Wording Wedding Invitations: A Guide To Getting It Right

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, but it's a chance to express your personality as a couple and set the tone for your big day. The good news is that the rules are not that complicated, and you can feel free to riff on the principles to create something unique. The primary goal is to create a beautiful invitation that represents you, your love, and the day to come, while also communicating the vital details.

How to word your wedding invitation depending on who's hosting

The wording of your wedding invitation will depend on who is hosting the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents host the wedding, but nowadays, the couple may host themselves or together with their parents. Here are some examples of how to word your wedding invitation based on the host:

When the Bride's Parents are Hosting:

For a formal wedding invitation:

> Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim, Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

For a fun wedding invitation:

> John and Betty Smith invite you to raise a glass at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim, Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow.

When Both Sets of Parents are Hosting:

For a formal wedding invitation:

> Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith, Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael, Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

For a fun wedding invitation:

> Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith, Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes hope you'll join them on the dance floor to celebrate the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael, Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Merriment to follow.

When the Couple is Hosting:

For a formal wedding invitation:

> The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim, Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

For a fun wedding invitation:

> Come party with us! Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot, Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow.

When the Couple and Their Families are Hosting:

For a formal wedding invitation:

> Together with their families, Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes, together with their parents Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith, and Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes, request the honor of your presence at their wedding, Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

For a fun wedding invitation:

> Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes, with their parents Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith, and Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes, request you to eat, drink, and be merry at their wedding, Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow.

What to include in the request line

The request line is where you extend the invitation to attend your wedding. 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" – traditionally used to denote a religious service. The British spelling of "honour" indicates that the ceremony will be held in a church or another house of worship.
• "Request the pleasure of your company" – used to denote a non-religious ceremony locale.
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

If the bride's parents are hosting, the request line can be:

"At the marriage of their daughter"

If both sets of parents are hosting, the request line can be:

"At the marriage of their children"

If the couple is hosting, the request line can be:

• "At the celebration of their union"
• "As they say 'I do'"
• "In celebration of their marriage"

The request line can be more creative and fun, reflecting the couple's personality. For example:

• "Come party with us"
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends"
• "Eat, drink and be merry"

How to list the names of the couple

The names of the couple are usually the main event of a wedding invitation and are displayed in larger text and often in a fancy typeface. For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically goes first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, the names can be listed in alphabetical order or in an order that complements the invitation design.

If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can be her first and middle name without her last name. In that case, the groom's name is either listed in full or with his first and middle names followed by the line "Son of Mr. & Mrs. [Father's First Name] [Father's Surname]."

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

Examples

When the bride's parents are hosting:

• "Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim..."
• "John and Eliza Smith invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Kim..."

When both sets of parents are hosting:

• "Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael..."
• "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..."

When the couple is hosting:

• "The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim..."
• "Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding..."

When the couple is hosting with their families:

• "Together with their families, Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes, together with their parents Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith and Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes, request the honor of your presence at their wedding..."
• "Jack Smith & Mason Kim, together with their joyful parents, hope you will attend their wedding..."

How to format the date, time and location

The date, time, and location are essential details that should be included in a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and guidelines on how to format this information:

Date and Time:

• Traditional and Formal Weddings: For formal weddings, it is customary to spell out the date, time, and year in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and there is no "and" when spelling out the year.
• Casual and Modern Weddings: For a more casual or modern style, numerical dates and times can be used, such as "Saturday, 9/27/2023" or "at 4:30 p.m."
• Specific Time: It is important to indicate the exact time the ceremony will begin. For formal invitations, this can be spelled out as "at half after four in the afternoon" or "four-thirty in the afternoon." For a less formal wedding, numbers can be used, such as "at 4:30."
• Evening or Afternoon: Including whether the event is in the evening or afternoon is optional. If specified, it is important to note that evening typically starts at 6:00 PM.

Location:

• Full Address: For formal weddings, it is customary to include the full address of the venue, including the name of the venue, street address, city, and state. The zip code is usually omitted.
• Well-Known Venue: If the venue is well-known or easily recognisable, simply listing the name and the city and state may be sufficient. For example, "The Plaza Hotel, New York, New York."
• Destination Wedding: For weddings outside of the host's home country, it is essential to include the country in the invitation.
• Separate Reception Card: If the reception is at a different location, consider including a separate reception card with the details. If the reception follows the ceremony at the same location, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" can be added.

How to communicate the dress code

Communicating the dress code on your wedding invitations is an important part of helping your guests know what to expect and ensuring your event stays as formal or casual as you want. Here are some tips and examples to guide you:

Where to Include the Dress Code

• Wedding Invitation: Include the dress code in the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation or at the bottom centre. This is a straightforward way to convey the dress code, but keep in mind that you may have limited space, especially if you're sending out more concise invitations.
• Separate Information/Details Card: If you're including additional information for your guests, such as transportation or accommodation suggestions, you can use this card to list the dress code as well. This helps keep your invitation simple and focused on the essential details.
• Wedding Website: If you have a wedding website, this is another excellent place to communicate the dress code. It allows you to provide more detailed explanations and suggestions, especially if you have multiple events with different attire expectations.

Wording the Dress Code

The wording of your dress code can vary depending on the level of formality you desire and any specific themes or cultural aspects of your wedding. Here are some examples to consider:

• Black-Tie: "We request the pleasure of your company at an evening of elegance and celebration as we tie the knot. Attire: Black Tie. Please join us in your most exquisite formal wear to make this night truly special."
• Black-Tie Optional: "We are excited to celebrate with you! Our wedding will be a Black Tie Optional affair, so feel free to wear a tuxedo or a formal suit. We can't wait to see you looking your best!"
• White Tie: "We request the honour of your presence at our white tie wedding on [Date]. Please join us in full evening dress to make this night exceptionally grand."
• Formal Attire: "We suggest that men wear a suit in any colour and women wear a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit."
• Cocktail Attire: "We suggest that men wear a suit or dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi or knee-length dress or dressy separates."
• Semi-Formal Attire: "We ask that you wear semi-formal attire such as a cocktail-length dress or dressy separates for women and a suit and tie for men."
• Dressy Casual Attire: "We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. The dress code is dressy casual attire. For this time of year, may we suggest sundresses, lightweight separates and flats or wedge heels for women, and light dress shirts with khaki or other lightweight slacks for men."
• Smart Casual: "Think neat and stylish – we look forward to seeing you in your best smart casual outfits."
• Beach Formal: "Light, airy attire is encouraged – think sundresses and linen suits. We can't wait to celebrate with you!"
• Garden Party Attire: "Light and floral outfits are perfect – we look forward to celebrating with you in the midst of nature."
• Rustic Chic: "Comfortable and stylish attire is encouraged – think sundresses and dressy boots. We can't wait to celebrate with you!"
• Cultural/Traditional: "Join us for a celebration of love and heritage. Dress Code: Traditional Indian Attire. We invite you to wear sarees, lehengas, sherwanis, or other traditional Indian clothing. We can't wait to see your beautiful cultural outfits!"

Remember, the key is to provide clear guidance to your guests while maintaining a warm and inviting tone. Feel free to adapt and personalise these examples to match the style and theme of your wedding!

Frequently asked questions