Crafting A Heartfelt Wedding Invocation: A Guide To Writing Your Own

A wedding invitation is an important piece of the planning puzzle. It is one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel when it comes to your wedding. A good wedding invitation will convey critical information with clear and appropriate wording.

The host line is where the name(s) of the event hosts appear. The hosts are typically the people who are paying for the wedding. The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. The couple's names should be front and centre, with the bride's name traditionally coming before the groom's. The date, time, and location of the ceremony should also be included, as well as reception details.

Host Line: The opening line names the hosts of the event

The host line is the opening line of a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. The hosts are usually the people paying for the wedding. Here are some examples of host lines for different hosting scenarios:

One Set of Parents Hosting (Married)

Include the parents' full names, with middle names for very formal weddings, and never their initials. If they have different last names, write "and" to join the two names.

Example: Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; middle name is included)

One Set of Parents Hosting (Divorced)

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.

Example: Ms. Noelle Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Sean Cartwright

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

• For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, then 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.

Example: Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis

Couple is Hosting with their Families

When the couple and both of their families are contributing to the cost of the wedding, many choose to add a line such as "Together with their families" as the host line.

Example: Together with their families

Couple is Hosting

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line entirely or start the invitation wording with a warm and welcoming introduction.

Example: Together with full hearts

Attendance Request: Let guests know what they're being invited to

The attendance request is where you extend an invitation to your wedding and set the tone for your celebration. The wording should reflect the overall vibe of your wedding day and can be formal or casual depending on the style of your wedding.

If you are having a formal wedding, you might use wording such as:

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"

For a less formal wedding, you could use wording such as:

• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Invite you to their wedding"
• "Invite you to share in their joy"

You can also add in some fun and playful wording to reflect the tone of your wedding, for example:

• "Come party with us"
• "Would love to eat wedding cake with you"
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends"

The attendance request is usually followed by a line that outlines what guests are being invited to share in. This could be something like:

• "At the marriage of their daughter" (if the bride's parents are hosting)
• "At the marriage of their children" (if both parents are hosting)
• "At the celebration of their union" (if the couple is hosting)
• "As they tie the knot"

Couple's Names: The main event

Couples' Names: The Main Event

Now for the main event: your names! The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text (and often in a fancy typeface too). For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes before the groom's. However, for same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. Instead, you can choose to go in alphabetical order or simply what sounds better.

If you are using traditional wedding invitation wording, follow these rules to format names:

• Capitalise proper names and titles.
• Don't use punctuation, except after courtesy titles.
• Avoid abbreviations; in general, spell everything out except courtesy titles.
• Don't spell out courtesy titles, except for "Doctor" in the case of medical doctors.
• Consider using both partners' full legal names. If you prefer to go by a nickname, use it on the save-the-date or other, less formal pieces of the invitation suite.
• Drop the bride's and/or groom's middle names if they become too long to fit on one line.
• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim"
• "Together with full hearts, Ava Edwards and Nicholas Eckerd request the honour of your presence at the celebration of their union"
• "Join us as we celebrate our wedding, Chase Mattson & Kelianne Stankus"
• "With hearts full of love and joy, Jennifer and Andrew invite you to celebrate their wedding"
• "Together with their families, Kristin Michelle Sills and Wyatt Alexander Littles request the pleasure of your company at their wedding celebration"

Date and Time: Be clear about when the event will take place

The date and time of the wedding should be included in the invitation to ensure that guests arrive at the right time. Here are some tips to consider when including this information:

Spell Out the Date and Time

For formal invitations, it is customary to spell out the date and time in full. For example, if your wedding is on September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." Here are some additional guidelines:

• Capitalize the day of the week and the month.
• Omit the article "and" when spelling out the year.
• Use "o'clock" or "half after" to indicate the time of day, e.g., "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock."
• For modern or informal invitations, it is acceptable to use numerals for the date and time, e.g., "4:30 p.m."

Specify the Location

Provide the name and full address of the wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well. For formal invitations, spell out the state name instead of using abbreviations.

Indicate the Number of Guests

If you are allowing guests to bring a plus one or if children are welcome, this can be indicated on the invitation. Only writing the guest's name on the envelope subtly conveys that the invitation is just for them. If you prefer a child-free wedding, you can write "Adults only, please" at the bottom of the invitation.

Provide Clear Timing Information

Be sure to specify if there is a specific time guests should arrive or if there are different start times for the ceremony and reception. This will help ensure that guests are punctual and don't miss any important moments.

Include RSVP Information

If you are not including a separate response card, provide information on the invitation about how guests should RSVP, such as a wedding website, email, or phone number. This will help you keep track of attendance and plan accordingly.

In summary, providing clear and detailed information about the date, time, and location of the wedding is crucial to ensuring your guests' attendance and the smooth running of your special day.

Location: Include the name and address of the venue

The location line of your wedding invitation is where you include the name and address of your wedding venue. This is an essential detail to ensure your guests can arrive at the right place at the right time. Here are some examples of how to format this line:

Formal Wedding Invitation Examples

If your wedding is formal, you should include the full name and street address of your venue, followed by the city and state written in full. The zip code is usually omitted. If your wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country as well. Here are some examples:

• "The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado"
• "The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California"
• "Mural Room, Santa Barbara Courthouse, Santa Barbara, California"
• "One&Only Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico"

Casual Wedding Invitation Examples

For a more casual wedding, you have the option to omit the street address of your venue, particularly if it is a well-known location or easily found via an online search. Here are some examples:

• "The Gardens Edge Inn, Seattle, Washington"
• "Second Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia"
• "King Plow Arts Center, Atlanta, GA"
• "St. Michael's Church"

Additional Tips

• If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."
• If your reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate line or details card tucked inside the invitation.
• If your wedding venue is the host's home, be sure to include the street address.

Frequently asked questions