The Perfect Wedding Invitation: What To Write And How

Wedding invitations are an important part of the planning process. They are one of the first things your guests will see, touch and feel, and they convey critical information. The wording of a wedding invitation provides all the essential details, such as the couple's full names, who's hosting the nuptials, the ceremony location and the reception venue. The wording can also indicate the level of formality of the event.

The invitation should include the host line, a request line, the couple's names, the date, time and location of the ceremony, and the reception details. Other optional elements are the dress code, the number of guests, and how guests should RSVP.

Host Line: Names the hosts of the wedding, usually those paying

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the host(s) of the event, usually those paying for the wedding. The host line is included at the very top of the invitation, and the names of the hosts are typically capitalised with proper titles.

If the bride's parents are hosting, their names are listed first, followed by the groom's parents. For same-sex couples, the names are listed in alphabetical order or in the order that looks best with the invitation design. Here are some examples of host lines for different scenarios:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; the middle name is included)
• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Williams (formal)
• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Sarah Williams (formal; includes both first names)
• Christopher and Sarah Williams (less formal)

One Set of Divorced Parents Hosting

Include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line. Do not use "and" to connect the two names.

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

• 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 Is Hosting With Their Families

• Together with their families
• Together with our families
• Together with their parents

Couple Is Hosting

The host line can be omitted, or the invitation can begin with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

Attendance Request: Extends an invitation to guests

The attendance request is the section of the wedding invitation that lets guests know exactly what they are being invited to. This is where you extend an invitation to attend your wedding and can be used to set the tone for your celebration. Here are some examples of attendance request wordings:

• "The pleasure of your company is requested"
• "The honour of your presence is requested" (the British spelling of "honour" traditionally indicates a more formal and religious ceremony)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Together with their parents, invite you to share in their joy"
• "Together with their families, request the honour/honor of your presence"
• "With their parents, request the pleasure of your company"
• "Together with full hearts, invite you to celebrate with them"
• "With hearts full of love and joy, request the honour/honor of your company"
• "Invite you to join them"
• "Are getting married and request the pleasure of your company"
• "Are tying the knot and would love for you to join them"
• "Are getting hitched and invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Request the honour/honor of your presence at their wedding"
• "Request the pleasure of your company at their wedding celebration"
• "Joyfully request the pleasure of your company as they exchange their vows"
• "Invite you to share in their joy as they become husband and wife"
• "Invite you to join them as they say 'I do'"
• "Request the pleasure of your company as they exchange vows"
• "Are ready to join your adventure and invite you to celebrate with them"

The tone of the attendance request can be formal, fun, casual, creative, modern, or simple, depending on the style of the wedding. For example, a fun wedding invitation might say, "Come party with us," while a simple wedding invitation might say, "Please join us for our wedding."

The attendance request can also be used to provide additional information about the wedding, such as the dress code or the theme. For example, a creative wedding invitation might say, "It's a wedding! Join us as we celebrate," while a modern wedding invitation might say, "We would love to eat wedding cake with you."

The Couple's Names

The couple's names are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name traditionally comes before the groom's. For same-sex couples, the wording of the host line may dictate whose name comes first, or it may be based on alphabetical order or what looks best with the invitation design.

Date, Time, and Location

The date, time, and location of the wedding should be included in the invitation to ensure guests have all the information they need. Traditional wedding invitation wording requires the date and time to be spelled out in full, while modern invites often use numerical figures. The location should include the name and full address of the venue, including the state and zip code, or the country if the wedding is taking place abroad.

Reception Details

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, the invitation can simply say "reception to follow." If the reception is at a different location, the full address and other pertinent information can be included on a separate details card tucked into the invitation.

Dress Code and RSVP Information

Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. This information can be included in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invitation, or on a separate details card or the wedding website.

RSVP information is important to include, with a reply-by date that is typically three to four weeks before the wedding. This allows enough time to provide a final headcount to the caterer and finalize the seating chart.

Couple's Names: The main event, usually in larger text

The couple's names are the most important part of the wedding invitation, after the hosts. The names are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface.

For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes before the groom's. For same-sex couples, the wording of the host line may dictate whose name comes first (i.e. if one set of parents is hosting, their names will come first and their child's name should follow). If the couple is hosting themselves, it is up to them to decide whose name comes first.

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment"
• "Together with their parents, Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Flores would love your company at the marriage of their daughter Talia Flores to Stephen Byrne"
• "Mr & Mrs. Byrne joyfully invite you to the marriage of Talia Flores to their son Stephen Byrne"

Date and Time: Spelled out for formal invites, numerals for modern invites

When it comes to the date and time of your wedding, the format you choose will depend on whether you're opting for a formal or modern/casual invitation style.

Formal Wedding Invitation Wording

For formal invites, the date and time are usually spelled out in full. For example, if your wedding is on September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be:

> Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon.

The day of the week and the month should be capitalized, and the year should be in lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year.

The time of day is usually expressed as “four o'clock” or “half after four o'clock." You can also specify "in the afternoon" or "in the evening." Noon until 4:00 p.m. is considered afternoon, and evening begins at 5:00 p.m.

Modern/Casual Wedding Invitation Wording

In contrast, modern or casual invites often use numerals for the date and time. For example:

> Saturday, 15 September 2024, 4:30 p.m.

When using numerals, choose a legible font to avoid confusion (e.g., a "2" that looks like a "5").

Additional Tips

• The year is optional, as guests will assume the wedding is on the nearest date with that day and month.
• Using "a.m." or "p.m." is also optional for formal invites.
• If your wedding is in the morning, you can indicate "in the morning" instead of specifying a.m.
• Be sure to write out the full venue name and address, especially for a destination wedding or out-of-town guests.
• For formal invites, spell out the state name, and include the zip code if needed to avoid confusion.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can add your own creative touches to your wedding invitations while ensuring your guests receive the critical information.

Location: Name and address of the venue

The location line of your wedding invitation should include the name and address of your wedding venue. Here are some examples of how to format this line:

Formal Invitation Wording

• If your wedding is in the same country as your guests: Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington.
• If your wedding is abroad: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick, Sydney, Australia.

Informal Invitation Wording

• Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA.
• Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick, Sydney, AUS.

If your wedding venue is well-known or doesn't have a street address, you may choose to omit the street address. For example:

• The Ritz-Carlton, Beaver Creek, Colorado.
• The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Hotel, Santa Barbara, California.

If your ceremony and reception are in the same location, you can simply add "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" at the end of the invitation. If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate reception card.

Frequently asked questions