The Wedding Invitation: What's Included And Why

Wedding invitations are one of the first things guests will see, and they set the tone for the big day. While the style of the invitation—classic, rustic, modern, boho, simple, elegant, or vintage—is important, the wording is what conveys essential information. The invitation should include the names of the hosts (those covering the expenses), the couple's names, the ceremony details, and any post-ceremony plans. The invitation may also include an RSVP card, the couple's wedding website, and dress code information.

Host Line: Names the hosts of the wedding, usually the bride's parents, but can be both sets of parents or the couple themselves

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. The host line is usually the bride's parents, but can also be both sets of parents or the couple themselves.

One Set of Married Parents Hosting

If the bride's parents are hosting, include their full names, with middle names if it's a very formal wedding. If they have different surnames, use "and" to join the two names. For example:

> 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

If the bride's parents are divorced, 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. For example:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory

> Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner

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 the order that looks best or according to preference. For example:

> 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 their families are contributing to the wedding, you can use a phrase such as "Together with their families" as the host line. For example:

> 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 or start with a warm and welcoming introduction, such as:

> Together with full hearts

> With hearts full of love and joy

Honouring Deceased Parents

A common way to honour a deceased parent is to include their name alongside one of the couple's names. For example:

> Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez, or Mr. and Mrs. Robert Martinez

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

Attendance Request: Lets guests know they're being invited to a wedding

The attendance request is a crucial part of a wedding invitation, letting guests know exactly what they're being invited to. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect attendance request for your wedding invitation:

Tone and Language:

The language and tone you use in the attendance request can vary depending on the level of formality you wish to convey. Here are some examples:

• Formal: "The honour of your presence is requested" or "The pleasure of your company is requested".
• Informal: "You are invited to the wedding of" or "Kindly join us at the wedding of".
• Creative: "Good food, good drinks, good friends" or "Come eat cake with us!".

Details to Include:

The attendance request should provide clear information about the event. Here are some key details to include:

• Type of event: Specify if it's a wedding ceremony, reception, or both.
• Date and time: Provide the date and time of the event, using either a formal spelling-out format or a more casual numerical format.
• Location: Include the name and address of the venue, as well as any relevant details such as room number or floor.
• Dress code: While optional, including dress code information can be helpful for guests. This is especially important if your wedding is black-tie.

Examples:

• "Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children, Olivia Rose and John Michael, on Saturday, the seventeenth of August two thousand twenty-four at half after four in the afternoon."
• "Together with their families, Jack Smith and Mason Kim invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot on June 11, 2024, at 12:00 pm."
• "Join us for the wedding of Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne on June 11, 2024, at 12:00 pm."
• "Come celebrate the marriage of Talia and Stephen with us! Ceremony at the Arctic Club Hotel, Seattle, on June 11, 2024, at noon, followed by dinner and dancing."

Couple's Names: The names of the couple, traditionally with the bride's name first

The couple's names are a crucial element of a wedding invitation. Traditionally, the bride's name comes first, followed by the groom's full name and title. If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can be her first and middle name, without her last name. In this case, the groom's name is either listed in full or with his first and middle names followed by "Son of Mr. & Mrs." and his father's name.

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. The names can be listed in alphabetical order or in the order that looks best with the invitation design. For less formal invitations, first names only may be used.

• Formal:
• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne request the honour of your company at the celebration of their union"
• Informal:
• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment"
• "Together with their parents, Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne invite you to share in their joy as they tie the knot"

Date and Time: Should be written out in full for formal invites, but can be numerical for modern invites

When it comes to the date and time of your wedding, the way you choose to write this out on your invitations can be a subtle indicator of the tone and formality of your wedding.

For formal invites, it is customary to write out the date and time in full. For example, if your wedding is on the fifteenth of September, two thousand and twenty-four, at half-past four in the afternoon, this is how you would write it:

> Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand and twenty-four, at half-past 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 written out as "four o'clock" or "half-past four o'clock". Noon until four o'clock is considered afternoon, and any time after five o'clock is considered evening.

For modern invites, it is common to use numerical figures. For example, the above time and date could be written as:

> Saturday, 15 September 2024, 4:30 pm.

If you choose to go down this route, it is important to choose a legible font to avoid any confusion. For example, a "2" that looks like a "5" could cause a lot of confusion for your guests.

It is also worth noting that the year is optional, as it is usually assumed that the wedding will take place on the nearest date.

Finally, don't forget to include the day of the week, especially if your wedding is on a weekend, as this will help your guests plan their time and is considered essential information.

Location: The name and address of the wedding venue, including the state and zip code

The location section of a wedding invitation is an important part of the invite, providing guests with the details they need to attend the ceremony. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section effectively:

Location Details:

When providing the location of the wedding venue, it is essential to include both the name and full street address. The city, state, and zip code should also be included. If the wedding is taking place abroad, don't forget to mention the country as well. Here's an example:

> Arctic Club Hotel

> 700 Third Avenue

> Seattle, Washington

Formatting Tips:

For formal weddings, it is customary to write out the state name in full. The venue's street address is typically included unless the wedding is held at a well-known location or the host's home. Zip codes are generally not mentioned. If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state, "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow."

Separate Reception Location:

If the reception is held at a different location, you have a few options for providing the details. You can include the full address on a separate details card tucked into the invitation. Alternatively, you may choose to list the reception venue's name and address on a separate line of the invitation, especially if there is room. Here's an example:

> Reception at: The Grand Ballroom

> 123 Main Street

> Seattle, Washington

Additional Tips:

If the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, be sure to include the time. You may also want to include dress code information, which can be mentioned in the lower corner or bottom centre of the invite or on a separate details card.

Frequently asked questions