Wedding Invitations: The Ultimate Guide To Getting Them Right

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the wedding planning puzzle. They are often one of the first things guests will see, touch, and feel when it comes to your wedding. Wedding invitations should convey critical information about the wedding, including the names of the couple, the wedding date, time, and location, and the hosts of the wedding. They also convey the tone and formality of the wedding, including the dress code. Wedding invitations can be as simple or as creative as the couple wishes, but they should include all the essential information.

Hosts and request line

The first line of a wedding invitation is dedicated to the host of the wedding, also known as the party covering the expenses. Traditionally, this is the bride's parents, but nowadays, it could also be the groom's parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of all three. The hosts are usually the people who are paying for the wedding.

Both sets of parents hosting:

"Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis request the pleasure of your company..."

One set of parents hosting:

"Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams request the honour of your presence..."

Divorced parents hosting:

"Ms. Jennifer Smith (Maiden Name) Mr. Charles William Grimes request the honour of your presence..."

Couple hosting:

"The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim..."

Couple and both sets of parents hosting:

"Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne, together with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Flores and Mr. and Mrs. Byrne, request the honour of your company..."

The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. Traditionally, couples would include formal wording to denote a formal religious ceremony, whereas casual language is used for non-religious services or more informal weddings.

• "Invite you to join us in celebration"
• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"

Couple's names

Wedding invitations are an important part of the wedding planning process. They are often the first glimpse guests will have of the style and theme of the wedding, as well as providing crucial logistical information.

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and in a fancy typeface. The bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. However, same-sex couples may choose to list their names alphabetically, by age, or however they prefer.

For heterosexual couples, the bride is usually referred to by her first and middle names, while the groom is referred to by his full name and title. Same-sex couples may choose to include their first and middle names, first and last names, or full legal names.

If the parents' names are mentioned, the couple will usually use their first and middle names. However, the level of formality of the wedding can also guide this decision. For example, at a black-tie ballroom wedding, the couple might use their full names, while a casual beach wedding might call for just the couple's first names.

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim"
• "Come party with us, Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot"
• "Jack Smith & Mason Kim would love to eat wedding cake with you"
• "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"

Date, time and location

Wedding invitations are a crucial logistical element of your special day. They are the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding's style and theme, and they communicate vital information.

The date, time, and location of your wedding are essential details that must be included in your invitations. Here are some tips and guidelines for presenting this information effectively:

Date and Time:

• Traditional wedding invitation etiquette suggests spelling out the date and time in full rather than using numerals. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon."
• The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year.
• The time of day should be indicated as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock." For casual weddings, using numerals is acceptable.
• If your wedding is in the afternoon, specify "in the afternoon" to avoid confusion.
• Be mindful of the time zone if you have guests travelling from other regions.

Location:

• Include the name and full street address of your wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code.
• If your wedding is abroad, provide the country as well.
• If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" is sufficient.
• If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate reception card or insert.
• For unique or unfamiliar venues, consider providing additional information or a custom map to ensure guests can find their way.

Additional Tips:

• Send your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding.
• If you have international guests or many guests travelling from abroad, consider sending invitations 12 weeks in advance.
• Include an RSVP card with a deadline about three to four weeks before the wedding.
• Be mindful of cultural and religious sensitivities when choosing dates and times.
• Proofread all the details on your invitations before sending them out to avoid any confusion or mistakes.

Dress code and RSVP

Wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will get of your special day, and they serve an important logistical function. Here are some tips for including dress code and RSVP details on your wedding invitations:

Dress Code

It is often encouraged to mention the dress code on your wedding invitations to ensure your event stays as formal or casual as you want it to be. Guests also appreciate knowing what is expected of them in terms of attire. There are a few different ways to communicate the dress code to your guests:

• On the wedding invitation itself, either on the lower left or right-hand corner or at the bottom centre of the design.
• On a separate information or details card, along with other important information for guests, such as travel details or your wedding website.
• On your wedding website, if you have one.

When deciding on the dress code, there are several options to choose from, ranging from formal to casual:

• White tie or full evening dress is the most formal option, indicating a soiree at the White House kind of evening. Men wear long-tail tuxedos, and women wear full-length ball gowns.
• Black tie usually indicates an evening wedding where men wear tuxedos with black bow ties, and women wear formal floor-length gowns.
• Formal or black tie optional means that guests are encouraged to wear black-tie attire, but it is not required. Men can wear a dark suit with a shirt and tie, and women can wear a floor-length gown, knee-length cocktail dress, pantsuit, or dressy separates.
• Lounge suit or semi-formal is a step down from black tie and is suitable for a semi-formal daytime wedding. The wedding party will be in formal attire, but it is optional for guests.
• Cocktail attire is not overly formal and encourages guests to dress a step above smart casual. Women can wear above-the-knee hemlines or any length above floor-length, and men can wear a suit (tie optional) or sports jacket and dress shirt.
• Smart casual means guests should dress neatly, without being too dressy or too casual. Men can wear dark denim, chinos, or suit pants with a neat shirt, and women can wear a skirt or smart trousers.

RSVP

The response card is a critical part of your wedding stationery suite. It is important to give your guests a clear deadline for RSVPs, usually about four weeks before the wedding date, to allow enough time for you and your vendors to finalise any last-minute details. Here are some tips for the RSVP cards:

• Include a blank line for guests to write their names, with an "M" at the start to indicate they should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss).
• Have an attendance line for guests to accept or decline the invitation, formatted as checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines.
• If you are serving dinner at the reception, include a way for guests to indicate their meal preferences and any dietary requirements or allergies.
• Include a special request line, such as song requests or drink preferences.
• Provide pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelopes for guests to send back their responses.

Reception details

The reception is the celebration of the marriage, and as such, it is an important part of the wedding day. The reception details are a crucial part of the wedding invitation, as they inform guests of the location and timing of the reception.

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" is sufficient. If the reception is at a different location, the full address should be included, either on the invitation or on a separate reception card.

The time of the reception should also be included if it is not immediately following the ceremony. This can be written out in full, e.g., "half after four o'clock", or in numerical form, e.g., "4:30 p.m.".

If the reception is not at the same venue as the ceremony, it is important to provide extra information about the venue. This could include parking instructions, a custom map, or a list of nearby attractions.

The dress code for the reception can also be included in the invitation, usually in the lower right-hand corner. This is optional, as the invitation design may indicate the formality of the event. However, if there is a specific dress code, such as black tie, it is important to include this information.

Finally, it is a good idea to include an RSVP card with a specific deadline, so that guests can confirm their attendance and the hosts can plan accordingly.

Frequently asked questions