Mastering Wedding Invitation Wording: Your Complete Guide

Wedding Planning Tips

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Your wedding invitations set the tone for your big day and provide guests with essential details about the event. Crafting the perfect wording can be a daunting task, but fear not – we’re here to help. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the essential elements of wedding invitation wording and provide examples to inspire you along the way.

Essential Elements of Wedding Invitation Wording:

  1. Who’s Hosting: The first line of your wedding invitation traditionally indicates who is hosting the event. This could be the bride’s parents, the groom’s parents, both sets of parents, or the couple themselves. For example:
    • “Together with their families, [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] request the pleasure of your company…”
  2. The Request to Attend: Next, clearly state that you are inviting guests to your wedding. This can be done in a variety of ways, from formal language to more casual expressions:
    • “Request the honor of your presence…”
    • “Invite you to celebrate their marriage…”
    • “Would be delighted if you could join them…”
  3. Names of the Bride and Groom: Include the full names of the bride and groom to ensure clarity. If you’re using formal titles, make sure they match the tone of your invitation:
    • “Stacey Bullington and Peter Cunningham…”
    • “Grace and Russell Fitzpatrick…”
  4. Date, Time, and Location: Provide the date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony. Be sure to include both the date and day of the week for clarity:
    • “Saturday, July 9, 2016, at two thirty in the afternoon…”
    • “August 4th, 2016, at 5 o’clock…”
  5. Reception Information: If the reception will follow immediately after the ceremony, include details about the reception venue and any additional events:
    • “Dinner and dancing to follow at [Reception Venue]…”
    • “Merriment to follow…”
  6. Dress Code: If you have a specific dress code for your wedding, such as black tie or casual attire, include it on the invitation to inform guests:
    • “Black tie invited…”
    • “Casual attire…”
  7. Separate RSVP Card: Include a separate RSVP card with instructions for guests to respond to your invitation. This ensures that you receive accurate RSVPs in a timely manner.

photography by Jen Pecka Photography

Example Wedding Invitation Wording:

With great pleasure

Stacey Bullington and Peter Cunningham

invite you to join them at the celebration of their marriage

Saturday, July 9, 2016

at two thirty in the afternoon

Church/ceremony location specific location

Dinner and dancing to follow at (Reception venue)

Grace and Russell Fitzpatrick are gettin’ hitched!

August 4th 2016 Join us at 5 o’clock

Gilbertsville Farmhouse 336 Coye Brook Rd South New Berlin, New York

Merriment to follow

Doctor and Mrs. Ronald Kaleya

Mr. and Mrs. Barnett Rothenberg

invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their children

Marin Sami and Joseph Benjamin Saturday,

the twenty-ninth of September Two thousand twelve

at six o’clock in the evening

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

1000 Washington Avenue

Brooklyn, New York

Dinner and dancing to follow

Black tie invited

With these essential elements and examples of wedding invitation wording, you’re well-equipped to craft invitations that reflect your style and set the tone for your special day. Whether you opt for traditional formalities or modern expressions, remember to personalize your invitations to make them uniquely yours. Happy planning!