The Wedding Invitation Card: Essential Elements Explained

Wedding invitation cards are a crucial part of wedding planning, providing guests with essential details about the big day. While the specific wording and format may vary, there are several key elements that should be included in a wedding invitation card. Firstly, the card should include a request for guests to attend the wedding, such as the pleasure of your company or request the honour of your presence. The names of the couple should be featured prominently, with the bride's name traditionally listed first. The date and time of the wedding should be included, with formal invitations spelling out the date and time in full, while modern invites may use numerical figures. The location of the ceremony and reception, including the full address, is also essential. If the reception is held at a separate venue, this information can be included on a separate details card.

Other optional elements that can be included in a wedding invitation card are meal choices or checkboxes for guests to select their preferences, directions to the venue, and accommodation suggestions for out-of-town guests. It is also common to include RSVP cards with pre-addressed envelopes and stamps for guests' convenience.

The request to attend

• "The pleasure of your company is requested"
• "The honour of your presence is requested" (the British spelling of "honour" traditionally indicates a ceremony in a church or another house of worship)
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "At the marriage of their children"

If you are having a formal wedding, you may want to use more traditional language such as "request the honour of your presence" or "request the pleasure of your company". For a less formal wedding, you could use phrases like "would love for you to join them" or "invite you to celebrate with them".

When it comes to the couple's names, traditionally the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's. However, for same-sex couples, you can choose the order based on alphabetical order or what sounds better. It is also common to include the names of the hosts, usually the parents of the couple, at the beginning of the invitation.

• "Together with their families, [Couple's names] invite you to celebrate with them on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow."
• "The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of [Couple's names] on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "With hearts full of love and joy, [Couple's names] request the honour of your presence on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Reception details below."
• "Come party with us! [Couple's names] are tying the knot on [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Dinner, dancing and merriment to follow."

The names of the couple

Whose Name Goes First?

The traditional approach is to list the bride's name first, followed by the groom's name. However, for same-sex couples, this convention is not applicable. Instead, you can choose the order based on alphabetical order or what sounds better. For instance, "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily" are both equally lovely.

Full Names or Just First Names?

It is customary to include the full names of the couple, including middle names for very formal weddings. However, using only first names is also acceptable, especially for less formal celebrations.

Same-Sex Couples

Same-sex couples have the flexibility to choose the order of their names based on their preference or what best fits the invitation design. They can opt for alphabetical order or simply go with what sounds better together.

Honoring a Deceased Parent

If one of the couple's parents has passed away, you can honour them by including their name alongside the couple's. For example: "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez, and Alexander Jones."

Handling Complex Family Dynamics

When dealing with divorced or remarried parents, it's essential to give each parent their own line. For instance: "Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory, and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner invite you to the wedding of their children, Amy Abner and Charles Hyland."

Host Line

The host line typically includes the names of those hosting the wedding, often the couple's parents. However, if the couple is hosting, you can omit this line or replace it with a warm introduction, such as "Together with full hearts" or "With hearts full of love and joy."

Setting the Tone

The way you present the couple's names can also set the tone for the celebration. For a fun and playful tone, consider a lighthearted approach, such as "Come party with us, Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim, are tying the knot!"

In summary, when including the names of the couple in a wedding invitation, consider the order of the names, the level of formality, and any unique family dynamics. Feel free to get creative and choose a style that reflects the joy and excitement of the upcoming nuptials!

Date and time

The date and time of your wedding are arguably the most important details to include in your invitation card. Here are some tips and guidelines to ensure you convey this information effectively:

Format

Traditional wedding invitation wording typically requires that the date and time are written out in full, using words instead of numerical figures. For example: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon". Here, the day of the week and the month are capitalised, and the year is in lowercase. The time of day is also spelled out, with "half after four o'clock" or "four-thirty in the afternoon" as alternatives to "4:30 pm".

For a more modern or casual feel, you may opt to use numerical figures, in which case it's important to choose a legible font to avoid any confusion. For instance, a "2" that looks like a "5" could be problematic.

Time of Day

The time of day should be indicated as either "o'clock" or "half past/after". The use of "am" or "pm" is optional. The distinction between afternoon and evening also matters: afternoon is from noon to 4 pm, while evening begins at 5 pm.

Additional Details

If your wedding ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include the full address and other relevant information on a separate details card enclosed with the invitation.

If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, be sure to include the time. You may also want to specify the type of reception, especially if it's before 1 pm. Zuelch, a stationery specialist from Invitations by Dawn, advises that the first line of the invitation should say "Breakfast Reception" for a morning event, and simply "Reception" for anything after 1 pm.

Dress Code

Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. If you're having a black-tie event, it's important to include this information on the invitation. If no dress code is specified, guests will infer the formality of the event from the invitation design. A simpler, more casual invitation suggests more relaxed attire.

RSVP Details

It's important to give your guests enough time to respond to your invitation and make any necessary travel arrangements, especially if your wedding is a destination event or during a holiday weekend. In general, invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, and the RSVP deadline should be about three to four weeks before the event. This gives you enough time to finalise numbers with your caterer and create a seating chart.

Destination Weddings

If your wedding is at a destination that requires travel for all or most guests, be sure to send out "save the date" cards well in advance. These should include recommended online travel information that guests can access early. It's also helpful to include additional print information for navigating foreign destinations.

Adults-Only Weddings

If children are not invited to your wedding, this can be indicated on the inner envelope of your invitation, which specifies the names of those invited. If the outer envelope is addressed to "The Smiths", this indicates that the whole family is invited. However, if it's addressed to "John and Victoria Smith", this implies adults only.

You can also indicate an adults-only event on the reception card, as the last line. However, it's recommended to spread this information through word-of-mouth and by addressing invitations accordingly.

Location

The location of the wedding is an important element to include in the invitation card. Here are some tips and suggestions for providing location details:

Ceremony and Reception Location

It is crucial to include the name and address of the wedding venue(s) in the invitation. This ensures that your guests know exactly where to go and can plan their transportation accordingly. If the ceremony and reception are held in the same place, you can simply add a line such as "Reception to Follow" or "Dinner and Dancing to Follow". If the reception is at a separate location, provide a separate reception card with the address and start time.

Directions and Maps

Including directions to the venue is beneficial, especially if the location is off the beaten track or in a rural area with limited phone signal. A custom map or a link to a website with maps and directions can be helpful for guests.

Parking and Transport

Informing guests about parking arrangements is considerate, especially if parking is limited or tricky to find. You could suggest alternative parking areas or provide information on overnight parking options. If you are arranging transport for guests, include brief details about the pick-up and return times and locations.

Accommodation

If you have guests travelling from out of town or anticipate that guests may want to stay overnight, providing accommodation options is helpful. You can mention special rates, booking instructions, and contact details for venues.

Itinerary

For weddings spanning multiple days or with various activities, an itinerary can be beneficial. This could include a schedule of events, such as welcome drinks, after-parties, or brunch the next day.

Timing

While the date and time of the ceremony are essential, you may also want to include the expected arrival time for guests. This could be mentioned as a suggested time for guests to arrive and be seated before the ceremony begins.

In summary, providing clear and detailed location information in your wedding invitation ensures that guests can plan their travel, accommodation, and attendance effectively. This contributes to a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Reception details

The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation. This is where you provide your guests with information about the celebration that will follow the wedding ceremony. Here are some tips and suggestions for including reception details in your wedding invitation:

Location

If your reception is held at the same venue as the wedding ceremony, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of your invitation. This indicates that the reception will take place immediately after the ceremony, in the same location.

However, if your reception is held at a different venue, you should include the full address and other relevant information. This can be included on a separate details card tucked inside the invitation envelope, or on the invitation itself if there is enough space.

Timing

If your reception starts immediately after the ceremony, you can mention "Reception to follow" as mentioned above. However, if there is a significant time gap between the ceremony and reception, or if the reception is held on a different day, be sure to include the time. For example, you can say "Reception at 7:00 pm" or "Join us for dinner and dancing at 8:00 pm".

Nature of the Event

You can give your guests a sense of the formality and nature of the reception. For example, if you're hosting a breakfast reception, the first line of your reception card should say "Breakfast Reception". For receptions held after 1 pm, simply state "Reception". If you want to indicate a sit-down meal, you can write "Dinner Reception".

Additional Information

If there are other important details about the reception that you want to convey, you can include them on the reception card or the details card. For example, if you're not serving a full meal, you can mention "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing".

Dress Code

Including dress code information on the invitation is optional but can be helpful for your guests. If you're having a black-tie event, it's important to include this information on the invitation. Otherwise, the formality of your invitation design will give guests a sense of the expected attire.

Separate Reception Invitation

If your wedding ceremony and reception are held on different days or are separate events, you may choose to send a separate invitation for the reception. This is especially useful if you have guests who are only invited to the reception and not the ceremony.

In conclusion, the reception details section of your wedding invitation should provide clear and concise information about the location, timing, and nature of your celebration. This will help your guests know what to expect and allow them to plan accordingly.

Frequently asked questions