Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: Creative Wording Ideas

Wedding invitation wording can be a minefield, but it's an important part of the process. The good news is that the rules of wedding invitation etiquette are not that complicated. The primary rule is that you create a beautiful invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day to come, while also communicating the vital details.

The first line of your wedding invitations is dedicated to the host of the wedding, also known as the party covering the expenses. Traditionally, the bride's parents pay for the wedding, but nowadays, the groom's parents, bride, and groom, or a combination of all three are contributing. There is no official order or requirement to list the names. It's all up to personal preference.

The couple's names are listed next, and the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's. However, for same-sex couples, this rule does not apply, and you can choose the order that sounds and looks best.

The ceremony details are the most important part of your wedding invites. You want to make sure your guests have no confusion about when, where, and at what time. Include the date, time, location, and address.

Let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. It's a great way to set the tone for your reception with clear expectations. If there's a cocktail hour or dancing, it's good to spell it all out here.

When it comes to the wording, you can be as formal or informal as you like. For a traditional feel, you might want to consider phrases such as We request the pleasure of your company. For a more casual approach, try Join us to celebrate or We're getting married.

Who's Hosting

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation, naming the hosts of the event. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option, no matter who is paying for the wedding.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the host line can be omitted. If the couple and their parents are contributing, you can opt for something like "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families".

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 wedding, you can 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 or start with a warm and welcoming introduction:

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

The Request to Come to the Wedding

Formal Request Wording

• "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"

Informal Request Wording

• "Join us to celebrate our wedding"
• "We're getting married!"
• "Join us as we tie the knot"
• "We'd be honoured to have you present when we exchange vows"

Creative Request Wording

• "Come eat cake with us"
• "Come party with us"
• "Eat, drink and be merry"
• "Sip fizz and dance the night away"

Remember, the wording you choose can reflect the level of formality of your wedding. If you opt for a more casual, playful tone in your invitations, guests may infer that the wedding itself will also be more relaxed and informal.

Formal Wedding Invitation Example

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter, Jessica, to Mr. Edward Jones, on [date] at [time] at [location and address]. Reception to follow."

Informal Wedding Invitation Example

"Jessica and Edward are getting hitched! Please join us as we tie the knot and celebrate our love. [date] at [time] at [location and address]. Dinner and dancing to follow."

The Couple's Names

Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's full name. However, this tradition is not set in stone and same-sex couples may choose to list names alphabetically or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

For less formal invitations, first names only may be used.

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of [couple's names]"
• " [Couple's names] request the honour of your company at their wedding"
• "Together with our families, [couple's names] request the pleasure of your company at their marriage"
• "Join us for the wedding of [couple's names]"
• "Kindly join us at the wedding of [couple's names]"
• "With joyful hearts, [couple's names] request your presence at their wedding"
• "The wedding day of [couple's names]"
• " [Couple's names] are getting hitched"
• "Together with their parents, [couple's names] invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot"

The Location of the Wedding

Providing Clear and Detailed Information:

• Include the name and full street address of your wedding venue, followed by the city, state, and zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, mention the country as well.
• If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice.
• If the reception is at a different location, you can provide the full address on a separate details card tucked into the invitation or include it on the invitation itself if there is room.

Formal and Traditional Wording:

• For a formal or traditional wedding invitation, spell out the venue's name and address in full. Avoid using abbreviations or acronyms.
• Here's an example: "The Ritz-Carlton, 1234 Main Street, San Francisco, California, 94105".

Casual and Informal Wording:

• For a more casual or informal wedding, you can keep the location description simple and concise.
• For example: "The West Palm, 825 Oceanside Ave, St. Petersburg, FL".

Multiple Venues or Events:

• If you have multiple events or venues, be sure to provide clear information for each.
• You can include additional details on separate cards or your wedding website.

Destination Weddings:

For destination weddings, consider providing travel and accommodation information, either on a separate card or your wedding website.

Proofreading and Clarity:

• It's crucial to proofread your invitations carefully to ensure all the details, including the location, are accurate.
• Avoid vague phrases like "in the morning" or "in the evening." Instead, provide clear timing and location information to avoid confusion.

Examples:

• Formal: "The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne, on 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."
• Informal: "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to celebrate their love. June 11, 2024, at 12 pm, The Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• With Multiple Venues: "Join us for the wedding ceremony at The Garden Villa, 123 Main Street, followed by a reception at The Grand Ballroom, 456 Park Lane."
• Destination Wedding: "We invite you to join us in sunny Marrakech for our wedding celebration, June 11-13, 2024. Accommodation and travel details can be found on our wedding website."

Remember to include all the necessary details while also ensuring your invitation suits your wedding's style and tone.

Reception Information

The reception information is an important part of your wedding invitation. This is where you provide your guests with the details of the post-ceremony celebrations.

If your reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". If it is at a different venue, you should include the full address or direct guests to your wedding website for more information.

Formal Post-Ceremony Wording

• An evening of celebration to follow
• Followed by an evening of celebration
• Reception immediately following at [venue]
• Dinner to follow at [venue]
• Reception to follow at [venue]

Informal Post-Ceremony Wording

• Dinner and dancing to follow
• Followed by dinner and dancing
• Drinks and dancing to follow
• Dinner, drinks and dancing to follow
• Cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow
• Adult reception to follow

If your reception is at a different location, you can include the address on a separate line or on a separate insert card.

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne, 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."
• "Together with their parents, Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot, June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm, Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "Mr. & Mrs. Flores would love your company at the marriage of their daughter, Talia Flores, to Stephen Byrne, June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm, Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington. Dinner and dancing to follow."
• "The Flores and Byrne families joyfully invite you to the marriage of Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne, June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm, Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington. Dinner and dancing to follow."

Frequently asked questions