Proper Wedding Invitation Wording

Now that you’ve picked out your beautiful wedding stationery, it’s time to work on your wedding invitation wording. Whether you want to keep your wording classic and traditional or creative and whimsical is entirely up to you. Whatever route you choose, there are still basic elements that should be included regardless.

The good news is that invitation etiquette rules aren’t complicated. They are actually much simpler and more straightforward than you realize. No matter the case the most important rule of all is that you create a beautiful wedding invitation that represents you, your love, and the big day to come (and communicates the vital details of the wedding, of course) – so feel absolutely free to steal the wording right from our samples or these wedding invitation wording rules to create your own.

What to Include on Your Wedding Invitation

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 use “Together with their parents, Shae and Dominic 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. 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 weddingon the fifth of May, two thousand seventeenat one o’clock in the afternoonThe Reagan LibrarySimi Valley, CaliforniaDinner & dancing to followBlack 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 step parent, 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 Hylandinvite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland

1.06.18 | 4 p.m.Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic ChurchNewport, CaliforniaReception 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 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.

For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman first and man second isn’t applicable. Whether it’s “Emily and Zara” or “Zara and Emily,” it’s going to be lovely either way. When writing their own names, same-sex couples can choose to either go in alphabetical order or simply with what sounds better.

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.

Include the time if the wedding reception is not immediately following the ceremony.

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, if the invitation on the simpler side, that 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.

Wedding Invitation Wording Examples

Stacey and Peter

With great pleasure

Stacey Bullington and Peter Cunninghaminvite you to join them at the celebration of their marriageSaturday, July 9, 2016at two thirty in the afternoonSanta Barbara Courthouse – Mural RoomSanta Barbara, CaliforniaDinner and dancing to follow at Casa de la Guerra

Patricia and Caleb

Please join us for the wedding ofPatricia Ahn & Caleb WrightSundayThe 4th of December, 2013at half-past seven in the eveningThe FoundryLong Island, New Yorkreception to follow

Julia and David

Jerry & Georgian Sadowski and Gary & Georgia Byrneinvite you to celebrate with their children,Julia & David on their wedding dayFriday | 07 Sep 12 | 3:30 p.m.Cortelyou Commons, DePaul University: CeremonyPeggy Norbert Nature Museum: Reception 6 p.m.

Grace and Russell

Grace and Russell Fitzpatrick are gettin’ hitched!August 4th 2016Join us at 5 o’clockThe West Palm825 Oceanside AveSt. PetersburgMerriment to follow

Naomi and Harrison

Naomi and HarrisonDr. and Mrs. Donnor Salvatore Quette and Mr. and Mrs. Elliot BoaltInvite you to celebrate the marriage of their childrenNaomi Grace Quette and Harrison Luke BoaltSaturday, the fifth of November, two thousand and sixteenSix o’clock in the evening | The Inn at Serenbe | Palmetto, Georgiafollowed by dinner & dancing

Rachel and Zach

Rachel & Zach are getting married!!October 19th 2013Four o’clock in the eveningat the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural HistoryDrinks, Dancing & Shenanigans to follow

Marin and Joseph

Doctor and Mrs. Ronald KaleyaMr. and Mrs. Barnett Rothenberginvite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their childrenMarin Sami and Joseph BenjaminSaturday, the twenty-ninth of SeptemberTwo thousand twelve at six o’clock in the eveningBrooklyn Botanic Garden1000 Washington AvenueBrooklyn, New YorkDinner and dancing to followBlack tie invited

Rachel and Mark

Mr. and Mrs. Lucas DarbyRequest the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughterRachel Faye to Mark Sebastian CatalanoSaturday, the twenty-fourth of SeptemberTwo thousand and elevenat half after five o’clockUbud Hanging GardensBali, IndonesiaReception to follow

Stephanie and Taylor

Together with their familiesStephanie May Mattersen and Taylor Grant KealeyRequest the honor of your presence as theyTie the knotFriday May Twelfth, Two Thousand FifteenAt two o’clock in the afternoonConservatory GardenCentral ParkNew York, New York

Katie and Jacob

Katie & Jacobwould love your presence in celebrating their marriageMay 23rd 2013 | 3 o’clock in the afternoon2701 Hodges Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32296Reception to follow

Chloe and Matthew

Love is in the airChloe Marie Sinclair & Matthew James DentonHave the honour of announcing their marriageon Saturday, the tweny-fifth of AugustTwo thousand eighteenat three o’clock in the afternoonGlochester Catholic ChurchDublin IrelandC + M

Ben and Eleanor

We’re getting married!Ben & EleanorPlease join us10.11.2014at 5:30 p.m.Panorama Hills

Philip and Heath

Together with their familiesPhilip Parker & Heath HartsellInvite you to join them as they say “I Do!”Saturday, the twenty-first of August | two thousand eighteenSix o’clock in the evening | New Orleans, Pharmacy Museum, New Orleans New LouisianaDinner, dancing & drinks to follow | Black-tie optional

Emily and Michael

Mr. and Mrs. Robert BakerRequest the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughterEmily Louise to Michael Chase WalkerSaturday, December 15, 2012at five o’clock in the eveningThe Union ClubBethesda, MarylandDinner and dancing to follow

Felicia and Kellis

Please joinFelicia Beth Yoder and Kellis Curry Cunninghamas they tie the knotOctober 4th 2014four o’clock in the afternoonGulf Beach Resort MotelSarasota, FL

Nicole and Cameron

Mr. and Mrs. William Edward Manningrequest the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughterNicole Manning to Cameron West9.10.2015 at 4pmGramercy Park Hotel | New York CityCocktails, dinner & dancing to follow

Amelia and Jake

Amelia Bell + Jake BradleyRequest the honor of your presence on their wedding daySaturday, the eleventh of June

Two thousand and sixteenat half past six o’clock in the eveningthe First Congregational Church of Wells

Rachael and Ryan

Please join us for our weddingRachael Jordan & Ryan DohertyJanuary 3rd 20154:00pmGriffith Observatory2800 E. Observatory Rd.*Dinner to follow at *Blue Palms Brewhouse 6124 Hollywood Blvd

Dierdre and Peter

The wedding of

Dierdre Watters Norman and Peter Francis CarrSt. Luke Roman Catholic ChurchRiver Forest, IllinoisNovember 21, 2009

Lindsay and Eric

Mr. and Mrs. Robert DombiInvite you to join in the Celebration of the marriage of their daughterLindsay Marie to Eric JamesSon of Mr. and Mrs. Jay TkaczSaturday, May 11Two thousand thirteenat one thirty in the afternoonSt. Mary’s Star of the Sea145 Main St. // Unionville, CTAdult reception to follow at 4:30 p.m. // Farmington Gardens

Sara and Christopher

Together with their ParentsSara and Christopher Hannigan

invite you to attend their wedding ceremonySunday August 25th 2013 at 6 pmSt. Regis ResortMonarch BeachCalifornia

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