The Ultimate Guide To Wedding Invite Etiquette

Wedding invitations are a crucial part of the big day, delivering important details to guests. While the design and wording of invitations can be creative and whimsical, there are some essential elements that should be included. These typically include the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information. Here's a breakdown of what to include in your wedding invites to ensure your guests have all the information they need.

Date, time and location

The date, time and location of the wedding are essential details to include in the invitation. Here are some tips and suggestions for how to do this:

Date and Time

Confirming the date and time of your wedding is crucial. It is recommended to communicate the time of the ceremony on your invitations to avoid latecomers. Stating the start time will let guests know when they should arrive. Be sure to provide the hour and time of day (a.m. vs. p.m.) to avoid any confusion. For formal invitations, write out the time rather than using numerals (e.g. "four o'clock in the afternoon" instead of "4:00 p.m.").

Traditionally, the date and time should be spelled out in full. For example, if your wedding is on September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, 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.

Location

Whether your ceremony and reception are at the same place or different venues, it is essential to include the name and location of both. That way, your guests know exactly where they are going and when the festivities are starting. If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can simply include a line like "Reception to follow," "Celebration to follow," or "Dinner and dancing to follow."

If your reception is at a separate location, provide a separate reception card with the start time and address. If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time on the reception card.

Additional Considerations

If your wedding venue is in a unique location (e.g. a national park) or somewhere your guests may be unfamiliar with, consider including an insert with extra information. Instructions for parking, custom maps, or a list of things for guests to do before the wedding can be helpful additions.

You may also want to consider the following:

• Dress code: Including the dress code on the invitation is optional, but it can be helpful for guests. If your wedding is black-tie, it is customary to include this information. Otherwise, the formality of the invitation itself will indicate the expected attire.
• RSVP details: It is essential to include a way for your guests to RSVP, such as a physical response card or a link to your wedding website. If you are collecting responses through your website, consider including physical cards for less tech-savvy guests or older relatives.
• Wedding website: Your wedding website is a valuable resource for guests, so don't skip this step! It is the perfect place to include accommodation suggestions, travel information, registry details, and any other relevant information.

RSVP and website details

Wedding invitations should include an RSVP card, which can be a physical card or a link to an online form. If you opt for a physical card, it should include a pre-addressed and stamped envelope to make it easy for your guests to respond. The RSVP deadline should be included on the card, and it is usually recommended to be set three to four weeks before the wedding date.

If you are collecting RSVPs online, you can include a link to your wedding website on a separate card, just as you would with a physical RSVP card. This card can also include other important information, such as the wedding website URL, registry details, and any other additional events that guests need to know about.

RSVP Card:

• "Kindly reply by [date]" or "Kindly respond by [date]"
• Include a line for guests to write their names and checkboxes for accepting or declining the invitation
• For a more traditional approach, use the "M" line to indicate where guests should write their names, or use "Name(s)" for a less formal celebration
• Include meal choices, if applicable, with checkboxes or illustrated icons

Website Card:

• "All details can be found at [website URL]"
• "For more information, visit [website URL]"
• "For accommodation suggestions and other travel info, please visit [website URL]"

Dress code

The dress code is an important part of a wedding invitation as it gives your guests an idea of what to expect and how to prepare for the event. Here are some tips and examples to help you decide on the right dress code wording for your wedding invites:

Including Dress Code on Invitations:

It is optional to include the dress code on your wedding invitations. Nowadays, many couples choose to share this information on their wedding website instead. However, if you prefer to include it on the invitation, it is typically listed on a separate line following the reception location details.

The wording of your dress code can vary depending on the level of formality you desire for your wedding. Here are some examples of dress code wording for different levels of formality:

• Black-tie (tuxedos and floor-length gowns)
• Formal attire (suits and dresses)
• Cocktail attire (suits or dress shirts with ties and cocktail dresses)
• Beach casual (long- or short-sleeve shirts with pants or shorts, sundresses, and sandals)
• Casual Attire
• Dressy Casual Attire
• Semi-Formal Attire
• Black Tie Optional
• White Tie

Other Considerations:

If your wedding is black-tie, it is essential to include this information on the invitation. If you choose not to include a specific dress code, your guests will usually infer the expected attire based on the formality of the invitation itself. For instance, a formal invitation may suggest a formal affair, while a simpler invite indicates a more casual dress code.

Additional Information:

If you have additional events during the wedding weekend, such as a welcome party or brunch, it is recommended to include separate inserts or send information separately to ensure guests don't miss these details. This is especially important if you have dress code requirements for these extra events.

Final Thoughts:

Remember, the dress code you choose should align with the overall tone and style of your wedding. Be sure to communicate it clearly to your guests, either on the invitation or your wedding website, to ensure they feel prepared and ready to celebrate your special day.

Additional events

If your wedding will span a whole weekend and include multiple events, such as a welcome party, after-party, or day-after brunch, it's a good idea to include a full itinerary for your guests so they know what to expect and pack for.

If you're having a destination wedding or a wedding with guests travelling from out of town, it's helpful to include a separate card with accommodation suggestions and travel information. This can include hotel recommendations with room blocks and transportation locations and times.

If you have additional events, such as a welcome cocktail party or farewell brunch, you can include an insert with your invitation, send something separately, or ask guests to RSVP to the additional events when they RSVP for the wedding.

You can also include this information on your wedding website, but it's important to note that not everyone will visit the website, even if they have to go there to RSVP.

If your wedding has multiple events taking place during the wedding weekend, you can include an activity card in your invitation suite. List all the festivities open to guests in chronological order.

If you choose not to include an activity card, make sure you list this information on your wedding website.

Hosts and guests

The hosts of the wedding are usually the people paying for the event, and their names should be included in the invitation. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts, but nowadays, it is becoming more common for both sets of parents to be included as hosts, or even the couple themselves, or the couple and both sets of parents.

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

> "Together with full hearts"

> "With hearts full of love and joy"

If the bride's parents are hosting, the traditional wording is:

> " [Bride's name], daughter of [parents' names]"

If the couple's parents are divorced, include all parents' names, keeping each parent on a separate line. For example:

> "Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory and

> Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner and

> Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland"

If the couple is hosting with their parents, you can use:

> "Together with their parents"

If one of the couple's parents has passed away, you can honour them by including their name alongside their child's, for example:

> "Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney..."

If the couple is hosting, their names should still take centre stage a few lines down. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically goes first, and for same-sex couples, alphabetical order or what sounds better is the way to go.

> "Julia and Austin invite you to share in their joy"

> "Zara and Emily are getting married!"

Guests

The invitation should include the request for guests to attend, for example:

> "Request the honour of your presence"

> "Request the pleasure of your company"

> "Invite you to celebrate with them"

> "Would love for you to join them"

The British spelling of "honour" indicates the ceremony will be held in a church or place of worship.

The invitation should also include the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception, and any extra information about the venue. If the ceremony and reception are at the same place, a simple "Reception to follow" will suffice.

> "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon, at The Ritz-Carlton, Beaver Creek, Colorado"

If the reception is at a different location, include the time and address on a separate line or card.

> "Join us afterward at The West Palm, 825 Oceanside Ave, St. Petersburg, for dinner and dancing"

The dress code can be included in the invitation, and is usually placed in the lower right-hand corner. If not included, the invitation's formality will indicate the dress code.

> "Black tie"

> "Black tie optional"

> "Beach casual"

Finally, the invitation should include an RSVP card or a link to a wedding website where guests can respond.

> "Kindly respond by the first of May"

> "RSVP online at our wedding website: [website URL]"

Frequently asked questions