Wedding Invitations: What Should You Include?

Wedding invitations are a crucial logistical element of your big day. While the design and style of your invites are important, it's also key to ensure you include the right information. From the time and date to the location and dress code, there's a lot to consider. Here's a breakdown of what to include in your wedding invitations to ensure your guests have all the details they need.

Hosts and guests

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and traditionally includes the names of the people hosting (i.e. paying for) the wedding. This is usually the bride's parents, but nowadays it could be both sets of parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of the couple and their parents.

If one set of parents is hosting, include their full names, with middle names for very formal weddings. If they have different last names, write "and" to join them. For divorced parents, include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line.

If both sets of parents are hosting, list the bride's parents' names first if the couple is heterosexual, or list alphabetically by surname if the couple is same-sex.

If the couple is hosting with their families, you can include a line such as "Together with their families". If the couple is hosting by themselves, you can omit the host line or start with a warm introduction such as "Together with full hearts".

The host line is followed by a request line, inviting guests to join the celebration. This is usually a formal phrase such as "Request the pleasure of your company" or "Request the honour of your presence" (the latter usually denoting a religious ceremony).

The couple's names should be clearly legible and prominently featured. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name usually comes first, but same-sex couples may choose to list names alphabetically, by age, or in an order that suits the invitation design. For very formal invitations, use full names, otherwise, first and middle names or just first names are fine.

The date, time, and location of the ceremony should be included, with the date and time written out in full for formal invitations. The venue's street address is not usually needed unless it is a private residence or there is a risk of confusion. If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, simply say "Reception to follow". If the reception is elsewhere, include the full address, either on the invitation or a separate card.

The dress code can be included on the invitation but is usually communicated via the wedding website. If the wedding is black-tie, it must be included on the invitation.

Finally, the invitation should indicate how guests should RSVP, usually via a separate RSVP card or the wedding website.

Date, time and location

The date, time and location are essential details to include in your wedding invitations. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you with this:

Date and Time:

The date and time of your wedding should be clearly printed on the invitation, with the following guidelines in mind:

• Write out the date and time in full, using words instead of numerals (e.g., "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand and twenty-four" or "half after three o'clock").
• Capitalise the day of the week and the month, but not the year or numerical date.
• If your wedding is taking place between the 21st and 31st of a month, use a hyphen between the tens and ones place in the date (e.g., "twenty-ninth of June").
• You don't have to include the day of the week or the year, but it is recommended.
• For a more casual wedding, you can write the date more informally (e.g., "Saturday, May 17th, 2025").
• Be consistent with the date formatting on any enclosures in your invitation suite, such as the response card.
• If your wedding is scheduled for 8, 9 or 10 o'clock, include "in the morning", "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" to avoid confusion. Otherwise, these phrases are not necessary.
• For times on the half-hour, use "half after" instead of "half past" for formal invitations.
• If your wedding is casual, you can use numerals for the time (e.g., "4pm" or "5:30pm").
• Match the formality of the date and time with the formality of the invitation design.
• If your reception is at a different time and/or location to the ceremony, include a separate reception card with these details.

Location:

The location of your wedding should also be clearly stated on the invitation:

• Include the full address of the venue, with the venue name and city, state written on separate lines.
• For formal weddings, spell out the state name in full.
• Zip codes are usually not included.
• If the reception follows immediately in the same location, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow".
• If the reception is at a different location, include this information on a separate reception card as part of your invitation suite.

RSVP and website

RSVP cards are a must, even if you're collecting responses online. It's helpful for guests who prefer not to fuss with anything on the web, and you can even implement some fun RSVP wording ideas to show a little more personality.

If you're giving your guests the option to RSVP online, include your wedding website on a separate insert card. This is also where you can share other details such as accommodation options, directions, and any other additional events they might need to know about.

If you're collecting RSVPs by mail, include a pre-addressed and stamped envelope for your guests' convenience. Number the names on your guest list and write the corresponding number on the back of each response card, so you can easily look up responses.

The deadline for RSVPs should be at least two to three weeks before your wedding date, allowing enough time for you to confirm numbers with your caterer and finalize your seating chart.

If you're having a plated dinner, include a place for guests to check their entrée preference on the RSVP card.

Dress code

Including a dress code on your wedding invitation is optional. If you want to include it, you can add it to the bottom corner or bottom centre of the invite. Alternatively, you can use a separate details card or your wedding website to communicate this information.

The dress code you choose will depend on the formality of your wedding. Here are some examples of dress codes you can include:

• Casual Attire
• Dressy Casual Attire
• Semi-Formal Attire
• Black Tie Optional
• Black Tie
• White Tie

If you don't want to explicitly state the dress code, you can indicate the formality of your wedding through the design of your invitation. For example, a traditional invite with letterpress and calligraphy hints at a formal event, while an invite with a playful font and bright colours suggests a casual style.

Additional events

If your wedding will span a whole weekend and include multiple events, such as welcome drinks, an after-party, or a day-after brunch, it's a good idea to include a full itinerary for guests so they know what to expect and pack for. This can be included on a separate card, known as a 'weekend events card'.

If your wedding will include a sit-down meal with meal choices, you can put checkboxes on the response cards for people to choose from. You can also include this information on your wedding website.

If you're having a destination wedding or have a handful of out-of-town guests, you might want to include some additional wedding-adjacent parties, such as a welcome cocktail party or a farewell brunch. This is also where you would mention if any wedding weekend activities are adults-only.

If you're getting married in a unique venue, it's useful to include an insert with extra information, such as instructions for parking. You could also include a custom map of the area to show where your ceremony and reception are in relation to each other, or a list of things your guests can do in the lead-up to your nuptials.

If you're laying on transport for your guests, you can include brief details, such as where and when the pick-ups are and what time the return will be.

Frequently asked questions