Attending A Wedding: What To Expect And Prepare

Wedding invitation wording is an important aspect of wedding planning. The invitation should include essential details such as the couple's full names, the hosts of the event, the ceremony location, and the reception venue. The wording should also reflect the level of formality of the wedding. For instance, if the invitation uses traditional wording, guests will likely be expected to dress in black-tie attire.

When it comes to deciding whether to attend a wedding, there are several factors to consider. It is important to respond promptly and to follow up with a call or message, even if you are unable to attend. If you are very close to the couple, it may be best to inform them of your decision in person or over the phone. It is also crucial to thank the couple for inviting you and to be honest about your reasons for declining, although it is acceptable to keep your explanation vague.

The request to attend

For a more traditional or formal wedding invitation, the request to attend can be worded as follows:

• "Request the pleasure of your company"
• "The honour of your presence" (the British spelling of "honour" indicates a ceremony in a church or another house of worship)
• "At the marriage of their children"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"

If you prefer a more casual or modern tone for your wedding invitation, you could use phrases such as:

• "Come party with us"
• "Come eat cake with you"
• "Would love to eat wedding cake with you"
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends"

Remember, the request to attend should be followed by the names of the couple, usually displayed in larger and sometimes fancier text.

The names of the couple

If the bride's parents are hosting, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's full name and title. For example:

> "at the marriage of their daughter Marielle Scott to Ryan Bergara, son of Dr. and Mrs. Steven Bergara"

If the couple is hosting, their titles are optional. For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman's name first does not apply. Whether it's "Emily and Zara" or "Zara and Emily," it's going to be lovely either way. Same-sex couples can choose to go in alphabetical order or simply with what sounds better.

• "The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jack Alexander Smith to Mason Jacob Kim"
• "Together with their families: Olivia Rose Smith and John Michael Reyes"
• "Come party with us: Jack Alexander Smith and Mason Jacob Kim are tying the knot"
• "Good food, good drinks, good friends: Jack Smith & Mason Kim request you celebrate with them as they get hitched"
• "With much love: John and Eliza Smith invite you to celebrate their son Jack Alexander at his wedding to Mason Jacob Kim"

Reception information

The reception details should be included on a separate card if the invitation is very formal. Otherwise, it can be printed on the wedding invitation itself if there is room. If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you may print "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow". If the reception is held at a different location, include the full address and other pertinent information on a separate details card tucked in with the main invitation.

If the wedding reception is not immediately following the ceremony, include the time.

If you are having a reception-only wedding, make some small tweaks to the wedding invitation copy, such as replacing "request the honor of your presence at the wedding of" with "request the honor of your presence to celebrate the wedding of". If you've already held the ceremony, the invites can double as wedding announcements. Feel free to add a line at the top stating that you've tied the knot, followed by a request to attend the reception.

Examples

• "Reception to follow"
• "Dinner and dancing to follow at Casa de la Guerra"
• "Reception immediately following"
• "Reception to follow at One&Only Palmilla San Jose del Cabo, Mexico"
• "An evening of dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Reception immediately to follow"

Date and time

When it comes to wedding invitations, the date and time are crucial elements that require careful consideration. Here are some detailed instructions and suggestions for crafting this section of your wedding invitations:

Formatting the Date:

• Traditional Format: The traditional way to write the date is to spell out the day of the week, the date, and the month in full. For instance, "Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four". The day of the week is capitalized, and there is a comma between the day and the date. The year is usually on a separate line and is written as "two thousand twenty-four" without commas.
• Casual Format: For a more casual wedding, you can use a more concise format, such as "Saturday, May 17th, 2025". Alternatively, you may use numerals as a design choice, like "Saturday, 8/15/2026".
• Consistency: Ensure that the date formatting on your invitation suite, including the response card, is consistent with the chosen level of formality.

Formatting the Time:

• Traditional Format: For formal invitations, write out the time in full without using numerals. For example, "half after three o'clock" or "four o'clock". Avoid using "a.m." or "p.m." unless necessary. Instead, specify the time of day, such as "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening."
• Casual Format: For a casual event, you can use numerals and write the time as "4 pm" or "5:30 pm."
• Matching Formality: Ensure that the formatting of the time matches the formatting of the date in terms of formality.

Additional Considerations:

• Reception Timing: If the reception follows immediately in the same location, you can simply write "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow." If the reception is at a different time and/or location, include a separate reception card with the details.
• Start Time: It is generally not recommended to put an earlier start time on the invitations to account for potential lateness. Instead, keep the time buffer to a maximum of 15 minutes to avoid keeping punctual guests waiting too long.
• End Time: Traditionally, the end time is not included on the invitation. However, if you feel it is essential, you can include this information on your wedding website.

Location

When it comes to the location of your wedding, there are a few things to consider when it comes to your invitations.

Firstly, it is important to include the name and full street address of your wedding venue, including the state and zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, be sure to include the country as well. If omitting the street address would cause confusion or if the wedding is taking place at the host's home, then it is customary to include this information.

Secondly, consider whether your ceremony and reception are taking place at the same venue or different locations. If they are at the same venue, a simple "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" will suffice. If the reception is elsewhere, it is best to include a separate reception card with the time and address.

Thirdly, if your wedding has multiple events, it is helpful to include an activity card with your invitation suite. This card can list all the festivities open to guests in chronological order.

Finally, if your wedding is at a unique venue or somewhere your guests may not be familiar with, it is useful to include an insert with extra information. This could include instructions for parking, a custom map of the area, or a list of things for guests to do before the wedding.

Frequently asked questions