Wedding Invitation Wording: A Guide To Writing The Perfect Message

Wedding invitations are an important part of wedding planning. They give guests crucial information about the event, including the date, time, and location, as well as setting the tone and formality of the wedding. The wording of wedding invitations can vary depending on who is hosting the wedding, the level of formality, and the couple's personal preferences. Here are some key things to consider when writing your wedding invitations:

1. Host Line: The host line is where you name the event's hosts, usually the people paying for the wedding. This could be one or both sets of parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of both.

2. Request Line: This is where you invite your guests to join the celebration. The wording can vary from formal phrases like request the honour of your presence to more casual options like invite you to celebrate with them.

3. Couple's Names: Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's. For same-sex couples, the order of names is usually alphabetical or based on personal preference.

4. Date, Time, and Location: Include the wedding date, start time, and venue details. For formal invitations, spell out the date, time, and address in full. For casual invitations, numerals and abbreviations are acceptable.

5. Reception Details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple Reception to follow will suffice. Otherwise, provide the reception venue details separately.

6. Dress Code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. If not specified, the formality of the invitation itself will indicate the expected attire.

7. RSVP Information: Provide details on how and when guests should RSVP, such as a response card, email address, or wedding website.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can personalise your wedding invitations to match your style and tone.

Host Line: Names the hosts of the wedding, usually the people paying

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. The hosts are usually the people paying for the wedding. Here are some examples of how to format the host line depending on who is hosting:

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 line.

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, then the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names in alphabetical order 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, you can add a line such as "Together with their families".

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

Couple Hosting Themselves

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: Where you invite your guests to the wedding

The request line is where you invite your guests to your wedding celebration. The wording of the request line can be formal or casual, depending on the tone you want to set for your wedding. Here are some examples of request lines for different types of weddings:

Formal Wedding Request Lines:

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"

Casual Wedding Request Lines:

• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Please join us"
• "Come party with us"
• "Join us for dinner and drinks"

The request line can also be tailored to reflect the religious nature of the ceremony. For example, using the British spelling of "honour" indicates that the ceremony will be held in a church or another house of worship.

In addition to the request line, there are other essential elements that should be included in a wedding invitation:

• The host line: This is where you name the hosts of the event, typically the people paying for the wedding.
• The couple's names: The names of the couple should be front and centre and easily legible.
• The date, time, and location of the ceremony: Include the wedding date, start time, and venue name. For formal invitations, spell out the date, time, and address in full.
• Reception details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply say, "Reception to follow." Otherwise, include the reception address.
• Dress code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests.
• RSVP details: Provide guests with an RSVP deadline and instructions on how to respond.

Couple's Names: The names of the couple, usually the main event

The names of the couple are the most important part of the wedding invitation. This is the main event, after all! Here are some tips and examples to ensure the couple's names are presented clearly and effectively:

Names

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and often in a fancy typeface. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes before the groom's name. For same-sex couples, the names can be listed alphabetically or in an order that suits the design of the invitation.

If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top of the invitation, the bride's name can just be her first and middle name, without her last name. In this case, the groom's name is usually listed in full. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the use of titles is optional.

For formal invitations, it is customary to use both partners' full legal names. If you prefer to go by a nickname, save this for the save-the-date or other less formal pieces of the invitation suite.

Formatting

Capitalise proper names and titles, and avoid using punctuation except after courtesy titles. Avoid abbreviations and instead, spell everything out in full (except courtesy titles).

Examples

• Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim
• Jack Smith & Mason Kim
• Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim
• Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes
• John Michael and Olivia Rose
• John & Olivia

Same-Sex Couples

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. Whether it's "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily," it's going to be lovely either way. Same-sex couples can choose to list their names alphabetically or simply in the order that sounds better.

Deceased Parents

If you want to honour a deceased parent on your invitations, include their name in the host line or after the bride or groom's name. Use the phrase "the late" before their name.

Divorced Parents

To include divorced parents on the invitation, list the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line without an "and" between them. For divorced mothers who are not remarried, use the courtesy title "Ms." followed by their preferred last name.

Stepparents

To include stepparents on the invitation, list the mother and stepfather's names first, followed by the father and stepmother's names. List the mother's name first, regardless of whether the father is remarried and the mother is not.

Cultural Variations

In some cultures, it is customary to include the couple's parents' names before their own. For example, "Kendra Evelyn Ellis, daughter of Benjamin Ellis and Herbert Johnson, and Diallobe Cazembe Johnson, son of..."

Date, Time and Location: Include everything they need to show up

The date, time, and location are essential components of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and guidelines on how to include this information effectively:

Include the Date and Time:

Spell out the date, day of the week, and time in full for formal invitations. For example, "Saturday, the ninth of September two thousand twelve at noon" or "Saturday, the fifteenth of January two thousand twenty-two at five pm in the afternoon". Using numerals is acceptable for casual weddings, such as "Saturday, 9/9/2012 at 12:00 pm".

Provide the Wedding Venue and Address:

Include the name of the wedding venue and its full address, especially for destination weddings or out-of-town guests. The street address is usually not needed unless it is a private residence or omitting it may cause confusion. The city and state should be written out in full. For very formal invitations, consider spelling out the state name.

Specify the Reception Details:

If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice. If the reception is at a different venue, provide its address on a separate line or a separate card, especially for formal invitations.

Be Clear and Concise:

Ensure the date, time, and location information is clear and easy to find within the invitation. You don't want your guests to miss the details or confuse them with overly complex wording.

Consider the Level of Formality:

The level of formality of your wedding will influence how you word the date, time, and location. For formal weddings, spell out everything in full and consider using traditional phrasing. For casual weddings, you have more flexibility with numerals and creative phrasing.

Provide Additional Information:

If there are multiple events during the wedding weekend, consider including a separate card with the full itinerary. This ensures your guests know what to expect and can plan accordingly.

By following these guidelines, your guests will have all the information they need to be present on your special day.

Reception Details: Notify guests of what's scheduled to follow the ceremony

The reception details section of your wedding invitation is where you can let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. This is your chance to give them a sneak peek of the festivities to come and get them excited about celebrating with you. Here are some ideas and examples to help you craft this section of your invitation:

• Keep it simple: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." This lets guests know that they can move directly from the ceremony to the reception without needing additional details.
• Provide location details: If the reception is at a different venue, include the full address and other pertinent information. You can include this on a separate details card tucked into the invitation or list it on a separate line if there is room. For example: "Reception at [venue name and address]."
• Indicate timing: If there is a gap between the ceremony and reception, be sure to include the time for the reception. This is especially important if guests need to travel between locations. You can say something like "Reception at [time] at [venue name and address]."
• Describe the festivities: Give your guests a taste of what's to come by describing the reception activities. For example: "Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow" or "Cocktails and canapes to follow."
• Mention dress code: If you have a specific dress code for the reception, this is a good place to mention it. For example: "Black-tie reception to follow" or "Casual attire for the reception."
• Use creative wording: Depending on the tone of your wedding, you can get creative with your reception details. For example: "Let's eat, drink, and be married!" or "Join us for a night of celebration!"
• Direct guests to your wedding website: If you have a wedding website, you can include the URL or a QR code on a separate card. This allows guests to find additional details about the reception, including the location, timing, and any other important information.

• "Reception immediately following the ceremony"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow at [venue name and address]"
• "Join us for a night of celebration at [venue name and address]"
• "Cocktails and conversation to follow"
• "An evening of dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Black-tie reception details to come"
• "The party continues at [venue name and address]"

Frequently asked questions