Wedding Invitation Etiquette: What To Write On The Back

Wedding invitation wording can be stressful for couples, especially when it comes to deciding on the tone and what information to include. 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 love, and the big day while also communicating the vital details of the wedding.

The back of the wedding invitation is a great place to include additional information that you may not want on the front of the invitation, such as the wedding website, RSVP information, and dress code. While some etiquette guides advise against putting information on the back of the invitation, it is not uncommon for couples to do so, especially if they are trying to avoid wasting money on enclosure cards or want to avoid a cramped-looking invitation.

RSVP details

Kindly respond by [date].

Name(s) of our fabulous guests: __________________. Please write your name(s) exactly as they are written on the envelope.

Please select one of the following options:

• Will be there with bells on
• Will be there in spirit

Please also indicate if you have any dietary requirements:

• Vegetarian
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Other: __________________

We kindly request that you respond by [date], four weeks before the wedding. This will help us finalise the details with our vendors.

If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible. We would appreciate it if you could respond using the provided stamped envelope, or by visiting our wedding website.

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Who is invited

The "who is invited" section of a wedding invitation is crucial, as it helps guests understand who is expected to attend. Here are four to six paragraphs with different scenarios and suggestions on how to word this section:

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

If both sets of parents are hosting the wedding, the invitation can be worded as follows:

> Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith, along with Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes, request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children, Olivia Rose and John Michael, on Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon, at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

One Set of Parents Hosting

If only one set of parents is hosting, the invitation can be worded as:

> 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 in the afternoon, at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

Couple Hosting with Their Families

For couples who want to host alongside their families, the invitation can read:

> Together with their families, Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes invite you to share in their joy as they exchange wedding vows. Please join us on Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon, at [venue name and address]. Dinner, dancing, and merriment to follow.

Couple Hosting

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, the invitation can be more straightforward:

> The honour of your presence is requested at the wedding of Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim. Please join us on Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon, at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

Modern Wording

For a more modern and playful tone, the invitation can be worded as such:

> Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim, together with their awesome families, invite you to be part of their special day. Join us for a celebration of love and laughter on Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon, at [venue name and address]. Let's eat, drink, and be merry!

Directions

When it comes to the directions on your wedding invitation, there are a few options to consider. Here are four to six paragraphs with a detailed, direct, and instructive focus on "Directions" for your wedding invitation:

Paragraph 1:

The most important information to include in the directions is the ceremony and reception locations. List the venue's full address, including the street name, city, and state. If your wedding is taking place internationally, be sure to include the country as well. You can also include the name of the venue to make it more recognisable for your guests.

Paragraph 2:

If your ceremony and reception are in the same location, you can simply add "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" at the end of the invitation. This will let your guests know that they don't need to travel between venues. If there are multiple events at different locations, consider including a separate details card with your invitation.

Paragraph 3:

While most people use GPS nowadays, it's still a good idea to provide clear directions to your wedding venues, especially if the locations are hard to find. You can include these directions on a separate card along with accommodation information. This way, your guests have all the necessary details in one place.

Paragraph 4:

Another option is to include a map or a Google Maps snapshot with your invitation. This visual aid can be helpful for guests, especially if they are travelling from out of town. It gives them a better sense of the venue's location and can make it easier to navigate on the day.

Paragraph 5:

For complicated venues or those with ongoing road works, consider providing written directions that your guests can follow. These can be included on the invitation or a separate card. You can also leave printed directions at the hotel front desk, ensuring your guests have access to them upon their arrival.

Paragraph 6:

Lastly, you may choose to include directions to your wedding website on your invitation. This allows guests to access all the necessary information in one place, including accommodation suggestions, transportation options, and any other relevant details. This is especially useful if you have multiple events during the wedding weekend.

Remember to choose an option that best suits your wedding style and provides your guests with clear and concise directions to your celebration.

Accommodation options

If you have guests coming from out of town or your wedding is a destination wedding, it is considerate to include accommodation suggestions on an insert card. This will ensure your guests have a comfortable stay and enhance their overall experience.

Firstly, if you have secured a block of rooms at a discounted rate, you may write:

> "For your convenience, we have reserved a block of rooms at the [Hotel Name]. Please reference the [Surname] / [Surname] wedding when booking and kindly reserve your room by [Date]."

You can also include the hotel's contact details and address, as well as the discounted rates.

If you have not secured a block of rooms, you can simply provide a list of recommended hotels and lodges, along with their contact details. It is also helpful to include a deadline for booking, especially if your wedding date falls during a busy season or in a popular tourist area. Here is an example:

> "We recommend you secure your accommodations early as availability may be limited. To assist you, we have compiled a list of recommended accommodations on our wedding website. Booking in advance ensures you'll have a seamless and enjoyable stay. "

If you are organising group accommodation and your guests have confirmed their attendance, you can request a payment by a certain deadline to secure their preferred accommodation type. For example:

> "We have arranged accommodations for our guests. To secure your room, we kindly request a payment of [Total Cost] by [Payment Deadline]. This covers your stay for the specified dates, and your booking is only confirmed upon receipt of your payment. We look forward to having you join us and creating lasting memories!"

Including these accommodation options will ensure your guests have a positive experience and allow them to fully enjoy the festivities.

Gift list details

Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for. However, if we are to be honoured with a present, we have a gift list with [insert details].

We are so thrilled you're making the trip to [insert location] to share in our joy. Celebrating with you after we say "I do" is all we could ask for, so, in lieu of gifts, please bring your hugging arms and dancing shoes.

We are so incredibly thankful for the effort you'll be making to join us for our special day in [insert destination]. Your presence is your present, so please, no gifts!

We are lucky enough to have everything we need for this new chapter together, so please, no gifts required! Simply bring yourself and your dancing shoes – we can't wait to party with you!

We've built a dream wedding gift list that will set us up for our new home together. Please don't feel obliged, but if you'd like to help us on our journey, please find our gift list details below.

Frequently asked questions