Invitation Options: Choosing The Right Style For Your Wedding

Wedding invitations are an important part of the planning process. They are often one of the first things guests will see, touch, and feel, and they convey critical information about the event. The wording of a wedding invitation can be formal, casual, creative, or modern, and it should reflect the level of formality of the wedding. The invitation should include the names of the couple, the date, time, and location of the ceremony, and reception details. It may also include the names of the hosts, usually the people paying for the wedding, and the dress code. The invitation can be made from various types of paper and printed in different styles, such as embossed, foil-pressed, or letterpressed.

What to include in your wedding invitation

Wedding invitations should include the following:

The request to come to the wedding

This is the host line, where the hosts of the wedding are named. Traditionally, this would be the bride's parents, but nowadays it is more common to include the groom's parents, or simply list the couple themselves. If the couple is hosting, you can include a welcoming introduction, such as "Together with our families" or "With hearts full of love and joy".

The names of the couple

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name traditionally comes first. For same-sex couples, the names can be listed alphabetically or based on what sounds better.

The date, time and location of the ceremony

Spell out the date and time for formal invitations and don't use a.m. or p.m. For casual weddings, it is fine to use numbers. Include the full address of the venue, including the city and state. If it is a destination wedding, include the country.

Reception information

If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply say "reception to follow". If the reception is at a different location, include the full address on a separate card.

Dress code (optional)

Including dress code information is helpful but not compulsory. If you don't include it, the invitation itself will indicate the dress code—a very fancy invitation will suggest a formal, black-tie affair, while a simpler invite indicates a more casual dress code.

RSVP details

Most couples include a separate response card for guests to fill out and return, or have people RSVP via a wedding website.

The host/request line

Hosted by the Bride's Parents

For a traditional wedding hosted by the bride's parents, the wording can be: "Mr. and Mrs. Jones invite you to the wedding of their daughter Sophie Marie (the bride's last name is usually left off) to John James Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson."

Hosted by Both Sets of Parents

If both sets of parents are hosting, the wording can be: "Mr. and Mrs. Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Miller..."

Hosted by the Bride's Parents Only

When only the bride's parents are hosting, the wording can be: "Mr. and Mrs. Thompson..."

Hosted by the Couple

If the couple is hosting the wedding, the wording can be: "Together with their families, Sophia Marie Taylor and John James Anderson..." Alternatively, the couple can choose to omit the host line and just include their names.

Hosted by the Couple with Mention of Parents

The invitation can also include the names of the couple's parents: "Sophia Marie Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, and John James Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson..."

The "Request Line"

The "request line" is where guests are invited to join the wedding celebration. The wording will depend on the formality of the wedding. Here are some examples:

• For a formal wedding in a place of worship: "...request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children..."
• For a formal wedding not held in a place of worship: "...request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children..."
• For a more casual wedding: "...invite you to celebrate the wedding of..."
• For a very informal wedding: "...invite you to join the fun as they stand together in front of family and friends..."

The request line

For a formal wedding in a place of worship, the request line might read:

> "...request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children..."

Note the British spelling of "honour", which is traditionally used to indicate a formal tone and a religious ceremony.

For a formal wedding not held in a place of worship, the request line could be:

> "...request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their children..."

For a more casual wedding, you might say:

> "...invite you to celebrate the wedding of..."

Or, for a very informal wedding:

> "...invite you to join the fun as they stand together in front of family and friends..."

If you're having a casual or intimate wedding, you might prefer to use just your first names, for example:

> "Join us, Jane and John, as we tie the knot."

For a formal or traditional wedding, it is common to use full names, including middle names. For example:

> "The pleasure of your company is requested at the wedding of Sophia Marie Taylor and John James Anderson."

A very formal invitation omits the last name of the bride.

The details: date, time, and location

The details section of your wedding invitation is crucial, as it ensures your guests have all the information they need to attend your big day. Here are some tips for listing the date, time, and location:

Spell Out the Date

Traditional and formal invitations usually spell out the date and year. For example:

> Saturday, the Twenty-Seventh of September, Two Thousand Twenty-Three

> Saturday, September Twenty-Seventh, Two Thousand Twenty-Three.

Numerical Dates

For a more casual or modern style, you can use numerical dates like:

> Saturday, 09/27/2023

> Saturday, September 27th, 2023.

Include the Day of the Week

It's helpful to include the day of the week, especially for weekend weddings, to aid your guests' travel plans.

Be Specific with the Time

Indicate the exact time the ceremony will start. For a formal wedding, spell out the time, for example:

> at half after four in the afternoon

> four-thirty in the afternoon

For a less formal wedding, you can use numbers, like "at 4:30."

Specify Whether it's Evening or Afternoon

While it is not necessary to include, know that evening starts at 6:00 PM.

Include the Full Address

Provide the full address of your venue, including the name of the venue, street address, city, and state. It’s not necessary to include the zip code.

Venue Name Only

If the venue is well-known, you can just list the name and the city and state, e.g., "The Plaza Hotel, New York, New York."

Destination Wedding

For destination weddings, include the country if it’s outside of your home country.

Separate Reception Card

If your reception is at a different location, consider including a separate reception card with the details. If your reception is at the same location, you can simply add a line that says, "reception to follow."

Reception details

The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation, letting your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your invitation:

Location

If your reception is at the same venue as the ceremony, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow". This lets guests know that they don't need to travel to a new location. If your reception is at a different venue, include the full address and other pertinent information. This can be included on a separate details card tucked into the invitation or on the invitation itself if there is room.

Timing

If your reception is not immediately following the ceremony, be sure to include the time. For formal invitations, spell out the time, for example, "at half past four in the afternoon". For more casual invitations, you can use numbers, such as "at 4:30 pm".

Festivities

Give your guests a sense of what the reception will entail. Will there be dinner and dancing? Cocktails and canapes? Here are some examples of wording for different styles of receptions:

• "Dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Cake, punch, and merriment to follow"
• "Feasting and revelry to follow"
• "Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing to follow"

Dress Code

Including dress code information is optional, but it can be helpful for your guests. This information can be included in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invitation, or on a separate details card. Here are some examples:

• "Black-tie required"
• "Black-tie optional"
• "Beach casual"
• "Cocktail attire"

RSVP Details

If you are including RSVP details on the invitation, be sure to mention how guests should respond and by what date. You can also include this information on a separate response card or direct guests to your wedding website.

Remember, the reception details section of your wedding invitation should reflect the style and tone of your celebration. Whether you're having a formal sit-down dinner or a casual cocktail hour, your invitation wording can set the right expectations for your guests.

Frequently asked questions