Wedding Invitations: What's Included In The Suite

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They are one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel when it comes to your wedding, and they do an important job of conveying critical information.

The essentials of a wedding invitation include:

- The host line: The opening line on a wedding invitation, which names the hosts of the event.

- A request line: Where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration.

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

- Date and time: The date and time are usually spelled out in full in traditional wedding invitations.

- Location: The name and full street address of the wedding venue.

- Reception details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, just say reception to follow.

- Dress code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful.

Host Line

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. The hosts are usually the people who are paying for the wedding. The host line is located at the very top of the invitation and should be capitalised with proper names and titles. Depending on who is hosting, the wording will vary slightly. Here are some examples of different scenarios and how to word the host line accordingly:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names (with middle names for very formal weddings). If they have different last names, write "and" to join the two names.

• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; 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 separate line.

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, then 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.

• 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 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" as the host line.

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

Couple is Hosting Themselves

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:

• 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. It is the second line of a traditional wedding invitation and is preceded by the host line and followed by the couple's names.

The request line wording will depend on the tone and formality of the wedding. Traditionally, formal wording is used to denote a religious ceremony, whereas casual language is used for non-religious services and more informal weddings.

• "Request the honour of your presence" (formal)
• "Request the pleasure of your company" (formal)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them" (casual)
• "Would love for you to join them" (casual)

If the wedding is taking place in a place of worship, use the British spelling of "honour" to denote formality. For non-religious ceremonies, opt for more casual language such as "invite you to share in their joy" or "invite you to be with us".

The request line can also be more creative and personalised. For example, "Come eat cake with us" or "Join us as we tie the knot".

Couple's Names

The couple's names are one of the most important elements of a wedding invitation. This is usually the largest text on the invite and often in a fancy typeface.

For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes first, but it is becoming more common to order names alphabetically, by age, or however else feels right. For same-sex couples, the wording of the host line may dictate whose name comes first (i.e. if one set of parents is hosting, their names will come first, and their child's name should follow). If the couple is hosting themselves, it is up to them to decide whose name comes first.

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

Traditionally, courtesy titles are used, except for the title "Doctor" in the case of medical doctors. It is also traditional to avoid abbreviations and instead spell everything out in full. However, this is ultimately up to the couple, and it is becoming more common to use nicknames or just first names on save-the-date cards or other less formal pieces of the invitation suite.

Date, Time and Location

The date, time, and location of the wedding are essential components of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and suggestions for including this information:

Date and Time

Spell out the date, time, and year for formal invitations to prevent any potential confusion with numbers. For example, write "July 2, 2025" instead of "7/2/2025". For the time, use "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" instead of a.m. or p.m. On formal invitations, write out the time rather than using numerals (e.g., "four o'clock in the afternoon").

For casual invitations, it is acceptable to use numerals for the date and time.

Location

Include the name and full address of the wedding venue, especially if the wedding is a destination wedding or if there are out-of-town guests. If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate card.

Additional Tips

• If you are having a child-free wedding, you can write "Adults only, please" at the bottom of the invitation.
• For formal invitations, use courtesy titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss", or "Ms." and spell out names and titles in full (except courtesy titles). Avoid abbreviations and initials.
• For casual invitations, it is acceptable to use first names only and more informal language.
• If you are including a response card, set an RSVP deadline about three to four weeks before the wedding date to give yourself enough time to finalise the details with the caterer and create a seating chart.

Reception Details

The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation, letting your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. This section of the invitation should include the time and location of the reception, as well as any other pertinent information.

If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply write "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow". This lets guests know that they don't need to travel to a new location and gives them an idea of what the reception will entail.

If your reception is at a different venue, include the full address and other relevant details on a separate card. This could be a reception card or a details card, tucked into the invitation suite. It's important to provide clear information to avoid any confusion for your guests.

For formal invitations, the time should be written out in full, such as "half after four o'clock in the afternoon". For casual invitations, you can use numerals and write "4:30 p.m.".

If there is a specific dress code for the reception, such as black-tie or casual attire, it is helpful to include this information on the invitation. This can be included on the same card as the reception details or on a separate details card.

Some couples choose to include additional information about the reception, such as the type of food that will be served or any entertainment planned. This can be done through creative wording, such as "dinner and dancing to follow" or "cake, punch, and merriment to follow".

It's also a good idea to include an RSVP card with a deadline for guests to respond. This will help you finalize numbers for the reception venue and caterer. The RSVP card can be included in the same envelope as the invitation, along with any other relevant details.

Overall, the reception details section of your wedding invitation should provide clear and concise information about what guests can expect after the ceremony. This will ensure that your guests are well-informed and able to fully participate in the celebration.

Frequently asked questions