The Perfect Wedding Invitation Wording: Etiquette And Examples

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They set the tone for the wedding and convey critical information. The wording can be formal or casual, but there are some essential elements that should be included. These are:

- A host line: the opening line that names the hosts of the event, usually the people paying for the wedding

- A request line: inviting guests to join the wedding celebration

- The couple's names: traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's

- The date, time and location of the ceremony

- Reception details: if the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, this can be a simple reception to follow; if the reception is elsewhere, include the full address

- An optional dress code: this can be included in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite

Host Line

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and traditionally names the people hosting the wedding. This is usually the bride's parents, but nowadays, it is becoming more common for couples to host their own weddings or for both sets of parents to be included.

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

If the bride's parents are married, include their full names with middle names for very formal weddings. If they have different last names, write "and" to join the two names. For example:

• 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

If the bride's parents are divorced, include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line. Do not use "and" to connect the two names. For example:

• Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory
• Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, 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. For example:

• Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis (formal)
• Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis (less formal)

Couple Hosting With Their Families

When the couple and both their families are contributing to the cost of the wedding, you can opt for a line such as:

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

Couple Hosting

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

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

Request Line

The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. The tone of the request line should match the tone of the wedding.

For a formal wedding, the request line should include formal wording to denote a religious ceremony. A common way to do this is to use the British spelling of "honour" to indicate a more traditional feel. For example:

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "The honour of your presence is requested"

For a non-religious ceremony or a more casual wedding, the language used in the request line can be more informal. Examples include:

• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Please join us to celebrate"
• "The pleasure of your company is requested"

Couple's Names

The couple's names are a crucial element of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and guidelines for presenting the couple's names:

Names Presentation

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and often in a fancy typeface. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name traditionally comes before the groom's. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and couples may choose to list names alphabetically or based on what looks best with the invitation design. Same-sex couples can decide whose name comes first or go in alphabetical order.

Names Format

It is traditional to include the first and middle names of the couple. However, it is also acceptable to omit middle and/or last names. For formal invitations, consider including both partners' full legal names. If desired, nicknames can be used on save-the-date cards or other less formal pieces of the invitation suite. Abbreviations should generally be avoided, except for courtesy titles like "Dr." for medical doctors.

Names and Hosting

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

Examples

• "Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney"
• "Miss Beyonce Knowles and Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter"
• "Sophia Devine and Matthew Johnson"
• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne"

Date, Time, and Location

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

Date and Time:

• The date and time should be written out in full for formal invitations, for example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon."
• For informal or casual invitations, it is acceptable to use numerals and abbreviated forms, such as "Saturday, Sept. 15, 2021, 4:30 p.m."
• The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase letters.
• The time of day can be indicated as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock."
• Noon to four o'clock is considered afternoon, and evening begins at five o'clock.
• Avoid using abbreviations or acronyms like "a.m." or "p.m."

Location:

• Include the name of the wedding venue and the full street address, especially if the wedding is in a private residence or if there is a possibility of confusion.
• For destination weddings or out-of-town guests, provide the city, state, and country information.
• The zip code is usually not included in formal invitations but can be added for clarity if needed.
• 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, include the full address on a separate card or insert, known as a reception card.
• If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time as well.

Additional Tips:

• Be concise and clear in your wording to ensure guests don't miss important information.
• The level of formality in the wording can match the style of the wedding, whether it's a rustic, informal gathering or a black-tie affair.
• Consider including an insert or details card with additional information like dress code, accommodation suggestions, transportation details, or anything else that wouldn't fit on the main invitation.

Reception Details

The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation. This is where you let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. It's a great way to set the tone for your reception and ensure your guests have all the information they need. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect reception details section for your wedding invitations.

Location

If your reception is at the same venue as the ceremony, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". This lets guests know that they don't need to travel to a new location.

If your reception is at a different venue, include the full address on a separate card or details card tucked into the invitation. This ensures your guests have clear directions and know where to go.

Timing

If your reception immediately follows the ceremony, you can use phrases such as "Reception immediately following" or "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails and canapes".

If there is a gap between the ceremony and reception, be sure to include the time. You can use phrases like "Reception at six o'clock" or "Dinner and dancing at seven o'clock".

Festivities

Give your guests a hint of what's to come by describing the festivities. This can be as simple as "Dinner and dancing to follow" or more detailed, such as "Cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow" or "Cake, punch and merriment to follow".

If you're not serving a full meal, it's a good idea to let guests know. You can use phrases like "Join us for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dancing" or "Feasting and merriment to follow".

Dress Code

Including dress code information on the invitation is optional but can be helpful for your guests. If you're having a black-tie event, it's important to include this information on the invitation.

For more casual weddings, you may want to indicate the dress code as "Beach-casual" or "Smart casual". This helps your guests feel prepared and ensures they dress appropriately for the occasion.

Separate Card

If you have a lot of information to include for the reception, consider using a separate details card. This can be tucked into the invitation suite and provides a neat way to convey all the necessary details.

A separate card ensures your invitation remains uncluttered and allows you to include all the important information for your guests.

Online Details

If you have a wedding website, you can direct guests there for more information. Include the URL or a QR code on a separate card so guests can easily access all the reception details.

Your wedding website can include additional information such as transportation, accommodation, and any other activities planned for the day.

Frequently asked questions