Wedding invitation wording & format

1. Host line: Whoever is hosting the wedding is mentioned first.

2. Request line: The line that invites guests to the wedding.

3. Couple's names: It's now up to the couple whose name comes first.

4. The date & location: Very important details with multiple style options.

5. Reception: Let everyone know what to expect after the ceremony.

Are those wedding bells we hear? Congratulations! You’re about to begin one of the most exciting chapters of your life—creating a wedding invitation! Okay, maybe the wedding invitation doesn’t offer dramatic scenes like choosing a dress, the sugar rush of cake tasting, or the show-and-tell of the ring. But honestly, there’s something about seeing your names coupled with your wedding date to make you realize, “Oh gosh, it’s really happening. WE’RE REALLY GETTING MARRIED!” 

While choosing the design of your invitation is both fun and important, the wedding invitation wording is what your guests will really be looking forward to. There are three major things to consider when writing your wedding invitation message:

  1. The information should be clear, concise and complete.
  2. The wording should set the tone for your wedding.
  3. The invitation should reflect who YOU are as a couple.

The host line

Traditionally in different-sex marriages, the bride’s family hosted the wedding, but this is no longer the case for many couples getting hitched today. Anyone can act as host, or a couple can throw their own wedding. Which is fabulous, but also tricky when it comes to knowing how to word this part of the invitation. Generally, whoever is hosting (or paying for the wedding) leads this section and honestly, this is the part of the invitation with the most variations. But once you know which scenario fits your wedding, all you have to do is add in the names! Some wedding invitation formats include:

Bride’s parents hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Amelia Grace Smith

to

Caleb James Miller

Bride’s parents hosting

Groom’s parents hosting

Mr. and Mrs. John Miller

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their son

Caleb James Miller

to

Amelia Grace Smith

Groom’s parents hosting

Both families hosting

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith

and

Mr. and Mrs. John Miller

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their children

Amelia Grace Smith

and

Caleb James Miller

Both families hosting

Couple hosting alongside parents

Together with their parents, 

Amelia Grace Smith & Caleb James Miller

request the pleasure of your company

at their wedding

Couple hosting alongside parents

Parents & step-parents hosting

Ms. Rachel Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jones

invite you to share in their wedding festivities

at the marriage of their daughter

Sophia Emily Jones

to

Elizabeth Marie Smith

Parents & step-parents hosting

Parent hosting with deceased parent mentioned

Together with their families,

Alexander Landon Hoffman,

son of Jason Hoffman and the late Christina Hoffman,

and Ryan Austin Wong,

son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wong,

request the honor of your presence at their marriage

Parent hosting with deceased parent mentioned

Friends hosting

Daniel and Ava Chavez

invite you to join in the celebration of the wedding of

Taylor Benjamin Wilson

to

Zoe Brianna Davis

Friends hosting

Couple hosting themselves

Zoe Brianna Davis &

Taylor Benjamin Wilson

invite you to share in their joy at their wedding

Couple hosting themselves

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The request

Simply put, the request is the line that asks the guest to attend the wedding. Traditionally, the request includes phrases like "request the honor of your presence" or "request the pleasure of your company,” but you can adapt these phrases to fit the tone of your wedding. You can opt for classic formal wording (tip: if you’re having a religious ceremony, especially Catholic, “honour” is recommended), informal casual wedding wording, or something completely original. Another little thing to note—when it comes to capitalizing the first word in the request, it's really up to you! Some wedding invitation wordings to consider:

Formal/traditional

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter,

Amelia Grace Smith

Formal/traditional

Casual/informal

We invite you to join us

as we exchange our wedding vows

Casual/informal

It’s a party—let’s make it fun!

You + us + cake (and some vows)

It’s a party—let’s make it fun!

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The names of the couple

This is likely the star section of the invitation, and for good reason—can’t have the wedding without the happy couple! The styling of this section has evolved over time (historically, the bride’s name was listed first as her parents were traditionally the ones hosting) and now, it’s really up to the couple. 

Quick name etiquette tips:

  • In an opposite-sex marriage, if a bride’s parents are hosting and mentioned on the invitation, tradition states that her first and middle name will go on the invitation, and the groom’s will feature his first, middle and last names. 
  • Nowadays, many people are opting (even for formal invitations) to go by their first names only or first and last for each person. 
  • Usually, legal names are used vs. nicknames. But, it’s your day so if you want to go by the name everyone knows you as, go for it!
  • While traditionally, keeping each person’s name on one line was preferred, many couples are getting creative and positioning their middle and/or last names below in a different typography style. Just make sure it looks intentional!
  • When deciding whose name goes first, many couples opt for the name of the person whose parents are paying for the majority of the wedding, or alphabetically.

Some wedding invitation examples include:

Formal/traditional with bride’s parents hosting

Amelia Grace

to

Daniel James Miller

Formal/traditional with bride’s parents hosting

Formal but more modern

Amelia Smith

and

Daniel Miller

Formal/modern

Casual or modern

Amelia

Dan

Casual/modern

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The date and time

The date and time of the wedding should be clearly stated on the invitation. Yep, this is VERY important to include and on the surface, a little bit more complex than you’d think when it comes to styling. But only a little! You can opt to go modern and minimalist and just use numerals, go full-on formal and spell everything out (even the year and time!) or compromise somewhere in the middle. At the end of the day, as long as your guests understand when to show up, you’re golden. Some wedding invitation examples include:

Formal/traditional

Saturday, the twelfth of June, two thousand twenty-three

at four o'clock in the afternoon

Formal/traditional

Casual/modern

Saturday, June 12, 2023

4:00 in the afternoon

Casual/modern

Minimalist/modern

Saturday | 06.12.2023 | 4 PM

Minimalist/modern

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Location

This is pretty straightforward. The name of the wedding venue is required, and usually, so are the city and state. The actual street address is not required unless it’s unclear, but very helpful if you have out-of-town guests.

Quick wedding location etiquette tips:

  • Use the full address if you are expecting out-of-town guests or are having a destination wedding.
  • Optional, but if there’s room or if it’s a formal wedding, the city and state should be written out.

Some wedding invitation examples include:

Formal/traditional

St. John's Church

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Formal/traditional

Casual

St. John's Church

Philadelphia, PA

Casual

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Reception information

Whether you’re sending a separate invitation for your reception or post-wedding brunch or combining your wedding ceremony and reception info onto one invitation, you can choose to add a line at the bottom of your wedding invitation letting people know that there’s a post-nuptial party to look forward to! You can opt for a simple “Reception to follow,” or get more detailed with “Reception to follow at {location name}” or make it totally creative with something like “Booze and grooves after the I do’s!” Some wedding invitation examples include:

Formal/traditional

Reception to follow

at The Ritz-Carlton

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Formal/traditional

Casual/modern

Reception to follow at The Ritz-Carlton

Casual/modern

It’s a party—let’s make it fun!

Booze and grooves after the I do’s at The Ritz

It’s a party—let’s make it fun!

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Dress code

Nobody wants to commit a fashion faux pas, especially at a wedding! Your invitation choice goes a long way in signaling to your guests what kind of a wedding they’ll be attending, but clearly stating what the dress code is removes any lingering sense of doubt. While this is optional, don’t forget—you may have guests who are wedding guest newbies, so help them out! 

Some of the most popular wedding dress codes to include:

  • Black-tie attire requested.
  • Formal or black-tie optional requested.
  • Cocktail attire requested.
  • Semi-formal attire requested.
  • Casual attire requested.
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RSVP by date

Between catering to seating to wedding party favors, having a complete headcount well before the big day is essential. Unless your guests are mind-readers, let them know when you expect to receive their replies so you can finalize all of the details. You can add this to the bottom of your invitation. Some wedding invitation examples include:

Formal/traditional

Kindly reply by May 15, 2023 via Evite

Formal/traditional

Casual/informal

RSVP by May 15, 2023

Casual/informal

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Religious or secular, find the words to celebrate your love

Traditional Christian Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Amelia Grace

to

Daniel James Miller

Saturday, the fifteenth of July

two thousand twenty-three

at three o'clock in the afternoon

Fellowship Christian Church

5679 Willow Brook St.

Seattle, Washington

Reception to follow at Hillside Hotel

Kindly RSVP by June 30th

Traditional Christian Wedding

Traditional Catholic Wedding

Together with their parents,

Samantha Mary Jones

and

Thomas Andrew Garcia

request the honour of your presence

as they exchange vows in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Saturday, the twelfth of August

two thousand twenty-three

at two o'clock in the afternoon

St. Patrick’s Church

74 Lincoln Blvd.

Boston, MA

Reception to follow

Traditional Catholic Wedding

Jewish Wedding

Daniel & Laura Cohen 

together with

Bryan & Rebecca Hoffman

request the honor of your presence

as they joyfully invite you to share in the celebration of the wedding of their children

Sophia Alexis Cohen

and

Evan David Hoffman

under the chuppah

Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Portland Jewish Center & Synagogue

351 Riverway Blvd.

Portland, OR

Reception to follow

Jewish Wedding

Muslim Wedding

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful

Mr. and Mrs. Hakim

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Aisha Hakim

to

Abdul Ali

Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 5:00 PM

Grand Hotel

Boston, MA

Please note that the Nikah ceremony will be a private affair.

The Walima reception is open to all.

Muslim Wedding

Indian Wedding (Hindu)

Mr. and Mrs. Amir Singh

request the honor of your presence

at the auspicious occasion of the wedding ceremony of their beloved daughter

Ayesha Singh

to

Rahul Patel

Friday, September 22 at 7:00 PM

Braydon Gardens

Princeton, NJ

Mehendi and Sangeet ceremonies will take place on Thursday, September 21

The Singh Home

50 North Chestnut St.

Princeton, NJ

Hindu weddings often have multiple events, and this invitation mentions two additional events, the Sangeet and Mehendi ceremonies, as well as the wedding reception. The dates, times, and locations of these events can be provided on the wedding invitation, though you can send a separate invitation for the reception if you wish.

Indian Wedding (Hindu)

Traditional Formal Secular Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith

request the pleasure of your company

at the wedding ceremony of their daughter

Amelia Grace

to

Daniel James Miller

Saturday, the thirtieth of September two thousand and twenty-three

six o'clock in the evening

The Rose Garden Pavillion

50 North Chestnut St.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Reception to follow

Traditional Formal Secular Wedding

Casual Informal Secular Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith

invite you to celebrate the marriage of their daughter

Amelia Grace Smith

to

Daniel James Miller

Saturday, September 30 at 6:00 PM

The Rose Garden Pavillion

50 North Chestnut St.

Philadelphia, PA

Dinner, drinks and dancing to follow

Casual Informal Secular Wedding

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Complete your wedding invitation suite

The wedding ceremony isn’t the only wedding celebration that needs an invitation! Here are some of the most popular wedding celebrations to include in your wedding invitation suite.

Save the Dates

Before you send out your formal wedding invitations, ensure your dream guest list can make it by sending out wedding save the dates beforehand. Even if you don’t have all of the details finalized for your wedding, you can let family and friends know what date to set aside for your marriage ceremony.
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Bridal Shower

While the bride-to-be is doubtless excited about her upcoming nuptials, a bridal shower is the perfect way to channel that energy into a beautiful and fun party for her and her close friends and family (our bridal shower guide from Camille Styles alone is proof of that!). It’s also a popular time to gift her something special in anticipation of her future marriage, though not required. Traditionally, the bride’s maid of honor hosts this bridal bash, though the other bridesmaids can also help with the planning logistics. Nowadays, a couple's shower and/or groom shower can also celebrated before the big day!
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Wedding Reception

After the vows are spoken, it’s time for everyone to celebrate the newly married couple! While some couples choose to simply add a line to their wedding invitation regarding the reception, sending a separate wedding reception invitation ensures that you’ll have plenty of room to share all of the details, especially if the reception is being held in a different location from the ceremony. Plus, this is really THE party of the wedding, so it’s nice to have a little more fun with the wording! Speaking of wedding receptions, if you’re looking to offer a special cocktail at yours, these 5 signature wedding cocktails are worth considering.
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Thank You Cards

Once all of the wedding festivities are over, it’s time to send thank you cards to everyone who made your wedding day so special. Don’t forget to personalize each one (if they gave you a gift, make sure to mention it) and send them out within 3 months of the wedding. If you receive a gift before the wedding, it’s considered proper etiquette to send a thank you card within 2 weeks of receiving it.
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More popular wedding invitation etiquette

Where should we put our registry and/or website?

First things first—don’t put your registry directly on your invitation. Your invitation should be all about your celebration! If you have a registry (or two or three), you can add it to your Evite event so your guests can easily find it if they wish to send you a gift. You can also add a wedding/honeymoon crowdfunding to your Evite event as well! Some couples opt to include a link to their wedding website right on their wedding invitation for guests to learn more about their wedding. If you want to include your wedding website on your Evite event without adding it right to the invitation, you can include it in your Event Details under “Note from Host.” 

How should we write our guests’ names on the invitation?

We're huge fans of personalizing wedding invitations and keeping the tone true to who you are as a couple. However, this is one part that should be fairly standard. 

  1. Use proper titles—"Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", and "Dr."—on the invitation (guests under the age of 18 can be addressed by their first and last names).
  2. Use your guests' full names. If they go by a nickname/preferred name, it's fine to use that, but when in doubt, spell it all out.
  3. If you're allowing plus-ones and don't know the name of your guest's plus-one, write their name and "and Guest" when addressing them (ex. John Smith and Guest). This makes it clear that you're happy to welcome their plus-one to the wedding!
  4. Be consistent in how you address people. For example, if you use "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" on the outer envelope, use "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" on the inside as well. Of course, if you use Evite, we'll take care of that for you automatically!
  5. Spell their names correctly. Seriously. Double-check all of the names and use Google if you need to!

When should we request RSVPs from guests?

While it's expected that guests will RSVP as soon as possible after receiving your invitation, the reality is that they may need some time to ensure that they can take time off, don't have any conflicting plans, etc. Include an RSVP deadline on the invitation so they know how much time they have to confirm their attendance.

 

RSVP deadlines can be 2–4 weeks before the wedding date to give you enough time to finalize the guest list and make any necessary arrangements with vendors. However, for destination weddings or weddings that may require travel arrangements, requesting RSVPs 2–3 months before the wedding is recommended. With flights, hotels and even passports potentially in play, it's important for both you and your guests to commit to an RSVP well in advance to avoid any issues before the big day.

When should we send out our wedding invitations?

Traditionally, wedding invitations are sent out 6–8 weeks before the wedding date to give guests enough time to plan and make travel arrangements if necessary. However, if you are having a destination wedding, a wedding during peak travel times like the summer or holidays, or if many of your guests will be coming from out of town, consider sending your invitations out around 3–4 months before the wedding date. Our advice: send out save-the-dates before your wedding invitations! That way, even if you don't have all of the details to share with your intended wedding guests, you can let them know the date and possibly even where the wedding will take place so they can start planning.

How can we request “no gifts” from our guests?

Wedding registries are still very common, but more and more couples are opting for "no gift" wedding celebrations. While it seems like just saying "No gifts, please," should be fine, it does still feel awkward, especially for older family members who wouldn't dream of not giving something. If you would prefer that your guests not bring gifts to your wedding, there are a few ways you can communicate this politely and clearly:

  1. Use positive language: Instead of saying "no gifts," try to phrase your request in a positive way, such as, "Your presence is the only gift we need."
  2. Include a note in your invite: You can include a short note in your wedding invitation, such as "Your presence is our gift. Please, no gifts.” or "Your company is the only present we desire. Please, no gifts."
  3. Create a wedding website: Consider creating a wedding website where you can communicate your request for no gifts in more detail. You can include a section on your website that explains why you don't want gifts and suggests alternative ways for guests to celebrate your wedding, such as making a donation to a charity.
  4. Tell your family and wedding party: Let your family and wedding party know that you are not expecting gifts so that they can help communicate this to other guests.

It's important to remember that some guests may still want to bring a gift, even if you have requested otherwise. In this case, graciously accept the gift and express your appreciation for their thoughtfulness.

What’s a tactful way to suggest donating to a honeymoon fund or charity in lieu of gifts?

When it comes to suggesting a honeymoon fund or charitable donation in lieu of traditional wedding gifts, it's important to be tactful and respectful of your guests' wishes. Here are some tips for making this suggestion in a polite and thoughtful way:

  1. Use positive language: Instead of framing your request as a restriction, use positive language that emphasizes the experience you want to have, such as "We're excited to start our life together and are looking forward to creating memories on our honeymoon."
  2. Explain why you prefer donations: Be open and honest about why you are suggesting a charitable donation, such as "We have been blessed with everything we need, and we would like to use this opportunity to give back to those in need."
  3. Offer a choice: Give your guests a choice between contributing to your honeymoon fund or donating to a charity that you support. This way, they can choose the option that feels most meaningful to them.
  4. Make it easy: Provide clear instructions on how guests can make a donation, whether it's through a website, an app, or by mail. This will help ensure that the process is simple and stress-free for everyone.
  5. Be grateful: Express your appreciation for any contributions that your guests make, whether it's a financial donation or simply their presence on your wedding day.

Remember, it's important to be respectful of your guests' wishes and to understand that some may still prefer to give a traditional wedding gift. By making a polite and thoughtful suggestion, you can help guide your guests toward the option that feels most meaningful to you as a couple.

Who should get a plus-one?

The decision of who to invite with a plus-one to a wedding can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the wedding, such as the size of the guest list, the budget, and the relationship between the couple and their guests. However, here are some general guidelines that can help determine who should receive a plus-one invitation:

  1. Married or engaged couples: It's customary to invite married or engaged couples together, even if you haven't met their partner. This includes couples who are in a committed long-term relationship.
  2. Wedding party members: If you have asked someone to be a member of your wedding party, it's generally expected that they will receive a plus-one invitation, regardless of their relationship status.
  3. Single guests: If you have single guests attending your wedding, it's generally courteous to offer them a plus-one, especially if they won't know many other guests at the wedding.
  4. Out-of-town guests: If you have guests traveling from out of town to attend your wedding, it can be considerate to offer them a plus-one to make their trip more enjoyable.
  5. Budget and venue limitations: If you are working within a tight budget or have limited space at your venue, you may need to limit plus-one invitations to only those who are in committed relationships or who are part of your wedding party.

Ultimately, the decision of who to invite with a plus-one is up to the couple, and there are no hard and fast rules. However, it's important to consider the feelings and comfort of your guests when making these decisions.

Is there a nice way to say “adults only” on the invitation?

Yes, there are several polite ways to communicate that the wedding is adults-only on the wedding invitation. Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Include the names of the guests on the invitation: By addressing the invitation only to the adults invited, you can make it clear that children are not invited.
  2. Use clear language: You can be straightforward and use clear language to indicate that the wedding is adults-only, such as "Adult reception to follow." or "We respectfully request no children."
  3. Offer a reason: You can explain the reason for the adults-only policy, such as "Due to limited space, we are unable to accommodate children."
  4. Mention childcare options: If you have arranged for childcare at the wedding venue or nearby, you can include this information on the invitation as an option for parents who may need it.
  5. Follow up with a personal conversation: If you have close friends or family members with children, consider having a personal conversation with them to explain your wishes and offer your apologies.

It's important to remember that some guests may be disappointed or inconvenienced by an adults-only policy, so take care to handle the situation with sensitivity and respect. By communicating your wishes clearly and offering a reason for your decision, you can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and can enjoy the wedding celebration.