Writing Your Wedding E-Vites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding can be a stressful affair, but it's also an exciting time for the happy couple. One of the first things to consider is how to invite your guests. While paper invitations are traditional, e-invites are becoming an increasingly popular option. They are environmentally friendly, convenient, and often more affordable. This guide will take you through the basics of writing an e-invitation for your wedding.

How to word the request to attend

The request to attend is a crucial part of your wedding invitation. Here are some ideas for how to word this section, with a focus on maintaining a formal tone:

• "The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of [Bride] and [Groom]."
• "Together with their families, [Bride] and [Groom] invite you to share in their joy as they exchange wedding vows."
• "The honour of your presence is requested at the wedding celebration of [Bride] and [Groom]."
• "You are cordially invited to witness the union of [Bride] and [Groom] and join in the festivities that follow."
• "We invite you to be a part of our special day as we exchange our wedding vows and begin our journey as husband and wife."
• "Kindly join us as we celebrate the marriage of [Bride] and [Groom]."

Remember to include the names of the couple and specify whether you are referring to the ceremony, reception, or both. You can also mention the date and time, although this information typically appears in a separate section of the invitation. Feel free to personalise the wording to match your style and tone.

Full names of the couple

The full names of the couple are a crucial element of any wedding invitation. Here are some suggestions for how to include them:

Formal Wedding Invitation Wording

Spell out the full names of the couple, including their middle names. For example:

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

If one person has a different last name from their parents, include it. If their partner's parents are also involved in hosting, their last name should be included as well.

Fun Wedding Invitation Wording

While still including the full names of the couple, this style of invitation is more light-hearted and playful. For example:

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

Casual Wedding Invitation Wording

Casual invitations can be more conversational in tone. The full names of the couple are still included, but numerical figures are used for the date and time. For example:

> Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding...

Creative Wedding Invitation Wording

Feel free to get creative and think outside the box! While still including the full names of the couple, this style might include a quirky request to attend. For example:

> Good food, good drinks, good friends! Jack Smith & Mason Kim request you celebrate with them as they get hitched...

Modern Wedding Invitation Wording

Modern invitations often put the couple's names front and centre at the top, with sleek and straightforward verbiage. For example:

> Jack Smith & Mason Kim. We'd love to eat wedding cake with you...

Simple Wedding Invitation Wording

Short and sweet, a simple invitation conveys the essential information clearly and directly. For example:

> Jack Smith & Mason Kim are getting married...

Date, time, and location of the wedding

When it comes to the date, time, and location of the wedding, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, traditional wedding invitation wording spells out the date and time in full, while modern invites often use numerical figures. For a formal invitation, write out the month, day, and year in full, followed by the time using "o'clock" or "half after". For example:

> Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon.

If you opt for a more modern or casual style, you can use numbers and abbreviations. Here's an example:

> Saturday, 9/15/2021, 4:30 p.m.

Regarding the location, include the name and full street address of the venue, followed by the city and state. If the wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well. Here's an example:

> The Ritz-Carlton

> 123 Wedding Avenue

> Los Angeles, California 90210

> United States

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply add "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include the full address and other relevant details on a separate card included with the invitation.

Reception details

The reception is the time and place for celebration, food, drink, and dancing. It is the part of the wedding that guests can really let their hair down, so it is important that the details are clear on the invitation.

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" is all that is needed. However, if the reception is at a different location, the full address and other pertinent information should be included.

For very formal invitations, this information is included on a separate card. If the wedding is more casual, the reception details can be printed on the invitation itself.

If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time. For example, "Reception at 6 pm".

> Reception immediately following the ceremony

>

> Dinner and dancing to follow

>

> Cake, punch, and merriment to follow (if you’re not serving a full meal)

>

> Feasting and merriment to follow

>

> Dining, dancing, and happily ever after to follow

>

> Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing

If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate card:

> [Reception venue name]

> [Address]

> [City, State, Zip Code]

>

> Reception at 6 pm

RSVP instructions

Please respond to our invitation by [date]. You can do so by [method of response].

If you are responding via email, please include the following information:

• The names of those attending
• Any dietary requirements or allergies
• Your song requests

If you are responding by mail, please fill out the RSVP card included in the envelope with your invitation. Please ensure your response reaches us by [date].

We kindly request that you respect our [adults-only/child-friendly] policy.

Frequently asked questions