Your Guide to Invitation Wording

I really love invitations. After your wedding, when I get to look at all of your stunning photos, I often find myself gravitating most towards the ones of invitations. There are so many little details on each part of your invite. But, figuring out what to put on your invitations can be difficult and stressful. What should include? Does it have too many components? Too few components? Have no fear, this guide should help you make all the right decisions so that you can send your guests the most gorgeous and informative invites.

HOST LINE

On the first line of a wedding invitation is where you list who is hosting, or paying for, the wedding. If the couple is paying you can skip this section of the invitation.

If the couple is hosting along with their parents:

• “together with their parents”

If one set of parents are hosting (married)

• include your parent’s full names, if they have different last names use “and” to join the two names

If one set of parents are hosting (divorced):

• include your mother’s name and then your father’s name on a separate line

If both sets of parents are hosting:

• list the bride’s parents’ names and then the groom’s parents’ names

• for same-sex couples list the names according to preference

REQUEST LINE

The request line is where you invite your guests. 

Examples:

• “the pleasure of your company”

• “at the marriage of their children”

• “cordially invite you to attend”

• “would love for you to join them”

• “invite you to celebrate with them”

• “invite you to celebrate their marriage”

ACTION LINE

• The action line is where you outline what you are inviting your guests too. 

If the bride’s parents are hosting: 

• “at the marriage of their daughter”

  If both the bride and groom’s parents are hosting:

• “at the marriage of their children”

If the bride and groom are hosting the wedding: 

• “as they tie the knot”

• “in celebration of their marriage”

COUPLES’ NAMES

different-sex couples: 

• the bride’s name typically goes first, followed by the groom’s name with first and last name

• invitations issued by the bride’s parents refer to the bride by her first and middle name and the groom by his first, middle, and last name

same-sex couples:

• can list names in alphabetical order or whichever order looks best

DATE AND TIME

Formal: 

• the date and time is written out in full

• the day of the week and month should be capitalized, the year should be lowercase

• the time of day is written out using “o’clock

• example:  “Sunday, the twelfth of September, two thousand twenty, at four in the afternoon.”

Casual:

• Numerals

• Example: “4:00 p.m in the afternoon.”

LOCATION 

When listing the location begin by listing the venue name and then on the following line list the city and state the venue is located in. A street address and zip code are not necessary unless the ceremony is held at a private location. You can include them if you’d like.

RECEPTION LINE

The reception line is used to let your guests know what to expect after the ceremony. 

If the ceremony and reception are held in the same location:

• “reception to follow”

• “reception immediately following”

• “Great food and a whole lot of fun following”

If the reception is in another location:

• list the location on the following line or include a separate insert card

• Examples:

  • “the celebration continues with a reception”

  • “a celebration with dinner, drinks, and dancing will follow”

  • “to share in our happiness, kindly join us for a dinner reception”

If you’re not serving a full meal:

• “join us after the ceremony for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and dancing”

Additionally, you can also include some other details. For more guidance, check out the sources I’ve listed below! Of course, you can always shoot us a DM if you need more guidance!

Dress Code

The dress code is traditionally located in the lower right corner of the invitation. It could be placed on your website if you have one or on a details insert card.

Great Sources: 

https://www.minted.com/wedding-ideas/wedding-invitation-wording

https://www.brides.com/story/guide-to-wedding-invitation-wording