The Front Of A Wedding Invitation: What To Include

Wedding invitations are a major undertaking, and it's important to ensure that your guests have all the information they need to celebrate with you. While the design and wording of your invitation are important, it's also crucial to consider the placement of key details. The front of your wedding invitation should include the host line, request line, names of the couple, and ceremony details. Here's a breakdown of what this entails:

- Host Line: Traditionally, the bride's parents' names are listed as hosts, even if both sets of parents are contributing financially. If the couple is hosting, you can use a phrase like Together with their families.

- Request Line: This is where you invite guests to attend your wedding. Examples include request the honour of your presence for a religious ceremony or request the pleasure of your company for a non-religious event.

- Names of the Couple: Traditionally, the bride's name is listed first, followed by the groom's name. For same-sex couples, you can use alphabetical order or whatever sounds best.

- Ceremony Details: Include the date, time, and location of the ceremony. The date and time should be spelled out in full, and the venue name should be listed on one line, with the city and state on the next. If the reception follows at the same location, you can add Reception to follow.

While the front of the invitation covers the essential information, you can include additional details in your wedding invitation suite, such as RSVP cards, reception cards, accommodations cards, and directions.

The names of the couple

For heterosexual couples, the bride's full name (first, middle, and last) is usually included if the bride's parents are hosting and their names are at the top of the invitation. In this case, the groom's name is either listed in full or includes his first, middle, and last name followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs." followed by his father's first and last name.

For more casual invitations, first names only may be used, and for same-sex couples, first and last names or just first names are usually used.

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

Both sets of parents are hosting

> Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children Emma Wong and Jax Martinez

One set of parents is hosting

> Stacey Bullington and Peter Cunningham invite you to join them at the celebration of their marriage

The couple is hosting with their families

> Together with their families, Grace Fitzpatrick and Russell James request the honor of your presence at their wedding

The couple is hosting

> With joy in our hearts, Chloe Sinclair and Matthew Denton have the honour of announcing their marriage

Honouring a deceased parent

> Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, invite you to share in their joy as they exchange wedding vows

The request to come to the wedding

• "The pleasure of your company is requested at the wedding of..."
• "Request the honour of your presence at the wedding of..." (the British spelling of "honour" indicates a formal and traditional ceremony, often in a church or house of worship)
• "We invite you to celebrate with us on our wedding day"
• "Together with their families, [Couple's names] invite you to share in their joy as they exchange wedding vows"
• "Would love for you to join them as they celebrate their marriage"

This section can also be used to set the tone for your celebration. For a formal wedding, you might use "pleasure" or "honour", while a more casual approach could be "We'd love you to join us for our wedding celebration".

If the wedding is hosted and paid for collaboratively by the couple and both sets of parents, you can use wording such as:

• "Together with their parents/families, [Couple's names] invite you to share in their joy..."
• "Together with their parents/families, [Couple's names] request the pleasure of your company at their wedding..."

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line and go straight into the request, for example:

• "With hearts full of love and joy, [Couple's names] invite you to share in their special day..."
• "Together with full hearts, [Couple's names] request the honour of your presence at their wedding..."

Remember, the most important rule is to create a wedding invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day while communicating the vital details. So feel free to riff on these principles and make it your own!

Reception information

The reception information is a crucial component of your wedding invitation. It informs guests about the post-ceremony celebration and ensures they know what to expect. Here are some tips and suggestions for crafting this section of the invitation:

Location and Time

If your wedding ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." This concisely indicates that the reception will take place immediately after the ceremony. However, if the reception is at a different location, include a separate reception card with the event details. Mention the location and address on a separate line.

For example:

> Reception at: The West Palm, 825 Oceanside Ave, St. Petersburg

If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, be sure to include the time. For instance:

> Reception at 7:00 pm at The West Palm, 825 Oceanside Ave, St. Petersburg

Nature of the Reception

You may also want to give your guests an idea of what type of reception to expect. This can be done subtly through wording choices or more explicitly through a separate reception card. For instance, if you're hosting a breakfast reception before 1 pm, you can state, "Breakfast Reception." For a more formal dinner reception, you might say, "Dinner Reception." If you want to indicate that it's an adult-only reception, this can be included as well, preferably as the last line.

Additional Details

If there are other unique aspects of the reception, feel free to include them. For example, if you're not serving a full meal, you can mention that:

> Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing.

Or, if there's a specific dress code, you can add that information as well. For a black-tie event, state:

> Black-tie attire requested.

Separate Reception Card

If you're opting for a more formal invitation suite, you can include this information on a separate reception card. This card can be enclosed within the same envelope as the invitation, providing guests with clear and concise details about the reception.

Remember, the reception information is an essential part of your wedding invitation, ensuring your guests know where and when to celebrate with you after the ceremony.

Date and time of the ceremony

The date and time of the ceremony are essential details to include in a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and guidelines to consider when providing this information:

Be Clear and Concise:

• Clearly state the date and time of the ceremony, including the day of the week, the date, and the time of day. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon."
• Capitalize the day of the week and the month. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September."
• Use full words instead of numerals to spell out the date and time. This is especially important for formal invitations.

Provide Specifics:

• Specify the hour and time of day (a.m. or p.m.) to avoid confusion. For example, "four o'clock in the afternoon" or "half past four o'clock."
• If your event is in the evening, specify "in the evening" instead of using "p.m."

Consider Formality:

• The level of formality of your wedding can dictate how you present the date and time. For a formal wedding, write out the full date and time using words like "o'clock" or "half after."
• For a casual wedding, using numerals for the time is also acceptable. For example, "4:00 p.m." or "4:30 p.m."

Consistency is Key:

Maintain consistency in the formatting of your invitation. If you write out "four o'clock" for the hour, ensure you also spell out "four thousand" for the year instead of using numerals.

Avoid Overcrowding:

If your invitation design has limited space, consider including a separate details card within the envelope. This card can provide additional information, such as the wedding website link and other pertinent details.

Mind the Details:

• Double-check the accuracy of the date and time before finalizing your invitations. Sending out corrections or updates can be costly and time-consuming.
• If your ceremony and reception are at different venues, provide separate timing details for each to ensure guests don't miss any part of the celebration.

Remember, the date and time of the ceremony are crucial pieces of information for your guests, allowing them to plan their attendance accordingly. Presenting this information clearly and effectively will contribute to a smooth and well-organized wedding celebration.

Location of the ceremony

The location of the ceremony is an essential element of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and suggestions for including this information effectively:

Provide Clear and Detailed Information:

• Include the name and full address of the ceremony venue, specifying the city and state.
• If the ceremony and reception are at different locations, provide separate details for each.
• Consider including directions or a custom map, especially for unique or rural venues.

Consider Space and Layout:

• If your invitation has limited space, you may need to include the location details on a separate card.
• A single additional details card can be included in the envelope along with the invitation.
• Alternatively, you can direct guests to your wedding website for more information.

Maintain Consistency:

• Use consistent wording and formatting for the location details throughout the invitation suite.
• If you include the location on the front, ensure it is clearly visible and doesn't clutter the design.

Handle Multiple Events:

• If your wedding spans multiple events or days, provide a full itinerary or schedule.
• List all relevant locations, dates, and times to ensure guests know where to be and when.

Consider Enclosure Cards:

• Reception cards, accommodation cards, and directions cards can be included as optional enclosure cards.
• These provide additional space to list venue details, especially if your invitation is already crowded.

Mind the Etiquette:

• While it's essential to provide location information, maintain a balance with other elements.
• Avoid making the invitation overly wordy or cluttered. Opt for a clean and straightforward design.

Remember, the key is to provide clear and concise information about the ceremony location while ensuring your invitation remains aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand.

Frequently asked questions