The Perfect Wedding Invitation: What To Write And How

The front of a wedding invitation should include the host line, a request line, the couple's names, the date, time, and location of the ceremony, and reception details. The host line, which is optional, typically includes the names of the people hosting the wedding, usually the couple's parents. The request line is an invitation for guests to join the wedding celebration. The couple's names are usually displayed in larger text, with the bride's name traditionally coming before the groom's. The date, time, and location of the ceremony should be included, followed by reception details, which can be on a separate card for formal invitations.

Host Line: The opening line of a wedding invitation names the hosts of the event

The host line is the opening line of a wedding invitation and it names the hosts of the event. The hosts are usually the people who are paying for the wedding. The host line is typically placed at the very top of the invitation. The wording will vary depending on who is hosting the wedding. Here are some examples of different scenarios:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' full names, with middle names included for very formal weddings. If they have different last names, use "and" to join the two names.

Examples:

• 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)

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

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, followed by the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names in alphabetical order or in the order that looks best with the invitation design.

Examples:

• 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

When the couple and both of their families are contributing to the cost of the wedding, you can include a line such as "Together with their families" as the host line.

Examples:

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

Couple Is Hosting Themselves

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can omit the host line or start the invitation with a warm and welcoming introduction.

Examples:

• Together with full hearts
• With hearts full of love and joy

Attendance Request: The request to attend lets guests know what they're being invited to

The front of a wedding invitation should include a clear attendance request, which lets guests know exactly what they're being invited to. This is usually a formal request, such as "request the honour of your presence" or "request the pleasure of your company". However, more casual language can be used for non-religious ceremonies, such as "invite you to join" or "would love for you to join them".

Hosted by One Set of Parents

• "Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Lively invite you to share in the joy of marriage uniting their daughter Blake Ellender to Ryan Rodney"
• "Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Simon Peter Blunt invite you to the marriage of Emily Olivia Leah and John Burke"

Hosted by Both Sets of Parents

• "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"
• "With great pleasure Kimberly and Jonathan Biel and Lynn Bomar Harless and Randall Timberlake invite you to celebrate the marriage of their children Jessica and Justin"

Hosted by the Couple

• "Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage"
• "Miss Beyonce Knowles and Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter are getting married"

Hosted by Divorced Parents

• "Mr. Angiolo Guiseppe and Ms. Elettra Rossellini invite you to share in the joy of marriage uniting their son Roberto Rossellini to Ingrid Bergman"
• "Ms. Pamela Jacobsen and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jacobsen invite you to share in their wedding festivities at the marriage of their daughter Jordan to Paige"

Hosted by Parent, Including Deceased Parent

• "Mrs. and Mr. Michael Francis Middleton request the honour of your company at the marriage of their daughter Catherine Elizabeth Middleton to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge"
• "Together with their families Malaak Compton, daughter of Gerald and Louisa Compton, and Christopher Rock, son of the late Julius Rock and Rosalie Rock, invite you to share in their wedding festivities"

Hosted by Same-Sex Parents

• "Mr. Michael and Mr. Sean Flannigan request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Julie Marie to Stephen Anthony"
• "Ms. Jane and Ms. Courtney Lowe invite you to attend the marriage of their daughter Madison to Colton"

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

The names of the couple are the most important part of the wedding invitation. They are usually displayed in larger text and often in a fancy typeface.

For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes before the groom's. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and some couples may prefer to go in alphabetical order or simply choose what sounds better.

For formal invitations, it is customary to use the bride's first and middle names and the groom's full name and title. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, their titles are optional.

If you are using traditional wedding invitation wording, follow these rules:

• Capitalise proper names and titles.
• Don't use punctuation, except after courtesy titles.
• Avoid abbreviations; in general, spell everything out except courtesy titles.
• Don't spell out courtesy titles, except for "Doctor" in the case of medical doctors.

Same-sex couples may choose to list their names alphabetically by last name or first name, depending on what sounds better.

For a less formal feel, you may opt to list first names only.

Date and Time: The date and time should be spelled out in full for traditional invites

When it comes to wedding invitations, the date and time are crucial elements that require careful consideration. For traditional invites, it is customary to spell out the date and time in full, refraining from using abbreviations or numerical figures. This adds a touch of elegance and formality to the occasion. Here are some paragraphs elaborating on this aspect:

The Importance of Clarity:

Spell out the date, day of the week, month, and year in their entirety. For instance, write "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand and twenty-one" instead of using numerals or abbreviations. This attention to detail ensures your guests have all the information they need and adds a touch of charm to your invitation.

Time Specifications:

When specifying the time, opt for "four o'clock in the afternoon" or "half after four o'clock" instead of using numbers. This traditional phrasing enhances the formality of your invitation. Remember, noon to four o'clock is considered the afternoon, and anything after five o'clock is considered the evening.

Maintaining Consistency:

By spelling out the date and time in full, you maintain consistency with the traditional style of your invitation. This attention to detail showcases your dedication to creating a cohesive and elegant announcement. It also ensures that your guests have a clear understanding of the timing, reducing potential confusion.

A Touch of Flexibility:

While traditional invites favour spelling out the date and time, modern invites often use numerical figures. If you opt for numerals, be mindful of legibility. Choose a clear font to avoid any misunderstandings, especially when distinguishing between similar numbers like "2" and "5."

Setting the Tone:

The way you present the date and time on your invitation contributes to the overall tone and atmosphere you wish to convey. Spelling them out in full lends an air of formality and tradition, while using numerical figures can give a more contemporary feel. Consider what impression you want to create for your special day.

Location: Include the name and full address of the wedding venue

The location line of a wedding invitation is one of the most important parts. It ensures your guests know where to show up to celebrate your big day! The location line should include the name of the wedding venue, as well as the full street address, city, state, and zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country as well.

The street address of the venue is usually only included if omitting it would cause confusion or if the wedding is taking place at a private residence. If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate card.

• "The Ritz-Carlton, 999 Example Avenue, New York, NY, 10010"
• "Gulf Beach Resort Motel, 123 Beach Road, Sarasota, FL, 34236"
• "The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Hotel, Santa Barbara, California"
• "St. Michael's Church, 456 Church Lane, Anytown, USA"
• "Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington"

Frequently asked questions