The Most Creative Wedding Invites I've Ever Seen

Wedding invitations are a crucial aspect of the big day, as they offer guests a glimpse into the celebration's theme, aesthetic, and overall vibe. While some couples opt for traditional invitations, others embrace unique designs to surprise and delight their guests. From acrylic invites to illustrated mini books, the possibilities are endless. So, what is the best wedding invitation you have seen? The answer lies in the eyes of the beholder, as each couple's creativity and personality shine through in their chosen invitation style. Whether it's a vintage-inspired suite with deckled edges or a bold invitation with a unique colour palette, the options are as diverse as the couples themselves.

The host line: This line mentions the hosts of the event, i.e., the people who are paying for the wedding

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and mentions the hosts of the event, i.e., the people who are paying for the wedding. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the host line for your wedding invitation:

Traditional Approach

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. This approach is still common, even for very formal affairs. Here are some examples:

• Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim.
• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (including middle name, very formal).
• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams (formal).
• Christopher and Sarah Williams (less formal).

Both Sets of Parents

It has become more common to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts, especially if both families are contributing financially. Here are some examples:

• Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith, Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Olivia Rose and John Michael.
• Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis (formal).
• Aaron and Alisha Wong, together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis (less formal).

Couple Hosting

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

• "Together with full hearts."
• "With hearts full of love and joy."
• "The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim."

Honouring a Deceased Parent

If you want to include the name of a parent who has passed away, you can add this alongside one of the couple's names:

• "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez."
• "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez."

Divorced or Remarried Parents

If the couple's parents are divorced or remarried, you can include all names, keeping each parent on a separate line. If including a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as their partner. Here's an example:

"Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory, Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner, Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland."

The attendance request: This line invites the guests to the wedding

The attendance request is a crucial part of a wedding invitation. This line invites the guests to the wedding and sets the tone for the celebration. Here are some examples of how to craft this line:

• "The pleasure of your company is requested"
• "At the marriage of their children"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Honor of your presence"

The British spelling of "honour" is often used to indicate a formal or religious ceremony. If the wedding is less formal, the invitation can be more conversational, such as:

• "Join us as we tie the knot"
• "Share in our joy as we get married"
• "Are getting hitched"
• "Would be honoured to have you present when we exchange vows"

The attendance request can also be tailored to reflect the couple's personality or a wedding theme. For example:

• "Let's eat, drink, and be married"
• "Sip fizz and dance the night away"
• "We request the pleasure of your wee faces"

The tone, language, and content of the attendance request can be adapted to match the style of the wedding, whether it's formal, casual, modern, or traditional.

The couple's names: The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text

The names of the couple are one of the most important elements of a wedding invitation. Traditionally, the bride's name precedes the groom's name, but this is not a requirement, especially for same-sex couples. The couple's names are usually the largest text on the invitation and are sometimes written in a fancy typeface.

For formal invitations, the bride's first and middle names are used, followed by the groom's full name and title. For informal invites, first names only or first and last names are common.

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of [couple's names]"
• " [Couple's names] request the honour of your presence at the marriage of [couple's names]"
• "Together with their parents, [couple's names] request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Join us for the wedding of [couple's names]"
• " [Couple's names] invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment [date] [time] [location] Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "With joyful hearts, [couple's names] request your presence at their wedding"

Date and time: The date and time are important details that should be included in the invitation

When creating wedding invitations, it's important to include the date and time of the ceremony. This is one of the most important details that your guests need to know so they can plan ahead and arrive on time. Here are some tips and guidelines for including the date and time on your wedding invitations:

Format and Style

The format and style you choose for the date and time on your wedding invitations can vary depending on the formality of your wedding. If you're having a traditional or formal wedding, there are certain conventions to follow. Here are some tips for formatting the date and time:

• Spell out the date and time rather than using numerals. For example, write "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four" instead of "Saturday, 10/26/2024".
• Capitalise the day of the week and the month. For example, "Saturday, the tenth of May".
• Use "half after" instead of "half past" for times on the half-hour. For example, "half after four o'clock" instead of "half past four".
• Include "o'clock" when writing the time. For example, "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock".
• Specify the time of day as morning (up to 12 noon), afternoon (from 12 noon to 5 pm), or evening (from 5 pm onwards).
• Write out the number of the year in full, such as "two thousand sixteen".

Consistency

It's important to maintain consistency in the format and style of the date and time throughout your wedding invitation suite, including any response or enclosure cards. This creates a cohesive and elegant look for your invitations.

Modern Variations

If you're having a more modern or casual wedding, you can be more flexible with the format and style of the date and time. Here are some options:

• Write the date more informally, such as "Saturday, May 17th, 2025".
• Use numerals for the date, such as "Saturday, 8/15/2026".
• Write the time using numerals and "am" or "pm", such as "4:00 pm" or "5:30 pm".

Remember, the most important thing is to provide clear and accurate information about the date and time of your wedding ceremony so that your guests can plan accordingly. Choose a format and style that aligns with the overall tone and theme of your wedding invitations.

Location: The invitation should include the name and address of the wedding venue

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few key elements that should be included to ensure your guests have all the information they need. One of the most important elements is the location and address of the wedding venue. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect wedding invitation with clear and concise location details:

Location and Address Format

List the name and full street address of your wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country as well. Here's an example:

"The Ritz-Carlton

1234 Main Street

Seattle, Washington 12345

United States"

If your wedding ceremony and reception are taking place at the same venue, you can simply add "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. This lets guests know that they can stay at the same location for the post-ceremony celebrations.

However, if the reception is at a different location, include the full address of the reception venue on a separate line or on a separate insert card. This ensures that your guests have clear directions to both the ceremony and reception venues.

Multiple Venues or Events

If you have multiple events taking place during your wedding weekend, such as a rehearsal dinner or morning-after brunch, it's helpful to include this information as well. You can include it on the same invitation or provide a separate insert card with the additional event details.

For example:

"Rehearsal Dinner: Friday, June 10th, 2024 at 7:00 pm

Arctic Club Hotel

700 Third Avenue

Seattle, Washington 12345"

Clarity and Consistency

When providing location and address details, be sure to use clear and consistent formatting throughout your invitation suite. This helps to avoid confusion and ensures that your guests can easily find the information they need.

Digital Invitations

If you're sending digital invitations, you can include links to the wedding venue's website or provide a QR code that guests can scan for more information and directions.

Proofreading and Double-Checking

Before sending your invitations, it's crucial to proofread and double-check all the location and address details. Even a small mistake, such as a wrong digit in the zip code, can cause confusion for your guests. Ask a friend or family member to review the invitations as well to catch any potential errors.

Examples:

Now let's look at some examples of wedding invitation wording that includes the location and address:

"The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of

Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne

Saturday, the eleventh of June, two thousand and twenty-three

At twelve o'clock in the afternoon

Arctic Club Hotel

700 Third Avenue

Seattle, Washington

Reception to follow"

In this example, the location and address are clearly stated, with the reception information provided at the end.

Here's another example with a separate reception venue:

"Together with their families

Jessica Smith & Edward Jones

Invite you to share in their joy

Saturday, August 15, 2024

At four o'clock in the afternoon

St. Paul's Cathedral

123 Cathedral Lane

Seattle, Washington 12345

Followed by a reception at

The Arlington Room

456 Event Street

Seattle, Washington 12345"

In this example, both the ceremony and reception venues are listed with their respective addresses, providing guests with clear and concise information.

Remember to adapt the wording and format to fit the style and tone of your wedding invitation, whether it's formal, casual, or somewhere in between.

Frequently asked questions