Evening Wedding Invitation: What To Include And What To Avoid

There are a few key elements that should be included in an evening wedding invitation. These are: the host's name, a warm invitation sentence, the couple's names, the date, time, and location of the wedding, and an RSVP card or instructions for a digital RSVP. The tone of the invitation will depend on the formality of the event, with more formal invitations requiring a greater level of detail. For example, a black-tie event will require a different style of wording to a relaxed barbecue.

Evening wedding invitations should also make it clear that guests are only being invited to an evening reception, rather than the full day's celebration. This can be done through the wording and by providing the time that guests are expected to arrive.

Host names

The host names are an important detail to include in your evening wedding invitations. This line typically indicates who is hosting the wedding, which is usually the couple, the couple's parents, or another family member. Here are some examples of how to word the host names for different scenarios:

Traditional, Formal Evening Wedding

In a traditional, formal setting, the bride's parents are usually the hosts and are named at the top of the invitation. For instance:

> Dr & Mrs T R Thomas request the pleasure of your company at an EVENING RECEPTION to celebrate the marriage of their daughter Joanne to Mr Richard Shaddick

If the groom's parents are hosting, simply adapt the wording to reflect this.

Contemporary, Relaxed Celebration

For a more contemporary and relaxed celebration, the couple is likely to be the hosts. In this case, you can use a more casual wording style:

> Thomas & Richard would be delighted if you would join them for an EVENING RECEPTION to celebrate their marriage

You can adapt this style to be more formal by including surnames or using the phrase "request the pleasure of your company".

Collaborative Affair

If both the couple and their parents are hosting and contributing to the wedding, you can use a phrase such as:

> Together with their parents/families

Honouring a Deceased Parent

If you wish to include the name of a parent who has passed away, you'll need to rearrange the wording as they cannot be listed as a host. For example:

> Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honour of your presence at their wedding

Divorced Parents

When including divorced parents as hosts, list each parent on a separate line. For instance:

> 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 you're including a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as their partner.

Same-Sex Couples

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. You can choose the order of names based on your preference or what looks best with the invitation design. Alphabetical order by last name is a good option if you're unsure.

In summary, the host names on your evening wedding invitations will depend on who is hosting the wedding and the style of your celebration. Be sure to include this important detail to give your guests a clear understanding of who is inviting them to share in the joy of your special day.

Date, time, and venue

Evening wedding invitations should include the date, time, and venue details. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of the invitation:

Date

When mentioning the date, it is traditional to write out the day, date, and year in full. For instance, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one". Using numerals for the date is also acceptable, especially for casual weddings.

Time

For evening weddings, it is customary to specify the time of the event. This can be written in various ways, such as "at seven o'clock in the evening" or "7:00 pm". Including a "carriages at" time is also an option to let guests know when the event will conclude.

Venue

When listing the venue, include the name of the location on one line, followed by the city and state on the next line. For very formal weddings, the state name is usually spelled out. The street address is typically omitted unless the venue is a private residence or there is a risk of confusion. If the reception follows immediately at the same location, you can simply state, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow".

• "on Friday, 24th August 2025 from 7.00 pm until 12.30 am at Canada Lodge and Lake, Creigiau"
• "Saturday, 21st of October, 2019, at 7:30 pm at Alveston Pastures Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7RP"
• "Friday, 29th December 2019, at 6.30 pm at The Grand Hotel & Spa, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GD"
• "Saturday, 7th of October 2019, from 7:30 pm until 2 am at The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row, RG9 5PU"
• "Sunday, 2nd of June 2019, from 7.30 pm at Hendsor House, Station Road, Buxted, East Sussex, TN22 4AYY"

RSVP details

The RSVP card is a simpler task than the invitation itself. Here are some ideas for what to include:

• RSVP date: The first piece of information on the card is the reply-by date, which is typically three to four weeks before the wedding.
• Keep the wording consistent with the invitation: For example, "the favour of a reply" matches the invitation wording "the honour of your presence".
• Guest names: Include a line for guests to write their names, along with checkboxes for accepting or declining the invitation.
• Additional information: You can include meal choices, along with checkboxes, and a song-request line such as, "We promise to dance if you play __________."

If you are having people RSVP via a wedding website, include the website address on a separate card.

RSVP Wording Examples

• "Kindly reply by"
• "Kindly respond by"
• "The favour of a reply"
• "RSVP by"

RSVP Card Examples

• "M_ [Guest's name] _will/will not be attending"
• "Name(s) [_accept/decline_]"
• "We have reserved _[number]_ seat(s) in your honour"
• "Joyfully accepts/regretfully declines"

Dress code

The dress code is an important part of your wedding invitation, as it gives your guests an idea of what to expect and helps ensure your event stays as formal or as casual as you want.

If you are having a formal, black-tie wedding, this should be included on the invitation. This usually means tuxedos and floor-length gowns. For men, this means a long-tail tuxedo, and for women, a full-length ball gown.

If your wedding is more casual, you can specify the dress code as "formal attire" or "cocktail attire". For a formal wedding, men should wear a dark suit with a shirt and tie, and women should wear a floor-length gown or a knee-length cocktail dress. For a cocktail attire event, men can wear a suit with an optional tie, or a sports jacket and dress shirt, and women should wear a dress that is shorter than floor-length, a pantsuit, or dressy separates.

If you are having a very casual wedding, you can specify the dress code as "smart casual". This means men should wear dark denim, chinos, or suit pants with a neat shirt, and women can wear a skirt or smart trousers.

The dress code can be included on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation, or at the bottom centre of the design. Alternatively, you can include it on a separate information card or on your wedding website.

Reception information

The reception information is one of the most important elements of a wedding invitation. It lets your guests know where and when the celebration will take place. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of the invitation:

Location and Time: Include the name of the reception venue, followed by the city and state. If the reception is at a private residence, you may also include the street address. If the reception is held at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." If the reception is elsewhere, it should be listed on a separate line. Specify the time if the reception is not immediately after the ceremony.

Examples:

> At The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row, RG9 5PU from 7:30 pm until 2 am

> #

> # St. Tewdrics House, Chepstow, NP16 6HX at 7:30 pm

> #

> # The New House Country Hotel Thornhill, Cardiff at 7:00 pm. Carriages at midnight

Attire: The dress code can be included in the lower right corner of the invitation. If no dress code is specified, the style of the invitation itself will indicate the expected attire. For instance, a very fancy invitation suggests a formal, black-tie affair, while a simpler invitation indicates a more casual dress code.

Examples:

> Black tie

> #

> # Cocktail attire

> #

> # Beach-casual

• Separate Card: For very formal invitations, it is customary to include the reception information on a separate card. This keeps the main invitation uncluttered and elegant.
• RSVP Details: Include a separate response card for guests to fill out and return, or direct them to your wedding website to RSVP. The RSVP deadline is typically three to four weeks before the wedding.

Examples:

> RSVP by 4th August 2017

> #

> # RSVP by 25th May 2025 via weddingwebsite.com/tomdick

Additional Information: If there are multiple events during the wedding weekend, activity cards can be included in the invitation suite. These cards list all the festivities open to guests in chronological order. You may also include an information card with details such as directions, transportation, and lodging suggestions.

Remember, the reception information should be clear and concise, providing your guests with all the essential details they need to know for the celebration.

Frequently asked questions