Choosing The Right Name For Your Wedding Venue Invitation

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few key elements that should be included. These are: the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information. The first line of the invitation should note who is hosting and paying for the wedding. If it's both families, you could say Together with our families. If just the bride's parents are hosting, it's common to write Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents invite you... If the couple is hosting themselves, you may say Jane and John invite you...

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface. The date and time are also important and are traditionally written out in full, although modern invites often use numerical figures. The location of the wedding should include the name and full street address of the venue, including the state and zip code. If the wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well.

How to list the venue's name and address

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are some basic elements that should be included no matter the tone and style you choose. The good news is that the rules of wedding invitation etiquette are not that complicated and are meant to serve as a guideline. The most important rule is to create a beautiful wedding invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day to come.

• Venue Name and Address: For the wedding, it is not necessary to put the full address of the venue on the main invite card. Simply state the full name of the venue and the city and state. The state should always be spelled out. If the address is needed, it should be stated fully on a separate information card with or without a map. If you choose not to have a separate info card, the address should not include the venue's zip code.
• Zip Codes: Zip codes are not usually included on wedding invitations.
• Street Address: The street address of a venue is not usually needed unless omitting it would lead to confusion or your wedding is taking place at the host's home.
• Country: If your wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well.
• Reception at the Same Venue: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, simply say "reception to follow."
• Reception at a Different Venue: If the reception is somewhere else, you can include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card tucked in with your main invitation.
• "The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado."
• "The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California."
• "Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport, California."
• "The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Hotel, Santa Barbara, California."
• "Serendipity Garden, 12865 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA 92399."

What to do if the reception is at a different location

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, it's essential to include the who, what, where, and when. If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."

However, if the reception is at a different location, treat it as a separate event. Here are some tips on what to do if the reception is at a different location:

Provide Clear Directions

Include a separate reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite. List the full address and other pertinent information, such as the time if the reception is not immediately following the ceremony. You may also include a map and parking instructions, especially if parking is limited or challenging at the reception venue.

Mind the Gap

If there's a significant time gap between the ceremony and reception, inform your guests well in advance so they can plan their day accordingly. It's considerate to keep this gap to a maximum of 60-90 minutes and provide a list of nearby activities on your invitation insert or wedding website to occupy guests during the wait.

Consider Transportation

Organise a shuttle service for your guests, especially if the reception venue is far or has limited parking. This eliminates the need for your guests to worry about transportation logistics and ensures a smooth transition from the ceremony to the reception.

Be Mindful of Your Guests' Experience

Having two separate venues can impact your guests' experience. Some guests may opt to attend only the reception, especially if there is a large gap between the ceremony and reception or if they have babysitters or transportation concerns. If the gap is long, choose reception venues that offer entertainment options for guests during the wait.

Additionally, consider travel time between the two locations and try to keep it short, ideally 30 minutes or less, and definitely no more than an hour. This reduces the inconvenience for your guests and ensures they don't spend excessive time commuting.

Don't Overlook the Little Details

Remember to make a list of essential items you'll need at the reception venue and assign a trusted person to ensure their transportation. These items could include floral arrangements, makeup, extra paper goods, or any other decorations or personal belongings.

Sample Wording Ideas

• "Reception to follow at [venue name and address]."
• "Join us for dinner and dancing at [venue name and address]."
• "Merriment and festivities to follow at [venue name and address]."
• "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow at [venue name and address]."

How to word the request to attend

The request to attend is a crucial part of a wedding invitation. This is where you extend an invitation to your guests and can be used to set the tone for the celebration. Here are some ideas for how to word the request to attend:

Formal Wording

For a formal wedding invitation, the wording is usually more traditional and elegant. Here are some examples:

• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Request the honour of your presence" (the British spelling of "honour" indicates a formal ceremony)
• "The honour of your presence is requested"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

Casual Wording

If you're having a small or casual wedding, you might prefer a more relaxed and conversational tone for the request to attend. Here are some ideas:

• "Invite you to share in their joy"
• "Are getting married"
• "Would love to eat wedding cake with you"
• "Come party with us"
• "Join us as we celebrate our wedding"

Creative Wording

If you want to add a creative or quirky touch to your invitations, feel free to get inventive with the request to attend. Here are a few suggestions:

• "It's a wedding! Invite you to celebrate"
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends. Request you celebrate with them"
• "With much love, invite you to celebrate"

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to wedding invitation wording. Feel free to choose the phrasing that best reflects your style and the tone of your wedding celebration.

How to include the date and time

When including the date and time on a wedding invitation, it's important to consider the formality of the event and the invitation style. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you:

Traditional Wedding Invitation:

• Date: Write out the date completely in words rather than using numerals. For example, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four". The day of the week should be capitalized, and there should be a comma between the day and the date. The year is usually on a separate line with no comma before it.
• Time: Write out the time in words with no numerals. For 3:30 p.m., you would write "half after three o'clock". If the time is on the hour, simply write the number and "o'clock", like "four o'clock". Avoid using "half past" and instead use "half after". There is no need to specify "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening" unless there could be confusion, such as for times between 8 and 10 a.m. or p.m.

Informal/Casual Wedding Invitation:

Date and Time: You can write the date and time more informally, using a combination of words and numerals. For example, "Saturday, May 17th, 2025, at 4:30 p.m." or "Saturday, June 21st, 2025, 4pm".

Modern Wedding Invitation:

Date and Time: You may use numerals for both the date and time, such as "Saturday, 8.15.2026, 5:30 p.m.". Ensure that the font chosen for the numerals is legible to avoid confusion.

Additional Tips:

• Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting for the date and time across all enclosures in the invitation suite, including the response card.
• Reception Details: If the reception follows immediately after the ceremony in the same location, a simple "reception to follow" is sufficient. If the reception is at a different time and/or location, include a separate reception card with these details.
• Start Time: To ensure guests arrive on time, some couples opt to print an earlier start time on the invitations, usually no more than 15 minutes earlier.

Remember, these are guidelines, and you can always adapt them to fit your unique style and preferences. Happy planning!

How to address the hosts

The first line of a wedding invitation typically acknowledges the hosts of the event, i.e. the people paying for it. This is usually one or both sets of parents, but increasingly, the couple may host the wedding themselves or with their parents. Here are some examples of how to address the hosts:

Both sets of parents hosting

If both sets of parents are hosting, you can 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.

Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis (formal)

Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis (less formal)

One set of parents hosting

If one person's parents are hosting, it's customary to leave off that person's last name. However, if the person getting married has a different last name from their parents, include it. The person's last name should also be included if their partner's parents are involved in hosting.

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim

Bride's parents hosting

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation.

Mr. and Mrs. Bride's Parents invite you...

Couple hosting with their parents

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

Together with our families

Together with their parents

Couple 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:

Together with full hearts

With hearts full of love and joy

Frequently asked questions