How to Word Your Wedding Invitations
Deciding on invitation wording can be an overwhelming task! We’ve compiled this guide for you to take the stress out of planning for your invitations, and provide you with some examples. There is quite a bit of conflicting info out in the world regarding invitation etiquette, so when in doubt, we always refer back to Emily Post!
The information that is typically included in a wedding invitation is broken down into five sections: the host, the request, the couple, date and time, and location.
1. HOST
The first line of the invitation lists the host(s) of the event. Traditionally, the bride’s parents act as host, but it’s common to have the groom’s parents, both sets of parents, or the bride and groom hosting. You can leave the host line out completely, or alternatively use “together with their families”.
2. REQUEST
Use “the honor of your presence” for weddings at a place of worship. “The pleasure of your company” is used for secular locations. The old English spelling of “honour” can be used for traditional or formal weddings.
3. THE COUPLE
The bride’s name goes first, followed by the groom’s name. Use only the first and middle name if the parents’ names are listed. Formal invitations include the groom’s title. If the bride’s parents are hosting but you want to list the groom’s parents, do so after the groom’s name.
4. DATE & TIME
The date and time should be spelled out. Include a hyphen in numbers over twenty (twenty-three). Including the year is optional, but do not use “and” (two thousand and eighteen is incorrect). “In the afternoon/evening” is optional. Use “half after” for half hours.
5. LOCATION
List the ceremony location along with the city and state. The street address is optional (it’s a good idea if the venue is not well known, or if there are multiple venues with similar names in the city), but leave off the zip code.
6. OPTIONAL INFORMATION
If the ceremony and the reception are at the same venue, it’s common to include “reception to follow” (or similar wording). If they are at different locations or you have more reception details to include, you would use a separate card for the reception.
You can also include information about the suggested dress code (black tie, formal attire, black tie optional) if the invitation is to the ceremony and reception. Attire is generally listed in the lower right corner of the invitation.
TRADITIONAL WEDDING INVITATION WORDING SAMPLES
These first three invitation wording examples follow traditional wedding etiquette and would be perfect for a formal wedding.
OPTION 1
bride’s parents hosting at a religious location
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Grace
to
Douglas James Walker
Saturday, the twenty-first of April
two thousand twenty
at four o’clock in the afternoon
Jarvis United Church
3001 West 10th Street
Greenville, North Carolina
OPTION 2
both parents hosting at a secular location
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
together with
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Walker
request the pleasure aof your company
at the marriage of their children
Amelia Grace
to
Douglas James
Saturday, the twenty-first of April
two thousand twenty
at half after four o’clock
Longstraw Farms
662 Jolly Road
Ayden, North Carolina
OPTION 3
couple hosting at a secular location
The pleasure of your company
is requested at the marriage of
Amelia Grace Smith
to
Douglas James Walker
Saturday, the twenty-first of April
two thousand twenty
at half after four o’clock
Longstraw Farms
662 Jolly Road
Ayden, North Carolina
Reception to follow
TRADITIONAL WEDDING INVITATION WORDING VARIATIONS
These next three wording examples are variations on the traditional wording, adjusted to fit different hosting situations.
OPTION 4
parents and couple hosting
Together with their families
Amelia Grace Smith
and
Douglas James Walker
request the pleasure of your company
at their wedding ceremony
Saturday, the twenty-first of April
two thousand twenty
at half after four o’clock
Longstraw Farms
662 Jolly Road
Ayden, North Carolina
dinner and dancing to follow
OPTION 5
groom’s parents hosting, black tie
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Walker
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of
Amelia Grace Smith
to their son
Douglas James
Saturday, the twenty-first of April
two thousand twenty
at half after four o’clock
Longstraw Farms
662 Jolly Road
Ayden, North Carolina
and afterward at the reception
black tie
OPTION 6
bride’s divorced (and remarried) parents hosting
Mr. and Mrs. Michelle Lewis
together with
Mr. Robert Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Grace Smith
and
Douglas James Walker
Saturday, the twenty-first of April
at four o’clock in the afternoon
Jarvis United Church
Greenville, North Carolina
CONTEMPORARY INVITATION WORDING SAMPLES
Finally, these last three invitation wording samples are examples of modern wedding invitation wording.
OPTION 8
bride’s parents hosting
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
invite you to share their joy
at the marriage of their daughter
Amelia Smith
to
Douglas Walker
Saturday, April twenty-first
at four o’clock
Longstraw Farms
662 Jolly Road
Ayden, North Carolina
reception immediately following
OPTION 7
couple hosting
Amelia Smith
and
Douglas Walker
invite you to join them
as they are united in marriage
April 21, 2018 at 4 o’clock
Longstraw Farms
662 Jolly Road
Ayden, North Carolina
reception to follow
merriment to follow
OPTION 9
bride and groom hosting
Because you have shared in our lives
by your friendship and love, we
Amelia and Douglas
invite you to share our joy
as we are united in marriage
Saturday, the twenty-first of April
at half after four o’clock
Jarvis United Church
Greenville, North Carolina
merriment to follow
When all is said and done, it’s your wedding. As long as you include the basic info (who, what, where, and when), your guests will make it to the wedding. And most importantly, make sure you and your fiance (and your families) are comfortable with the wording you decide on.