Wedding Invitation Wording: What To Include

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They are one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel when it comes to your wedding. The invitations do an important job of conveying critical information.

The wording of your wedding invitation can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be complicated. The primary rule is actually much simpler than you think: create a beautiful wedding invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day to come while also communicating the vital details of the wedding.

- Host Line: The opening line on a wedding invitation names the hosts of the event, usually the people who are paying for the wedding.

- Attendance Request: Let your guests know exactly what they're being invited to.

- Couple's Names: The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface.

- Date and Time: Traditional wedding invitation wording requires the date and time to be spelled out in full, while numerical figures are used on modern invites.

- Location: Write the name and full street address of your wedding venue, including the state and zip code.

- Reception Details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, just say reception to follow.

- Dress Code: Including dress code information isn't compulsory, but it can be helpful for your guests.

Who's hosting?

The host line is the first line of a wedding invitation and is where the name(s) of the event host(s) appear. The hosts are usually the people who are paying for the wedding. The host line can be omitted if the couple is hosting the wedding themselves.

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 the two names.

> Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; 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)

If both sets of parents are hosting, list the bride's parents' names first if the couple is different-sex. List parents' names in alphabetical order if the couple is same-sex.

> Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Adams and Mr. and Mrs. David Beckham request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children Victoria Caroline to David Robert Joseph Saturday, the fourth of July Nineteen ninety-nine at half past seven in the evening Luttrellstown Castle Clonsilla, Ireland Reception to follow.

If the couple is hosting with their parents, you can opt for something like:

> Together with their parents

> Together with our families

> Together with their families

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line or start the invitation wording with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

> Together with full hearts

> With hearts full of love and joy

> Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage Saturday, 27 September 2014 at noon Aman Canal Grande Hotel in Venice, Italy Festivities to follow

> Miss Beyonce Knowles and Shawn "Jay Z" Carter are getting married Friday, April 4th, 2018 at four o'clock in the afternoon Join us for dinner and drinks

If the couple's parents are divorced, include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line without an "and" separating them. For divorced mothers who are not remarried, use the courtesy title "Ms." followed by whichever last name she prefers (maiden or married).

> Mr. Angiolo Guiseppe and Ms. Elettra Rossellini invite you to share in the joy of marriage uniting their son Roberto Rossellini to Ingrid Bergman Saturday, the twenty-fourth of May nineteen fifty at noon Hotel Boca Chica, Acapulco, Mexico Dinner and merriment to follow

If the couple has same-sex parents, there are a few ways to honour them on the invitation. To include the names of two parents with different last names, use the courtesy title "Mr.", "Mrs." or "Mx." and list their names in alphabetical order by last name. To include the names of two parents with the same last name, use the courtesy title "Mr.", "Mrs." or "Mx." and list their names in alphabetical order by first name.

> Mr. Michael and Mr. Sean Flannigan request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Julie Marie to Stephen Anthony Saturday, the tenth of April two thousand and twenty-one at half past six in the evening Hotel Chantelle New York City, NY Reception to follow

How to request attendance

The attendance request is a crucial part of your wedding invitation. This is where you extend the invitation to attend your wedding and can use it to set the tone for your celebration. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect request:

Tips for the Attendance Request

• You can use formal wording such as "request the honour of your presence" to denote a religious service. The British spelling of "honour" adds a formal and traditional feel.
• For a non-religious ceremony or a more casual wedding, you can use phrases like "invite you to celebrate with them", "the pleasure of your company", or "would love for you to join them".
• If you're having a fun and whimsical wedding, feel free to add a quirky request, such as "Come party with us" or "Good food, good drinks, good friends".
• For a simple and direct approach, you can say, "You are invited to the wedding of [couple's names]".

Examples of Attendance Requests

• "Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter [bride's name] to [groom's name]."
• "Together with their families, [couple's names] invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot."
• "The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of [couple's names]."
• "Join us as we celebrate our love, [couple's names]."
• "With joyful hearts, [couple's names] request your presence at their wedding."
• "Kindly join us at the wedding of [couple's names]."

Couple's names

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few different elements to consider when including the couple's names. Here are some detailed guidelines and examples to help you with the wording and formatting:

Wording and Formatting:

• Host Line: Traditionally, the bride's parents' names are listed first as the hosts of the wedding. However, it has become increasingly common to include the names of both sets of parents, especially if they are contributing financially. You can use wording such as "Together with their parents" or "Together with our families".
• Couple's Names: For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom. If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can be her first and middle name only, without the last name. The groom's name can then be listed in full or with his first and middle names followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs." and his father's name.

For same-sex couples, you have more flexibility. You can list the names alphabetically by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

Name Format: Traditionally, names are written in full for very formal weddings. This includes middle names as well. However, for less formal weddings, using only first and last names is also acceptable. Avoid using nicknames or initials unless specifically requested by the person being invited.

Examples:

• "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez, and Jackson Roberts"
• "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez, and Jackson Roberts"
• "Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Zara and Emily would love for you to join them on their wedding day"
• "Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Samantha Smith"
• "Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell"

Remember to consider the formality of your wedding and choose a wording and formatting style that aligns with it. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to your guests if you are unsure about their preferred names or honourifics.

Date, time, and location

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

Date and Time:

• For formal invitations, it is customary to spell out the date and time. For example, "Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon."
• In formal invitations, avoid using abbreviations and punctuation, except after courtesy titles.
• For informal invitations, you can use numerical figures and abbreviations. For example, "June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm."
• Specify whether the event will take place in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
• Include the year to avoid any confusion.

Location:

• Provide the name and full address of the wedding venue, including the city and state. For international guests or destination weddings, include the country as well.
• If the wedding is taking place at a private residence, you may omit the street address.
• If the reception is at the same location, you can simply state, "Reception to follow."
• For formal invitations, spell out the state name.
• If the reception is at a different location, include the address on a separate card or details card.

Formal Invitation Examples:

• "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."
• "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon, [venue name and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four o'clock in the afternoon, Skier Bridge, The Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado. Merriment and festivities to follow."

Informal Invitation Examples:

• "June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm, Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon, [venue name and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "October 19, 2012, at four o'clock in the afternoon, Borgo Egnazia Resort, 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy. Dress as you wish, dine as you like, dance as you please."

Reception details

The reception details section of your wedding invitation is where you can include all the important information about the post-ceremony celebrations. This is where you can set the tone for the reception and give your guests a clear idea of what to expect. Here are some key points to include:

Location and Address

Include the name and full address of the reception venue. If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is at a different venue, include the full address on a separate line or on a reception card included with the invitation.

Time

If the reception starts at a different time than the ceremony, be sure to include this information. You can write out the time in full or use numerals, depending on the level of formality you prefer.

Dress Code

While not compulsory, including dress code information can be helpful for your guests. This can be stated in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invitation, or on a separate reception card. Some examples of wording for different dress codes include:

• Black-tie (tuxedos and floor-length gowns)
• Formal attire (suits and dresses)
• Cocktail attire (suit or dress shirts with ties and cocktail dresses)
• Beach casual (long- or short-sleeve shirts with pants or shorts, sundresses, and sandals)

Post-Ceremony Activities

Let your guests know what kind of activities to expect at the reception. For example, if there will be a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, or any other special activities, you can include this information. Some wording examples include:

• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Drinks and dancing to follow"
• "Cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow"

Separate Reception Invitation

If your ceremony and reception are at separate venues or on different days, you may choose to send a separate reception invitation or card with the relevant details. This is especially useful if you are having an intimate ceremony and a larger reception, as it helps to avoid confusion among your guests.

RSVP Information

Don't forget to include RSVP details so your guests know how and when to respond to your invitation. You can include an RSVP card with your invitation or direct guests to your wedding website to respond.

Remember to keep the tone and style of your reception details consistent with the overall theme and formality of your wedding invitation. By including these key details, your guests will have a clear idea of what to expect at your wedding reception and will be able to plan accordingly.

Frequently asked questions