Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: A Guide To Details

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the wedding planning puzzle. They are one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel, and they convey critical information. Wedding invitation wording should be chosen carefully to ensure clarity and to set the tone for the wedding.

The following details should be included in a wedding invitation:

- Host names: Traditionally, the bride's parents host the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. However, it is becoming more common to include the names of both sets of parents or for the couple to host the wedding themselves.

- A warm invitation sentence

- The couple's names

- The date, time, and location of the wedding

- A separate RSVP card or instructions for a digital RSVP

- Smaller details such as travel and accommodation information, attire, and parking can be included on a separate card or the wedding website.

The wording of the invitation can be formal or casual, depending on the style of the wedding. Formal invitations tend to use more traditional and formal language, while casual invitations use more modern and informal language.

Host Line: The host line is where the name(s) of the event hosts appear

The host line is the opening line of a wedding invitation and traditionally names the people hosting the wedding. If the wedding is hosted by the bride's parents, their names are listed first, followed by the groom's parents. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the host line can be omitted.

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

For a formal wedding, include the parents' full names, including middle names. If they have different last names, write "and" to join the two names.

Examples:

• 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

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.

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.

Examples:

• 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 Hosting With Their Families

When the couple and both their families are contributing to the wedding, you can add a line such as "Together with their families" as the host line.

Examples:

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

Couple 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

Request Line: The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration

The request line is the second line of a wedding invitation, where you ask your guests to attend your wedding celebration. This line usually comes after the host line, which states who is hosting the wedding (i.e., footing the bill). Here are some examples of request lines for different wedding scenarios:

Both sets of parents hosting

• "Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

One set of parents hosting

"Request the honour/pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter/son"

Couple hosting with their families

• "Together with their families, [couple's names] invite you to join them for their wedding day"
• "Joyfully welcome you to attend the celebration of their love"

Couple hosting

• "Invite you to share in their joy and request your presence at their wedding"
• "Request the pleasure of your company at their wedding"
• "Request your presence on the day of their marriage"

Couple's Names: The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text

The names of the couple are the most important part of the wedding invitation. They are usually the largest text on the invite and are often in a fancy typeface. Here are some tips on how to write the couple's names on the wedding invitation:

Names Only

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, their names can be listed without any introductory text. The names are usually written in the order of the bride first, followed by the groom. However, for same-sex couples, the names can be listed alphabetically or based on what looks best with the invitation design. For a less formal feel, you may opt to list only the first names of the couple.

With Introductory Text

If you want to include an introductory text before the couple's names, here are some examples:

• "Together with full hearts"
• "With hearts full of love and joy"
• "Together with our families"

Middle Names

For very formal weddings, it is customary to include the middle names of the couple. For example, "Jack Alexander Smith" and "Mason Jacob Kim".

Last Names

For different-sex couples, the bride's last name is usually omitted if her parents' names are listed at the top of the invitation. In this case, the groom's full name, including his last name, is listed. If the bride's parents' names are not included, then the bride's full name, including her last name, is listed first, followed by the groom's full name.

For same-sex couples, the last names can be listed alphabetically or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

Date and Time: Include the date and time of the wedding

When it comes to wedding invitations, the date and time are essential details that should be communicated clearly to your guests. Here are some tips and examples to help you include this information effectively:

Formal Wedding Invitation Wording:

Spell out the date and time in full. For example, if your wedding is on Saturday, the 15th of September 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.

Capitalise the day of the week and the month. Use "half after" for times on the half-hour and spell out "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock" in full. You don't need to specify "in the afternoon" unless there could be confusion about whether it's morning or evening.

Informal or Casual Wedding Invitation Wording:

For a more casual wedding, you can use numerals and a more relaxed phrasing. For example:

> Saturday, 15th of September, 4:30 p.m.

Or:

> Saturday, Sept 15th at 4:30 p.m.

Modern Wedding Invitation Wording:

Modern invitations often combine traditional and informal elements. You might use a mix of numerals and words, depending on the layout and design of your invitation. For example:

> Saturday 15.09.2024 at 4:30 p.m.

Other Considerations:

• Consistency: Try to maintain consistent formatting for the date and time throughout your invitation suite, including any response cards.
• Reception Timing: If your reception follows the ceremony immediately at the same location, a simple "Reception to follow" is sufficient. If the reception is at a different time or venue, include a separate reception card with the details.
• End Time: Traditionally, the end time is not included on wedding invitations, but you can include it on your wedding website if needed.
• Guest Punctuality: Some couples opt to print an earlier start time to ensure guests arrive on time. If you do this, it's best not to pad the time by more than 15 minutes.

Location: Include the wedding venue and full address

The location line of your wedding invitation is where you include the name and full address of your wedding venue. This is an essential detail that ensures your guests can arrive at the right place at the right time.

The full address is especially important if your wedding is taking place at a private residence or is a destination wedding. In these cases, be sure to include the country and zip code.

If your wedding venue is well-known or the only venue in the area, you can get away with just the name of the venue and the city.

> [Venue Name]

> [Venue Address]

> [City, State, Zip Code]

> Boone Hall

> Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

> Hotel Boca Chica

> Acapulco, Mexico

> The Ritz-Carlton

> Bachelor Gulch, Colorado

> The Ritz-Carlton

> Bacara Hotel

> Santa Barbara, California

If your 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, you can include the full address on a separate details card tucked into the invitation.

Frequently asked questions