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 and touch, and they convey critical information. The wording of a wedding invitation should provide 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 hint at the level of formality of the event. Here are some key elements to include in your wedding invitation:

- Host Line: The opening line names the hosts of the event, usually the people paying for the wedding. If the couple is hosting, this line can be omitted.

- Attendance Request: This line lets guests know exactly what they are being invited to, such as the pleasure of your company or invite you to celebrate with them.

- Couple's Names: The names of the couple are typically displayed in larger text and can include full names or just first and middle names.

- Date and Time: Formal invitations usually spell out the date and time, while modern invites may use numerical figures.

- Location: Include the name and full address of the venue, especially for destination weddings or out-of-town guests.

- Reception Details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, simply mention reception to follow. Otherwise, include the full address on a separate card.

- Dress Code: Including dress code information is optional but helpful for guests. It is usually mentioned in the lower corner or centre of the invite.

The Host Line

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents' 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)

One Set of Divorced Parents Hosting

Include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name. Do not use "and" to connect the two names; instead, give each name its own line.

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names first, then the groom's parents' names. For same-sex couples, list the names according to preference or in the order that looks best with the invitation design.

• 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, many choose to add a line such as "Together with their families" as the host line.

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

Couple Is Hosting

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

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

The Request Line

> "Request the honour of your presence"

> "Request the pleasure of your company"

> "Invite you to celebrate with them"

> "Would love for you to join them"

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. Instead, you can choose to list names alphabetically or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the request line can be a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

> "Together with full hearts"

> "With hearts full of love and joy"

The Couple's Names

For formal weddings, it is customary to write out the couple's full names, including middle names. In less formal settings, first names only are acceptable.

Formal Wedding Invitation Wording

> The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim

> Together with their families, Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes request the honour of your presence at their wedding

Fun Wedding Invitation Wording

> Come party with us! Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot

> Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith, and Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes hope you'll join them on the dance floor to celebrate the marriage of their children, Olivia Rose and John Michael

Casual Wedding Invitation Wording

> Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding

> Jack Smith and Mason Kim, together with their families, invite you to their wedding

Creative Wedding Invitation Wording

> Good food, good drinks, good friends. Jack Smith and Mason Kim request you celebrate with them as they get hitched

> Kenzie and Jennifer Smith and Mark and Sally Reyes can't wait to celebrate with you at the marriage of Olivia Rose and John Michael

Modern Wedding Invitation Wording

> Jack Smith and Mason Kim would love to eat wedding cake with you

> Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim, together with their parents, invite you to their wedding

Simple Wedding Invitation Wording

> Jack Smith and Mason Kim are getting married

Date, Time, and Location

The date, time, and location of the wedding are essential pieces of information that should be included in the 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 rather than using numerals. For example, "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 capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase letters.
• Avoid using "and" when spelling out the year.
• The time of day can be indicated as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock".
• For informal or casual invitations, it is acceptable to use numerals, such as "4:00 pm" or "4:30 pm".

Location:

• Include the name of the wedding venue and the city, state, and country if the wedding is taking place abroad.
• For formal weddings, spell out the state name.
• The street address of the venue is usually not included unless it is a private residence or if omitting it may cause confusion.
• If the reception will be at the same location, 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 or provide separate reception cards with the event details.

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 fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick. Reception to follow at six o'clock in the evening, The Argyle, The Rocks, Sydney."

Casual Invitation Examples:

• "June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm, Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "July 10, 2010, at half past six in the evening, Via Regina Teodolinda, 35 Como, Italy. Food, wine, and merriment to follow."

Reception Details

The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation. This section provides guests with the information they need to celebrate with you after the ceremony. Here are some tips and suggestions for including reception details in your wedding invitations:

Location and Timing

If your wedding ceremony and reception are held in the same place, you can simply write "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" at the bottom of your invitation. This lets guests know that the celebration will be held in the same location as the ceremony.

However, if your reception is at a different venue, include the full address and other pertinent information. You can include this on a separate details card tucked inside the invitation or on the invitation itself if there is room. For example: "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing at [reception venue name and address]."

If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, be sure to include the time. For instance, you can write, "Reception at 6:00 pm at [venue name and address]."

Dress Code

Including dress code information on the invitation is optional but can be helpful for your guests. You can mention the dress code in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite. Alternatively, use a separate details card or your wedding website to convey this information. For example, if your wedding is black-tie, you must include this on the invitation.

If you don't specify a dress code, guests will usually infer it from the invitation's formality. A very fancy invitation suggests a formal, black-tie affair, while a simpler invitation indicates a more casual dress code.

RSVP and Website Information

Most couples choose to include a separate response card for guests to fill out and return. You can also provide the option of RSVPing via your wedding website. If you opt for an online RSVP, include the website address on a separate card, just as you would with a physical response card.

Remember to give your guests enough time to respond. Set your RSVP deadline for about three to four weeks before the wedding date. This will allow you to finalise the details with your caterers and create a seating chart if needed.

Frequently asked questions