Wedding invitation wording can sometimes cause anxiety. What happens if you unintentionally misspell a word or forget to include crucial information? Don’t worry! Viva Wedding Photography has compiled a list of wording examples and tips to assist you in creating invitations that are perfectly on point.
1. What to Include on a Wedding Invitation
1.1. The host line
This is the first line of the invitation that indicates who is hosting or paying for the wedding. It can be the bride’s parents, the groom’s parents, both sets of parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of any of these. If you are hosting the wedding yourself, this line can be skipped.
1.2. The request line
The request line is the perfect place to extend a warm invitation to your guests for your wedding celebration! This line will indicate the type of ceremony and the level of formality. It can be a traditional phrase, such as “request the honor of your presence” for a formal wedding in a house of worship, or a more casual phrase, such as “please join us to celebrate” for a less formal wedding in a non-religious venue.
1.3. The names of the couple
The couple’s names come next, which is the most crucial information. These are typically printed in larger type than the remainder of the wedding invitation content.
In the traditional order, the bride’s name is always mentioned before the groom’s. The formal invitations issued by the bride’s parents refer to her by her first and middle names and the groom by his full name and title. If the couple is hosting the event themselves, their titles may be included but are not required.
In the case of same-sex couples, the order of the woman first and man second does not apply. Name it “Jack and William” or “William and Jack”; it will be beautiful either way. Couples of the same sex can use the alphabetical order or the order that sounds best when writing their names.
1.4. The date and time
It is important to consider both formality and clarity when indicating the wedding date and time. For a formal invitation, the date and time should be spelled out in full, and the time should be followed by “in the morning,” “in the afternoon,” or “in the evening.” In a more modern wedding invite wording, the date and time can be written in numerals, and the time can be followed by “a.m.” or “p.m.”
1.5. The location
Provide the name and complete street address of your wedding venue, including the state and zip code, with as much detail as possible. Don’t forget to mention the country if your wedding is happening abroad. Guests should be informed about the location they are expected to be at, allowing them to make necessary travel arrangements and find nearby accommodations if needed. You definitely don’t want someone to get lost and be tardy for the ceremony, right?
1.6. The reception line
It is important to inform guests if the reception will be held at the same venue as the ceremony. In that situation, you can just say, “Reception to follow.” If the event is taking place at a different location, you have the option to include that information on your invitations if there is room or on a separate details card.
1.7. Dress code
Guests will appreciate it if you provide a dress code, but it is not required. You can include the dress code in the lower corner or center it at the bottom of the invitation.
If you do not provide any information about attire, the invitation will specify the dress code. For example, if the invitation is highly fancy, attendees will most likely expect a formal, black-tie affair; on the other hand, a more understated invitation signals a more relaxed dress code.
Another option is to include the dress code on a details card or your wedding website.
1.8. RSVP
A response card that guests may fill out and mail back is something that many couples choose to include. Another choice is to allow guests to RSVP through your wedding website. In that situation, you can include the website address on a separate card, similar to an RSVP card. This way, guests can easily let you know if they can attend directly on the site.
2. Wedding Invitation Wording Examples
2.1. Hosted by one set of parents
It was customary for the bride’s family to take on the responsibility of hosting and financing the wedding. Although it is still a common practice, it is becoming more common for the groom’s family or other loved ones to host the event. It is a thoughtful touch to include their names on the invitation in every one of these situations.
Viva Wedding’s Tips
- For very formal invitations, including your parents’ full names is recommended.
- It is best to refrain from using initials.
- If the parents have different last names, you can use the word “and” to join the two names.
Formal wedding invitation wording samples
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Elizabeth
to
James Robert Jones
on Saturday, the twenty-third of June
two thousand twenty-four
at half past four
at The Plaza Hotel
768 Fifth Avenue
New York,
Reception to follow
Casual wedding invite wording
Lisa and Tom Jones
invite you to join them in celebrating their daughter’s wedding.
Emma Grace
to
Ryan James Lee
Saturday, June 23, 2024
at 4:30 p.m.
at The Barn at Willow Creek
123 Willow Lane
Springfield, Illinois
Dinner and dancing to follow
Casual attire
2.2. Hosted by both sets of parents
Weddings are truly remarkable occasions that symbolize the coming together of two families. It is a wonderful gesture when both sets of parents come together to host such a special day. When both families are hosting your wedding, it can be a bit challenging to figure out how to include all the names on the invitation.
If you are a different-sex couple, it is customary to list the bride’s parents’ names first.
If you are a same-sex couple, list your parents’ names in alphabetical order.
Formal wedding invite wording samples
Mr. and Mrs. James Stuart Evans, Jr.
and
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Charles Jamison
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Katherine Leigh
and
James Robert
on Saturday, the twenty-third of June
two thousand twenty-four
at half past four o’clock
Hotel Boca Chica, Acapulco, Mexico
Dinner and merriment to follow
Casual invitation example
Lisa and Tom Jones
and
Mary and David Lee
invite you to join them in the celebration of their children’s marriage
Emma Grace
and
Ryan James
on Saturday, June 23, 2024
at 4:30 p.m.
at The Barn at Willow Creek
123 Willow Lane
Springfield, Illinois
Dinner and dancing to follow
Dress as you wish
2.3. Hosted by the couple
If you want to save space, you can omit the host line or begin the text with a friendly introduction.
Formal wedding invitation wording
The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Emma Grace Jones
to
Ryan James Lee
on Saturday, the twenty-third of June
two thousand twenty-four
at half past four
at The Plaza Hotel
768 Fifth Avenue
Casual wedding invite wording sample
Jack Alexander Smith
and
Mason Jacob Kim
are tying the knot!
They would love to have you there
Saturday, November 9, 2024
at 5:00 in the afternoon
2.4. Wedding invitation wording together with their families
Formal wording for wedding invitations
Along with their families
Olivia Rose Smith
and
John Michael Reyes
Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith
and
Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes
Request the pleasure of your company
At their wedding
Saturday, the seventeenth of August
Two thousand twenty-four
At half after four in the afternoon
Reception to follow
Casual wording for wedding invitations
Together with their families
Lily Grace Anderson &
Ethan James Mitchell
invite you to join them in celebrating their union
Saturday, October 12, 2024
at 6:00 in the evening
2.5. Unique wedding invitation wording for friends
Jack Alexander Smith & Mason Jacob Kim
Are tying the knot!
Come join us as we say “I do” and celebrate our love
Saturday, August 17, 2024
4:30 in the afternoon
We’re getting married!
And we want you to be there
To witness our love and share our happiness
Please join us
Anna and Ben
On Saturday, the fifth of May
Two thousand twenty-four
At three o’clock in the afternoon
3. Wedding Invitation Wording Tips
Before diving into the task, these essential tips regarding the language used in your wedding invitations are worth considering. The invite is certainly the highlight of your paper suite, but insert cards can also be incredibly helpful for your guests.
3.1. Be brief
While your guests must have all the information they need to attend your wedding, it’s also critical to avoid overwhelming them with text in your invitations. Not to mention that it detracts from the beautiful design you chose. We highly recommend providing only the necessary information; save the other details for the wedding website or insert cards.
3.2. Consider the host(s)
The name of the person paying for the wedding—also known as the host—was traditionally included in the text of the wedding invitation. These days, it’s not always the bride’s parent(s). There are various ways to finance your wedding, whether it’s through your own means as a couple or with the support of your parents or loved ones.
It is customary to acknowledge the individuals who have contributed to your special day on your invitations, either by mentioning their names or including a brief line like “Together with their families.”
3.3. Think about your wedding’s formality
The wording of your wedding invitations reflects the overall formality of the big day. For a black-tie dress code, it’s best to stick with more traditional wording. On the other hand, if you want a more relaxed vibe, feel free to use some contemporary and fun wording. Choosing the right type of wording is especially crucial if you do not intend to express the dress code on invitations directly.
3.4. Include an insert card
Some information is best left out of a wedding invitation suite, such as your registry details. Alternatively, you can include a separate insert card with a link to your wedding website for guests to access. Additionally, an insert card can be utilized to include any additional information that may not fit on your wedding invitations, such as guidance on the dress code or details about a backup venue in case of inclement weather.
Get more ideas for your wedding invitation here:
- Wedding Invitation Stamps: Modern Guides to Choose Your Special Designs
- Summer Wedding Invitations – Beautiful Designs & Inspiration
- 28 Gorgeous Spring Wedding Invitations to Inspire You
We understand that each wedding is special and one-of-a-kind. You and your partner need to determine the language that aligns with your unique style. These examples and tips provide suggestions for the most traditional and formal wedding invitations. If you’re planning an informal wedding or looking for a modern twist on your invitation design, feel free to use wedding invitation wording that reflects your unique style and preferences. Viva Wedding Photograph hopes this post is helpful for you!
