Follow these casual and formal wedding invitation wording examples.
Wedding invitation wording might not be as creative of a process to think about as paper designs, calligraphy and color schemes, but when it comes down to it, even the most unique wedding invitations need to be informative.
The text on your wedding invitations should give guests the details of your big day, all while offering a sneak peek of your wedding aesthetic and style as a couple. It should spell out all the essential wedding info—who's getting married, who's hosting, and where and when the ceremony and reception will take place. (Psst, everything else—like your registry and wedding party info—goes on your wedding website.)
With all that in mind, you should still feel empowered to put your own spin on things, especially if your wedding style is more modern, relaxed or nontraditional. Ultimately, it's up to you to do whatever you want with your invitations. (Read more about stationery traditions you can leave behind to see what we mean.) We've included both formal and informal wedding invitation wording samples below to suit all types of celebrations. Plus, read up on traditional etiquette, what to write on your wedding invitations line by line and the biggest wedding invitation wording FAQs.
In this article:
- Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette
- What to Put on Your Wedding Invitations
- Wedding Invitation Examples and Templates
- Wedding Invitation Wording FAQs
Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette
So you've picked your stationery design (if you haven't, be sure to check out The Knot Invitations for over 300 stunning options)—next comes figuring out how to write a wedding invitation. Before you get started, consider these important etiquette tips.
Be concise. It's important that your guests have all the necessary information to attend your wedding, but overloading your invites with text can actually result in them missing something important. Clarity is key, so just give the essential details and leave the rest for your insert cards or wedding website.
Consider who's hosting. Traditionally, wedding reception invitation wording includes the name of the person hosting (i.e. paying for) the wedding. Nowadays, this could be the couple themselves, loved ones (such as parents) or a combination of the two. It's respectful to list anyone contributing to your big day on your invites, either by name or in the form of a short line, such as, "Together with their families."
Reflect your wedding's formality. How you word your wedding invitations is an indication of the overall formality of the occasion. If you want guests to wear black tie attire, opt for traditional wording. Or if you'd prefer to keep it casual on your wedding day, feel free to explore modern and playful wording examples. Choosing the appropriate type of wording is especially important if you don't plan to explicitly state the dress code.
Include an insert card. There are certain pieces of information that don't belong in a wedding invitation suite—most notably, your registry details. Instead, provide guests with a link to your wedding website on a separate insert card. (Psst, The Knot has matching wedding websites and invitations for a cohesive design experience.) You can also use an insert card for anything that doesn't fit on your wedding invites, such as dress code advice or details of a backup venue in case of bad weather.
What to Put on Your Wedding Invitations
So what are wedding invitations supposed to say, exactly? Of course, you'll want to include the date, time and location, but how do you word it? There's a lot to consider when deciding on a wedding invitation format. To make things as easy as possible, we've broken it down for you into a few simple steps.
Stationery: The Knot Invitations
The host line. The opening line on a wedding invitation typically refers to the hosts of the event. As mentioned above, if multiple parties are hosting, it's only necessary to include names if you want formal invitations. If the couple is hosting the wedding themselves, this line can be omitted.
The request to attend. An explicit request to attend lets guests know exactly what they are being invited to (cue the squeals of excitement). There are many different ways to word this request depending on the level of formality required. See our examples below for inspiration.
The couple's names. Next comes the most important information of all: the names of the couple. These are usually printed in a larger font than the rest of the wedding invitation text. Feel free to play around with fancy typefaces here too.
The date and time. When stating the wedding date and time, there are two things to keep in mind: formality and clarity. Traditional wedding invitation wording requires the date and time format to be spelled out in full, while figures are often used on modern invites. If you're using figures, make sure the font you choose is clearly legible—a "2" that's easily mistaken for a "5" could cause a lot of confusion.
The venue location. Be as specific as possible when writing the name and full street address of your wedding venue, including the state and zip code. If your wedding is taking place abroad, include the country as well. It's important that guests know exactly where they are expected to be so they don't get lost and can organize travel and nearby accommodations if necessary.
The reception details. Finally, you need to let guests know whether or not the reception is taking place at the same location as the ceremony. If that's the case, you can simply state, "Reception to follow." If it's in a different location, you can include that information on your invites or on a separate details card.
The dress code. Including dress code information isn't compulsory, but it can be very helpful for guests (especially if your stationery doesn't give an indication of the event's formality already). You can state the dress code in the lower corner or centered at the bottom of the invite. Alternatively, use a details card or your wedding website.
Wedding Invitation Examples and Templates
Ready to dig into wedding invitation verbiage? A few basic wording tips before we get started: If one person's parents are hosting, it's customary to leave off that person's last name. However, if the person getting married has a different last name than their parents, write their full name (including their middle name for formal invites). The person's last name should also be included if their partner's parents are involved in hosting.
The Knot Invitations
Wedding Invitation Wording If One Set of Parents Is Hosting
In this case, the invitation includes one person's parents' names, so you can omit that person's last name (unless they have a different last name than their parents). On the following line, write out the other person's entire name. Same-sex couples or gender non-conforming folks should follow similar guidelines. The host of the wedding celebration (read: the people footing the bill) is listed first, followed by their child's name, followed by their child's partner's name.
Formal Wedding Invitation Wording Sample:
Sample 1:
Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their son
Jack Alexander
to
Mason Jacob Kim
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand twenty-three
at half after four
Sample 2:
Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Olivia Rose
to
John Michael Reyes
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
FOR YOU
two thousand twenty-three
at half after four
Casual Wedding Invitation Wording Sample:
Sample 1:
John and Eliza Smith
invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their son
Jack Alexander
to Mason Jacob Kim
Saturday, May 17, 2023
at 4:30 in the afternoon
Sample 2:
Kenzie and Jennifer Smith
invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their daughter
Olivia Rose
to John Michael Reyes
Saturday, May 17, 2023
at 4:30 in the afternoon
The Knot Invitations
Wedding Invitation Wording If Both Sets of Parents Are Hosting
If you have both parents hosting, their names should each be listed on separate lines. Since both last names are included in the greeting, there's no need to use last names for the to-be-weds—unless, again, if either of them has a different last name than their parents. In that case, list out their full name, in addition to the full names of their parents.
Formal Wedding Invitation Wording Sample:
Sample 1:
Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith &
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Franklin Kim
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Jack Alexander
to
Mason Jacob
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand twenty-three
at half after four in the afternoon
Sample 2:
Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith
Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Olivia Rose
and
John Michael
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand twenty-three
at half after four in the afternoon
Casual Wedding Invitation Wording Sample:
Sample 1:
John and Eliza Smith
along with Mark and Sally Kim
invite you to share and celebrate the marriage of their children
Jack Alexander
and Mason Jacob
Saturday, May 17, 2023
at 4:30 in the afternoon
Sample 2:
Kenzie and Jennifer Smith
along with Mark and Sally Reyes
invite you to share and celebrate the marriage of their children
Olivia Rose
and John Michael
Saturday, May 17, 2023
at 4:30 in the afternoon
The Knot Invitations
Wedding Invitation Wording If the Couple Is Hosting
If you're paying for the wedding yourselves, the wedding invitation format will look slightly different. Essentially, the greeting will skip the host line and begin with the request line—here's an example.
Formal Wedding Invitation Wording Sample:
The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Jack Alexander Smith
to Mason Jacob Kim
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand twenty-two
at half after four
Casual Wedding Invitation Wording Sample:
Jack Alexander Smith &
Mason Jacob Kim
invite you to share in their joy at their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2022
at 4:30 in the afternoon
The Knot Invitations
Wedding Invitation Wording If Everyone Is Hosting
If multiple parties are chipping in for the wedding, the invitation begins with the bride's name, followed by the groom's name, and finally the parents' names, starting with the bride's parents. Or go ahead and list the couple's names in alphabetical order, followed by their parents' names in corresponding order.
Formal Wedding Invitation Wording Sample:
Sample 1:
Mr. Jack Alexander Smith
and
Mr. Mason Jacob Kim
together with their parents
Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith &
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Franklin Kim
request the honor of your presence
at their wedding
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand twenty-two
at half after four in the afternoon
Sample 2:
Olivia Rose Smith
and
John Michael Reyes
together with their parents
Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith
and Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes
request the honor of your presence
at their wedding
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand twenty-two
at half after four in the afternoon
Casual Wedding Invitation Wording Sample:
Jack Alexander Smith &
Mason Jacob Kim
together with their parents
invite you to their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2022
at 4:30 in the afternoon
Wedding Invitation Wording to Include a Deceased Parent
You can absolutely switch up your wedding invitation script to include the name of a deceased loved one. One tactful and meaningful way to do this is to change the format slightly to accommodate the word "late" in front of your family member's name. (Beyond your wedding invitation message, you have plenty of ways to honor a deceased parent during your wedding ceremony and reception.)
Together with their families,
Mr. Jack Alexander Smith,
son of John Smith and the late Eliza Smith,
and Mason Jacob Kim,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Franklin Kim,
request the honor of your presence at their marriage
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand twenty-three
At six o'clock in the evening
Plaza Hotel
New York, New York
Reception to follow
The Knot Invitations
Wedding Invitation Wording If Another Family Member Is Hosting
We understand that every family situation is different. If you were raised by someone other than your parents and they are hosting the wedding, you can absolutely print that on the invites. Here, we show an example of what that may look like, but feel free to make it authentically yours.
Formal Wedding Invitation Wording:
Bo and Patti Smith
Request the honor of your presence
At the wedding of
Jack Alexander
to
Mason Jacob Kim
Casual Wedding Invitation Wording:
Bo and Patti Smith
Invite you to join in the celebration of the wedding of
Jack Alexander
to
Mason Jacob Kim
Wedding Invitation Wording FAQs
Still have some questions about what your wedding invitations should say? We've covered the most common wedding invitation wording FAQs below, including protocol for whose name goes first and the proper language to use for dress code details.
Whose name goes first on wedding invitations?
If you're following traditional etiquette, the bride's name always goes first on wedding invitations. That said, it's really up to you to decide whether or not this tradition is something you want to follow. For couples that don't identify as a bride and groom, or if there are two brides, names are typically listed in alphabetical order. But again, it's your choice if you want to embrace tradition or forge your own unique path.
How do you word a reception-only invitation?
It's important to use the proper wedding invitation wording when requesting guests' attendance at a reception-only celebration. Make some small tweaks to the wedding invitation copy, such as replacing "request the honor of your presence at the wedding of" with "request the honor of your presence to celebrate the wedding of." If the couple has already held the ceremony, the invites can double as wedding announcements. Feel free to add a line at the top stating that they've tied the knot, followed by a request to attend the reception.
The Knot Invitations
How do you word dress code information?
Stuck on wedding invitation verbiage etiquette for requesting a specific dress code? As we mentioned earlier, this should be stated at the bottom of your invitations or on a separate insert card or your wedding website. There are a few different ways to phrase this information. Try using one of these simple wedding invitation wording ideas:
Black tie optional.
Cocktail attire
Dress casual.
Can you list multiple venues on your wedding invitation?
Whether you're holding additional events (think: an after-party) or the ceremony and reception are in separate locations, sometimes it's necessary to include more than one address on your wedding stationery. If the event is taking place on the same day as the ceremony and there's space for more copy on your wedding invitations, feel free to add the details beneath the reception information. If the event is taking place the following day or throughout a wedding weekend, the easiest way to inform your guests without overloading your invites is by including a separate details card outlining the timeline of events.
Maddy Sims contributed to the reporting of this article.
FAQs
What is the proper wording on a wedding invitation? ›
On the more formal side, you could use classic wedding invitation wording such as, “The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of” or “You are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage of,” or “We invite you to share in our joy and request your presence at the wedding of”.
How do you invite a line? ›- We request the honor of your presence… ...
- We request the pleasure of your company…
- Together with our parents, we invite you…
- We ask you to be present with us at the ceremony uniting…
- We invite you to share with us a celebration of love…
Typically, a response card will include three elements, according to Wiese Alexander—the first two are essential, the third is good etiquette. One, space to include how many guests are coming; two, space for those guests' names; and three, space for a short personal note to the couple.
How do you fill out a wedding RSVP with M LINE? ›That "M" stands for the first letter of the guest's title, like Mr., Mrs., Ms. or Miss. The guest writes their full name, along with the names of anyone else who has been invited, on the line. For example, "Ms. Jane Smith" is the correct response if someone is attending the wedding alone.
What should invitations say? ›Basic Information for All Invitations
You'll want to let your guests know the purpose of the event (if there is one), the time (start and end), the place, special instructions (for example, costume party), and style (formal or casual). You should also ask your guests to RSVP so you are better able to plan.
"In the name of God, I, _____, take you, _____, to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death.
How do you invite friends to marry on one LINE? ›Dear friends, we would like to invite you to our wedding ceremony. Bless us with your presence. We hope that you will make it to our special day and see the strengthening of our unbreakable union in person. We invite you to be with us at our big day on [date].
What is an example of a formal phrase for inviting someone? ›Formal invitation wording often incorporates phrases such as: The honor of your presence is requested… [YOUR COMPANY] requests the pleasure of your company… You are cordially invited to…
How do you say RSVP in a nice way? ›Use a polite but firm tone.
Say something like, "I hope you received my wedding invitation a few weeks ago, because I haven't heard whether or not you'll be attending. I need to get a final head count by Friday, so please let me know by tomorrow at the latest."
The most traditional and common way to secure RSVPs for your wedding is with a response card. The response card (or RSVP card) is typically a small square or rectangular card that is sent along with your invitation.
What do you write in M line? ›
An RSVP card will usually have a line that looks like this: “M_____.” Ever wonder what in the world that M means? It's for your title – Mr., Mrs., Ms. etc! The line that follows is for you to complete with the names & titles of the guests attending.
How do couples RSVP to a wedding? ›Follow instructions from the couple so your RSVP is not lost. Include your full name(s) Include your response (Attending or Not Attending) Include the total number of guests attending.
How do I make my invitations stand out? ›- Mimic your event's purpose in the invitation's theme. ...
- Be specific. ...
- Use different paper types and envelopes than usual. ...
- Write the envelopes by hand. ...
- Use creative language.
- Project a bit of your personal style if the event is appropriate to do so.
- Use a bright color scheme in your birthday invitation card design. ...
- Combine different font styles that complement each other. ...
- Give your invitation an eye-catching header. ...
- Use a color filter to make text pop from your card's background image.
- “A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other.” – ...
- “To love is nothing. ...
- “May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day in paradise.” – ...
- “Marriage, ultimately, is the practice of becoming passionate friends.” –
The tradition is based on an Old English rhyme that dates back to 19th-century Lancashire. It describes the items a bride should have on her wedding day: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe."
What are the 7 wedding blessings? ›Blessed is the creation of joy and celebration, lover and beloved, gladness and jubilation, pleasure and delight, love and solidarity, friendship and peace.
Which name goes first on a wedding invitation? ›Tradition dictates that the bride's name always comes first, whether on save the date cards, wedding invitations or anything else. This is because the bride's parents are usually the hosts, paying a greater share of the expenses.
How do I word a last minute invite? ›When sending last-minute invites, include something like, “We know this is short-notice. However, we'd really like to celebrate with you! We are including a live stream option so you can tune in and watch online.”
What to write on a formal wedding invite? ›- A line to denote who is hosting the wedding (parents or the couple)
- A request line, inviting your guests to your wedding.
- The full names of the happy couple.
- Date and time of the ceremony.
- Venue information.
- Reception information.
- Confirmation of Covid-19 guidelines.
What are the three forms of invite? ›
- he / she / it invites.
- past simple invited.
- -ing form inviting.
Regardless of how close you are to the couple, no-showing is NEVER appropriate. Brides and grooms pay per head at their wedding, so you ghosting them would cost a couple hundred bucks or more.
Is it rude to not RSVP to a wedding? ›It is inconsiderate, but unfortunately common, for guests to fail to RSVP. Anyone who receives an invitation has an important obligation to reply as soon as possible. And yet so many don't. Some forget; others procrastinate and then feel guilty, so they delay even longer.
How do you count the number of guests on a wedding invitation? ›To limit the number of guests and avoid any confusion, a line will typically be added with the number attending. Sometimes the couple will fill this out themselves or, if their guest list is a bit lenient, let the guest write in the number attending.
How many days before the wedding should guests RSVP? ›How long should guests have to RSVP for weddings? Ideally, the RSVP date should fall three to four weeks before the wedding, and the wedding invitation should be mailed six to eight weeks prior to the wedding.
How many months before a wedding should you RSVP? ›Assuming you've sent your invitations out in time (at least six to eight weeks before your wedding), give your guests four or five weeks to RSVP. This is plenty of time for people to figure out if they want/are able to attend your wedding, as well as to figure out any necessary travel arrangements.
How many usually RSVP no to a wedding? ›On average, between 15 and 20 percent of guests will RSVP "no" to a wedding. This year, experts are saying couples should be prepared to host 100 percent of the people they invite.
What does RSVP stand for? › What do you write to the bride and groom? ›Formal Wedding Messages
“May today be the start of a long, happy life together.” “Wishing you the best as you embark on this next chapter of your life.” “Wishing you joy, love, and happiness on your wedding day.” “Your wedding day may come and go, but may your love forever grow.”
The envelope of your wedding invitation should include the name and full address of your guest(s).
How do I share a LINE in a group? ›
...
How to set up a shared line group
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- Enter the following information: ...
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Shared Lines feature allows calls made to one phone number to be answered by multiple phone devices. Answered calls can easily be handed off to other phones sharing the same phone number. This feature is a commonly required function in many industries, such as retail, restaurant, warehouse, etc.
How do I leave a group in LINE? ›1. Tap the menu icon at the top of the group chat screen > Leave. 2. Tap Leave.
How do I close a line group? ›Select 'Member' from the left to expand the menu and press 'Group' to access the page. On mobile, tap the button to access the menus. Press the group to delete and access 'Group info' or 'External group information'. Press 'Delete group'.
Can people see your LINE ID? ›If you do not want other users to find you using your ID, you can turn off Allow others to add me by ID under Edit profile. Note: Publicizing LINE IDs on the internet for the purpose of meeting a person for sexual encounters is prohibited by our Terms and Conditions of Use.
Why do random people add me on LINE? ›A user may appear under Friend recommendations because:
They knew your LINE ID and added you by searching for it on LINE. They added you from the member list of a group you were both in. They added you by using your contact information (LINE account information) that was shared in a chat room by a friend of yours.
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How do I send a message with a LINE through it? ›
If you want to draw a line through your text on Messenger, you can use strikethrough formatting. To do this, type a tilde (~) before and after the text. Strikethrough text is typically used to indicate text that is no longer valid or text that should be removed from a draft.
How do you send a message to multiple contacts in LINE? ›- Tap the menu icon at the top of the chat screen.
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