The Ultimate Guide To Wedding Invitation Etiquette In The Uk

Wedding invitations should include the full names of the couple, the date, time and location of the ceremony, and the location of the reception if it is elsewhere. It is also customary to include a warm invitation sentence, such as request the pleasure of your company.

Other details such as parking arrangements, accommodation options, dress code, gift lists, and whether children are invited can be included on a separate details card.

Host Names

The host names are an important part of a wedding invitation. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and their names are listed at the top of the invite. However, it has become more common to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts, which is considered a gracious option regardless of who is paying for the wedding.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the host line can be skipped altogether, or replaced with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

> Together with full hearts

> With hearts full of love and joy

If both sets of parents are contributing to the wedding, the host line could be:

> Together with their parents

> Together with our families

For divorced parents, include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name, on separate lines. For remarried parents, use the mother's new married name. For step-parents, use their separate names if they are not married, or list them together with 'and' if they are, for example:

> Mr & Mrs Paul Howard

If one parent has passed away, a common way to honour them is to include their name alongside one of the couple's names, for example:

> Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez

For same-sex couples, the names can be listed in alphabetical order by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

Invitation Sentence

A wedding invitation should include a warm invitation sentence, and there are several ways to do this. Here are some examples:

• "Together with their families"
• "Together with full hearts"
• "With hearts full of love and joy"
• "The pleasure of your company is requested"
• "You are invited to share in our joy"
• “We request the pleasure of your wee faces”

The invitation sentence can be formal or informal, traditional or modern, and should set the tone for the wedding celebration. It can also be used to indicate the formality of the event, such as whether it is black tie or cocktail attire.

Couple's Names

The couple's names are a crucial element of a wedding invitation. Traditionally, the bride's name would come first, followed by the groom's, but this is not a rule set in stone. Same-sex couples, for instance, may choose to list their names alphabetically or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

For formal weddings, it is customary to write out full names (including middle names). However, for less formal affairs, first names may be used.

If the bride's parents are hosting, the bride's name can just be her first and middle name (without her last name). In this case, the groom's name is either listed in full or includes his first and middle names followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs. [Father's Name]".

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

Date and Time

The date and time of your wedding are arguably the most important elements of your invitation. This is key information that your guests need to know, so it's important to get it right. Here are some tips and guidelines for including the date and time on your wedding invitations:

Format and Spelling

For formal weddings, write out the date and time in full. For example, if your wedding is on 15 September 2024 at 4:30 pm, the wording could be: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." Note that the day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year.

The time of day should be spelled out as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock." You can also say "four o'clock in the afternoon" or "half past four o'clock." Evening begins at five o'clock. From noon until four o'clock is considered the afternoon.

For informal or casual weddings, it's fine to use numerals, e.g. "4:00 pm" or "4:30 pm."

Additional Information

If your wedding ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can simply say "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." If the reception is at a different location, include a separate reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite.

If you're not serving a full meal, you can add a line such as "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing."

Timing Considerations

Your main invitation should state the ceremony time, but it's a good idea to include a requested arrival time for guests to be seated before the ceremony begins. For example: "Please arrive from 12:30 pm to be seated for the ceremony starting at 1:00 pm prompt."

It's also helpful to include an end time for the reception so that guests can plan their transport home. A traditional way to do this is to use the phrase "Carriages at midnight."

Location

The location of the wedding is one of the most important pieces of information to include on a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and suggestions for how to include this information:

It is essential to include the full address and contact details of the wedding venue(s) on the invitation. This includes the venue name, street address, city, and postcode. If the venue is hard to find or off the beaten track, consider including brief directions or a link to a website with maps and directions. For example: "The Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel and Spa, Llangybi, Usk NP15 1PG".

Parking and Transport:

Including parking information is helpful for guests, especially if parking is limited or tricky to find. You may also want to mention if overnight parking is allowed for guests. If you are providing any transport for guests, such as from the ceremony to the reception, include brief details such as pickup locations and times.

Timing and Arrival:

While the main invitation should state the ceremony time, it is helpful to include a requested arrival time for guests to be seated before the ceremony begins. For example: "Please arrive from 12:30 pm to be seated for a 1:00 pm prompt ceremony."

Reception Details:

If the reception is at a different location from the ceremony, include a separate reception card with the event details. Include the location, address, and time, with wording that indicates the formality and nature of the event. For example: "Dinner and dancing to follow at The Grand Hotel, 7 pm".

Accommodation:

If there is accommodation available for guests at or near the venue, include these details on the invitation. Provide the hotel name, address, contact information, and any special rates or booking instructions. It is also helpful to suggest some nearby alternatives, considering different price points.

Additional Details:

Other optional details you may want to include regarding the location are the dress code, directions card, and a weekend events card if your wedding spans multiple days and includes activities such as welcome drinks or a day-after brunch.

Remember to be selective and only include essential details that your guests need to know. You don't want to overload them with excessive information.

Frequently asked questions