Formal Wedding Invites: Where To Include 'Formal' In The Wording

Wedding invitations are an important piece of the planning puzzle. They are one of the first things your guests will see and touch, and they convey critical information. The wording of a wedding invitation can be formal, casual, fun, creative, modern, or simple, and it should include the following:

- The host line: The opening line on a wedding invitation names the hosts of the event, usually the people who are paying for the wedding.

- The request line: This is where you invite your guests to join your wedding celebration.

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

- The date and time: The date and time are traditionally spelled out in full, but numerical figures are often used on modern invites.

- The location: Include the name and full address of the wedding venue.

- Reception details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, just say reception to follow.

- Dress code: Including dress code information isn't compulsory, but it can be helpful.

The Host Line

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 first, 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" as the host line.

• Together with their families
• Together with our families
• Together with their parents

Couple Is 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

The Request Line

• "Request the honour of your presence"
• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

The British spelling of "honour" is traditionally used to indicate a formal and religious ceremony, whereas "pleasure" is used for non-religious ceremonies.

If you are having a formal wedding, it is important to include full names on the request line to set the tone. For instance, you can write "Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith request the pleasure of your company..."

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. You can list the names alphabetically or based on what looks best with the invitation design.

Couple's Names

The names of the couple are a crucial element of a wedding invitation. Here are some guidelines for including the couple's names in a formal wedding invitation:

Host Line

The host line typically comes first and mentions the names of those hosting the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and their names are listed first. However, it has become increasingly common to include the names of both sets of parents as hosts, regardless of who is paying for the wedding. This can be done in a variety of ways:

• For a formal wedding: "Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Timothy Williams request your presence..."
• For a less formal wedding: "Christopher and Sarah Williams invite you to share in the joy of their daughter's wedding..."
• If both sets of parents are hosting: "Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wong and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hollis request the honour of your presence..."
• For same-sex parents: "Aaron and Alisha Wong together with Adam and Beatrice Hollis invite you to celebrate with them..."

If the couple is hosting the wedding with their parents, you can use a phrase like "Together with their parents" or "Together with full hearts".

Request Line

The request line extends an invitation to the guests to attend the wedding. Here are some examples:

• "Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter..."
• "Invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their son..."
• "Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of..."

The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger text and sometimes in a fancy typeface. For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom. If the bride's parents' names are already listed, only her first and middle names are used, while the groom's full name is written out.

For same-sex couples, there is no traditional order and you can choose whichever option sounds better or is more aesthetically pleasing: "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily".

Middle names are optional and last names are usually included unless the couple shares a last name, in which case it is sufficient to write out their full names once: "Lauren Martinez and Mason Jacob Kim request the honour of your presence..."

Date, Time and Location

For formal invitations, the date and time should be written out in full: "Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon". The venue's name and full address, including the city and state, should also be included. If the reception is at the same location, simply add "Reception to follow". If the reception is elsewhere, include the full address on a separate card.

Date, Time, and Location

The date, time, and location of your wedding are arguably the most important details to communicate to your guests. Here are some tips and guidelines for including this information on your formal wedding invitations:

Date and Year:

The traditional way to write the date is to spell out the day of the week, the date, the month, and the year in full. For example, if your wedding is on a Saturday, you would write "Saturday, the fourth of May two thousand and twenty-four". Here are some key points to remember:

• The day of the week should be capitalized.
• Use a comma between the day of the week and the date, such as "Saturday, the fourth of May".
• For dates between the 21st and 31st of a month, use a hyphen between the tens and the ones place: "twenty-eighth of May".
• The year is usually written as "two thousand and twenty-four" without an "and": "two thousand twenty-four".
• You can also write the year in all capital letters: "TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY-FOUR".
• The date can be written in a single line or with the year on a separate line.

Time:

When indicating the time of your wedding, it is traditional to write out the time in full without using numerals. For example, for a wedding at 3:30 pm, you would write "half after three o'clock". Here are some guidelines:

• It is considered more formal to write "half after" instead of "half past".
• Include "o'clock" when writing the time, such as "four o'clock in the afternoon".
• Morning is up to noon, afternoon is from noon to 4:30 pm or 5 pm, and evening is from 5 pm onwards.
• You can indicate the time of day as "in the morning", "in the afternoon", or "in the evening", especially for times like 8 am or 9 pm, where there could be confusion.
• For noon, simply write "noon" without adding "o'clock".
• Be consistent with the level of formality in writing the time and date. If you write out the date in full, avoid using numerals for the time.

Location:

When including the location of your wedding, provide the venue's name and the city and state. Here are some tips:

• Spell out the full name of the venue: "Saint Philip's Episcopal Church".
• For formal weddings, spell out the state name in full: Seattle, Washington.
• You don't need to include the street address or city and state if the location is well-known or obvious to your guests.
• If the reception is at the same location, you can simply write "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow".
• For a different reception venue, include a separate reception card with the details.

Reception Details

The reception details are an important part of your wedding invitation, giving your guests a glimpse of what to expect after the ceremony. Here are some tips and suggestions for including reception details in your formal wedding invitations:

Location and Time

If your wedding ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, you can simply state "Reception to follow" or "Dinner and dancing to follow." This lets guests know that the celebration will be in the same place, and they can expect food and entertainment. If the reception is in the same location but will be held later, include the time, such as "Reception at 6 p.m."

If your reception is at a different venue, provide the full address on a separate card. You can also include other pertinent information, such as "Join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing." This gives guests a clear idea of the reception's tone and format.

Dress Code

Including dress code information on your formal wedding invitation is optional but can be helpful for your guests. If you choose to include it, the dress code is typically placed in the lower right corner of the invitation. You can also use a separate details card or your wedding website to convey this information.

For a formal wedding, you may want to indicate a black-tie dress code. This means tuxedos for men and floor-length gowns for women. If you prefer a more casual approach, you can specify "cocktail attire" or "semi-formal."

Additional Information

If there are other important details about the reception that you'd like to share, you can include them on a separate details card. For example, if there will be a change of venue for the reception, you can provide the new address and any relevant information about transportation or accommodations.

You can also mention any unique aspects of the reception, such as "Dining, dancing, and a special performance by the couple." This adds a personal touch and builds excitement for the event.

Remember, the reception details are an opportunity to give your guests a sneak peek of the celebration to come. Choose the format and level of detail that best suits your wedding's style and tone, whether it's a grand formal affair or an intimate casual gathering.

Frequently asked questions