Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: Tips From A Newlywed Couple

Wedding invitations are one of the first things guests will see, so it's important to get them right. The wording of a wedding invitation should provide essential details such as the couple's full names, the hosts of the nuptials, the ceremony location, and the reception venue. The wording can also reflect the level of formality of the event. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect wedding invitation.

Host Line

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and it names the hosts of the event. Here are some examples of host lines for a wedding invitation:

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

Include the parents’ full names (with middle names for very formal weddings). If they have different last names, write “and” to join the two names.

• 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

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 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.

• 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, many choose to add a line such as:

• 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 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

Attendance Request

The attendance request is the section of the wedding invitation that lets guests know exactly what they are being invited to. Here are some examples of how to word the attendance request, depending on who is hosting the wedding:

Bride and Groom Hosting

• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Request the pleasure of your company at their wedding"
• "Request your presence on the day of their marriage"
• "Request the honour of your presence"

Bride's Parents Hosting

• "Request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter"
• "Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter"

Groom's Parents Hosting

• "Request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their son to the bride
• "Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their son to the bride

Both Sets of Parents Hosting

• "At the marriage of their children"
• "Invite you to celebrate with their children"
• "Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children"

Couple and Parents Hosting

• "At the celebration of their union"
• "Request the honour of your presence at the celebration of their union"

Couple's Names

The couple's names are a key element of a wedding invitation. Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's full name and title. However, this tradition is not set in stone, and couples are free to choose the order that feels most comfortable for them.

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. Instead, you could go in alphabetical order or choose the option that sounds better.

For formal weddings, it is customary to write out full names (no numerals). The year is optional, and the time of day is usually spelled out, e.g., "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock."

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment"
• "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company"
• "Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honour of your presence at their wedding"
• "Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children, Amy Abner and Charles Hyland"
• "The wedding celebration of Grace Hannah Kim & Travis James Junge"

These examples showcase different ways to include the couple's names, whether the bride's or groom's parents are hosting, or if the couple is hosting themselves. The wording can be formal, casual, or creative, depending on the style of the wedding.

Date and Time

The date and time of your wedding are essential details to include in your invitations. Here are some tips and examples to help you word this section effectively:

• For formal invitations, it is traditional to spell 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 letters.
• There is no "and" when spelling out the year.
• The time of day can be phrased as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock." Alternatively, you can use more casual phrasing like "4:00 p.m." or "4:30 p.m."
• Afternoon is considered to be from noon until four o'clock, and evening begins at five o'clock.
• Be sure to double-check the correct spelling and wording of your venue.
• If the reception follows immediately at the same location, you can simply state, "Reception to follow."

Examples:

• "Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, the sixteenth of October, Two thousand and ten at four o'clock in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, the seventh of June, Two thousand fourteen, four o'clock in the afternoon"
• "Saturday, the fifth of November, at five thirty in the evening"
• "Friday, the sixteenth of September, at Five o'clock in the evening"

Location

The location of the wedding is an important element to include in the invitation. Here are some suggestions for how to word this:

The venue's name and full street address, including the city and state, should be included in the invitation. If the wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well. Here is an example:

> The Ritz-Carlton

> 999 Example Street

> Seattle, Washington

If the wedding is taking place at the host's home, it is customary to include the full address. Otherwise, including the street address is optional.

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state:

> Reception to follow

> Dinner and dancing to follow

If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate line or on a separate details card tucked into the invitation.

Additional Details

You may also want to include other pertinent information such as the dress code, directions, transportation, and lodging suggestions. This information can be included on the invitation or on a separate insert card.

> The Arctic Club Hotel

> 700 Third Avenue

> Seattle, Washington

> Reception to follow at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Byrne

> St. Michael's Church

> 123 Church Street

> Seattle, Washington

> Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow at The Argyle, The Rocks

> Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick

> 456 Chapel Lane

> Sydney, Australia

> Reception to follow at six o'clock in the evening at The Argyle, The Rocks, Sydney

Frequently asked questions