Wedding Invitation Wording: Formal & Casual Samples
Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting step in the process of planning for your big day. Still, you want to make sure you put care into this task. The specific wedding invitation wording you use on your invites can set the tone for your event.
The invitation must reflect the wedding style and include all essential wedding information the couple needs to provide. Whether you need a wedding invitation sample or some examples of wedding invitation sayings, this guide will help you choose the perfect words.
What to include in a wedding invitation?
1. The Names of the Hosts
Who is paying for the wedding? In some traditions, the family of the bride is the one who foots the bill for this event. No matter who is putting forth the funds for your big day, their name should go on the invitation along with the couple’s names as the people welcoming guests to the event. If many people are contributing, you may wish to find a more sensible wording as to not crowd the card with names.
2. The Official Request
Next, include the official request to attend the wedding. You will often see phrases like “we request your presence…” or “we request the pleasure of your company…” leading into this part of the invite.
You can pick whatever wording makes the most sense for the tone of the wedding you have planned. A more formal affair, for example, should include wedding invitation wording that reflects this aesthetic.
3. The Happy Couple
After the request, you want to list the names of the happy couple. Traditionally, the bride’s name will go first. However, modern couples and same-sex unions tend to break from this style.
You can sit and discuss with your significant other which name should be listed where. It is your wedding, so the choice is up to the two of you.
4. The Location
Now, it is time to start getting into the pertinent details of your big day. The invitation is meant as a way of providing all relevant data to guests so that they can plan accordingly for the event.
The first bit of info to put on the invite is the location. Put the full address of the venue where the couple will be wed, including zip code, so guests can look up directions with ease.
5. The Date and Time
After the location, include the date and time of the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, formal invitations dictate that all of the numbers be written out with words instead of using numerals.
However, more casual events don’t need to adhere to this rule. It really is a matter of preference, so try it both ways to see which options look best in your opinion and stick with the one that you enjoy most.
6. The Reception Info
Most of the information listed on the invitation at first is related to the ceremony. A majority of couples these days hold receptions in separate locations than their ceremonies. This means you need to include the reception info after the ceremony data.
In the chance you are hosting both ceremony and reception in the same venue, be sure to note this on the invitation so guests are aware they don’t need to travel far.
7. The RSVP Details
Bringing the invitation to a close, you want to let guests know how long they have to get back to you about attendance. Including a separate response card with prepaid postage can be the best way to ensure your guests will get back to you.
These days, it is also common to have guests RSVP in a digital way, such as through an online form or by text. Do whatever works best for your style and include all information in the wedding invitation wording.
8. The Additional Points
There may be some extra information that you want to provide to your guests. Perhaps there is a dress code or you need all guests to bring a particular item in order to take part in a family tradition you have planned. Anything that doesn’t fit into the above categories should be included as additional points somewhere toward the end of the invite, in a placement that is noticeable but not distracting.
Related post: Top 10 Wedding Invitation Etiquette Questions You Should Know
Formal Wedding Invitation Wording Samples
Sometimes, it can be helpful to see some examples with your own eyes in order to understand what a standard invitation will look like. These examples of wedding invitation wording showcase a range of options you can go with when it comes to your own invitations.
Look over the samples and use one of the templates. You can also take an example, personalize it and put your own touch on things.
Couple Hosting
Example:
The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of
Talia Camila Flores
and
Stephen Anthony Byrne
Saturday, the tenth of June two thousand and seventeen
at twelve o’clock in the afternoon
Arctic Club Hotel
700 Third Avenue Seattle,
Washington
Reception to follow
Couple & Parents Hosting
Example 1:
Together with
Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores and Mr. &
Mrs. Tom Byrne Talia Camila Flores & Stephen Anthony Byrne
request the honor of your company at the celebration of their union
Saturday, the tenth of June
two thousand and seventeen
at twelve o’clock in the afternoon
Arctic Club Hotel
700 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Reception to follow
Bride’s Parents Hosting
Example 1:
Mr. & Mrs. Jon Flores
request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter
Talia Camila Flores
to
Stephen Anthony Byrne
Saturday, the tenth of June
two thousand and seventeen
at twelve o’clock in the afternoon
Arctic Club Hotel
700 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Reception to follow
Example 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
two thousand and twenty
at half past four in the afternoon
Groom’s Parent Hosting
Example 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 and twenty
at half past four in the afternoon
Example 2:
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Byrne
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Talia Camila Flores
to their son
Stephen Anthony Byrne
Saturday, the tenth of June
two thousand and seventeen
at twelve o’clock in the afternoon
Arctic Club Hotel
700 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Reception to follow
Couple’s Parents Hosting
Example 1:
Mr. & Mrs. Flores
and Mr. & Mrs. Byrne
request the honor of your company
at the marriage of their children
Talia Camila Flores
&
Stephen Anthony Byrne
Saturday, the tenth of June
two thousand and seventeen
at twelve o’clock in the afternoon
Arctic Club Hotel
700 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Reception to follow
Example 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 and twenty
at half past four in the afternoon
Casual Wedding Invitation Wording Samples
Wedding invitation wording doesn’t always need to feel so stuffy or formal. If your event is more relaxed, then your invitations should definitely reflect this point. These examples lean on the casual side and can be the ideal way to invite friends and family to a low-key night of celebrating your union.
Couple Hosting
Example 1:
Talia Flores
and
Stephen Byrne
invite you to a celebration of their
love and commitment
June 10, 2017
12:00 pm
Arctic Club Hotel
700 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Dinner and dancing to follow
Example 2:
Jack Alexander Smith &
Mason Jacob Kim
invite you to share in their joy at their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2020
at 4:30 in the afternoon
Couple & Parents Hosting
Example :
Together with their parents
Talia Flores
&
Stephen Byrne
invite you to share in their joy
as they tie the knot
June 10, 2017
12:00 pm
Arctic Club Hotel
700 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Dinner and dancing to follow
Bride’s Parents Hosting
Example 1:
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dombi
Invite you to join in the
Celebration
of the marriage of their daughter
Lindsay Marie to
Eric James
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Tkacz
Saturday, May 11
Two thousand thirteen
at one thirty in the afternoon
St. Mary’s Star of the Sea
145 Main St. // Unionville, CT
Adult reception to follow at 4:30 p.m. // Farmington Gardens
Example 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, 2020
at 4:30 in the afternoon
Groom’s Parent Hosting
Example 1:
Mr & Mrs. Byrne
joyfully invite you to
the marriage of
Talia Flores
to their son
Stephen Byrne
June 10, 2017
12:00 pm
Arctic Club Hotel
700 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Dinner and dancing to follow
Example 2:
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, 2020
at 4:30 in the afternoon
Couple’s Parents Hosting
Example 1:
The Flores and Byrne families
joyfully invite you to the marriage of
Talia Flores
&
Stephen Byrne
June 10, 2017
12:00 pm
Arctic Club Hotel
700 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Dinner and dancing to follow
Example 2:
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, 2020
Though your invitations play a big part in planning for your wedding day, there’s no need to stress. You can easily find the perfect wedding invitation wording when you give yourself a little bit of time. Look over different examples, talk out some ideas with your partner, and you’ll soon have the right fit for your big day.
Related post: Funniest Wedding Invitation Wording and Samples That Will Make Your Guests LOL
