The Complete Guide To Wedding Invitation Etiquette

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few key elements that should be included to ensure you are following proper etiquette and providing your guests with all the information they need. Here is a brief overview of what to include on your wedding invitations:

1. Host Line: Start by listing the host(s) of the event, typically the people who are paying for the wedding. This could be one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple and their parents, or just the couple.

2. Request Line: Include a line inviting your guests to join your wedding celebration. The wording can vary depending on the formality of your wedding. For a formal wedding, you might use request the honour of your presence, while for a more casual event, you could say invite you to join or please join us to celebrate.

3. Couple's Names: The names of the couple should be front and centre, with the bride's name traditionally coming before the groom's for heterosexual couples. For same-sex couples, the order of names can be decided by preference or what looks best with the invitation design.

4. Date, Time, and Location: Include the wedding date, start time, and venue name and address. For formal invitations, spell out the date, time, and location in full. For casual invitations, you may use numerals and abbreviations.

5. Reception Details: Let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. If the ceremony and reception are at the same location, a simple Reception to follow will suffice. If the reception is at a different location, include the address on a separate card or provide additional details.

6. Dress Code and RSVP Information: While not essential, including dress code information can be helpful for guests. You may also want to indicate how guests should RSVP, such as providing a wedding website, email, or phone number.

Remember to keep your wedding invitation wording consistent with the tone and style of your wedding. Whether you're going for a formal, casual, or creative theme, ensure your invitations set the right atmosphere for your big day.

Host Line

The host line is the first line of a wedding invitation and is dedicated to the host(s) of the wedding, also known as the party covering the expenses. The host line is important as it lets guests know whom to thank. Traditionally, the bride's parents pay for the wedding, but nowadays, the groom's parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of all three may contribute.

Including Both Sets of Parents

If both sets of parents are hosting, you can list all parents' names or opt for something simpler like:

• "Together with their parents"
• "Together with our families"
• "Together with their families, [couple's names] request the honour of your presence at their wedding"

Including One Set of Parents

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 them. For divorced parents, keep each parent on a separate line. If you want to include a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as their partner.

Couple Hosting

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

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

Including Deceased Parents

If you want to include the name of a deceased parent, you'll need to rearrange the host line as someone who has passed cannot serve as a host. A common way to honour a deceased parent is to include them alongside one of the couple's names, for example:

" [Name of couple member], daughter/son of [parent's name] and the late [parent's name]"

Attendance Request

The attendance request is a crucial part of a wedding invitation, as it sets the tone for the event and lets guests know exactly what they are being invited to. Here are some ideas for the attendance request section of a wedding invitation:

Formal Requests

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Cordially invite you to attend"

Informal Requests

• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Invite you to their wedding"
• "Invite you to share in their joy"

Formal Wedding Invitation Example

"Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son Jack Alexander to Mason Jacob Kim on Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow."

Informal Wedding Invitation Example

"Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow."

Remember, the attendance request should match the tone and style of the wedding and can be tailored to reflect the personalities of the couple.

Couple's Names

The couple's names are a key element of a wedding invitation. Traditionally, the bride's name precedes the groom's name, with the bride's first and middle names used, and the groom's first and last names. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and couples are free to break with it if they wish. For same-sex couples, either name can come first, or alphabetical order can be used.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the host line can be omitted. Here are some examples of how to word the invitation with the couple's names:

Formal Wording

"The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne."

"Together with their parents, Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne request the honour of your company at the celebration of their union."

Informal Wording

"Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment."

"Together with their parents, Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot."

Creative Wording

"We invite you to share in our joy and request your presence at the wedding of Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne."

"Talia Flores & Stephen Byrne together with their parents invite you to their wedding."

Date and Time

When it comes to writing the date and time on your wedding invitations, there are a few different ways to format this information. Here are some detailed instructions and examples to help you get started:

Traditional Wedding Invitation Wording:

The traditional way to write the date and time on a wedding invitation is to spell out the numbers and use formal language. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Always spell out numbers, such as "four" instead of "4".
• Use phrases like "half after four" instead of "four thirty".
• Include "o'clock" when writing the time, for example, "half after four o'clock".
• Use "half after" instead of "half past".
• Specify the time of day as "morning" (up until noon), "afternoon" (from noon to 5 pm), or "evening" (from 5 pm onwards).
• Write out the day of the week, the number of the month, and the full month, for example, "Saturday, the tenth of May".
• For compound numbers, use a hyphen, for example, "Saturday, the TWENTY-EIGHTH of May".
• Write out the number of the year in full, such as "two thousand sixteen".
• Omit the word "and" in the year, so write "two thousand sixteen" instead of "two thousand and sixteen".

Here's an example of how this might look:

"Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon"

Modern Wedding Invitation Wording:

If you're opting for a more modern or casual invitation style, you can use numerical figures and a more relaxed tone. Here are some tips:

• Use numerical figures for the date and time, for example, "Saturday, 8/17/2024, 4:30 pm".
• Choose a legible font to avoid confusion (e.g., avoid using a "2" that looks like a "5").
• You may choose to write out the time of day, such as "4:30 in the afternoon" or simply "4:30 pm".
• If your wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country in the address.

Here's an example of modern wedding invitation wording:

"Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 pm at [venue name and address], [country]"

Additional Tips:

• Consider the formality of your wedding when choosing how to write the date and time. Formal weddings typically call for traditional wording, while casual weddings allow for more flexibility.
• Be consistent with the level of formality throughout your invitation, from the wording to the font and design elements.
• If you're unsure about the best way to word your invitations, consider working with a stationer or designer who can help you create sophisticated and elegant invitations that reflect your style.

Location

The location is one of the most important elements of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and suggestions for how to word the location details:

The location section of the invitation should include the name and full street address of the wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country as well. The venue's street address is typically only included if its omission might lead to confusion or if the wedding is taking place at a private residence.

Format and Style

For formal invitations, spell out the full address, including the state name. For casual invitations, it is acceptable to use abbreviations. The zip code is usually omitted.

Multiple Venues

If you are holding additional events or if the ceremony and reception are in separate locations, you may need to include more than one address on your invitation or accompanying cards. If the events are on the same day, you can include the details beneath the reception information. If the events are on different days, it is best to include a separate details card outlining the timeline of events.

Time and Date

The location section should also include the date and time of the wedding. For formal invitations, spell out the date and time in full (e.g., "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon"). For casual invitations, it is acceptable to use numerals (e.g., "Saturday, Sept. 15, 2021, 4:30 p.m.").

Reception Details

If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, 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 line or include a separate reception card with the event details.

Additional Information

If there are multiple events during the wedding weekend, you may want to include an activity card with a chronological list of festivities open to guests. You can also include an information card with directions, transportation information, lodging suggestions, and other relevant details.

Frequently asked questions