The Complete Guide to Wedding Invite Wording
The average wedding cost in the UK this 2021 is £24,109. This is an increase of 11% from 2022.
When someone is getting married, the first thing guests receive is the wedding invitation. This invitation will set the tone for the rest of the wedding.
It's for this reason that the wedding invite wording is so important. However, the vocabulary you use will depend on the type of wedding you're planning. For example, are you having a formal affair in a ballroom or a casual event on the beach?
Keep reading if you're drafting your wedding invitations and need writing help. Here's everything you need to know about wedding invitation wording, including several samples.
Who Sends the Wedding Invite?
Before we get into the wedding invite wording, let's first discuss who sends the invites. The answer has changed over the years, as some traditions have become antiquated. Traditionally, the bride's parents send the wedding invitations.
The reason for this is that in the past, the bride's father made marriage arrangements for his daughter. While this tradition still happens in some cultures, it's largely fallen away in Western cultures. However, nowadays, the bride's family is still expected to host the wedding if the wedding couple isn't hosting it themselves.
What Should Your Wedding Invite Include?
Wedding invite etiquette dictates that you include specific information on the invitation. Modern-day wedding invites are more elaborate than traditional ones and can come with multiple information cards within the envelope. This is often referred to as a wedding invitation suite and can include the following alongside the invitation itself:
- Response card and envelope
- Inner envelope
- Reception card
- Directions
- Weekend events card (if a multi-day wedding)
- Accommodation card
- Registry card
Wedding Invitation Information
Now that you know more about who sends the wedding invites, it's time to get into the nitty-gritty. Here's a list of information your wedding invitations should include, no matter what type of wedding you're hosting. The order in which you use them may vary from invite design to invite design.
- The name of whoever is hosting the wedding
- The wedding invitation request
- The name of the bride
- The name of the groom
- The date and time of the wedding ceremony and reception
- The location of the ceremony and reception
- Dress code
- RSVP details (if not providing a card)
Traditionally, the names of whoever is hosting the wedding appear first on the invite. Next is the bride's name, followed by the groom's. If the wedding invite is formal, the bride is referred to by her first name and any middle names she may have. The groom is referred to by his title and full name.
- Wedding Invite Wording Tip: If the couple is a same-sex couple, the names can go in any order you choose
Wedding Invite Wording Samples
Knowing what to include on the invitation is only half the battle, but now comes the fun part: wedding invite wording. You can use this space to get creative if your wedding is more whimsical or stick to tradition and formality if you have a more formal event. Here are some invitation ideas to get you guided in the right direction.
Formal Wedding Invite Wording
Dear [Guest Name] and [Guest Name/Plus 1],
The honour of your presence is requested to witness the holy union of
[Bride's Name and Middle Name(s)]
and
[Groom's Title and Full Name]
The wedding ceremony will be held at [venue] on the day of [wedding date] and will commence at [wedding ceremony time].
A cocktail hour followed by a reception will be held at [venue], commencing at [reception time].
Dress Code: Black tie optional
RSVP card included
- Wedding Invite Wording Tip: When wording a formal invitation, the wedding date, time, and venue are always spelt out in full
Semi-Formal Wedding Invite Wording
Dear [Guest Name] and [Guest Name/Plus 1],
[Bride's Name and Middle Name(s)]
and
[Groom's Title and Full Name]
invite you to join them in celebration of their marriage to be held at [venue] at [time].
Please join us afterwards for cocktails before adjourning to the reception at [venue], where dinner and dancing will follow.
Dress Code: Cocktail attire
RSVP card included
Casual Wedding Invite Wording
Dear [Guest Name] and [Guest Name/Plus 1],
You're invited to share in the joyous celebration of the love and commitment of
[Bride's Name and Middle Name(s)]
and
[Groom's Title and Full Name]
[Date]
[Time]
[Venue]
[Address]
A dinner reception will be held at [venue].
Cash Bar
Dress Code: Cocktail attire
RSVP card included
Formal Wedding Invite Hosted by His Parents
Dear [Guest Name] and [Guest Name/Plus 1],
[Groom's Parent's Names]
and
[Bride's Parent's Names]
formally request the honour of your presence at the holy matrimony of their children
[Bride's Name and Middle Name(s)] and [Groom's Title and Full Name] on
Saturday, the tenth of August
Two thousand and twenty-three
at six o'clock in the evening
Winchester Mansions
Ten Fischer Street, London
Kindly RSVP by Friday, the thirty-first of July
Black Tie Optional
Formal Wedding Invite Hosted by Her Parents
Dear [Guest Name] and [Guest Name/Plus 1],
[Bride's Parent's Names]
and
[Groom's Parent's Names]
formally request the pleasure of your company at the holy union of their children
[Bride's Name and Middle Name(s)] and [Groom's Title and Full Name] on
Saturday, the seventeenth of February
Two thousand and twenty-three
at five o'clock in the evening
D'Aria Winery
Sundew Valley, London
Kindly RSVP by Saturday, the tenth of January
Semi-Formal
Casual Wedding Invite Hosted By His Parents
Dear [Guest Name] and [Guest Name/Plus 1],
[Groom's Parent's Names] and [Bride's Parent's Names]
would love for you to attend the blessed marriage of their children
[Bride's Name and Middle Name(s)] and [Groom's Title and Full Name] on
Saturday, October 21st, 2023
at three o'clock in the afternoon
St James Church, Greyton
Cocktails and reception to follow.
Please RSVP by Saturday, October 14th, 2023
Smart-Casual
Casual Wedding Invite Hosted By Her Parents
Dear [Guest Name] and [Guest Name/Plus 1],
[Bride's Parent's Names]
and
[Groom's Parent's Names]
invite you to witness the marriage of their children
[Bride's Name and Middle Name(s)] and [Groom's Title and Full Name] on
Saturday, July 22nd, 2023
18h30 at White Castle
Cocktails and reception to follow.
Please RSVP by Saturday, July 8th, 2023
Smart-Casual
Tips for Ordering Wedding Invitations
Hopefully, these samples have given you a starting point for your own wedding invite wording. As a bonus, here are some tips for ordering the perfect wedding invitations for your special day.
1. Order More Than You Need
You should order at least 10-20 extra invitations when purchasing your wedding invitation. This is important because these will account for any mistakes and additional guests you invite.
Most suppliers will charge a minimum order, so it's best to order extras with your initial order. Otherwise, you risk paying for an entirely new batch when all you needed was ten extra.
2. Ask for Samples
Some suppliers will offer samples of their invitations for a small fee, if not for free. This is a great way to see the printed design in person and the quality of the paper.
3. Factor in Extra Costs
If you're ordering more than one item from your printer, you must factor in the extra costs. For example, you may include RSVP cards, direction cards, accommodation cards, etc., in the same envelope as your invite. If you do, you need to budget for all the wedding stationery you order, not only the invitations.
4. Order Early
Order your wedding stationery in good time. If you order too late, your guests won't get their invitations on time which can be both disastrous and embarrassing. Ideally, you want to order your invitations four to six months in advance.
5. Choose a Design You Love
If you're ordering your wedding invitations online, you want to avoid settling for the second-best design. Ensure you love the design you've chosen before it goes to print.
If there's something you're not happy with, change it before it's too late. You want to avoid getting the invitations and regretting your choices before even sending them out.
Stunning Wedding Invitations For Your Special Day
Typically, elements of the wedding theme are carried over onto the invitations, so through your wedding invite, your guests will get an idea of what to expect when they arrive. With proper wedding invite wording, you can let your guests know if you're hosting a formal, semi-formal, or casual wedding. Your invite also lets them know where the wedding will be held, the date and time, and when they should RSVP.
View our offerings online if you want exceptional wedding invitations for your special day. At Pemberly Fox, we have everything from bespoke wedding stationery to beautiful embossed wedding invites.