Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation Acceptance Card

Wedding invitation cards are an important piece of the wedding planning puzzle. They set the tone for the wedding and convey critical information. The invitation should include the host line, a request line, the couple's names, the date, time, and location of the ceremony, and the reception details. The host line is where the name(s) of the event host(s) appear, usually the people paying for the wedding. The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. The couple's names should be front and centre, with the bride's name traditionally coming before the groom's. The date, time, and location of the ceremony should be included, with the date and year spelled out for formal invitations. The reception details line comes at the end, notifying guests of what's scheduled to follow the ceremony.

Host Line

The host line is the first line of a wedding invitation and is dedicated to the host(s) of the wedding, or the party covering the expenses. The host line is usually the person or people paying for the wedding.

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

If the bride or groom's parents are married, include their full names, with middle names for very formal weddings. If they have different last names, write "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

If the bride or groom's parents are divorced, 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, 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 add 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 Hosting

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

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

Request Line

The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. Here are some ideas for the request line of your wedding invitation acceptance card:

• "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"
• "Invite you to share in their joy"
• "Invite you to raise a glass"
• "Hope you'll join them on the dance floor"
• "Come party with us"
• "Eat, drink and be merry"
• "Eat wedding cake with you"
• "Join us as we celebrate our wedding"
• "Join us as we say 'I do'"
• "Join us for dinner and drinks"
• "Join us for dinner and dancing"
• "Join us to celebrate the marriage of their children"
• "Join us for the celebration of their union"
• "Join us for the marriage of"
• "Together with their families, invite you to celebrate with them"

Couple's Names

What to Write in a Wedding Invitation Acceptance Card

Formal Wedding Wishes

• May the years ahead be filled with love and joy.
• May your love grow stronger each and every passing year.
• Thank you for letting us share in your special day. We wish you all the happiness in the world.
• Here's to a lifetime full of happiness and love.
• Wishing you well as you embark on this next chapter of life. Cheers!
• May today mark the first of the rest of your life, filled with love and fellowship.
• Here's to a long, happy life with the one you love. Wishing you the best.
• Wishing you happiness, love, and joy on your wedding day.

Casual Wedding Wishes

• Here's to a long and happy marriage!
• Wishing you all of the love and happiness!
• We're so happy for you!
• I'm seeing a fun-filled life in your future. Congratulations!
• So honored to spend this happy occasion with you and your family.
• Wishing you the best today and beyond.
• May your love continue to grow with every kiss.
• Today is just the beginning of the fun! Looking forward to celebrating this season with you.
• Congratulations! (Pinky promise it's appropriate.)

Religious Wedding Wishes

• "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." –1 Corinthians 13:13
• "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." –1 John 4:12
• "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." –Ephesians 4:32
• "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." –Mark 10:9
• "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." –1 Corinthians 13:4-5
• "I have found the one whom my soul loves." –Song of Solomon 3:4
• "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." –Romans 12:10
• "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." –Proverbs 3:3
• "Serve one another through love." –Galatians 5:13
• "Let all that you do be done in love." –1 Corinthians 16:14

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 section effectively:

• Spell out the date and time: For formal invitations, it is customary to spell out the date, time, and year in full. For example, "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon". The day of the week and the month should be capitalized, and the year should be in lowercase letters. Do not use "and" when spelling out the year.
• Specify the time of day: The time of day should be indicated as "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening". Noon until 4:00 pm is considered afternoon, and 5:00 pm onwards is considered evening.
• Provide the full address for out-of-town guests: Include the name and full street address of the wedding venue, along with the city and state. For formal weddings, it is common to spell out the state name in full. The street address is usually not included unless it is a private residence or if omitting it would cause confusion.
• Indicate the number of guests: If you are allowing guests to bring a plus one, specify this on the invitation. Write the guest's name and "and Guest" on the envelope. If you prefer a more intimate ceremony without plus ones, only write the invited guest's name on the envelope.
• Provide separate cards for different locations: If the ceremony and reception are at different locations, include the reception address on a separate card or insert. This ensures that your guests have clear and accurate information.
• Use clear and consistent wording: Maintain consistency in the wording and format throughout the invitation. For example, if you spell out the date, ensure that you spell out the time as well. This attention to detail adds to the elegance and formality of the invitation.
• Formal invitation: "Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon, [venue name and address], [city and state]. Reception to follow."
• Casual invitation: "Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon, [venue name and address], [city and state]. Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow."
• Destination wedding: "Saturday, July 25, 2025, at 5:00 pm, [venue name and full address], [city, state, and country]. Reception and festivities to follow."
• With separate reception card: "Saturday, June 12, 2024, at 3:00 pm, [ceremony venue name and address]. Please find the reception details on the enclosed card."

Reception Details

The reception line is where you let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. If the ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, include the line "Reception to follow" at the bottom of the invitation. If the reception is at a different location, treat it as a separate event and include a separate reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite.

If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate card. You can also include information on the dress code and how guests should RSVP (a wedding website, an email, and/or phone number, and an RSVP deadline) if you forgo a response card.

• "Reception immediately following the ceremony"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow" (if you’re not serving a full meal)
• "Feasting and merriment to follow"
• "Dining, dancing, and happily ever after to follow"
• "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing"

Frequently asked questions