Elegant Wedding Invitation Wording: Crafting The Perfect Invite

Wedding invitations are one of the first things guests will see, so it's important to get the wording right. The good news is that the rules of wedding invitation etiquette are not that complicated. The primary rule is to create a beautiful wedding invitation that represents you, your partner, and your love while also communicating the vital details of the wedding.

- Host Line: Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and are named at the top of the invitation. However, including the names of both sets of parents is a gracious option. If the couple is hosting, you can omit the host line or start with a welcoming introduction.

- Attendance Request: Let your guests know exactly what they're being invited to. Examples include invite you to celebrate with them, the pleasure of your company, and request the honour of your presence.

- Couple's Names: The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes first. For same-sex couples, names can be listed alphabetically or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

- Date and Time: Traditional invitations spell out the date and time, while modern invites often use numerical figures.

- Location: Include the name and full address of the venue, including the state and zip code. If the wedding is abroad, add the country as well.

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

- Dress Code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. If your wedding is black-tie, it's important to include this on the invitation.

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

The host line is the first line of a wedding invitation and traditionally names the hosts of the event. The hosts are usually the people paying for the wedding. Here are some examples of how to word the host line depending on who is hosting:

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 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, then 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.

• 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 add a line such as:

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

Couple Hosting

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

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

Honoring a Deceased Parent

A common way to honour a deceased parent is to include them alongside one of the couple's names. For example:

• Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez, or Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez.
• 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, son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Attendance Request: This is where you invite your guests to attend

The "Attendance Request" section of a wedding invitation is where you invite your guests to attend your wedding celebration. Here are four to six paragraphs with different examples of wording for this section, keeping in mind that the content should be detailed, direct, instructive, and focused on requesting the attendance of your guests:

Paragraph 1: Formal Wording Example

"The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. We invite you to share in our joy and be a part of this special day as we exchange vows and begin our journey together."

Paragraph 2: Casual Wording Example

"You are cordially invited to celebrate with us as we exchange vows and begin our new life together. Please join us at the wedding of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] as they unite in marriage and take the first step towards forever."

Paragraph 3: Creative Wording Example

"Love is in the air, and we want you to be a part of it! You are invited to witness the union of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] as they pledge their love and commitment to each other. Join us for a day filled with joy, laughter, and memories in the making."

Paragraph 4: Modern Wording Example

"With joyful hearts, we invite you to be a part of our wedding day. [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] request your presence to celebrate their love and the beginning of their forever. Join us as they say 'I do' and dance into the night."

Paragraph 5: Simple and Direct Wording Example

"Please join us for the wedding of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. Your presence is requested as we celebrate this special day and begin our journey as husband and wife. We would be honoured to have you share in our happiness."

Paragraph 6: Fun and Lighthearted Wording Example

"Let the wedding bells ring! We're getting married, and we want you to be there! Join us for a day filled with love, laughter, and magical moments as [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] tie the knot and dance into the night."

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, after the ceremony details. The couple's names are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface.

Formal Wording

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Camila Flores & Stephen Anthony Byrne request the honour of your company at the celebration of their union"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Talia Camila Flores to Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Tom Byrne request the honour of your presence at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores to their son Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Flores and Mr. & Mrs. Byrne request the honour of your company at the marriage of their children Talia Camila Flores & Stephen Anthony Byrne"

Informal Wording

• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment"
• "Together with their parents, Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Flores would love your company at the marriage of their daughter Talia Flores to Stephen Byrne"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Byrne joyfully invite you to the marriage of Talia Flores to their son Stephen Byrne"
• "The Flores and Byrne families joyfully invite you to the marriage of Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne"

Other Wording Ideas

• "Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage"
• "Come party with us, Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot"
• "Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes with their parents, Kenzie Smith and Jennifer Smith, and Mark Franklin and Mary Reyes, request you to eat, drink, and be merry at their wedding"
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends. Jack Smith & Mason Kim request you celebrate with them as they get hitched"
• "Jack Smith & Mason Kim and their joyful parents hope you will attend their wedding"

Date and Time: The date and time are typically spelled out in full for formal invites

When it comes to wedding invitations, the date and time are typically spelled out in full for formal invites. This means writing out the month, day, and year in letters, rather than using numbers. For example, if your wedding is on September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., a formal invitation would read:

> Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon.

Example 1

• Date: Saturday, the seventeenth of August, two thousand twenty-four
• Time: half after four o'clock in the afternoon

Example 2

• Date: Saturday, the twenty-eighth day of May, two thousand fourteen
• Time: two o'clock in the afternoon

Example 3

• Date: Saturday, the fourteenth of June, two thousand fourteen
• Time: half after eleven o'clock in the morning

As you can see, the time of day is also spelled out in full for formal invites. "O'clock" is often used, as well as phrases like "half after" or "half past" for times like 4:30. The use of a.m. or p.m. is optional, but if you do include it, it is typically written without a space, like this: 4:30 p.m.

It's worth noting that the year is also sometimes written out in full, especially for very formal invitations. However, this is not always necessary, and you may choose to use numerals for the year to save space or for a slightly more modern look.

Finally, remember that the level of formality in your invitation wording can be a hint to guests about the dress code and overall tone of your wedding. Formal wording suggests a black-tie affair, while more casual language indicates a relaxed dress code.

Location: Include the name and address of the venue

When it comes to elegant wedding invitations, there are a few key elements to include. Here are some instructive and focused paragraphs on the location details to include in your invitations:

The location section of your wedding invitation is crucial, providing guests with the necessary information to arrive at the right place at the right time. Include the name and full street address of your wedding venue, along with the city, state, and zip code. For international destinations, don't forget to add the country as well. The venue's street address is usually included only if the wedding is taking place at a private residence or if omitting it may cause confusion.

If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice. However, if the reception is at a separate location, provide the full address on a separate details card tucked inside the main invitation. This ensures your guests have all the information they need to transition smoothly from the ceremony to the reception.

For formal invitations, it is customary to spell out the full address, including writing out the state name. However, for casual invitations, using numerals and abbreviations is perfectly acceptable. For example, "The Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington" for a formal invitation, or "Arctic Club Hotel, 700 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA" for a more casual tone.

In certain situations, you may wish to include additional location details. If your wedding is taking place outdoors within a large venue, such as a park, it is helpful to specify the exact area. You can add a line such as "Ceremony at Boiling Springs State Park, Group Camp One Buildy One." This ensures your guests know precisely where to go.

When it comes to elegant wedding invitations, providing clear and concise location information is essential. By including the venue's name and address, as well as any relevant details, you can guide your guests smoothly to your celebration.

Frequently asked questions