- Crafting your wedding invitation wording can be a bit tricky due to the etiquette rules to navigate and potentially sticky situations to figure out. But in a nutshell, the wording should reflect the overall vibe of your wedding day. Here at Crafty Art, we’ve compiled several wedding invitation wording examples, tips, and etiquette guidelines to help and inspire you.
The Host Line: Acknowledging the Hosts
A Wedding invitation starts with a host line. This is where you list who’s hosting the wedding, which traditionally means who is paying for the celebration. Traditionally, the bride’s parents host the wedding, and listing their names on the host line is a way of acknowledging their generosity.
However, if the couple is paying for the wedding themselves or receiving financial contributions from both sets of parents, you can adjust the host line accordingly. Options include:
- “Together with their parents”
- “Together with their families”
Tips for Host Line Wedding Invitation Wording:
- The word “and” between two names implies that those people are married.
- Hosts who are not married should be listed on separate lines.
- Divorced parents who are both hosting should also be on separate lines.
- If including a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as the biological parent.
- Names should not be listed based on who paid more.
- To honor a deceased parent, you can say something like “Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez,” or “Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez.”
The Request Line: Inviting Your Guests
The request line is the “please come” part of the invitation. This is where you extend the invitation to attend your wedding and set the tone for your celebration. The language used here can vary based on the formality of your wedding.
For formal weddings, use:
“request the honor of your presence…”
For casual weddings, consider:
- “Would love for you to join them…”
- “Want you to come party with us…”
Notes on Request Line Wording:
- “The honor of your presence” is typically used for religious ceremonies, sometimes spelled as “honour” for a more traditional feel.
- “The pleasure of your company” is often used for non-religious ceremonies.
The Action Line: Defining the Event
The action line specifies what guests are being invited to share in. Examples include:
- “At the marriage of their daughter” for bride’s parents hosting.
- “At the marriage of their children” for both sets of parents hosting.
- “At the celebration of their union” or “As they tie the knot” if the couple is hosting themselves.
Couples’ Names: The Main Attraction
Whose name goes first? Should last names be included? These are common questions, and there are no strict rules, so choose what feels right for you. Generally:
- For different-sex couples, the bride’s name typically goes first.
- For same-sex couples, list names in alphabetical order by last name or choose the order that looks best with your design.
- For a casual feel, first names only are acceptable.
Date & Time: Setting the Scene
Traditionally, the date and time should be spelled out in full. For example:
- “Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon.”
Formatting Tips:
Capitalize the day of the week and the month.
- Spell out the time, such as “four o’clock” or “half after four o’clock.”
- Evening begins at five o’clock; otherwise, it’s considered afternoon from noon until four o’clock.
Location: Where It’s Happening
For Formal weddings, list the venue as follows:
- “Venue Name” on one line, followed by “City, State” on the next line.
- Street addresses and zip codes are usually omitted unless the venue is a private residence.
Reception Line: Continuing the Celebration
If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, you can simply say:
- “Reception to follow” or “Dinner and dancing to follow.”
For a different location, you can list the venue on the next line or include a separate insert card (called a reception card) inviting guests to the reception. Get creative and set the tone with lines like:
- “Join us for an intimate dinner following” or “Drinks, dancing, and shenanigans to follow.”
Other Considerations
Dress Code: Including dress code information can be helpful. For black-tie events, you must include it on the invitation. Otherwise, guests will infer attire details based on the formality of the invitation itself.
Wedding Website: Usually, you don’t publish your wedding website on the main invitation card. Instead, list it on one of the accompanying cards (like a reception card or additional information card). It’s also a good idea to have your wedding website URL or QR code on your save the date card.
Traditional Wording Examples
Example 1: Bride’s Parents Hosting
Emma Grace
to
Mr. Daniel James
son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael James
on Saturday, the fifteenth of September
two thousand twenty-four
at half after four in the afternoon
St. Mary’s Church
New York, New York
Reception to follow
Example 2: Both Parents Hosting
Together with their parents
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
and
Mr. and Mrs. Michael James
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Emma Grace Smith
and
Daniel James
on Saturday, the fifteenth of September
two thousand twenty-four
at half after four in the afternoon
St. Mary’s Church
New York, New York
Dinner and dancing to follow
Example 3: Couple Hosting
Emma Grace Smith
and
Daniel James
request the pleasure of your company
as they celebrate their union
on Saturday, the fifteenth of September
two thousand twenty-four
at half after four in the afternoon
The Garden Venue
San Francisco, California
Reception immediately following
Modern Wording Examples
Example 6: Modern Elegance
Emma Smith
and
Daniel James
invite you to celebrate their wedding
on Saturday, September 15, 2024
at 4:30 PM
The Loft
Brooklyn, New York
Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow
Example 7: Simple and Chic
Join us for the wedding of
Emma Smith
and
Daniel James
on Saturday, September 15, 2024
at 4:30 PM
The Botanical Garden
Los Angeles, California
Reception to follow
Crafting the Perfect Invitation with Crafty Art
At Crafty Art, we understand that every detail matters when it comes to your wedding day. Our goal is to help you create beautiful, personalized invitations that capture the essence of your celebration. By following these tips and examples for wedding invitation wording, you can ensure that your invitations are both elegant and informative, setting the perfect tone for your special day.
Visit Crafty Art for more inspiration and to explore our collection of customizable wedding invitations designed to make your big day unforgettable.
