Understanding Formal Wedding Invites: Decoding The Dress Code

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, there are a few key elements that should be included. These include the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information. The wording can vary depending on who is hosting the wedding, such as the bride's parents, the groom's parents, or both sets of parents. Formal invitations typically use full names and avoid abbreviations, with a classic look and feel. The level of formality may also dictate the attire, catering, decor, and entertainment options.

The request to come to the wedding

• "Request the honour of your presence" – This phrase is commonly used to denote a religious ceremony. The British spelling of "honour" adds a formal and traditional feel to the invitation.
• "Request the pleasure of your company" – This phrase is often used to denote a non-religious ceremony.
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "The honour of your presence is requested"

When it comes to the wording, it is essential to consider the level of formality you wish to convey. For a formal wedding invitation, it is customary to use full names and avoid abbreviations. For example, instead of writing "Ave.", you would spell out "Avenue" in full.

Additionally, the request to come to the wedding should be followed by the names of the couple getting married. For a formal invitation, it is standard to include the couple's full names, including middle names and the bride's last name.

"Doctor and Mrs. James Stuart Evans, Jr.

Request the honour of your presence

At the marriage of their daughter

Mr. Brian Charles Jamison"

Remember, the wording of your invitation should ultimately reflect your personal style and the tone you wish to set for your wedding. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!

The names of the couple

For formal invitations, it is customary to use full names to create a formal tone. This means including middle names and, for married couples, the bride's last name as well. For example: "Mr. Brian Charles Jamison and Ms. Andrea Jane Brigante".

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

In the case of divorced or remarried parents, each parent's name should be listed on a separate line. If stepparents are included, their names should be on the same line as their partner's name.

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 to Ms. Andrea Jane Brigante on Saturday, the twentieth of June [two thousand fifteen] at half after three o'clock at the First Congregational Church, Spring Hill, Minnesota. Reception to follow at the 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 to Doctor Michael Brandon Smithson on Saturday, the twenty-second of March two thousand eighteen at six o'clock, Temple Sinai, Granville, Ohio.

Bride and groom hosting:

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

Both families hosting together:

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

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can always adapt the wording to fit your personal preferences and the style of your wedding.

Reception information

The reception information is an important part of your wedding invitation. It lets your guests know what to expect after the ceremony and provides them with the necessary details to attend. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you craft the reception information section of your formal wedding invitation:

Location and Time:

Include the location and time of your wedding reception, especially if it is at a different venue from the ceremony. For formal invitations, the full address of the reception venue should be provided, including the street name and number, city, and state. Avoid using abbreviations and spell out the details in full. If the reception follows immediately after the ceremony at the same location, you can simply state, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." If the reception is at a separate venue, you may include it on the same invitation or provide a separate reception card within the invitation suite.

Details and Activities:

Provide additional details about the reception, such as whether there will be a cocktail hour, meal choices, after-party information, or any other relevant items. For example, if you are not serving a full meal, you can note, "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing." If you are having a plated meal, mention the meal options or include a line for guests to indicate their meal preferences on the RSVP card.

Dress Code:

The dress code is an essential piece of information for your guests. For a formal wedding, guests will typically be expected to adhere to a formal dress code, such as black-tie attire. You can indicate this by including a line such as "Black-tie attire" or "Black-tie optional." If you prefer not to include a specific dress code, the formality of the invitation itself will give guests an idea of the expected attire.

RSVP and Website Information:

Provide clear instructions for your guests to RSVP, including the deadline for their response. You may include a separate RSVP card within the invitation for guests to fill out and return. Alternatively, you can direct them to your wedding website, where they can RSVP and find additional information about the wedding.

Accommodation and Travel:

If your wedding is a destination wedding or requires guests to travel, consider including accommodation suggestions or a link to your wedding website, where guests can find more information about local accommodations and travel arrangements.

Other Details:

Depending on your wedding plans, you may want to include additional details or activities related to the reception. For example, if you are having entertainment such as a live band or a DJ, you may want to mention this to excite your guests.

Remember, the key to a formal wedding invitation is providing clear and comprehensive information while maintaining a classic and elegant style. Use proper etiquette and avoid abbreviations to ensure your invitation suits the formality of the occasion.

Date, time and location

When it comes to the date, time and location of a wedding, there are a few things to consider when sending formal invitations. Firstly, it is customary to send out "save the date" cards before the formal invitation. For local weddings, "save the date" cards are sent out 4-6 months in advance, and the invitation is sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding. For destination weddings, the "save the date" cards are sent out a year in advance, and the invitation is sent 3-4 months prior.

The date and time of the wedding should be written out in full on the invitation. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, 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. The time of day is also written out in full, with "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock".

The location of the wedding should be written as "Venue Name" on one line, and "City, State" on the following line. The venue's street address is usually not included unless the venue is a private residence. Zip codes are typically omitted. If the reception is at the same location, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is elsewhere, it can be listed on a separate line or on a separate card included with the invitation.

• "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"
• "Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August two thousand fifteen at four o'clock, St. James Catholic Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan"
• "Saturday, the tenth of July two thousand seventeen at half after four o'clock, First Congregational Church, Richmond, Virginia"

Dress code

The dress code is an important part of a wedding invitation, as it gives guests an idea of what to expect at the wedding. It is usually included on a reception card in the invitation suite or on the bottom right of the invitation. If the wedding is black-tie, it must be included on the invitation.

If no dress code is specified, guests will usually infer the formality of the event from the invitation itself. A formal invitation will likely indicate a formal, black-tie affair, while a simpler invite suggests wedding attire that leans more casual.

• 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