The Art Of Line Designs On Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are often the first glimpse guests will have of a couple's wedding style. From the fonts and layout to the design and colour, there are many choices to be made. The wording is also important, with options ranging from traditional to trendy. The key details to include are the host line, the request line, the couple's names, the date and time, the location, and the reception details.

Host Line: The opening line names the host(s) of the wedding, usually the bride's parents

The host line is the opening line of a wedding invitation and it names the hosts of the event. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and their names come first. However, nowadays, other family members or the couple themselves may be hosting and contributing financially to the wedding.

If the bride's parents are married, the host line can be written as "Mr. and Mrs. [Surname]". The husband's first name can be included if desired. The full host line with the attendance request would then be: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter."

If the bride's parents are divorced, it is best to separate their names without "and" in between. For example, "Ms. Jennifer Smith and Mr. Charles William Grimes request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter."

If both sets of parents are hosting, they can be included with each set of parents on a separate line, separated by "and". For instance, "Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children."

If the couple is hosting, 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."

In the case of a deceased parent, they can be honoured alongside the couple's name. For example, "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez and the late Robert Martinez."

The host line is just the first part of a wedding invitation, which should also include an attendance request, the couple's names, the date and time, the location, and an optional reception indicator.

Attendance Request: This line lets guests know what they're being invited to

The attendance request line 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 request lines for different types of weddings:

Formal Wedding

"Request the honour of your presence" is traditionally used to indicate a religious ceremony. Using the British spelling of "honour" is a more formal and traditional way to word the invitation. This can be matched with "favour" on the RSVP card, as in "in favour of your reply".

Non-religious Ceremony

"Request the pleasure of your company" (or variations) is used to indicate a non-religious ceremony.

Fun Wedding

If you're looking for a more lighthearted and playful tone, you could use attendance request lines such as:

• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"

Casual Wedding

For a casual wedding invitation, the request to attend can be more conversational. Here are some examples:

• "Come party with us"
• "Are tying the knot"

Creative Wedding

If your wedding has a strong theme or you want to think outside the box, feel free to get creative with the attendance request line. Here's an example:

"Good food, good drinks, good friends"

Modern Wedding

With modern wedding invitations, you can change up the order of the details and put your names front and centre at the top. Here's an example of a modern attendance request line:

"Would love to eat wedding cake with you"

Simple Wedding

For a simple wedding invitation, a short and sweet message will do the trick. Here's an example:

" [Couple's names] are getting married"

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

The names of the couple are the most important part of the wedding invitation. This is your day, so you get first billing on the invitation. The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text (and often in a fancy typeface).

The couple's names are typically written in full, including first, middle, and last names. However, if the bride's parents' last name is already listed and the daughter has the same last name, you can just include the bride's first and middle names. The same goes for the groom if his parents' full names are on the invitation.

For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically goes first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, the person mentioned first should match the first set of parent's names listed above. If both parents are listed before the engaged couple, simply ensure you match that order. Alternatively, list the names in alphabetical order by last name or based on what looks best with the design of the invitation.

If you're going for a less formal feel, you may opt to list only first names.

• "Mary Elizabeth Smith and Adam Alexander Jones"
• "Mary Elizabeth Smith and Adam Alexander Jones request the pleasure of your company"
• "The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim"
• "Together with their families, Poppy Jane Grimes and Landon Parker Fox request the honor of your presence at their marriage celebration"
• "Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot"
• "Come party with us, Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim"
• "Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes with their parents Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith and Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes"

Date and Time: Traditional invites spell out the date and time, while modern invites use numerical figures

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many traditions and conventions to consider. The wording of the invitation often reflects the level of formality of the event.

Traditionally, the date and time of a wedding are spelled out in full. For example, if the wedding is on the 15th of September 2024 at 4:30 p.m., the wording would be: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." Here, the day of the week and the month are capitalised, and the year is in lowercase.

However, modern invites often use numerical figures for the date and time. For instance, "Saturday, 15 September 2024, 4:30 p.m." Using numerals is a more concise and contemporary approach. If you opt for this style, it's important to choose a legible font to avoid any confusion.

For formal invitations, it is customary to write out the date and time in words rather than using numbers. This adds to the elegant and traditional feel of the invitation. However, for casual or modern weddings, it is perfectly acceptable to use numerals or a combination of words and numerals.

• The time of day can be indicated as "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening." Formal invitations often use phrases like "half after four o'clock" instead of "four-thirty."
• It is generally recommended to include the day of the week, the date, and the year on the invitation.
• Be consistent with the date formatting on any enclosures or response cards.
• If your wedding has a specific theme or you prefer a more creative approach, feel free to deviate from traditional wording conventions.

Location: Include the name and address of the venue, and the state and zip code if the wedding is taking place in the same country

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, it's essential to provide clear and concise information while maintaining a subtle personal touch. Here are some instructive guidelines for including the location details in your wedding invitations:

Location Details:

The location section of your wedding invitation should include the name and address of your wedding venue. If the wedding is taking place within the same country, it is customary to provide the city, state, and zip code. Here are some examples of how to format this information:

• "The Wadsworth Homestead, Geneseo, New York" or "The Wadsworth Homestead, Geneseo, NY"
• "Hyatt Point Resort, 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs, Florida" or "Hyatt Point Resort, 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs, FL"

In these examples, the venue name is on the first line, followed by the city and state on the second line. Including the street address is optional, especially for well-known venues, but it can be helpful for less familiar locations or private residences. The zip code is typically omitted in informal invitations and is generally not required unless you are providing a full address.

If your wedding venue has multiple event spaces, it is a good idea to specify the particular room or area within the location. For instance, "The Grand Ballroom, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Illinois".

Additional Details:

If your wedding ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, you can simply add "Reception to follow" or a similar phrase to indicate that guests can expect festivities after the ceremony.

However, if the reception is at a different location, it is best to include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card tucked inside the main invitation. This approach ensures that your primary invitation remains clutter-free and focused on the essential details of the ceremony.

In conclusion, when including location details in your wedding invitations, aim for clarity and conciseness. Provide the venue's name and address, including the city, state, and zip code if applicable. Use additional enclosure cards for reception details or other supplementary information to maintain a sleek and elegant invitation design.

Frequently asked questions