Invitations: A Foreshadowing Of The Wedding Venue

Wedding invitations are an important part of wedding planning, as they not only announce the upcoming nuptials but also set the tone for the entire event. While traditional wedding invitations were as formal as the events they announced, modern invitations can vary in style and formality. However, some basic elements of wedding invitation etiquette remain constant. These include the information that should be included on the invitation, such as the full names of the couple, the hosts, the date, time, and address of the venue, as well as the request to attend. The invitation suite may also include additional details such as the dress code, a map, accommodation suggestions, and wedding-related activities. While it is not necessary for the invitations to match the wedding theme, some couples may choose to reflect their personality and wedding style through the invitation design, colours, or embellishments. Ultimately, the most important rule is to create a wedding invitation that represents the couple and communicates the vital details of their big day.

The host line: The opening line on a wedding invitation names the hosts of the event

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts, but nowadays, the couple may host, or both sets of parents or both sets of parents and the couple may host together.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the host line can be omitted or replaced with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

If one set of parents is hosting, their full names are included. For very formal weddings, middle names are also included. If the parents have different last names, "and" is used to join their names. For divorced parents, the mother's name is listed first, followed by the father's name on a separate line.

If both sets of parents are hosting, the bride's parents' names are listed first, followed by the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, the names are listed according to preference or what looks best with the invitation design.

If the couple and their parents are contributing, the host line can be something like "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families".

The attendance request: The request to attend lets guests know what they're being invited to

The attendance request, or request line, is an important element of a wedding invitation. This is where you extend an invitation to your guests to attend your wedding and set the tone for your celebration.

There are many ways to word the request line, depending on the formality of your wedding and who is hosting. Here are some examples:

• "Request the honour of your presence" – traditionally used to denote a religious service. The British spelling of "honour" is often used to evoke a more formal and traditional feel.
• "Request the pleasure of your company" – used to denote a non-religious ceremony.
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

If the wedding is hosted and paid for by the couple and both sets of parents, the request line can be worded as: "Together with their parents, [couple's names] request the pleasure of your company..."

For a less formal wedding invitation, the request to attend can feel more conversational.

It is important to include the key details in the invitation, such as the full names of the couple, the date, time, and address of the venue. If the reception is at a different location, this can be included on a separate card or listed on a different line.

The request line is a great opportunity to set the tone for your wedding and give your guests a friendly heads-up about the style and formality of the event.

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

Wedding invitations should include the full names of the couple, and the names are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes 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 by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

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

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option, no matter who is paying. If the couple is hosting, the host line can be omitted.

• "Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim"
• "Jack Smith & Mason Kim"
• "Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim"
• "Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes"
• "Olivia Rose and John Michael"

Date and time: The date and time are required, and traditionally written out in full

The date and time are essential elements of a wedding invitation. Traditionally, wedding invitation wording requires the date and time to be written in full, with the day of the week and month capitalised, and the year in lowercase. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon".

The time of day should also be written out in full, with "o'clock" or "half after". For instance, "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock". The use of "a.m." or "p.m." is optional. However, for casual weddings, using numerals is also acceptable.

If you are having a formal wedding, it is important to be consistent with the level of formality in the wording throughout the invitation. For example, if you are spelling out the date and time in full, ensure that you also write out the names of the hosts, couple, and venue in full.

In addition, if you are having a formal wedding, it is customary to include the full street address of the venue, including the city and state. On the other hand, if you are having a casual wedding, you may choose to omit the street address unless it is necessary to include it to avoid confusion.

• "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address]"
• "Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]"
• "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. at [venue name and address]"

Location: The name and full address of the venue should be included

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are some essential details that should be included. One of these key details is the location of the wedding venue.

The name and full address of the venue should be included in the invitation. This provides clear information for guests and helps them plan their travel to the wedding. It is also helpful to include the city and state, and if the wedding is taking place abroad, the country as well.

For very formal weddings, the street address of the venue is usually not needed unless its omission would lead to confusion or if the wedding is being held at the host's home. In these cases, providing the full address ensures that guests can easily locate the venue.

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, a simple "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" can be added. This lets guests know that they don't need to travel to a different place for the next part of the celebration.

However, if the reception is at a different venue, its full address or location should be included as well. This can be done on a separate line or on a separate insert card, known as a reception card.

Including these location details in the invitation ensures that guests have all the necessary information to attend both the ceremony and reception, making their experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Frequently asked questions