Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation For Your Eesti Celebration

Wedding invitations are an important part of the planning process. They are one of the first things your guests will see, touch, and feel, and they convey critical information. The wording of your wedding invitation can be tricky, but it's important to choose clear and appropriate language that reflects the tone and formality of your wedding.

The essentials of a wedding invitation include:

- The host line: The opening line that names the hosts of the event, usually the people paying for the wedding.

- The request line: Where you invite your guests to join your celebration.

- The couple's names: The main event! The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger, fancy text.

- Date and time: Traditionally, the date and time are spelled out in full, but numerical figures are often used for modern invites.

- Location: The name and address of the venue, including the state and zip code if it's not local.

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

- Dress code: Including dress code information is optional but helpful for guests.

Feel free to add creative touches that reflect your style and the overall vibe of your wedding. You can include engagement photos, monograms, symbols, borders, patterns, and sweet phrases like getting hitched or we do.

Host Line: Who is hosting the wedding?

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and traditionally names the hosts of the event, i.e., the people who are paying for the wedding. The host line is usually placed at the very top of the invitation. The hosts' names should be written in full, with titles such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. included. If there are multiple hosts, you can include all names if you're going for a formal feel. Alternatively, you can simply write "Together with their families".

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

• Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams (very formal; the 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, followed by the groom's parents' names.
• For same-sex couples, list the names in alphabetical order by last name or based on what 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

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

Couple Hosting

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

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

Request Line: How to invite guests to the wedding

The request line is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration. The wording you choose will depend on the tone and formality of your wedding. Here are some examples of request lines for an Eesti wedding invitation:

• "Request the honour of your presence" – This phrase is typically used to denote a religious ceremony. Using the British spelling of "honour" adds a formal and traditional feel to the invitation.
• "Request the pleasure of your company" – This phrase is often used to denote a non-religious ceremony.
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Together with our families, we joyfully invite you to the wedding of..." – This phrase is perfect if both sets of parents are hosting the wedding.
• "Together with full hearts, we invite you to share in our joy"

When it comes to the couple's names, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. However, for same-sex couples, you can list the names in alphabetical order by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

If you're using traditional wedding invitation wording, here are some additional tips:

• Capitalize proper names and titles.
• Avoid using punctuation, except after courtesy titles.
• Avoid abbreviations; spell out everything except courtesy titles.
• Don't spell out courtesy titles, except for "Doctor" in the case of medical doctors.

Couple's Names: Whose wedding is it?

The couple's names are a crucial element of a wedding invitation. Here are some tips and examples to help you with this section of the invitation:

The Couple's Names

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes before the groom's. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and you can choose to put the groom's name first if you prefer.

For same-sex couples, there is no established tradition, so feel free to choose the order that feels right for you. You can go in alphabetical order by last name or base the order on what looks best with your invitation design.

If you are using traditional wedding invitation wording and the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can be her first and middle name, without the last name. In this case, the groom's name is either listed in full or with his first and middle names followed by the line "Son of Mr. & Mrs. [Father's Name]".

For a less formal feel, you may opt to list only the first names of the couple.

Examples

• "Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne"
• "Ms. Andrea Jane Brigante and Mr. Robert Holden White"
• "The future Mr. & Mrs. [Last Name]"
• "Emily Olivia Leah and John Burke"
• "Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney"
• "Miss Beyonce Knowles and Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter"
• "Andrea Jane Brigante and Robert Holden White"
• "Andrea Jane Brigante to Robert Holden White"

Date, Time, and Location: When and where is the wedding?

When creating an Eesti wedding invitation, it's important to include the date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony and reception. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of the invitation:

Date and Time:

It is recommended to spell out the date, time, and day of the week in full for formal invitations. For example, "Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon." Using numerals is more common for modern or casual invitations, such as "6/11/2023 at 12:00 pm." Be sure to include the year to avoid any confusion.

Location:

Include the name and full address of the wedding venue, especially if the wedding is in a private residence or if there are out-of-town guests. For formal invitations, write out the state name and include the country if the wedding is abroad. Omit the street address if it is well-known or if there is limited space on the invitation.

Reception Details:

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, a simple "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice. For separate locations, include the reception address on a separate card or details card tucked into the invitation. If the reception is at a different venue, provide the full address and other pertinent information.

Examples:

Formal, Hosted by the Couple:

> The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne

> Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon

> Arctic Club Hotel

> 700 Third Avenue

> Seattle, Washington

> Reception to follow

Casual, Hosted by Both the Couple and Parents:

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

> June 11, 2024, at 12:00 pm

> Arctic Club Hotel

> 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington

> Dinner and dancing to follow

Formal, Hosted by the Bride's Parents:

> Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Talia Camila Flores to Stephen Anthony Byrne

> Saturday, the eleventh of June, two thousand and twenty-three, at twelve o'clock in the afternoon

> Arctic Club Hotel

> 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington

> Reception to follow

Casual, Hosted by the Groom's Parents:

> Mr. & Mrs. Byrne joyfully invite you to the marriage of Talia Flores to their son, Stephen Byrne

> June 11, 2024, at 12:00 pm

> Arctic Club Hotel

> 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington

> Dinner and dancing to follow

Remember to include all the essential details, such as the date, time, venue name, and address, while also maintaining a style that reflects the tone and formality of your wedding.

Reception Details: What happens after the ceremony?

The reception is the celebration that follows the wedding ceremony. It is hosted by the newly married couple and sometimes their families. The reception is a time for guests to socialise, eat, drink, and celebrate with the happy couple. It is also an opportunity for the couple to thank their guests for attending and celebrating with them.

Location

If the ceremony and reception are held in the same location, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" on your invitation. If the reception is held at a different venue, include the full address on a separate card or details card tucked into the invitation.

Timing

If the reception immediately follows the ceremony, you can write "Reception immediately following" or "Reception to follow." If there is a break between the ceremony and reception, include the time on a separate card or the same card as the address.

Food and Drink

Let your guests know what to expect in terms of food and drink. If you are serving a full meal, you can simply write "Dinner and dancing to follow" or "Dinner to follow." If you are serving something less formal, such as cocktails and canapes, you can write "Cocktails, drinks, and dancing to follow" or "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres."

Dress Code

Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. If you are having a black-tie wedding, it is important to include this information on the invitation. If you do not include attire information, guests will infer the dress code based on the formality of the invitation.

Other Details

If there are other activities or entertainment at the reception, you may want to include this information. For example, if there will be a photo booth, live music, or a special performance, you can add this to your invitation to excite your guests.

Sample Wording

• "Reception to follow at the Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow at the Byrne residence"
• "Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow at the Flores-Byrne residence"
• "Reception to follow at the Arctic Club Hotel. Black-tie attire requested."

Frequently asked questions