reception details and dress code information.

The host line: Include the name(s) of the event host(s) at the top of the invitation

The host line is the very first thing your guests will see on your wedding invitation, so it's important to get it right. This line includes the name(s) of the event host(s) and goes at the top of the invitation. The host is usually the person or people paying for the wedding. Here are some examples of how to word the host line, depending on who is hosting:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

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

• 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

List the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line. Do not use "and" to connect the names.

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, you can list the names in alphabetical order by last name or in the order that looks best with your 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 wedding, you can add a line such as:

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

Couple Is Hosting

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can 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 invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. This is where you can set the tone for your celebration. Here are some examples of wording for the request line:

• "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"

If you are having a religious ceremony, you may want to use the more formal "honour" spelling. For a non-religious ceremony, you can opt for more casual language.

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of [couple's names]"
• " [Couple's names] request the honour of your presence at the celebration of their marriage"
• "Together with their families, [couple's names] request the pleasure of your company at their wedding"
• "You are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage of [couple's names]"
• "Join us as we celebrate the marriage of [couple's names]"

Remember to include the names of both partners in the couple, with the bride's name typically coming first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, you can list the names alphabetically by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

Feel free to get creative and use wording that reflects your personality and the style of your wedding. The request line is a great opportunity to set the tone for your celebration and get your guests excited about your special day.

Couple's names: Make sure the couple's names are front and centre

The couple's names should be the most prominent feature on the invitation. They may be placed high, low, or centre depending on the invitation design, but they should always be clearly legible and prominently featured.

For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes before the groom's. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule, and you can decide to put the groom's name first if you prefer. If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can just be her first and middle name, without her last name. In this case, the groom's name is either listed in full or his first and middle names are listed, followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs." and his father's name.

For same-sex couples, the host line may dictate whose name comes first (i.e. if one set of parents is hosting, their child's name will follow). If the couple is hosting themselves, it is up to them to decide whose name to put first. You can list the names in alphabetical order by last name or base the order on what looks best with the invitation design.

For a less formal feel, you may opt to list only first names.

Traditionally, you should capitalise proper names and titles and avoid using punctuation, except after courtesy titles. Avoid abbreviations and, in general, spell everything out except courtesy titles. Don't spell out courtesy titles, except for "Doctor" in the case of medical doctors.

Date, time and location: Include everything your guests need to show up at the right place and time

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the date, time and location details are essential. Here are some tips and examples to ensure your guests have all the information they need to arrive at the right place at the right time:

Include the Full Date and Time

For formal invitations, it is customary to spell out the date, time and year in full. For example: "Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon". Using "o'clock" or "half after" is also typical for formal invites. The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year.

For casual invitations, it is acceptable to use numerals and abbreviations. For example: "Saturday, June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm".

Provide the Full Address and Clarify Any Transport or Accommodation Details

For formal weddings, it is standard to write out the full address and state name. The venue's street address is usually only included for destination weddings or out-of-town guests, or if omitting it may cause confusion. Zip codes are generally not included.

If your wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country. You may also want to include transport or accommodation details on a separate card or your wedding website.

Specify the Number of Guests and Any Children or Plus-One Policies

Some couples prefer intimate weddings with only close friends and family, while others allow guests to bring a plus one. This can be subtly conveyed by writing only the invited guest's name on the envelope. If children are welcome, you can write "X and X and Family" on the envelope. For adult-only weddings, a polite way to convey this is to write "Adults only, please" at the bottom of the invitation.

Include Reception Details

If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice. If the reception is at a different venue, include the full address on a separate card or your wedding website. Specify the type of festivities planned, such as "Dinner and dancing", "Cocktails and canapes", or "Drinks, dinner and dancing".

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 write "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include the full address and other details on a separate card tucked inside the invitation.

If you're not serving a full meal, you might want 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 not serving a full meal)
• "Feasting and merriment to follow"
• "Dining, dancing, and happily ever after to follow"
• "An evening of dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Merriment and festivities to follow"
• "Adult reception to follow"

Frequently asked questions