Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: A Guide To Writing

A wedding invitation is one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel when it comes to your wedding. It's important to choose clear and appropriate wedding invitation wording to convey critical information. The invitation should include the critical information about the wedding, such as who is getting married, the wedding date, and the location. It should also recognize the hosts of the wedding and indicate the tone and formality of the event, including the dress code.

The first line of the invitation is usually dedicated to the host of the wedding, also known as the party covering the expenses. This is typically the bride's parents, but it can also be the groom's parents, the couple, or a combination of all three. The invitation should also include a proper request line, such as the pleasure of your company or invite you to celebrate with them. The couple's names are also essential, with the bride's name traditionally coming before the groom's. The invitation should also include the date, time, and location of the ceremony, as well as any reception details.

Honoring deceased parents: Include the phrase the late before their name

When composing your wedding invitations, it is important to consider all aspects of your wording, especially when honoring those who are no longer with us. Here is a guide to help you navigate this aspect of your invitation wording with sensitivity and grace:

For those who have lost a parent, it is common to honor them on your wedding invitations. This can be done by including their name with the phrase "the late" before it. This phrase is a respectful way to indicate that your parent has passed away. For example, you could word it as "The late Mr. John Smith, father of the bride, invites you to the wedding of his daughter..." This approach allows you to acknowledge your parent's significance and their presence in spirit.

The placement of the phrase "the late" is important. It should appear before your parent's name, followed by their relationship to you. For instance, "The late Mrs. Emily Johnson, mother of the groom, joyfully invites you to witness the marriage of..." This phrasing makes it clear that your parent is being honored and remembered on this special day. It also provides a heartfelt way to include them in your celebration.

When including deceased parents' names, it is customary to use their full name, along with any relevant titles. For example, "The late Dr. and Mrs. Michael Brown request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter..." Including their titles and full name is a sign of respect and formality. If your parent did not have a title, simply use their full name, such as "The late John and Emily Wilson invite you to share in the joy of..."

In situations where both parents of the bride or groom have passed away, you can still honor them on your invitations. You can use phrasing such as "The late Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter..." This way, you are still including them in the invitation and indicating that they are dearly missed. Remember to use the phrase "the late" before their names, followed by their relationship to you as a way of paying respect and tribute to them on your special day.

Host line: The opening line names the host(s) and invites guests

The host line is the opening line of a wedding invitation and is an important part of the invitation's anatomy. It is the first thing guests will read and sets the tone for the rest of the invitation. The host line traditionally names the people who are hosting the wedding and paying for most of the wedding. This is usually the bride's parents, but it doesn't have to be. Nowadays, weddings are often financially contributed to by different members of both families, or the couple may be hosting and paying for the wedding themselves.

Bride's Parents Hosting

• Mr. and Mrs. Charles William Grimes request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Poppy Jane to Landon Parker Fox.
• Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim.
• Mrs. Lauryn and Mr. Robert Devine request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Sophia Anne Devine to Matthew Paul Johnson.

Bride's Parents (Divorced) Hosting

Ms. Jennifer (Maiden Name) (Married Name) and Mr. Charles William Grimes request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Poppy Jane to Landon Parker Fox.

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

• Mr. and Mrs. Charles William Grimes along with Mr. and Mrs. James Arthur Fox request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Poppy Jane Grimes and Landon Parker Fox.
• Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith, along with Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes, request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael.
• Mrs Lauryn and Mr Robert Devine together with Mrs Dianna and Mr Peter Johnson request the pleasure of your company to celebrate the marriage of Sophia Anne Devine and Matthew Paul Johnson.
• Kenzie and Jennifer Smith, along with Mark and Sally Reyes, invite you to share and celebrate the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael.

Couple Hosting

• The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim.
• Sophia Devine and Matthew Johnson invite you to join them as they exchange vows.
• Together with their families, Poppy Jane Grimes and Landon Parker Fox request the honor of your presence at their marriage celebration.
• Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes, together with their parents Kenzie M. Smith, Jennifer L. Smith, Mark Franklin, and Mary Elizabeth Reyes, request the honor of your presence at their wedding.
• Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding.
• Come party with us, Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot!

Couple's names: The bride's name typically comes first, but same-sex couples can choose

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are some basic elements that should be included no matter what. These include the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information.

Couple's Names

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text (and often in a fancy typeface). Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's full name and title. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and couples can choose to go with what they prefer or what sounds better. For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply, and they can choose to list names in alphabetical order or based on what sounds better.

Examples

• "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren" (outer envelope) / "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle" (inner envelope)
• "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren" (outer envelope) / "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle" (inner envelope)
• "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez" (outer envelope) / "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David" (inner envelope)
• "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft" (outer envelope) / "Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft" or "Marcus and Brian" (inner envelope)
• "Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee" (outer envelope) / "Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee" or "Stanley and Amanda" (inner envelope)

Other Details

In addition to the couple's names, there are a few other details that should be included on the wedding invitation:

• Host Line: The opening line on a wedding invitation names the hosts of the event, usually the bride's parents. If multiple parties are hosting, you can include all names or simply state "together with their families."
• Attendance Request: There are many ways to word the request for guests to attend, such as "the pleasure of your company" or "invite you to celebrate with them."
• Date and Time: The date and time are typically spelled out in full for formal invitations and can be written in numerals for casual invitations.
• Location: Include the name and full address of the wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is abroad, include the country as well.
• Reception Details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, simply state "reception to follow." If the reception is elsewhere, include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card.
• Dress Code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. It is usually mentioned in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite or on a separate details card.

Date, time, and location: Include the full address for destination weddings

When it comes to writing a good wedding invitation card, the date, time, and location are essential. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you craft this section effectively:

Date and Time:

Spell out the date and time in full for formal weddings. For example, if your wedding is on the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at four-thirty in the afternoon, the wording could be "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." Here are some additional tips:

• Capitalize the day of the week and the month.
• Omit the article "and" when spelling out the year.
• Use "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock" for traditional phrasing and "4:30 p.m." or "4:30 p.m. in the afternoon" for a more informal style.
• Noon to four o'clock is considered afternoon, and evening begins at five o'clock.

Location:

Provide clear and precise location details to ensure your guests can find the venue without hassle. Here are some guidelines:

• Include the venue's name and full street address, especially if the venue is private or difficult to locate.
• For formal weddings, spell out the state name.
• Omit the zip code unless it is necessary for clarity.
• If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice.
• If the reception is at a different location, include it on a separate line or a separate insert card.
• If there are multiple events during the wedding weekend, consider including an activity card with chronological details.

Destination Weddings:

For destination weddings, it is crucial to provide guests with all the information they need to plan their travel. Here are some tips:

• Include the full address and postcode of the venue(s) for navigation ease.
• Provide parking information, especially if parking is limited or tricky to find.
• Mention any transport arrangements you have planned for guests between venues.
• Inform guests if the venue is cashless, only accepting card or contactless payments.
• Specify any unique dress code requirements, such as black-tie or beach-casual attire.
• Provide accommodation options, especially if there are special rates for guests.
• Share your wedding website link for additional details and updates.

Remember, the key to writing a good wedding invitation is to provide clear and essential details while maintaining a tone and style that reflect your wedding's atmosphere.

Reception details: Specify what type of festivities to expect, e.g. Dinner and dancing to follow

When it comes to writing wedding invitations, there are a few standard elements that should be included. While the tone and style can match the wedding, there are some conventions to follow to ensure the vital details are communicated.

Reception Details

This is where you let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. If the reception is in the same location as the ceremony, you can simply write, "Reception to follow", "Dinner and dancing to follow", or "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow" if you're not serving a full meal.

If the reception is elsewhere, you can include the venue's name and address on a separate line, or include a separate insert card with the details. If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time.

• "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing."
• "Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow."
• "An evening of celebrating to follow."
• "Join us for an intimate dinner following the ceremony."
• "Dine, dance, celebrate..."
• "Cocktails and merriment to follow."
• "Fabulous food, fun, and festivities to follow."

Frequently asked questions