What to Include on Your Wedding Invitation
Not sure how to word your wedding invitations? It might seem simple at first, but once you get started, you may realize that crafting the perfect wedding invitation wording can be a little tricky—there are etiquette rules to navigate and maybe a couple of sticky situations to figure out. But in a nutshell, the wording of your invitation should reflect the overall vibe of your wedding day. Ready to get started?
We’ve compiled this guide to wedding invitation wording and etiquette right here.
To help guide you, we're breaking down what each line means and what it typically includes.
All wedding invitations should include the following elements:
Who's hosting
The request to come to the wedding
The names of the couple
The date and time
The location
Reception information
Dress code
Separate RSVP card
Wedding Invitation Wording Line by Line
The Host
Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts of the wedding and are named at the top of the invitation, even for very formal affairs. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option no matter who foots the bill. Also, more and more couples these days are hosting their own weddings, or do so together with their parents.
If it's a collaborative affair hosted and paid for by the couple and both sets of parents, you can also use "Together with their parents, Emma and Jax request the pleasure of your company ..."
If you want to include the name of a parent who is deceased, you'll need to rearrange things a bit, as someone who has passed can't actually serve as a host. An alternate way, then, to include a deceased parent just means rearranging the wording a bit. Try this, for example:
Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French,
and
Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney,
request the honor of your presence
at their wedding
on the fifth of May, two thousand seventeen
at one o'clock in the afternoon
The Reagan Library
Simi Valley, California
Dinner & dancing to follow
Black tie required
If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, you can include them all, just keep each parent on a separate line. If you're going to include the name of a stepparent, keep it on the same line as their partner. It might seem complex at first, but all it requires is a few more lines. This is an example of a bride with divorced (and remarried) parents' wedding invitation wording:
Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory
and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner
and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland
invite you to the wedding of their children
Amy Abner and Charles Hyland 01.06.18 | 4 p.m.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
Newport, California
Reception immediately after
The Request to Attend
There are many ways to ask for the pleasure of your guests' company. The British spelling of "honour" traditionally indicates the ceremony will be held in a church or another house of worship. Here are few options:
"the pleasure of your company"
"at the marriage of their children"
"would love for you to join them"
"invite you to celebrate with them"
"honor of your presence"
The Names of Couple
If their names haven't been included in the host line, they should still take center stage a few lines down. No one would forget to add this to a wedding invitation, of course, but you might be wondering whose name should go first on a wedding invitation? Traditionally the name of the bride always precedes the groom's name. Formal invitations issued by the bride's parents refer to her by her first and middle names, the groom by his full name and title; if the couple is hosting by themselves, their titles are optional.
The Date and Time
For formal weddings, everything is written out in full (no numerals). The year is optional (the assumption being your wedding is on the nearest such date). Time of day is spelled out using "o'clock" or "half after five o'clock." The use of a.m. or p.m. is optional. For casual weddings, numerals are fine.
The Location
The street address of a venue is not usually needed unless omitting it would lead to confusion or your wedding is taking place at the host's home. The city and state should be written out in full in either case.
Reception Information
Very formal invitations include this information on a separate card. Otherwise, it can be printed on the wedding invitation itself if there is room; if the ceremony and reception are held in the same location, you may print "and afterward at the reception" or "reception immediately following." When the reception is elsewhere, the location goes on a different line.
Dress Code
Wedding invitation etiquette dictates that the dress code—if you're including it on the invitation—is the lower right-hand corner of the invitation. If you don't include a note on attire, the invitation will indicate the dress code. For example, if the invitation is very fancy, guests will likely be anticipating a formal, black-tie affair, or conversely, an invitation on the simpler side indicates a more casual dress code.
Separate RSVP Card
Most couples choose to include a separate response card for guests to fill out and return in the mail. You also have the option of having people RSVP via your wedding website. If that's the case, include the website address on a separate card, just as you would with an RSVP card, and indicate that guests can let you know if they can come directly on the site.
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