Guide To Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation Wording

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, but it's an important part of planning your big day. The wording you choose sets the tone for your wedding and communicates essential information to your guests. In this discussion, we'll cover everything you need to know about wedding invitation wording, from the host line to the dress code. We'll also provide examples of different wording styles, including formal, casual, and creative options. So, get ready to dive into the world of wedding invitation etiquette and find the perfect way to invite your loved ones to your special day.

Who hosts the wedding?

The wording of a wedding invitation often begins with the host of the wedding, which sets the tone for the entire event. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding, but today, there are many options, and it is ultimately the couple's preference that matters. So, who can be the host or hosts, and how does this affect the invitation wording?

The Bride's Parents as Hosts

When the bride's parents are hosting the wedding, the most traditional format is to include their names at the beginning of the invitation. This format is suitable for a formal wedding: "Mr. and Mrs. [Father's Name] [Family's Last Name] request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter [Bride's Name] to [Groom's Name]..." This format emphasizes the traditional aspect of the wedding and the role of the bride's family in hosting the event.

The Groom's Parents as Co-Hosts

If the groom's parents are also hosting or contributing significantly to the wedding, they should be included in the invitation. A proper way to word this is: "Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Parents' Names] together with Mr. and Mrs. [Groom's Parents' Names] invite you to share the joy at the marriage of their children [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]..." This wording showcases the unity and collaboration between the two families, setting a warm and inclusive tone for the wedding.

The Couple as Hosts

Nowadays, it is increasingly common for couples to host their own weddings, especially if they are financially independent or have been living together for some time. In this case, the invitation can begin with the couple's names, followed by a request for guests' presence: "[Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] joyfully invite you to celebrate their marriage..." This phrasing empowers the couple to take center stage and reflects their autonomy and modern outlook.

Other Family Members or Friends as Hosts

In some cases, other family members or close friends may host the wedding. This could be due to various reasons, such as the bride or groom having a complicated family dynamic or wanting to honor a special relationship. An example wording could be: "Honoring the union of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name], [Host's Name or Names] request your presence at their marriage..." This format acknowledges the host's role while still keeping the focus on the couple's union.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can adapt the wording to fit your unique circumstances and relationships. The most important aspect is to convey the correct details about the event while making your guests feel welcomed and excited to share in your special day.

How to invite guests

The wording of your wedding invitation is important as it sets the tone for your wedding day. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to invite guests:

• The Host Line: Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and their names come first. However, nowadays it is common to include the groom's parents or simply list the couple themselves. Some couples even choose to leave the host line off entirely. If you are including the hosts, write their full names, with middle names for very formal weddings. If they have different last names, use "and" to join the names. For divorced parents, include the mother's name first followed by the father's name, on separate lines. For same-sex couples, list the names according to preference or what looks best with the invitation design. If the couple and their parents are contributing, you can write something like "Together with their families".
• The Request Line: This is where you explicitly invite your guests to attend. For a formal wedding in a place of worship, you can use "request the honour of your presence". For a formal wedding not in a place of worship, try "request the pleasure of your company". For a more casual wedding, "invite you to celebrate with us" works well.
• The Couple's Names: Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's full name and title. However, for same-sex couples, you can list the names alphabetically or based on what sounds best. For very formal invitations, the bride's last name is omitted. If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can be just her first and middle name. For less formal weddings, you may opt for first names only.
• Date and Time: The date and time should be written out in full for formal invitations, for example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon". For more casual invitations, you can use numerical dates and times, e.g. "Saturday, 9/27/2023, at 4:30 pm". Remember to include the day of the week and specify whether it is afternoon or evening.
• Location: Include the full address of your venue, with the venue name, street address, city, and state. Zip codes and country are not usually necessary unless omitting them would cause confusion or if the wedding is in a private residence. If the reception is at the same location, simply add "reception to follow". If the reception is elsewhere, include the full address on a separate card.
• Reception Details: If the reception is at a different location, include the venue, time, and any other pertinent information on a separate details card. If there is no separate card, you can include the time and venue on the invitation if there is room. If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time.
• Dress Code: Including the dress code is optional but helpful for guests. If your wedding is black-tie, it must be included. If no dress code is specified, guests will infer the formality of the event from the invitation itself. You can include the dress code in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite, or on a separate details card.
• RSVP and Contact Information: Include an RSVP deadline and specify how guests should respond, whether by mail, email, or your wedding website.

Couple's names

The couple's names are a key part of the wedding invitation. Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom. However, same-sex couples may choose to list names alphabetically or based on what sounds better. For formal weddings, it is customary to write out full names, including middle names. For less formal weddings, first names may be used.

Formal Wedding

"The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Eric Smith to David Monmouth at Heartfield House on Saturday the seventh of October, two thousand and twenty-one at one 'o clock in the afternoon. Reception to follow at seven o'clock in the evening. Kindly RSVP by [date] to [address]."

Casual Wedding

"Jessica Johnson and Nathan Bentley invite you to join them as they say, 'I do!' at York Golf and Country Club on Saturday the eleventh of August, two thousand and twenty-three at one pm. Followed by a reception at six pm. RSVP by the tenth of November, two thousand and twenty-two, using the QR code below."

Creative Wedding

"Love is in the air! Chloe Marie Sinclair and Matthew James Denton have the honour of announcing their marriage on Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August, two thousand and eighteen, at three o'clock in the afternoon at Glochester Catholic Church, Dublin, Ireland. C + M."

Modern Wedding

"With hearts full of love and joy, Jennifer and Andrew invite you to celebrate their wedding on Saturday, the third of July, two thousand and twenty-one, at half past four o'clock at Surrey-Williamson Inn, Saratoga Springs, New York. Black-tie optional."

Simple Wedding

"Jack Smith and Mason Kim are getting married on Saturday, the seventeenth of August, two thousand and twenty-four, at four-thirty in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow."

Date, time and location

The date, time, and location of the wedding are essential details to include in the invitation. Here are some tips and examples to help you word this information effectively:

Date and Time:

• Traditional and formal invitations usually spell out the date and time in full. For example, "Saturday, the Twenty-Seventh of September, Two Thousand Twenty-Three" or "Saturday, September Twenty-Seventh, Two Thousand Twenty-Three" for a more modern style.
• For a more casual or contemporary style, you can use numerical dates like "Saturday, 09/27/2023" or "Saturday, September 27th, 2023".
• Include the day of the week, especially for weekend weddings, to help guests with their travel plans.
• Indicate the exact time the ceremony will begin. For a formal wedding, spell out the time, such as "at half after four in the afternoon" or "four-thirty in the afternoon."
• For a less formal wedding, you can use numbers, such as "at 4:30."
• Specify whether the time indicated is for the afternoon or evening. The afternoon is considered to be from noon to 4:00 pm, and the evening begins at 6:00 pm.

Location:

• Include the full address of your venue, including the name of the venue, street address, city, and state. The zip code is usually not necessary.
• If the venue is well-known, you may simply list its name and city, such as "The Plaza Hotel, New York, New York."
• For destination weddings outside your home country, be sure to include the country.
• If the reception is at the same location, you can add "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."
• If the reception is at a different location, consider including a separate reception card with the details.

Formal Wedding Invitation:

• "on Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon at [venue name and address]"
• "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon [venue name], [city], [state]"

Casual Wedding Invitation:

• "Saturday 09/27/2023 at 4:30 pm, The Plaza Hotel, New York, New York"
• "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon, [venue name and address]"

Dress code

When it comes to dress code, there are a few different ways to communicate your wedding attire expectations to your guests. Here are some suggestions for wording and placement:

Wording the 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)
• Semi-formal
• Smart casual

Placement of the Dress Code

The dress code can be included in the lower right-hand corner of the invitation, on a separate insert card, or on your wedding website. If you are having a black-tie wedding, it is important to include this information on the invitation.

If you do not include a specific dress code, your guests will likely infer the attire from the formality of the invitation itself. A very formal invitation will likely indicate a black-tie affair, while a simpler invitation suggests a more casual dress code.

Examples

• "Black tie invited"
• "Black tie optional"
• "Kindly RSVP by [date] to [address]. Dress code: Formal attire."
• "Join us for an evening of food, wine, and dancing. Dress code: Cocktail attire."
• "Beach-casual attire suggested."

Frequently asked questions