Wedding invitations are beautiful and announce to everyone the big news about your big day! When crafting the perfect wedding invitation it is important to know the proper wedding invitation wording along with what to avoid when wording your wedding invitations. Our easy-to-review guide will walk you through it one step at a time and get you on the right track!
Brides Often Ask
When should I mail invitations and save the dates?
Generally, wedding invitations are mailed out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding which allows time for guests to RSVP. Save the dates are generally mailed 6-9 months before the wedding and it is advisable to send them earlier if you are planning a destination wedding or one with significant travel.
Can I put my wedding website on the main invitation?
Sharing your wedding website is important but it is generally seen as not a great idea to put it on the actual invitation. It is a good idea to share the website on an enclosure card with the invitation.
Does my last name have to appear on the invitation?
Traditionally yes, you should have your last name on the invitation.
Expert Tips: What You Should Avoid In Your Wedding Invitations
There are lots of little things you will want to avoid when wording your wedding invitations. We have a full list of expert tips on what to avoid so you don’t make an invitation faux pas.
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- Don’t Write Information Onto The Bottom Of The Wedding Invite. The wedding invitation should only have the traditional information about the couple and where and when their ceremony will take place. Any other information should be included in separate enclosure cards.
- Don’t Print Information On The Back Of The Invitation. You would have for your guests to miss important details or information about your wedding so it is better to not print anything on the back of the invitation as many guests will not look at the back.
- Don’t Write The Bride’s Married Name. It is confusing for guests to use the bride’s married name before the wedding and an official name change.
- Don’t Put The Line “No Kids”. Some couples want to have an adult wedding only which is totally fine but it is important to inform your guests. The best way to tell your guests is to either include this information on an enclosure card and also by addressing the invitation to the couple only and not the family is a clue.
Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette
There is a lot of etiquette when dealing with weddings and the wedding invitation is no exception. To help you navigate the proper etiquette for your wedding invitations we have compiled a list of the main etiquette tips.
- Use proper upper-case letters for names, titles, locations along with names of days and months but lower-case for numbers.
- Traditionally the host of the wedding will have their names on the invitations as well as the couples.
- Include the ceremony location and its address.
- The phrase “request the honor of your presence” is to be used when the ceremony is taking place in a house of worship.
- The phrase “request the pleasure of your company” is to be used when the ceremony is taking place outside of a house of worship.
- Avoid adding too much information to the invitation. Stick to the host, couple’s names, location, date, and time- anything that does not need to be on the invite can be added with another card.
- Always proofread your invitation and have a third party look it over as well
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Wedding Invitation Wording Line by Line
When you breakdown the wording of a wedding invitation it is important to see each block of wording as a separate section which you can modify, change, or rearrange to fit your liking.
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- The Host Line
The host line should spell out who is hosting the wedding. Traditionally this line was reserved for who was paying for the wedding but that is not always the case. The host line can be one set of parents, both sets of parents, the couple and parents, or just the couple.
- What If Any Parents are Deceased?
If any of the parents are deceased it is perfectly reasonable to add the line “the daughter/son of the late…”
- What If Any Parents are Divorced and/or Remarried?
If any of the parents are divorced or remarried things can get tricky. The divorced couple can still list their names side by sides such as Ms. Maryann Smith and Mr. Fred Thomas since they are the parents of the bride/groom. If someone is remarried they can phrase the line using Mr. and Mrs. Maryann Smith and Mr. Fred Thomas.
- The Request Line
There is no one answer to this; it comes down to personal preference really. Traditionally, using request the pleasure of your company for ceremonies outside of a house of worship and request the honor of your presence for a ceremony taking place inside a house of worship. With the modern wedding invitation, there really are hundreds of ways of stating the request line.
- The Names of Couple
The name of the couple who will be getting married should be clearly stated in the invitation. Traditionally, the bride’s name comes first followed by the groom’s name. If it is a same-sex wedding the person whose family is hosting the wedding can come first but it is up to personal preference.
- The Date and Time
The date and time should be clear for your guests to read. Many couples still want their wedding invitation time to be formal and state “Half-past three o’clock in the afternoon” however more modern invitations are using more casual wording.
- The Location
The location should be listed for where the ceremony will take place including the address of the location name and address. Most of the time this information is the last to appear on the invitation and sometimes is in smaller font.
- Reception Information
The reception information should be included in a separate enclosure card. This information should have the location name, date, and time of the reception along with any travel information, parking information, etc…
- Dress Code
If a dress code is requested it is best to indicate that on a separate card or most often it is added to the reception information card. It is best to be as clear as possible so guests are not left guessing. Common dress code wording is Black Tie, Black Tie Optional, Cocktail Attire, Casual Attire.
- RSVP Card
The RSVP card is very important as this is the way you will know who is planning to attend your wedding ceremony and reception. The RSVP card should have a place line for the names of who will or will not be attending and sometimes this card will have guests indicate which meal they would like to have as well.
Wedding Invitation Wording Samples
There is no one way you have to word your wedding invitation but there are a few general styles that most couples prefer to use. From traditional wedding invitation wording to religious wedding invitation words we have you covered.
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Traditional Wedding Invitation Wording
Traditional wedding invitation word is exactly that, traditional! Generally, it is written in the third person and the bride’s name is listed before the grooms along with all dates and times spelled out in full.
When Divorced Parents and Step-Parents are Hosts
Mariah Carol Griffith (mom’s name)
Doctor and & Mrs. Brian Rupert Briggs (father and step mom’s name)
request the pleasure of your company
at the solemnization in holy matrimony of their daughter
Tricia Anne
and
Ryan Chan Bennett
son of
Mom Name and Step-Dad Name
His Dad’s Name
Saturday, the ninth of November
two thousand eighteen
at four-thirty in the afternoon.
Jolly Place
266 Miles venue
Miami, Florida
Light reception follows.
The color of the day: Green
When a Single Mom is a Host
Mariah Carol Griffith
invites you to partake in the celebration
of the marriage of her daughter
Tricia Anne
to
Ryan Chan Bennett
Saturday, the ninth of November
two thousand eighteen
at half-past six in the evening
The Oak Park
266 Miles Avenue
Miami, Florida
Dinner and dancing follow
Theme: A touch of champagne gold.
When The Couple Hosts Their Wedding
Together with their friends, families and four dogs
Tricia Anne
and
Ryan Chan Bennett
Request the honor of your presence as they
Tie the knot
Saturday, November Ninth, Two Thousand Eighteen
At half-past four in the afternoon
The Oak Park
266 Miles Avenue
Miami, Florida.
It is a bow tie affair.
Religious Wedding Invitation Wording
Religious wedding invitations often will reference God, blessings, and other religious phrases that fit with the couple’s religion and beliefs.
God has blessed us with
love and friendship.
We, Sofia Smith and
James Ray,
have chosen to begin our new
life together on
Saturday, August 7, 2022
We joyously invite
you to witness as we exchange marriage vows
and celebrate with us
at 11 o’clock in the morning
Christ Chapel of the Valley
11059 Sherman Way
Los Angeles
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Maria Smith
to
Jade Collins
When they ask God’s blessing on their union
And His presence in their new life together.
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Formal Wedding Invitation Wording
Formal wedding invitations list each person with their full formal name along with spelling out all dates and times. There should be no abbreviations such as St.
When the Groom’s Parents Host
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Rupert Briggs request the honor of your presence at the marriage of Ms. Tricia Anne to their son Mr. Ryan Chan Bennett on Saturday, the ninth of November, two thousand and eighteen at two o’clock in the afternoon.
Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral
Miami, Florida.
When the Parents of the Bride and Groom Host
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Rupert Briggs and Elder and Mrs. Castillo Stone Bennett request the honor of your presence at the marriage of Tricia Anne to Ryan Chan Bennett on Saturday, the second of November, two thousand and eighteen at three o’clock.
Christian Pentecostal Missions
Oak Avenue, Ontario.
When the Bride’s Parents Host, and Include The Groom’s Parents’
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Rupert Briggs request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Tricia Anne to Mr. Ryan Chan Bennett, son of Elder and Mrs. Castillo Stone Bennett
Saturday, the ninth of August two thousand and eighteen at six o’clock.
St. Thomas Anglican Cathedral
Manitoba, Winnipeg.
Informal Wedding Invitation Wording
Informal invitation wording is much more casual than other forms and may or may not list a host, dates and times may be written and not spelled out and the couple may or may not list their parents.
When the Bride’s Parents Host
Please share in our joy at the marriage of our daughter Tricia Anne Briggs to Ryan Chan Bennett
November 09, 2022, at four o’clock.
The Grand Oak Cafe
Manitoba, Winnipeg
Dinner and dancing to follow
When the Couple are the Hosts
You are invited to the marriage of Tricia Anne Briggs and Ryan Chan Bennett.
We hope you will join us in celebrating our union on Saturday, the second of June, two thousand and eighteen at six o’clock.
Rock Gold Inn
Miami, Florida
Reception to follow immediately.
When the Groom’s Parents are the Hosts
We will be delectating with your presence at the marriage of Tricia Anne and our son Ryan Chan
Saturday, November 09, 2018, at five – thirty-five
The Green spring Resorts
New York, New York.
A reception will follow the ceremony at the same venue.
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Modern Wedding Invitation Wording
Many couples want an invitation to reflect on their modern lifestyle. Many modern couples will drop the lines about the parents since the couple could be hosting the event themselves or they will select a modern font that does not spell out times and dates.
Modern Traditional Wedding Invitation
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Rupert Briggs cordially invite you to attend the wedding ceremony of their daughter Tricia Anne Briggs to Ryan Chan Bennett, son of Mr. & Mrs. Castillo Bennett
Saturday the 2nd of November 2018.
Ceremony to commence at 10 am
All Saints Anglican Church
Miami, Florida
Followed by a formal celebration at 2 pm
Grand Oak Resorts
Miami, Florida.
Creative and Concise Wedding Invitation Wording
TRICIA & RYAN ArE TyInG ThE KnOt!!!
Saturday The 2nd Of November 2018
CEREMONY/RECEPTION NAME
At 1:00 PM
Greenspring Resorts
Miami, Florida.
Detailed and Modern Wedding Invite Wording
We request the pleasure of your company
as we celebrate the marriage of
Tricia & Ryan
Saturday the ninth of November 2018
At 10:00 AM
The wedding ceremony takes place
At
City Hall, Florida
And reception begins by 1:00 PM at Greenville Hotel
Miami, Florida.
Dress: Tux affair
Enclosed is RSVP for August 2016
Casual Wedding Invitation Wording
If a casual wedding is what you have your mindset on you should have an invitation that reflects that. The casual invitation can drop some of the formal areas and focus on your names and the location and date of the ceremony.
Short Invite for When a Poetic Couple Hosts + Parents Included
Your love, friendship, and support have guided us to this day. Together with our parents,
we invite you to share our joy and witness our love, as we exchange vows and celebrate our marriage. Tricia and Ryan
Saturday 16th November at 11 o’clock
The Ascot Villa, Provence.
A celebration with brunch, drinks, and dance will follow.
For Poetic Couples who are Forming a Blended Family + a Reverse in Whose Name Comes First
Something borrowed, something blue, our Love as old as Time as our vows we say.
The earth and skies as witnesses, on our wedding day.
Kindly join Ryan & Tricia along with their adorable daughter and sons, Adele, Ace & Adam
as they continue their life journey together a blended family, uniting under the law.
Saturday, 16th November 2018
At 1:00 PM
Cherokee drive
Miami, Florida.
For Couples Who Want a Humorous Casual Wedding Invitation Wording
You are expressly invited to the wedding of Tricia & Ryan Saturday, the twenty-third of November two thousand and eighteen at five in the evening
Grand Oak Park
Miami, Florida
Dinner, drinks, and some weird but exciting dancing follows after the ceremony
See the RSVP card inside and kindly respond within two weeks.
We will be attending your awesome wedding?
Indicate true or false.
Are you confused about it…?
Who we are?
Where our wedding is?
Where to stay?
What to do once you get into town?
Your feeding plan?
Visit our website for such information. (Drop URL)
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Simple Wedding Invitation Wording
If sweet and simple is your style you can word your invitation to match it. Keeping it simple means taking out anything that you feel is unnecessary. You might just want to state your names, the date, and the location.
When the Couples’ Friends are the Host
With great joy, you are invited to celebrate the marriage of Tricia Anne Briggs and Ryan Chan Bennett Saturday, the twenty-third of November two thousand and eighteen
at twelve forty-five in the afternoon.
The Oakville Resorts
266 Oak Avenue
Miami, Florida
After a party of food, drinks and fun follows
When the Couple Hosts
Because you have shared in our lives and supported our love, we Tricia Anne Briggs and
Ryan Chan Bennett requests the pleasure of your company at our marriage Saturday, the ninth of November two thousand and eighteen at half-past the hour or two in the afternoon.
The Oakville Resorts
266 Oak Avenue
Miami, Florida
Reception follows immediately.
Short and Precise Simple Wedding Invite Wording
We’re getting hitched!!!
Tricia & Ryan
23.11.2018
at 7:00 p.m.
The Oakville Resorts
A reception of light refreshments follows immediately.
Funny Wedding Invitation Wording
If you want your guests to get a good laugh it is fine having a funny wedding invitation. The funniest wedding invitations wording usually makes light of the wedding and pokes fun at bad dancing, parting too much or something of that nature.
Our parents will never ask us why we’re still unmarried. Want to break some steps with us? Then we’d appreciate your response by June 6th, 2022. If you respond on June 7th, come along with a chair and waffles. Derek (fiancé) waited 15,641 days for this to happen.
Life’s a beach, but their lives are about to get a lot better.
You Are Cordially Invited to the Beach Wedding Of
Angelica Adams and Kelsey Vandersmith
Hope to “Sea” You There!
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Unique Wedding Invitation Wording
If your wedding is unique your wedding invitation should be too. Unique wedding wording information can range from using just your first names, start with a quote or phrase, or make light of a situation.
You are cordially invited
to the
Joyful Wedding
of
Sarah Smith
and
Jackson Wang
Please joins us in celebrating their blessed union
Saturday, the tenth of August, two thousand twenty-one
at three o’clock in the afternoon
at
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Hartford, CT
Two hearts, two souls, one love for all time
It would give us great pleasure if you would join us on our wedding day
Sofia Vanderberg
and
Mark Barren
are to be wed on
Saturday, the eighteenth of September
two thousand twenty-two
at 4 o’clock in the afternoon
Seattle Tennis Club
Seattle WA
Dancing, food, and fun immediately after
Gay Wedding Invitation Wording
There really is nothing different about a gay wedding invitation other than you don’t have a traditional spot for bride and groom so you have to decide whose name will go first and who will be listed second.
We,
Linda and Anna
invite you to share in our love as we exchange vows
on the 26th of July, 2022
at 4:00 pm
Westpoint Resort
665 West Ponte Road
Port Jefferson, New York
Please join us for a garden reception immediately after the ceremony
Robert Daniel
and
Markus Green
cordially invite you to celebrate and share their special day as they will formally express their
commitment to each other
with family and friends present
May 11, 2022, at 6:00 pm
Lava Lake Lane
Havasu, Colorado
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Wedding Reception Invitation Wording
If you are having a child-free wedding it is important to let your guests know that but you also don’t want to sound rude. It is best to not have this on the actual invite; include it rather on an enclosure card or with the reception information.
We are sorry, we cannot accommodate Grace and Sheila due to venue space. We hope you’d still come.
Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording
When wording the rehearsal dinner invitation is it customary to include the date, time, location, and any other important information the guests should know such as attire. Generally, the rehearsal dinner does not list a host on the invitation.
Join us for bubbles and dinner
After the wedding rehearsal for
Maddie & Mason
Tuesday
June 8
8 p.m.
The Wild West House
3675 Grange Close
Raleigh, North Carolina
Signature cocktails provided at the poolside before dinner.
RSVP by June 6
madson@house.com
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Wedding Shower Invitation Wording
Wedding shower invitation wording is a crucial part of inviting guests to a pre-wedding celebration. It sets the tone and provides essential details for the event. The wording should reflect the couple’s style, whether it’s casual, formal, romantic, or traditional.
Join us for an elegant gathering as we honor timeless customs and traditions. The afternoon will be filled with gracious company, delightful refreshments, and cherished moments of celebration. Your presence will add grace and warmth to this joyous occasion.
We’re beyond excited to celebrate our upcoming wedding with all of you! You’re invited to join us for a fun and laid-back Wedding Shower. We can’t wait to see your smiling faces and share this special moment with you. Let’s enjoy good company, tasty treats, and lots of laughter as we prepare for our big day. It’ll be a relaxed affair, so come as you are and be ready to have a blast! Looking forward to celebrating together!
Love is in the air, and our hearts are overflowing with joy as we prepare to tie the knot! We cordially invite you to join us for a romantic and enchanting Wedding Shower in honor of our upcoming union.
Indulge in the ambiance of love as we gather to celebrate our journey together. It will be an evening of elegance, filled with delightful company, delectable treats, and heartfelt conversations. Your presence will make this celebration truly magical.
Once that invitation is in the mail your guests will be excited to receive the good news and invitation to celebrate with you. Not only should you select an invitation that reflects your style and event type. Also, select the appropriate wedding wording to go with it.
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