Wedding Invitation Information Card: What To Include

Wedding invitations are a chance to showcase your style and give your guests all the information they need to know about your big day. But what exactly should you write on a wedding invitation information card?

The key details to include are the request to come to the wedding, the names of the couple, and reception information. You may also want to include an RSVP card or instructions for a digital RSVP, and information about travel and accommodation.

The tone of your wedding invitation can be formal or casual, and it's up to you how creative you want to get with the wording. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and are named at the top of the invitation, but nowadays, many couples host their own weddings or do so together with their parents.

In terms of layout, the invitation should include the date and time of the wedding, the ceremony venue, and the reception venue if it's different. The dress code can be included in the bottom right-hand corner of the invitation, or on a separate card.

Who to Include and How to Address Them

The host line is the first thing to consider when addressing your wedding invitations. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and their names come first. However, it is becoming more common to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts, which is a gracious option regardless of who is paying for the wedding. If the couple and their parents are contributing, you can opt for something like, "Together with their parents" or "Together with their families".

If you want to include the name of a parent who has passed away, you can write something like:

> "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez, and the late Robert Martinez, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honour of your presence at their wedding..."

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, you can include them all, keeping each parent on a separate line. If you're going to include the name of a stepparent, keep it on the same line as their partner.

For different-sex couples, list the bride's parents' names at the top of the invite, 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.

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"

When addressing your invitation envelopes, spell out your guests' names in full (title, first name, middle name, and last name). Avoid using nicknames or initials. Be sure to use appropriate social titles as well, addressing married couples as "Mr. and Mrs." or "Mr. and Mr."

The Request to Attend

• "The honour of your presence"
• "The pleasure of your company"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Request the honour of your presence"

You can also add more details about what you are inviting your guests to share in, for example:

• "At the marriage of their daughter" (if the bride's parents are hosting)
• "At the marriage of their children" (if both sets of parents are hosting)
• "At the celebration of their union" (if the couple is hosting)
• "As they say 'I do'"
• "In celebration of their marriage"

If you are having a religious ceremony, you may want to use the British spelling "honour" to indicate that the ceremony will be held in a church or another house of worship.

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of their daughter Jessica Smith to Mr Edward Jones"
• "Together with their families, Lydia Harrison and William Jones invite you to join them at the celebration of their marriage"
• "The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of Jack Smith and Jill Jones"
• "We would love for you to join us at the marriage of Emily Brown and Zara White"
• "You are invited to celebrate with us as we exchange our vows"

The Couple's Names

Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's name. However, this tradition is not applicable to same-sex couples, who can choose to list their names alphabetically or in an order that sounds better. For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first and the man's second is not relevant.

If the bride's parents are hosting, the bride's name can just be her first and middle name, without the last name. In that case, the groom's name is either listed in full or with his first and middle names followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs." and the father's name.

For more informal invitations, you may opt to list only first names.

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line and go straight to the couple's names.

• "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company..."
• "Together with their families, Jessica Smith & Edward Jones invite you to join them as they say 'I do'!"
• "Join us to celebrate our wedding, Jessica and Jane are getting hitched!"
• "The wedding of Chloe Lewis and James Rosen"
• "Chloe Marie Sinclair & Matthew James Denton Have the honour of announcing their marriage"
• "The wedding celebration of Grace Hannah Kim & Travis James Junge"
• "Together with full hearts, Jennifer and Andrew Invite you to celebrate their wedding"

Date and Time

When it comes to the date and time of your wedding, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, if you're having a formal wedding, the date and time should be written out in full. For example, if your wedding is on the 15th of September 2024 at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon". Here, the day of the week and the month are capitalised, and the year is in lowercase.

If you're having a more casual wedding, you can use numerals and write the time in numbers, like this: "Saturday, 15 September 2024, 4:30 p.m.".

It's important to be clear about whether the wedding is taking place in the morning, afternoon or evening. Traditionally, the phrases "in the morning" or "in the evening" are avoided, with specific times used instead. For instance, noon can be written as "12.00 p.m." or "noon", and the evening can start from 5 p.m.

The time of day can be written in a few different ways. For a traditional wedding, you might write "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock". For a more casual tone, you could write "4:00 p.m." or "4:30 p.m.".

If your wedding is taking place at a private residence, be sure to include the street address of the venue. Otherwise, simply stating the venue name, city and state is usually sufficient.

Location and Reception Information

The location and reception information is a crucial part of your wedding invitation, ensuring your guests know exactly where to go and what to expect. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section effectively:

Provide Clear and Detailed Information

When it comes to the location, include the name and full street address of your wedding venue, followed by the city and state. If your wedding is taking place abroad, don't forget to mention the country as well. If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."

Separate Card for Reception Details

If the reception is at a different location, consider including a separate reception card with the full address and other relevant information. This approach ensures your invitation remains uncluttered and easy to read.

Timing is Everything

Clearly state the date and time of your wedding, spelling out the day of the week, the date, and the time in full for formal invitations. For casual weddings, using numerals is acceptable. Remember that the time of day should be indicated as "four o'clock" or "half-past four o'clock."

Dress Code Details

Including dress code information is optional, but it can be helpful for your guests. If you're having a black-tie event, it's essential to mention this on the invitation. Otherwise, the formality of your invitation will give guests a general idea of the expected attire.

Additional Information

If there are multiple events during the wedding weekend, such as a welcome reception or a day-after brunch, consider including a separate weekend events card with a full itinerary. This approach ensures your guests can plan accordingly, especially if they are travelling from out of town,

Accommodations for Out-of-Town Guests

For guests travelling from afar, providing a separate accommodations card with hotel recommendations and transportation details is a thoughtful touch. You may also include a deadline for making reservations if you wish.

Frequently asked questions