The Perfect Wedding Invitation: What To Include

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They set the tone for the wedding and convey critical information. The essentials of a wedding invitation include:

- Host Line: Traditionally, the bride's parents host the wedding, but nowadays, it could be one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple and their parents, or just the couple.

- Request Line: Include a proper request such as invite you to join or request the honour of your presence.

- Couple's Names: The bride's name traditionally comes first, but for same-sex couples, you can go in alphabetical order or choose what sounds better.

- Date, Time and Location: Spell out the date, time and location in full for formal invitations. For casual invitations, you can use numerals.

- Reception Details: Let guests know what type of festivities to expect, such as dinner and dancing or cocktails and canapes.

Host Line: Names the hosts of the wedding

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and it names the hosts of the event. The hosts are usually the people who are paying for the wedding. Here are some examples of how to word the host line, depending on who is hosting:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names, with middle names included for very formal weddings. If they have different surnames, use "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.

Example:

• Ms. Pamela Jacobsen
• Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jacobsen

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, followed by 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)
• Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes (formal)
• Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes (less formal)

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" or "Together with our families" as the host line.

Examples:

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

Couple is Hosting

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line altogether or start the invitation wording with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

Examples:

• Together with full hearts
• With hearts full of love and joy

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

The attendance request is the section of the wedding invitation that invites guests to attend the wedding celebration. This is where you extend the invitation to attend your wedding, and you can use it to set the tone for your celebration. Here are some examples of attendance requests:

• "The honour of your presence" is traditionally used to denote a religious service.
• "The pleasure of your company" is used to denote a non-religious ceremony locale.
• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Together with their families, happily invite you to share in the celebration of their marriage"
• "You are invited to a celebration of [name] and [name] as they unite in marriage"
• "Join us as we celebrate our wedding"
• "The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of [name] and [name]"
• "We would like to invite you to share in our celebration of love as we exchange wedding vows"
• "With hearts full of love and joy, [name] and [name] invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their children"

Couple's Names: The main event

Couples' Names: The Main Event

The couple's names are the stars of the show and should be displayed in larger text and perhaps a fancy typeface. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and some couples may prefer to go in alphabetical order or simply choose what sounds better.

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply, so go with what feels right. If one set of parents is hosting and their names come first, their child's name should follow.

It is traditional to include both first and middle names, but it is also acceptable to omit middle and/or last names.

• "Sophia Devine and Matthew Johnson"
• "Emily Olivia Leah and John Burke"
• "Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney"
• "Miss Beyonce Knowles and Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter"
• "Madison and Colton"

Date, Time and Location

Spell out the date and year for formal invitations to avoid any confusion. For instance, write "July 2, 2025" instead of "7/2/2025".

For formal invites, spell out the time and avoid using a.m. or p.m. Instead, use phrases like "in the morning", "in the afternoon" or "in the evening".

Include the wedding venue and the full address for a destination wedding or out-of-town guests. The street address is usually omitted unless the venue is a private residence.

• "Saturday, the seventeenth of August, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four"
• "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, the twenty-fourth of July, two thousand twenty-one, at half past four in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, the tenth of April, two thousand and twenty-one, at half past six in the evening"
• "Saturday, the fifth of November, at five thirty in the evening"

Reception Details

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" will suffice. If the reception is elsewhere, include the full address on a separate card.

• "Reception to follow"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Dinner and merriment to follow"
• "Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dancing to follow"
• "Dining, dancing and happily ever after to follow"

Date and Time: Should be spelled out in full for formal invites

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the date and time are crucial elements that should be spelled out in full for formal invites. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you craft elegant and clear wedding invitations:

Spelling Out the Date and Time

For formal wedding invitations, it is customary to write out the date, day of the week, and time in their entirety. This adds a touch of elegance and ensures there is no ambiguity for your guests. Here's how you can format this information:

• Date: Express the date in words rather than using numerals. For example, write "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one" instead of "Saturday, 8/17/2024".
• Day of the Week: Capitalize the day of the week. For instance, use "Saturday" instead of "Sat."
• Time: Express the time of day in words, such as "half after four o'clock" or "four-thirty in the afternoon" for 4:30 p.m. You can also indicate the time of day, such as "in the afternoon" or "in the evening."

Examples of Formal Wording

• "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address]"
• "Friday, the sixteenth of September, at Five o'clock in the evening"
• "Saturday, the fourth of October, Two thousand fourteen, at three o'clock in the afternoon"

Additional Tips for Formal Invitations

To ensure your formal wedding invitations are both elegant and informative, consider these extra tips:

• Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting throughout your invitation. For example, if you spell out "four o'clock" for the time, avoid using numerals for the date.
• Capitalization: Capitalize the day of the week and the month. For instance, "Saturday, Seventeenth of August."
• Venue Address: While not always necessary, you may include the street address of the venue, especially if it is a private residence or if omitting it may cause confusion.
• Reception Details: If the reception follows immediately at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" will suffice. If the reception is held elsewhere, include the full address on a separate card or provide additional details.
• RSVP and Dress Code: These are optional but helpful for guests. You may include them on the invitation or provide this information on a separate insert card or your wedding website.

Location: Include the full address for destination weddings

When it comes to wedding invitations, the location and address of the venue are essential details that should be included. Here are four to six paragraphs with a focus on this aspect, providing instructive and detailed content for couples crafting their invitations:

Location and Address Details:

It is important to provide clear and accurate information about the wedding venue in your invitations. Include the full name of the venue, followed by the street address, city, state, and zip code. This comprehensive approach ensures that your guests can easily find the location, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the area or if it is a destination wedding.

International Destination Weddings:

If your wedding is taking place internationally, be sure to include the country name as well. For example, "The Ritz-Carlton, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico." Providing this extra detail will help your guests immensely when making travel arrangements and navigating to the venue.

Format and Presentation:

When listing the address, use a consistent format for a polished look. Write out the full street address, including the name of the street, house number, and any relevant directions or apartment numbers. For example, "1234 Oak Avenue, Apartment 5B." This ensures clarity and helps your guests locate the venue without confusion.

Omit Street Address for Local Weddings:

If your wedding is a local affair and the venue is well-known or easily accessible, you may choose to omit the street address. In such cases, simply stating the city and state can be sufficient. However, if there is any potential for ambiguity or if the venue has multiple locations, it is best to provide the full address to avoid confusion among your guests.

Additional Venue Details:

If there are specific areas within the venue that are relevant to your wedding, such as a particular hall or garden, you may want to include those details as well. For example, "The Gardens at The Ritz-Carlton." This extra touch can be especially helpful for larger venues with multiple event spaces.

Reception at a Different Location:

If your reception will be held at a different location from the ceremony, be sure to include the full address for the reception venue as well. This information can be included on a separate card, often called a "reception card," that is tucked into the invitation suite. This ensures that your guests have all the information they need to seamlessly transition from the ceremony to the reception.

Frequently asked questions