Your Wedding Invitation: A Glimpse Into Your Big Day

Wedding invitations are one of the first things your guests will see, so it's important to get them right. They should convey the critical information about your wedding, including who is getting married, the date and location, and who is hosting. They should also set the tone for the event, indicating the level of formality and the expected dress code. Whether you're going for a traditional or more creative approach, there are some key elements you should include to ensure your invitations are both informative and stylish.

Host Line: Names the hosts of the wedding, usually those funding it

The host line is the opening line of a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event and/or those funding it. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and are named at the top of the invitation, even for formal affairs. However, it has become increasingly common for couples to host their own weddings, or to do so together with their parents.

If the bride's parents are hosting, the invitation might begin with:

> Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Jackson request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth Anne to Mr. Charles David Smith...

If both sets of parents are hosting, the invitation could start with:

> Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Jackson along with Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children Elizabeth Anne Jackson to Charles David Smith...

If the couple is hosting, the host line can be omitted or replaced with a welcoming introduction:

> Together with full hearts...

> With hearts full of love and joy...

> Together with our families...

If the couple is hosting with their parents, the invitation might begin with:

> Together with their families, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company...

If one or both parents of the bride or groom are deceased, they can be honoured with a mention in the host line or after the bride or groom's name. The phrase "the late" is used before their name.

> Mrs. and Mr. Michael Francis Middleton request the honour of your company at the marriage of their daughter Catherine Elizabeth Middleton to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales...

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, you can include them all, keeping each parent on a separate line. If you're including the name of a stepparent, keep them on the same line as their partner.

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

The attendance request line is where you extend an invitation to your wedding guests and let them know exactly what they're being invited to. This is where you can set the tone for your celebration. Here are some examples of attendance request lines:

• "The pleasure of your company is requested"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Invite you to share in their joy"
• "Are getting married"
• "Kindly join us at their wedding"
• "Are tying the knot"
• "Together with their families, invite you to celebrate with them"
• "With their parents, request the honour of your presence"

The British spelling of "honour" is traditionally used to indicate that the ceremony will be held in a church or another house of worship.

If you're having a formal wedding, the attendance request line can be more formal and elegant, such as "request the honour of your presence." For a casual or informal wedding, you might choose a more lighthearted tone, such as "come eat cake with us" or "join us for dinner and drinks."

The attendance request line can also be an opportunity to include the names of the couple, especially if you're forgoing a separate line for the couple's names. For example:

• "Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy"
• "Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes request the honour of your presence"

In summary, the attendance request line is a crucial part of your wedding invitation, as it sets the tone for your celebration and lets your guests know what they're being invited to. Feel free to get creative and choose wording that reflects your style and personality.

Couple's Names: The main event, usually in larger text

The couple's names are the most important part of the invitation and are usually displayed in larger text and often in a fancy typeface. The bride's name typically precedes the groom's name, but this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Same-sex couples can choose to list their names alphabetically or in an order that 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. Avoid abbreviations and punctuation, except after courtesy titles. For informal invitations, first names only are fine.

Formal

• "The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Talia Camila Flores and Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Talia Camila Flores to Stephen Anthony Byrne"
• "Talia Flores and Stephen Byrne, together with their parents, invite you to a celebration of their love and commitment"

Informal

• "Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim invite you to share in their joy at their wedding"
• "Come party with us! Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot"
• "Join us for the wedding of Gina and Steven"

Date and Time: Should be spelled out in full for formal invites

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, the date and time are crucial elements to include. For formal invites, it is customary to spell out the date and time in full, rather than using numerals. This adds a touch of elegance and formality to the invitation. Here are some paragraphs to elaborate on this:

For formal wedding invitations, it is customary to spell out the date and time in full. This traditional approach conveys a sense of elegance and sophistication. By writing out the details, you provide clear and concise information for your guests. For example, if your wedding is on September 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the wording could be "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon." The use of "half after four" or "half past four" adds a touch of charm to the invitation.

The day of the week and the month should be capitalized to emphasize their importance. Additionally, the year should be written in lowercase letters, and there is no need to include the word "and" when spelling out the year. This format maintains the elegant style of the invitation.

When specifying the time of day, you have a few options to choose from. You can use phrases such as "four o'clock" or "half after four o'clock" to indicate the hour. The phrase "half after" or "half past" adds a touch of formality to the invitation. If your event starts in the evening, you can simply state the time as "seven o'clock" without specifying "in the evening."

It is worth noting that the use of "a.m." or "p.m." is typically avoided in formal invitations. Instead, you can indicate the time of day by using phrases like "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or simply stating the hour. This allows your guests to infer the time of day based on the context of the invitation.

When it comes to the format, formal invitations often present the date and time in a specific layout. The day of the week is usually written in full, followed by the date, and then the year. The time of day is also spelled out, providing a clear and elegant presentation. This consistency in formatting contributes to the overall formal tone of the invitation.

In conclusion, by spelling out the date and time in full, you not only provide essential information for your guests but also add a touch of elegance and formality to your wedding invitations. This traditional approach sets the tone for your upcoming nuptials and helps your guests understand the level of formality to expect at the event.

Location: The name and address of the venue

The location line of your wedding invitation is where you include the name and address of your wedding venue. This is one of the most important parts of your wedding invites, as you want to make sure your guests have no confusion about where to go.

For formal invitations, it's customary to write out the full address and location name, including the state and zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well. For example:

> Arctic Club Hotel

> 700 Third Avenue

> Seattle, Washington

If you're having a destination wedding or your venue is in an out-of-town location, it's also a good idea to include the full address to make it easier for your guests.

On the other hand, if you're opting for a more casual or informal invitation, you can be more concise and simply include the venue name and city, like so:

> Arctic Club Hotel, Seattle

If your wedding ceremony and reception are in the same location, you can simply add "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow" at the end of the invitation.

However, if the reception is at a different venue, include the full address on a separate details card tucked inside the invitation. This ensures your guests have all the information they need while keeping the invitation itself concise and elegant.

Hosted by the Couple

> [Venue name]

> [Venue address]

> [City, State, and Zip Code]

Hosted by One Set of Parents

> At [Venue name and address]

> [City, State, and Zip Code]

Hosted by Both Sets of Parents

> At [Venue name and address]

> [City, State, and Zip Code]

Hosted by Divorced Parents

> At [Venue name and address]

> [City, State, and Zip Code]

Frequently asked questions