Formal Wedding Invitation Wording: What To Include

A wedding invitation is a piece of stationery that conveys critical information about the wedding. It sets the tone for the wedding and lets guests know what to expect in terms of formality and dress code. The invitation typically includes the names of the couple, the hosts, the date, time, and location of the ceremony, and reception details. The wording of the invitation can vary depending on the formality of the event and the cultural background of the couple. Some important considerations when drafting a wedding invitation include:

- Host Line: The host line typically includes the name(s) of the event host(s), usually the person(s) paying for the wedding. It is common to include the names of both sets of parents, especially if they are contributing to the wedding.

- Request Line: The request line is an invitation for guests to join the wedding celebration. Formal language such as request the honour of your presence is often used for religious ceremonies, while more casual language like invite you to join or please join us to celebrate is used for non-religious services.

- Couple's Names: The names of the couple are usually displayed prominently and in larger text. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name traditionally comes first, while same-sex couples may choose the order based on preference or design aesthetics.

- Date, Time, and Location: This section includes the wedding date, start time, and venue name. Formal invitations typically spell out the date and time in full, while modern invites may use numerical figures. The street address is usually included for destination weddings or out-of-town guests.

- Reception Details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple Reception to follow may be included. Otherwise, the full address and other pertinent information can be provided on a separate details card.

- Dress Code: Including dress code information is optional but helpful for guests. It is typically mentioned in the lower corner or centre of the invitation or on a separate details card.

Who's hosting

The host line is the first line of a wedding invitation and it names the event's hosts, who are usually the people paying for the wedding. The host line can be omitted if the couple is hosting the wedding themselves.

If the bride's parents are hosting, their names are listed first, followed by the groom's parents. For same-sex couples, the names are listed in alphabetical order or in the order that looks best with the invitation design. For divorced parents, the mother's name is listed first, followed by the father's name on a separate line.

If both sets of parents are hosting, the bride's parents' names are listed first, followed by the groom's. For same-sex couples, the names are listed alphabetically or in the order that looks best.

If the couple is hosting with their families, a line such as "Together with their families" is added as the host line.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, a warm and welcoming introduction can be added, such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

Bride's Parents Hosting

Doctor and Mrs. James Stuart Evans, Jr.

Request the honour of your presence

At the marriage of their daughter

Mr. Brian Charles Jamison

Saturday, the twentieth of June

[two thousand fifteen]

At half after three o'clock

First Congregational Church

Spring Hill, Minnesota

And afterward at the reception

Spring Hill Golf Club

Bride's Parents, Who Are Divorced and Remarried, Hosting Together

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Levy request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Rachel Lynn Levy and Doctor Michael Brandon Smithson Saturday, the twenty-second of March two thousand eighteen at six o'clock Temple Sinai Granville, Ohio

Bride's Mother and Stepfather Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Denoyer request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of her daughter Francine Anne Colby to Mr. Jonathan Baker Hamilton Friday, the seventeenth of May two thousand nineteen at seven o'clock Viansa Winery 25200 Arnold Drive Sonoma, California

Groom's Parents Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Diaz request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Ms. [Miss] Latoya Kenisha Armond to their son Mr. Carlos Delapaz Diaz Friday, the fourteenth of November two thousand sixteen at six o'clock St. Thomas Cathedral Spokane, Washington

Both the Bride's and the Groom's Parents Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Zimmerli and Captain and Mrs. Aaron David Schwartz request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Cynthia Ann Zimmerli to Daniel Issac Schwartz Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August two thousand fifteen at four o'clock St. James Catholic Church Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bride and Groom Hosting

Ms. Andrea Jane Brigante and Mr. Robert Holden White request the honour of your presence at their marriage Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o'clock First Congregational Church Richmond, Virginia

Request line

The request line is where you extend an invitation to your wedding celebration. Traditionally, couples would include formal wording in the request line to denote a formal religious ceremony, whereas wedding invitations for modern celebrations tend to use more casual language.

• "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"

If you're planning a non-religious ceremony or a more casual wedding, you can opt for more casual language in the request line. Here are a few examples:

• "Please join us to celebrate"
• "Love the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to share in their joy"
• "Are delighted to invite you"

The request line is an important part of the wedding invitation, as it sets the tone for your celebration and invites your guests to share in your special day.

Couple's names

The couple's names are a key part of a wedding invitation. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. However, this tradition is not compulsory, and couples can choose to put the groom's name first if they prefer. For same-sex couples, the couple can choose whichever name comes first, or go in alphabetical order by surname.

If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top of the invitation, the bride's name can be just her first and middle name, without her surname. In this case, the groom's name is either listed in full or with his first and middle names followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs." and his father's name.

For same-sex couples, the wording of the host line may dictate whose name comes first. If one set of parents is hosting, their names will come first, followed by their child's name.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, they can decide whose name to put first.

It is also possible to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts, which is a gracious option regardless of who is paying for the wedding.

Date, time and location

The date, time, and location of the wedding are essential details that should be included in a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and examples to help you word this information in a formal and elegant way:

Date and Time:

For a formal wedding invitation, the date and time should be written out in full. Avoid using numerals and instead, opt for a written format. Here are some examples:

• "Saturday, the twentieth of June, [two thousand fifteen], at half after three o'clock"
• "Saturday, the ninth of October, two thousand twenty-one, at five o'clock in the evening"
• "Saturday, the twenty-fourth of July, two thousand seventeen, at half past four o'clock"

If you prefer a more casual approach, you can use numerals and a simpler phrasing:

• "Saturday, July 9, 2016, at two thirty in the afternoon"
• "Friday | 07 Sep 12 | 3:30 p.m."
• "August 4th, 2016, at 5 o'clock"

Location:

When it comes to the location, include the name of the venue and the city, state, or country. For formal invitations, write out the full address, especially if the wedding is taking place abroad or at a private residence. Here are some examples:

• "First Congregational Church, Spring Hill, Minnesota, and afterward at the reception, Spring Hill Golf Club"
• "Aman Canal Grande Hotel in Venice, Italy. Festivities to follow"
• "The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, Missouri"
• "St. James Catholic Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan"

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 or provide the details on your wedding website.

Additional Tips:

• Capitalization: Capitalize the days of the week and the months. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September."
• Time of Day: Specify whether the event will take place in the morning, afternoon, or evening. For instance, "at half after four in the afternoon."
• Address Format: For formal invitations, use the full address, including the street name and number, city, state, and zip code (if applicable).
• Multiple Venues: If you have multiple events or the ceremony and reception are at different locations, consider including separate cards with the relevant information.
• Dress Code: While not mandatory, including the dress code on the invitation can be helpful for guests. Indicate the dress code in the lower corner or center of the invitation, or on a separate details card.

Reception details

The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation, letting your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your formal wedding invitation:

Location

If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." This can be included on the same card as the ceremony details or on a separate details card. If the reception is at a different location, provide the full address, including the city and state. For formal invitations, it is customary to spell out the state name in full.

Timing

If the reception is immediately after the ceremony, you can mention "Reception immediately following the ceremony." If there is a gap between the ceremony and reception, be sure to include the time. For formal invitations, spell out the time in full, for example, "half after four o'clock."

Festivities

Give your guests an idea of what type of festivities to expect. Will there be dinner and dancing? Cocktails and canapes? Here are some examples of wording you can use:

• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow" (if not serving a full meal)
• "Feasting and merriment to follow"
• "Dining, dancing, and happily ever after to follow"

Dress Code

Including dress code information is optional, but it can be helpful for your guests. If you are having a black-tie event, it is important to include this on the invitation. If no dress code is specified, guests will usually infer the formality of the event from the invitation design and wording. Here are some examples of how to indicate dress code:

• "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)"

Frequently asked questions