Crafting The Perfect Wedding Invitation: Choosing The Right Words

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 a wedding invitation can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some essential elements to include and some creative ways to word them:

Host Line:

The host line is where you name the hosts of the event, usually the people paying for the wedding. This can be one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple, or a combination. For example:

- Together with their families, Lydia Harrison and William Jones invite you to join them at the celebration of their marriage.

- Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Jessica to Mr. Edward Jones.

Request Line:

The request line is where you invite your guests to join the celebration. Formal language is often used for religious ceremonies, while casual language is more common for non-religious services. Some options include:

- Request the honour of your presence.

- Invite you to celebrate with them.

- Would love for you to join them.

Couple's Names:

The couple's names should be front and centre, with the bride's name typically coming first, followed by the groom's. For same-sex couples, you can list the names alphabetically or based on design preference.

Date, Time, and Location:

Include the wedding date, start time, and venue name and address. For formal invitations, spell out the date and time rather than using numerals. For example:

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

- July 10, 2010, at half past six in the evening.

Reception Details:

Let guests know what to expect after the ceremony. If the reception is at the same location, a simple Reception to follow will suffice. If it's elsewhere, include the address or direct guests to your wedding website. Some options include:

- Dinner and dancing to follow.

- Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow.

- An evening of celebration to follow.

Dress Code and RSVP:

Including dress code information is optional but helpful for guests. If you're having a black-tie event, be sure to mention it. You can also include RSVP details, such as a reply-by date, on a separate card or your wedding website.

Host Line: The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation, naming the hosts of the event

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. The host line is usually placed at the very top of the invitation, and the hosts are typically the people who are paying for the wedding. Here are some examples of how to format the host line depending on who is hosting:

Hosted by One Set of Parents:

If the bride's parents are hosting, their names would traditionally come first. It is common to include the full names of the hosts, with middle names included for very formal weddings. For extremely formal invitations, you may also include the parents' middle names. You can join two names with different last names with "and".

• 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)

Hosted by Both Sets of Parents:

For heterosexual 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)

Hosted by the Couple:

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, you can skip the host line or start the invitation wording with a warm and welcoming introduction.

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

Hosted by Divorced Parents:

To include divorced parents on the invitation, include the mother's name first, followed by the father's name on a separate line without an "and" separating them.

Mr. Angiolo Guiseppe and Ms. Elettra Rossellini

Hosted by Parent, Including Deceased Parent:

If you want to honour a deceased parent on your invitations, include them in the host line or after the bride or groom's name. Use the phrase "the late" before their name.

Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores and Mr. Tom Byrne & the late Mrs. Nancy Byrne

Hosted by Same-Sex Parents:

To include the names of same-sex parents with different last names, use the courtesy titles "Mr.", "Mrs." or "Mx." and list their names in alphabetical order by last name. To include the names of parents with the same last name, list their names in alphabetical order by first name.

• Mr. Michael and Mr. Sean Flannigan
• Ms. Jane and Ms. Courtney Lowe

Attendance Request: The request to attend lets guests know they're being invited to the wedding

The request to attend is a crucial part of a wedding invitation as it lets guests know they are being invited to the wedding. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect attendance request for your wedding invitation:

Examples of Wording for the Attendance Request

The wording of the attendance request can vary depending on the formality of the wedding and who is hosting the event. Here are some examples to give you an idea:

• "Request the honour of your presence" - This is traditionally used to denote a religious ceremony.
• "Request the pleasure of your company" - This is often used for non-religious ceremonies or more casual weddings.
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of"
• "You are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage of"
• "We invite you to share in our joy and request your presence at the wedding of"
• "Join us for the wedding of"
• "Kindly join us at the wedding of"

Tips for the Attendance Request

• Match the Tone of Your Wedding: The wording of the attendance request can help set the tone for your wedding. For a formal wedding, consider using more traditional and elegant language. For a casual wedding, you may opt for more relaxed and conversational wording.
• Consider the Host: The attendance request can also acknowledge the host of the wedding, especially if it is a traditional wedding where the bride's parents are hosting. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Jessica to Mr. Edward Jones."
• Be Clear and Concise: Avoid overly complicated or vague language. Make sure the request is clear and easy for guests to understand.
• Consistency: Try to maintain a consistent tone and style throughout the invitation, including the attendance request. This creates a cohesive and polished look.
• Proofread: Don't forget to proofread your attendance request and the entire invitation to avoid any errors or typos.

Couple's Names: The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes a fancy typeface

The names of the couple are the main event on a wedding invitation and are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes a fancy typeface. For heterosexual couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. However, this tradition is not set in stone and same-sex couples may choose to list names alphabetically or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

For formal invitations, it is customary to use the couple's full legal names and to capitalise proper names and titles. Courtesy titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." are also used, but it is not necessary to include them before the names of married women. Abbreviations are generally avoided, and courtesy titles are usually spelled out in full, except for the title "Doctor".

If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, they can choose whether to include their first and last names or just their first names. For a less formal feel, first names only may be used.

• "Amal Alamuddin and George Timothy Clooney request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage"
• "Miss Beyonce Knowles and Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter are getting married"
• "Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne"

For same-sex couples, the names can be listed in alphabetical order by last name or first name, depending on what looks best with the invitation design. Here are some examples:

• "Julie Marie and Stephen Anthony"
• "Madison and Colton"

Date and Time: The date and time are typically spelled out in full for traditional invitations and written numerically for modern invites

When it comes to the date and time of your wedding, the style of your invitation wording will depend on whether you're going for a traditional or modern vibe.

Traditional Wedding Invitation Wording

For formal, traditional wedding invitations, the date and time are typically spelled out in full. For example, if your wedding is on the fifteenth of September, two thousand and twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon, this is how you'd word it:

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

The day of the week and the month should be capitalised, and the year should be in lowercase. There is no "and" when spelling out the year. The time of day should be spelled out as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock". Noon marks the beginning of the afternoon, and evening starts at five o'clock.

Modern Wedding Invitation Wording

Numerical figures are often used on modern invites. If you're using figures, choose a legible font—a "2" that's easily mistaken for a "5" could cause a lot of confusion. For a wedding at 4:30 pm, modern invitations might say:

> Saturday, 15 September 2021, 4:30 pm

Other Considerations

If you're having a formal wedding, it's best to write out the date and time in full. This helps to avoid any mix-ups with guests misreading numbers. However, if you're having a more casual affair, using numerals is absolutely fine.

For very formal weddings, the year is optional. The assumption is that your wedding is on the nearest date in that year.

Examples

Traditional Wedding Invitation Wording Examples

• Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand and twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon
• Saturday, the eleventh of June two thousand and twenty-three at twelve o'clock in the afternoon
• Saturday, the twenty-first of October, two thousand and twenty-three, at two thirty in the afternoon

Modern Wedding Invitation Wording Examples

• Saturday, 15 September 2021, 4:30 pm
• June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm
• 27 September 2014, 12:00 pm

Location: The location section includes the name and full address of the wedding venue

The location section of a wedding invitation is one of the most important parts, providing guests with the information they need to show up at the right place and time.

The location section of a wedding invitation should include the full name and street address of the wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is taking place abroad, the country should also be included. The street address of the venue is not usually needed unless omitting it would cause confusion or the wedding is taking place at the host's home.

• "Arctic Club Hotel, 700 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington"
• "The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado"
• "Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, New York"
• "One&Only Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico"
• "The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Hotel, Santa Barbara, California"

If the ceremony and reception are taking place at the same location, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" at the end of the invitation. If the reception is at a different location, you can include the full address on a separate details card tucked in with the main invitation.

• "Reception to follow at the Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow at Casa de la Guerra, Santa Barbara, California"
• "Reception immediately following at Chateau de la Gaude, Aix-en-Provence, France"
• "Reception to follow at One&Only Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico"
• "Reception to follow at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Como, Italy"

Frequently asked questions