Wedding Invitation Wording: Bride And Groom Edition

Wedding invitation wording is an important part of the wedding planning process. It's a chance for the happy couple to express their style and give guests a glimpse of the vibe of the wedding. While the wording should include certain essential details, there's also room for creativity and personal touches. Here's a breakdown of the key elements to include when crafting the perfect wedding invitation.

Who to include on the invitations

The first line of a wedding invitation is usually dedicated to the host(s) of the wedding, i.e., the party covering the expenses. Traditionally, this would be the bride's parents, but nowadays, it could also be the groom's parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of all three. If both sets of parents are contributing, it is customary to list the bride's parents' names first, followed by the groom's. However, for same-sex couples, the names can be listed in alphabetical order or in the order that looks best with the invitation design.

If you want to include the names of step-parents or deceased parents, you can rearrange the wording. For example:

> Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez, or Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez.

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

> Together with full hearts

> With hearts full of love and joy

If you want to include both sets of parents and the couple themselves, you can use wording such as:

> Together with their parents/families, [Couple's names] invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot...

How to Address the Couple

When listing the couple's names, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's. The bride's first and middle names are usually used, while the groom's first and last names are used. However, this is not a strict rule, and you can use whatever style you prefer.

For same-sex couples, you can list the names in alphabetical order or based on what looks best with the design. You may also opt to list only the first names for a less formal feel.

How to word the request to attend

The request to attend is a crucial part of a wedding invitation. It sets the tone for the celebration and outlines what guests are being invited to share in. Here are some examples of how to word the request to attend:

Formal Wording

• "Request the honour of your presence" – traditionally used for religious ceremonies.
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "The honour/pleasure of your company is requested"
• "Together with their parents, invite you to share in their joy"
• "Request the honour of your company at their wedding"

Informal Wording

• "You are invited to the wedding of..."
• "Kindly join us at the wedding of..."
• "Please come help us celebrate our love"
• "Join us as we exchange vows"
• "Invite you to share in our joy"
• "Invite you to join them at their wedding"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"

Remember, the wording can be adjusted to match the formality of your wedding and can include creative or whimsical elements that reflect your style as a couple.

The couple's names

For formal invitations, it is customary to use the first and middle names of the bride, while the groom's first, middle, and last names are used. For less formal invites, first names only may be used.

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]"
• "[Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] request the honour of your presence at their marriage"
• "Together with their families, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] invite you to share in their joy as they exchange vows"
• "With joyful hearts, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] request your presence at their wedding"
• "Join us for the wedding of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]"
• "Kindly join us at the wedding of [Bride's Name] to [Groom's Name]"
• "The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]"
• "Together with their parents, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] request the honour of your presence at their wedding"
• "Together with their families, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] request the honour of your company at the celebration of their union"
• "With hearts full of love and joy, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]"

Date, time and location

The date, time and location are essential details to include in your wedding invitation. Here are some tips and examples to help you word this information effectively:

Date and Time

For formal wedding invitations, it is customary to write out the date and time in full. For example:

> Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon

The day of the week and the date should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase. The time of day should be specified, for instance, as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock". Noon until four o'clock is considered afternoon, and evening begins at five o'clock.

For modern or casual invitations, it is also acceptable to use numerals for the date and time, for example:

> Saturday, 9/15/2024, 4:30 p.m.

However, be sure to choose a legible font to avoid confusion (e.g. between "2" and "5").

Location

For the location, include the name and full street address of the venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is abroad, include the country as well.

If the venue is well-known or easy to find, you may choose to omit the street address. The venue's address is also traditionally not included if the wedding is taking place at a private residence. Zip codes are also usually left out.

> Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington

>

> Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick, Sydney

>

> St. Michael's Church

>

> The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado

Additional Tips

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state: "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow".

If the reception is at a different location, you can include the full address on a separate details card tucked into the invitation, or provide just the venue name on a separate line, for example:

> Reception to follow at The Ritz-Carlton

For a less formal approach, you could try:

> Dinner, drinks and dancing to follow at The Ritz-Carlton

Post-ceremony plans

The post-ceremony plans section of your wedding invitation is where you can let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. This is a great way to set the tone for your reception, with clear expectations. If there's a cocktail hour or dancing and dinner, it's good to spell it all out here. You could also include your wedding website link, which has all the information.

• "An evening of celebration to follow"
• "Reception to follow"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Followed by dinner and dancing"
• "Drinks and dancing to follow"
• "Dinner, drinks and dancing to follow"
• "Cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Adult reception to follow"

If the reception is at a different location, make sure you include the additional address or direct guests to your wedding website for more information.

Frequently asked questions